2025-2026 Canadian Figure Skating | Page 43 | Golden Skate

2025-2026 Canadian Figure Skating

Robert Brodie writes about Uliana Shiryaeva's host spot selection for SCI:

Also Mike Slipchuk mentions they're looking at getting some of the Juniors out for Senior events (including Kemp/Elizarov and Grayson Long)
Great article also mentioning historical SMD and Gogo's firsts !
 
SMD's layout got me thinking .. (your fault @RatedPG )

She's able to do 3t-3t in the SP but obviously doesn't need that in the LP.
She used to do 2a-3t but I am glad she is no longer attempting this combo as it is useless and can often get called for UR

She is repeating lutz and loop which is great.

3a
3lz-2t-2l
3loop-2a
3f

3lz
3salchow-2t
3loop

I love her loop and though it's a tough jump, I am fine with her repeating it.

Also, she needs to keep the two lutzes because there is no point doing a 3a, if she's going to repeat toe loops instead of lutzes.

I am just wondering what would be the best reward for risk here.

3a
3lz-2t
3loop-2a-2a
3f
3lz
3s-2t
3loop

this gives her a slight advantage as the point value of 2a is superior to 2loop. However, I don't think she has that much flow after the 3loop-2a so I don't know if it's that easy for her to do that.

3a
3t-3t
3lz-2t-2l
3f
3loop-2a
3loop
3salchow


With this layout, she would have 8 triples instead of 7 and only would need to do one lutz. I don't know. I am waiting for a friend to get ready to go out so I am not crunching BV numbers here but just thought the 8 triples may be interesting.

Alternatively, she could omit the flip which is not her favourite jump in this 7 triple layout

3a
3lz-2t-2l
3t
3lloop-2a
3lz
3s-2t
3loop

or go back to her 2a-3t

3a
2a-3t
3lz-2t-2lo
3loop-2a
3lz
3s
3loop

best layout with 7 triples


3a
3lz-2t
3f
3loop-2a-2a
3lz-2t
3s
3loop

best layout with 8 triples

3a
3t-3t
3lz-2t
3loop-2a-2a
3f
3s
3loop

what do you think about all of this ?

Also, should she do the 3a in the SP too or is it too risky ?
 
Also, should she do the 3a in the SP too or is it too risky ?

My answer for SMD question : I think that in international competition she could try the triple axel in the SP if she is confortable with the jump, because I think the judge will always put her max 64 points when she is clean and the judge seem not wanting to up her PCS, so if she want to upgrade her PCS and best score of 64 points, the triple axel could upgrade her score in PCS and maybe a clean skate would give her a 70 points.

But at national, I think she should play safe in the SP and do the double axel and just putting the triple axel in the FS for the Olympic spot.

And, if she get the Olympic spot, I think she would need the triple axel in the SP if she want a top 10 or even a top 5 finish if she is clean with 2 triple axel, one in the SP and one in the FS, it could be possible !
 
Also, should she do the 3a in the SP too or is it too risky ?

My answer for SMD question : I think that in international competition she could try the triple axel in the SP if she is confortable with the jump, because I think the judge will always put her max 64 points when she is clean and the judge seem not wanting to up her PCS, so if she want to upgrade her PCS and best score of 64 points, the triple axel could upgrade her score in PCS and maybe a clean skate would give her a 70 points.

But at national, I think she should play safe in the SP and do the double axel and just putting the triple axel in the FS for the Olympic spot.

And, if she get the Olympic spot, I think she would need the triple axel in the SP if she want a top 10 or even a top 5 finish if she is clean with 2 triple axel, one in the SP and one in the FS, it could be possible !
I think the risk-reward is a bit more complex in those international competitions where not all skaters progress to the FP (4CC, Worlds, Olympics). My view is the qualifying for the FP should be prioritised in these.
 
Right now Sara-Maude has a layout in the short that she's been able to compete successfully for several competitions. I think staying with the consistent layout in the short is the better option since there's more room for risk in the free. Maybe she can look at adding it after a few more competitions and seeing how she does with the 3A.
 
SMD's layout got me thinking .. (your fault @RatedPG )

She's able to do 3t-3t in the SP but obviously doesn't need that in the LP.
She used to do 2a-3t but I am glad she is no longer attempting this combo as it is useless and can often get called for UR

She is repeating lutz and loop which is great.

3a
3lz-2t-2l
3loop-2a
3f

3lz
3salchow-2t
3loop

I love her loop and though it's a tough jump, I am fine with her repeating it.

Also, she needs to keep the two lutzes because there is no point doing a 3a, if she's going to repeat toe loops instead of lutzes.

I am just wondering what would be the best reward for risk here.

3a
3lz-2t
3loop-2a-2a
3f
3lz
3s-2t
3loop

this gives her a slight advantage as the point value of 2a is superior to 2loop. However, I don't think she has that much flow after the 3loop-2a so I don't know if it's that easy for her to do that.

