2025-2026 Canadian Figure Skating

[Jammers]

Any reason why Canada didn't send even one skater to the final two Challengers in Tallinn and Golden Spin? Seems like not sending skaters to competitions like this is why Canada has had trouble rebuilding after 2018. The US is sending a full squad to both events are there other competitions like sectionals going on in Canada so they can't send anyone? Seems like Skate Canada was doing better with sending their skaters out but this is confusing. The more competitions skaters compete in the better they will eventually compete.

 

[saine]

Any reason why Canada didn't send even one skater to the final two Challengers in Tallinn and Golden Spin? Seems like not sending skaters to competitions like this is why Canada has had trouble rebuilding after 2018. The US is sending a full squad to both events are there other competitions like sectionals going on in Canada so they can't send anyone? Seems like Skate Canada was doing better with sending their skaters out but this is confusing. The more competitions skaters compete in the better they will eventually compete.

The last three Challengers are around the same time as Skate Canada Challenge, the qualifier for Nationals. Anyone without a bye to Nationals would be going to it. The only skater without a bye who was assigned to a Challenger within 7 days of Challenge is Wesley Chiu. They're going to be careful about who they assign since it'll give more byes to Nationals.

There were still skaters who should have gotten a Challenger that didn't though. Uliana should have been assigned, Laurin/Ethier too. They hadn't gotten a Challenger after being on the Grand Prix and are supposed to receive priority for assignment.

 

[Skater Boy]

Any reason why Canada didn't send even one skater to the final two Challengers in Tallinn and Golden Spin? Seems like not sending skaters to competitions like this is why Canada has had trouble rebuilding after 2018. The US is sending a full squad to both events are there other competitions like sectionals going on in Canada so they can't send anyone? Seems like Skate Canada was doing better with sending their skaters out but this is confusing. The more competitions skaters compete in the better they will eventually compete.

I really don't understand what is going on with Canada's skating team and program. In pairs they are relying on a team well oever 30 and 40 years old who have stagnated a bit since their world title and are being passed. I hope Max and Deanna will fight hard and show the world how tough they are but it is hard with the surging Germans, Georgians, Italians not to mention Sui and Han and the team that should be dominating Japan. They have a shot at a medal but are not the favourites. Likewise Piper and Paul looked strong coming into this olympic year but re developing an old program has not impressed or worked and now they have FEar and Gibson and the French looking to pass them and push them off th epodium. This team is "traditionally" the one just a step away from greatness gold or bronze the podium. it looks like it might happen again. The men and ladies had glimmers and very little glimmers of hope. But no one seems to grab the top spot. I think Keegan is finished unless they give him another Challenger and he does well (which his jumps are gone) he is finished.. To see Canada without a team medal seems shocking in 2022 and now in 2026 it is expected but no olympic medal is even more surprising. THe only real bright spot might be LaLa in dance but no great hope in men, women or pairs - some potential maybe and that is a huge maybe.

 

[4everchan]

The last three Challengers are around the same time as Skate Canada Challenge, the qualifier for Nationals. Anyone without a bye to Nationals would be going to it. The only skater without a bye who was assigned to a Challenger within 7 days of Challenge is Wesley Chiu. They're going to be careful about who they assign since it'll give more byes to Nationals.

There were still skaters who should have gotten a Challenger that didn't though. Uliana should have been assigned, Laurin/Ethier too. They hadn't gotten a Challenger after being on the Grand Prix and are supposed to receive priority for assignment.

Of course money is probably the factor but the skaters who do have a bye for Nationals, why not give them one more chance to compete ? Perhaps they don't need it because some of them are at Finlandia... Perhaps they don't want it ? Piper and Paul ? But seriously, without gaining world ranking points, Piper and Paul will not have a good skating order.

I wonder why Skate Canada is willing to risk medals in that sense. Or maybe anyway, GPF is too close from these two challengers. I don't know. I just think that some of our skaters who don't need to do challenge should get a challenger. I am happy Sara-Maude is going to compete once more.... same with Max and Deanna. I also agree about Uliana and definitely think it should have been a must for Kelly Ann and Loucas to get a challenger.... In their case, I guess Skate Canada is banking on 4CC.

 

[saine]

Of course money is probably the factor but the skaters who do have a bye for Nationals, why not give them one more chance to compete ? Perhaps they don't need it because some of them are at Finlandia... Perhaps they don't want it ? Piper and Paul ? But seriously, without gaining world ranking points, Piper and Paul will not have a good skating order.

I wonder why Skate Canada is willing to risk medals in that sense. Or maybe anyway, GPF is too close from these two challengers. I don't know. I just think that some of our skaters who don't need to do challenge should get a challenger. I am happy Sara-Maude is going to compete once more.... same with Max and Deanna. I also agree about Uliana and definitely think it should have been a must for Kelly Ann and Loucas to get a challenger.... In their case, I guess Skate Canada is banking on 4CC.

With Piper/Paul, I think it's a case of not wanting it. They haven't done Challengers the past few seasons and I don't think they'll start now.

 

[4everchan]

With Piper/Paul, I think it's a case of not wanting it. They haven't done Challengers the past few seasons and I don't think they'll start now.

I just hope they have enough ranking points to be in the last three of the RD, let alone the final flight

 

[SnowWhite]

I just hope they have enough ranking points to be in the last three of the RD, let alone the final flight

I see your point about WS, but doing a late Challenger really wouldn't be doable for them. Just look at the dates:

• CS Warsaw – November 19–23
• GP Finlandia – November 21–23
• CS Tallinn – November 24–30
• CS Golden Spin – December 3–6
• GPF – December 5–8

Assuming they make the final, only Tallinn would be even possible, and it would involve competitions for 3 weeks in a row, without going home.

