2025-2026 Canadian Figure Skating

[Ziotic]

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

I’m still pretty sure they aren’t going to make the final on the tie breaker.

 

[fishing]

I’m still pretty sure they aren’t going to make the final on the tie breaker.

That would be a bonus if they could. I’m just pleased that they are ahead of 2 French teams and CP. I’ll take that forward progress for now.

 

[Ziotic]

OMG a medal for L/E!

 

[saine]

Robert Brodie interviews Laurin/Ethier:

“It’s about just trying to be better. Her be better as a pair girl, me be better as a pair guy in every aspect of it, and just finish the season, and no matter what happens, not have any regrets,” said Ethier. “And not be like, hey, we stopped trying. Just do everything we can and if (the Olympics) happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t, but at least we’ll have done everything. And like (Laurin) said, even if we don’t go, we’re still doing a lot of fun things.”

Congratulations on the bronze at Skate America to them!

 

[4everchan]

I am elated for Kelly Ann and Loucas. They deserved it by skating two very good programs. Judges didn't do them any favour either.

 

[4everchan]

I’m still pretty sure they aren’t going to make the final on the tie breaker.

I also think they will lose on the tie breaker. However, the silver lining may be that none of their direct competitors would make it either if LaLa get that silver this weekend (CPom, L/B etc)

 

[Ziotic]

I also think they will lose on the tie breaker. However, the silver lining may be that none of their direct competitors would make it either if LaLa get that silver this weekend (CPom, L/B etc)

Agree in the silver lining! Very fortunate for Z/K.

I really loath how much the scores differed between events.

 

[FlossieH]

I am thrilled for Kelly Ann and Loucas. I wasn't expecting them to medal, but they took their opportunity today and others who were ahead of them after the SP did not. New PB for both the FP and overall.

 

[HeadBanger]

So is this the end for Keegan? If he’s not assigned to golden spin, what’s left? Even if he wins nationals, skate Canada has no justification for sending him to the Olympics with one international tournament in over 3 years and seasons best of 218. I just don’t see where this could go.

Well, two years anyway.

If you go back three, he's got 4CC silver and Worlds 7th

 

[saine]

Well, two years anyway.

If you go back three, he's got 4CC silver and Worlds 7th

Going back that far doesn't count for the selection criteria for Olympics. They specify in it:

The period of qualification for athletes to meet the requirements of the established criteria as set by this document will be from September 15, 2024, to January 11, 2026.

The earliest event they specify that they are looking at is the 2024 Worlds. 2023 4CC and Worlds do not count for the body of work that they are looking at.

 

[HeadBanger]

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.

Speed, transitions, composition, presentation, skating skills... basically everything PCS

They just lack the overall polish of the top ten or so teams

 

[HeadBanger]

Going back that far doesn't count for the selection criteria for Olympics. They specify in it:

The earliest event they specify that they are looking at is the 2024 Worlds. 2023 4CC and Worlds do not count for the body of work that they are looking at.

Cool... not what I was addressing, but cool

 

[saine]

Cool... not what I was addressing, but cool

The post you were responding to was regarding his international event that would be considered for Olympic selection. I thought you were since you were bringing up events that fell outside the body of work that they would be looking at for Olympics. That was my understanding of your post, so I hope you now understand why I brought that up.

 

[snowball]

I am elated for Kelly Ann and Loucas. They deserved it by skating two very good programs. Judges didn't do them any favour either.

Yes that is pretty good. They don’t have the flash of some teams. Kunkel and Annika should have been bronze had they not made mistakes. I wonder if they have a chance at Olympics. Trent and Lia should be the ones to go but they can’t seem to make a break through. Had they done well at worlds last year Kelly Ann and Loucas would be going also. Hmmm. I’d feel bad for Trent. I wonder though

 

[4everchan]

Yes that is pretty good. They don’t have the flash of some teams. Kunkel and Annika should have been bronze had they not made mistakes. I wonder if they have a chance at Olympics. Trent and Lia should be the ones to go but they can’t seem to make a break through. Had they done well at worlds last year Kelly Ann and Loucas would be going also. Hmmm. I’d feel bad for Trent. I wonder though

I'd feel terrible for Trennt if he doesn't make it to the Olympics after 2022... At the same time, if the doesn't make it, it will be because he didn't earn it. They are much stronger than Kelly Ann and Loucas. They should get it... and also, if they don't get the spot, well, it's also because Canada should have three spots but performed badly last year at worlds... ugh...

 

[discodisco]

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.