3a
3t-3t
3lz-2t-2l
3f
3loop-2a
3loop
3salchow


With this layout, she would have 8 triples instead of 7 and only would need to do one lutz. I don't know. I am waiting for a friend to get ready to go out so I am not crunching BV numbers here but just thought the 8 triples may be interesting.

Alternatively, she could omit the flip which is not her favourite jump in this 7 triple layout

3a
3lz-2t-2l
3t
3lloop-2a
3lz
3s-2t
3loop

or go back to her 2a-3t

3a
2a-3t
3lz-2t-2lo
3loop-2a
3lz
3s
3loop

best layout with 7 triples


3a
3lz-2t
3f
3loop-2a-2a
3lz-2t
3s
3loop

best layout with 8 triples

3a
3t-3t
3lz-2t
3loop-2a-2a
3f
3s
3loop

what do you think about all of this ?

Also, should she do the 3a in the SP too or is it too risky ?
The whole point of landing the 3A is to be able to do two 2A in the combo sequence. SMD only does one 2A and two 2T. Also, her best triple is the 3T and she doesn’t even attempt one 3T.
She should reduce the lutz to one and add the 3T. Hopefully, her coaching staff is smart enough to realize this and make the appropriate changes.
 
Also, my tiny queen, Lia Cho ⛸️ 👸
was perfect at her SP at Fall Invitational. She scored a PB with 66.72. Two bonus points.

2A (Kaoriesque) - so much flow
3Lo
3Lz 3T - fully rotated

👏

I wonder how Lia will do with the 3A tmrw. She doesn’t rotate or have the height of SMD. But, from Next Gen, her layout should be:

3Lz 3T
3A
3F
2A

3S 3T
3Lo
3Lz 2A 2T

Lia goes for 8 triples in the free skate!!
She is insane and I love it 😍
 
Does anyone know what is going on with Keegan? Is he seriously returning? We haven't heard or seen a lot. Isn't it rather late an dnot to do a Grand Prix event or Challenger Nothing agains t Aleksa but I would love to see Keegan, Roman and Stephnen go for it . Gogo fingers crossed may reach some of his potential I say some because many of us thought by now we would see many quads. I thas been quite a long time time for Roman and Stephen to climb back. THere are some signs which is great for the competition but a little late as they do not have two spots. Canada would need one of their men to really step it up and the lady skate like Madi did at the last olympic team event and then hope that Deanna and Mas some how regain their past skating glory. Sadly I worry about Deanna and Max - I want them to win or at lest medal but I note their programs are never that well received ie pc wise. They don't even et pc benefits for being former world champs and Japan, China, Germany and Italy all look clearly ahead and probably Georgia. So they aren't even top 5 Paul and Piper - oh dear. Fingers crossed the ice dance competition is a complete mess after Madions and Evan. Piper and Paul, Lawrence and Guillaume, the Italians, Fear and Gibson, and possibly Spain, USA 2, Canada 2, the ShibSIbs, Lopreva and Brissaud, 9 teams fighting for two medals. Well singles has been a hot mess but come this olympic year it looks like it will be exciting to watch the fight for the one spot in men's and women. However, while Canada seems up in singles, holding in dance, I fear pairs. The second team of LIa and Trennt reallly seem very mediocre and now are consistently losing to an American team. Before Bot Deanna and max and Trennt and Lia would beat all the uS teams. Times are changing.. LIa and Trennt now might not even make top ten and Deanna and Max out of top 5. Fingers crossed.
 
Fall Invitational - Update

Lia Cho - overall score - 185.10

She changed her jump layout to an even harder one 😳

3Lz
3A (fall) - however I think it might be a < instead of a downgrade
3F
2A

3S 3T (gorgeous)
3Lo 2A (wow!)
3Lz 3T (may have a < or a q)

I’m not sure if she changed her layout on purpose or if this is supposed to be it. Five triples in the second half is insane though…..

I don’t connect as much to her free skate as I do with the Romeo and Juliet program from last year.


Edit: the scores came out. Her 3A is << with a fall. 1.65 minus a fall = 0.65 points. Yikes
The backloaded 3Lz 3T 2T was insane at the end of the program. All rotated. But, not high GOE due to lack of flow. Also, her PCS wasn’t too high. I agree with the judges. This Program relies too heavily on the jumps and isn’t as exciting as last year’s program.
 
Last edited:
Sorry guys I completely missed that event. I put the thread in the competition sub-forum if ever some of you are interested by results/archives etc.
 
Medal table JGP

1
40px-Flag_of_Japan.svg.png
Japan
73111
2
40px-Flag_of_Canada_%28Pantone%29.svg.png
Canada
34310
33418
42169
5
40px-Flag_of_France.svg.png
France
1225
 
Maddie is skating again this week. She really needs to do a good free skate here. So far she has been doing good shorts but the free has faltered big time. She needs to get the momentum back on her side.... cause at this point I would say the momentum is favoring SMD. If SMD can keep landing clean 3As, she will start to be better noticed and rewarded by international judges.
 
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