I am surprised no one else was sent to Golden Spin, since I think it was originally on the assignment calendar this season. But I had forgotten they didn't send anyone there last season, so maybe I shouldn't be.

They do have the Bavarian Open and Maria Olszewska Memorial on the calendar for Jan and Feb next year, so hopefully some of the skaters will get one of those, especially those not doing 4CCs/JW/Worlds. Won't get SB scores, but WS points and competition experience are still good.

 

[saine]

They do have the Bavarian Open and Maria Olszewska Memorial on the calendar for Jan and Feb next year, so hopefully some of the skaters will get one of those, especially those not doing 4CCs/JW/Worlds. Won't get SB scores, but WS points and competition experience are still good.

Looking at the calendar, they have Maria Olszewska Memorial taking place in Finland instead of Poland I think they copied/pasted from the Marie Lundmark Trophy there.

It's also good for them to get their minimums for next season, hopefully they'll send the skaters who didn't get a chance in the fall. There were some good performances at sectionals.

 

[ladyjane]

Challenge Cup is pretty early this season as well. Overlap with 4CC but for those who aren't going there....
(Selfish of me, as I'll prabably attend a part of it).

 

[Isk]

I think the issue is partly cultural, and I'm inclined to say "be careful what you wish for". The countries at the top or in ascendancy with singles skaters are, by and large, those who hothouse young skaters - often to the exclusion of everything else. Young skaters train in high pressure environments and are not allowed any sort of life beyond skating and education. Moreover, the training environments are ones which many outsiders would probably view as abusive (I don't think we have seen more than the tiniest tip of the abuse iceberg in figure skating yet - and when it comes out, I think it will be a lot worse than the abuse scandals in gymnastics). Is that what you want for Canadian skaters? Or do you want them to be allowed to be people as well, and to have a supportive environment which will be more considerate of their wellbeing? I know which I would prefer.

It's not only this though. It's ice time and coaching time availability that's very limited. Ice and coaching time are hard to obtain in many places. You have to go through Can Skate, then clubs, and if you are lucky to find a coach after stage 6 of Can Skate, you can advance, but it may still be a couple times a week at best. At public skating sessions one can only skate forward in circles. It is very different in the US where one can figure skate on many public skate sessions, hire a private coach and get instruction whenever, wherever and however, many rinks have dedicated freestyle sessions, which are cheap and one can attend them without a coach. I am almost inclined to say that if there are good skaters in Canada, they develop despite the system and not thanks to it. I am not sure what things are like in Japan and Korea.

 

[moonvine]

Any news on my man?

 

[4everchan]

Any news on my man?

Which once ? you have at least two

but you mean about your "Canadian man"

then, he hasn't been assigned to further international events so he should be competing at Challenge at the end of the month.

 

[moonvine]

Which once ? you have at least two

but you mean about your "Canadian man"

then, he hasn't been assigned to further international events so he should be competing at Challenge at the end of the month.

Oh I have more than 2, but only one competes for Canada. I try to scoop them up young before you get them.

 

[Sackie]

Routing for LaLa to do well this weekend. But not an easy task to be skating in the USA and trying to re-overtake a USA team. Afterall it was in the USA last year where they got dumped at worlds.

 

[brblja]

I wonder if Minsol will be cleared in time for Junior Worlds. The fact she didn’t make it to Junior Worlds two seasons ago will put her at a full two years of not competing for Korea once 2026 starts. I hope this means she is eligible.

They’d have to release her in early January for her to make Jr Worlds - since she’s been out for two years, she doesn’t have the minimums, so she’d need an international competition to earn them.

With comp registrations closing usually 3-4 weeks, the comp would need to be in early Feb at the latest, so release would need to be no later than mid-January.

 

[saine]

They’d have to release her in early January for her to make Jr Worlds - since she’s been out for two years, she doesn’t have the minimums, so she’d need an international competition to earn them.

With comp registrations closing usually 3-4 weeks, the comp would need to be in early Feb at the latest, so release would need to be no later than mid-January.

Entries for Junior Worlds need to be in by February 3. Bavarian Open would be one of the last competitions to get the minimums at.

 

[Sackie]

What does Kelly Ann and Loucas have to do to score higher? I just watched the SA Pairs and I thought they should have been a few points higher. They should certainly be ahead of the USA team in 5th place.

 

[discodisco]

What does Kelly Ann and Loucas have to do to score higher? I just watched the SA Pairs and I thought they should have been a few points higher. They should certainly be ahead of the USA team in 5th place.

Work on basics. I think they've regressed this year, unfortunately. Both have weak posture - it's noticeable with him right at the beginning, and her throughout as well. Last night it was also related to a lot of little things - messy transitions, lacking precision on landing edges, etc. Watch, for contrast, Spencer - such great posture, precision, extension. Overall the crispness and choreo are miles ahead.

 

[4everchan]

Work on basics. I think they've regressed this year, unfortunately. Both have weak posture - it's noticeable with him right at the beginning, and her throughout as well. Last night it was also related to a lot of little things - messy transitions, lacking precision on landing edges, etc. Watch, for contrast, Spencer - such great posture, precision, extension. Overall the crispness and choreo are miles ahead.

I don't disagree that they have work to do. ... but at least, they landed their stuff, even if the running edges were iffy.
Emily fell on the jump and had a worse landing than Kelly Ann on the throw.
Should posture matter more than elements ?

If that's the case, give more points to Luke Wang... gosh he's a beautiful skater.

 

[fishing]

Congratulations to LaLa- 2nd after RD at SA. Bravo!!!!!
Can they hold that position tomorrow? I hope so. Their FD is beautiful.