Fair points. I remember someone once described it to me with a musical analogy—which was perfect for me as a musician. They said: imagine two violinists playing a piece. One nails pitch perfectly, has excellent phrasing and musicality, hits all the rhythms, and pays attention to every nuance—but messes up on the hardest measures, maybe twice. You can still tell they have total command of their instrument.

The other violinist is a little bit off pitch throughout, with rhythms that aren’t always exact, and dynamics that are flat—but they get through the difficult section and finish without major mistakes, though none of the playing is as refined. When I had it explained to me that way, I could see why a skater can miss an element yet still outscore someone skating cleanly.

I admit I thought the Canadians were under-marked over the last couple of years because they were making great progress. It just looks like this year they had The misfortune of starting the season off behind the other teams due to injuries.

 

[4everchan]

Fair points. I remember someone once described it to me with a musical analogy—which was perfect for me as a musician. They said: imagine two violinists playing a piece. One nails pitch perfectly, has excellent phrasing and musicality, hits all the rhythms, and pays attention to every nuance—but messes up on the hardest measures, maybe twice. You can still tell they have total command of their instrument.

The other violinist is a little bit off pitch throughout, with rhythms that aren’t always exact, and dynamics that are flat—but they get through the difficult section and finish without major mistakes, though none of the playing is as refined. When I had it explained to me that way, I could see why a skater can miss an element yet still outscore someone skating cleanly.

I admit I thought the Canadians were under-marked over the last couple of years because they were making great progress. It just looks like this year they had The misfortune of starting the season off behind the other teams due to injuries.

I am a musician. I don't buy your analogy. If it held true, Malinin wouldn't be a world champion (a bit off pitch, not much dynamics, lack awareness of rhythm yet nails the hard passages... .

Loucas and Kelly Ann are not the most refined skaters but they are not "that bad" Judges are just stingy with them because they haven't yet been "chosen"

Sorry but there are other skaters who have worse postures and lines who get rewarded. So why not them ? I see only one explanation.

In the end, they did win a medal here despite low GOES and PCS so revenge is sweet

 

[discodisco]

I am a musician. I don't buy your analogy. If it held true, Malinin wouldn't be a world champion (a bit off pitch, not much dynamics, lack awareness of rhythm yet nails the hard passages... .

Loucas and Kelly Ann are not the most refined skaters but they are not "that bad" Judges are just stingy with them because they haven't yet been "chosen"

Sorry but there are other skaters who have worse postures and lines who get rewarded. So why not them ? I see only one explanation.

In the end, they did win a medal here despite low GOES and PCS so revenge is sweet

I totally agree with everything you said above I don't think it is always applicable, and obviously all analogies fail. Malanin is obviously a freak and so far ahead with his technical abilities that I almost cannot imagine how he could possibly lose going into the olympics.... of course stranger things have happened.

And overall I do agree with you that the Canadians have often been under marked. There have been many times where they have skated either clean or close to it, and she looks so incredibly upbeat and excited, only to receive a pretty low score and seem confused or disappointed. I assumed there must be something that I am just not skilled enough to pick up on

 

[4everchan]

I totally agree with everything you said above I don't think it is always applicable, and obviously all analogies fail. Malanin is obviously a freak and so far ahead with his technical abilities that I almost cannot imagine how he could possibly lose going into the olympics.... of course stranger things have happened.

And overall I do agree with you that the Canadians have often been under marked. There have been many times where they have skated either clean or close to it, and she looks so incredibly upbeat and excited, only to receive a pretty low score and seem confused or disappointed. I assumed there must be something that I am just not skilled enough to pick up on

I am not sure but I guess, looking at their competition experience, that they haven't been sent out a lot in the challenger events. It's harder to build your reputation when you are competing in events like Worlds, 4CC or even GPs where much more experienced skaters are also competing. Skate Canada should send them to smaller events for them to place better and earn higher scores just like many of the European teams do.

 

[snowball]

I'd feel terrible for Trennt if he doesn't make it to the Olympics after 2022... At the same time, if the doesn't make it, it will be because he didn't earn it. They are much stronger than Kelly Ann and Loucas. They should get it... and also, if they don't get the spot, well, it's also because Canada should have three spots but performed badly last year at worlds... ugh...

Yes, one thing Kelly Ann can do is a decent throw. They are not always consistent but neither are Trent and Lia anymore. Finlandia will be interesting. I was disappointed Lia and Trent kinda let that spot go. They knew max and Deanna weren’t at their best. I forget all the analytics but if they had place even a few spots higher? Well anyways, what will be will be!