2025-2026 Canadian Figure Skating

[rain]

The problem with Uliana is that she has the skating skills of a novice, though. She has some of the shallowest edges out there, she never gets down into her knees, she is slow as molasses, has zero expression, and worst of all, she is skating with Joanne MacLeod so she's never ever going to improve in those areas. As a result, I think it would be very dangerous to invest in her, because I do not see her improving at all given her current environment. But most frustrating thing is watching Joanne McLeod sitting with one of her students who just skated pretty much another clean program, and seeing a look of confusion on her eyes about why her students are getting five and sixes in pcs. It's been this way since the late '90s, and I've yet to see her improve a student's skating skills. She's had tons of students who can rotate, like Sandhu, and Reynolds, and Leung, and now Uliana, but they're never going to improve in their areas of weakness - so... is it a good investment of resources? I don't think so personally

McLeod is the most frustrating coach in Canada. She has had some of the most talented skaters in the country, but they all have a ceiling because of her lack of ability to teach them adequate skating skills. Unless they learned their basics from someone else good, they're all doomed. It's a complete mystery to me why she hadn't brought someone in over the years to do this kind of coaching with her students, since it's a very, very clear weakness across all of them. Her skaters often have incredible grit, raw talent, and the ability to compete when it counts. But they never reach the heights they should and I blame McLeod.

I really do not like pipers dress for the free dance. I mean yes it's beautiful by itself but it looks like an off the rack costume for a van Gogh dress up party or something. Too literal. I'm much prefer their previous costumes. Pollock's way too refined as well. If they're looking for a van go look, previous costume was way way closer

I LOVE Piper's dress. Hands-down the best costume of the season. I hope they don't change anything about it. It's beautiful and stands out on the ice.

 

[FlossieH]

I know it won't happen, but I would love Uliana to go to Kelowna for a bit to learn how to perform.

 

[4everchan]

I know it won't happen, but I would love Uliana to go to Kelowna for a bit to learn how to perform.

those who have left have never really done much better elsewhere. There's Connaught just next door where the skaters have much better basic skating skills...

 

[HeadBanger]

I think that they should have send Uliana Shiryaeva, Kaiya Ruiter and Gabrielle Daleman at Golden Spin Challenger. It's a mistake by Skate Canada for not having sending them. Even at Warsaw cup with Sara-Maude Dupuis it would have been a great idea to send one of them. I'm sad for those lady.

Maybe if we weren't paying for Slipchuk to go smarm it up at seemingly every competition around the world, we could afford to send a few more of them to Challengers

 

[soccerjc77]

Sad to think that Uliana Shiryaeva would have medal a 3rd place at the Warsaw cup with her score at the GP of Skate Canada and they didn't send her ...

 

[4everchan]

Maybe if we weren't paying for Slipchuk to go smarm it up at seemingly every competition around the world, we could afford to send a few more of them to Challengers

You know.. the Georgian lady has been appearing a lot in the last few years, even sitting in the KnC with skaters...and suddenly, they get higher scores . Maybe we do need him at events, at least just for officials to know that he is watching.

 

[NanaPat]

The problem with Uliana is that she has the skating skills of a novice, though. She has some of the shallowest edges out there, she never gets down into her knees, she is slow as molasses, has zero expression, and worst of all, she is skating with Joanne MacLeod so she's never ever going to improve in those areas. As a result, I think it would be very dangerous to invest in her, because I do not see her improving at all given her current environment. But most frustrating thing is watching Joanne McLeod sitting with one of her students who just skated pretty much another clean program, and seeing a look of confusion on her eyes about why her students are getting five and sixes in pcs. It's been this way since the late '90s, and I've yet to see her improve a student's skating skills. She's had tons of students who can rotate, like Sandhu, and Reynolds, and Leung, and now Uliana, but they're never going to improve in their areas of weakness - so... is it a good investment of resources? I don't think so personally

McLeod is the most frustrating coach in Canada. She has had some of the most talented skaters in the country, but they all have a ceiling because of her lack of ability to teach them adequate skating skills. Unless they learned their basics from someone else good, they're all doomed. It's a complete mystery to me why she hadn't brought someone in over the years to do this kind of coaching with her students, since it's a very, very clear weakness across all of them. Her skaters often have incredible grit, raw talent, and the ability to compete when it counts. But they never reach the heights they should and I blame McLeod.

I absolutely agree about McLeod's coaching. The frustrating part is that CHAMPS has both elite and ice dance programs. Look at their web page; it has pictures of Sales/Wamsteeker and Kevin Reynolds front and center. And it has the tagline "WHERE technique and artistry become one". OMG, the delusion is strong with this one.

If you look deeper, it seems that there are two separate streams: elite with Joanne McLeod and ice dance with Meghan Wing and Aaron Lowe. Don't these people talk to each other? I'm sure Wing and Lowe would be able to improve McLeod's students' skating skills, if she gave them the chance.

I fear we'll just have to wait until McLeod retires for an improvement in BC skating. Unfortunately, it probably won't be in my lifetime. She seems to be nearing retirement age, but I am well past it. Or we can hope more skaters go to Connaught.

NOTE: just to be contrary, there is one Champs skater with decent skating skills and artistry. Check out Shohei Law if you ever have the opportunity. I don't know if he learned to skate elsewhere or if he is just a natural talent.

 

[4everchan]

I absolutely agree about McLeod's coaching. The frustrating part is that CHAMPS has both elite and ice dance programs. Look at their web page; it has pictures of Sales/Wamsteeker and Kevin Reynolds front and center. And it has the tagline "WHERE technique and artistry become one". OMG, the delusion is strong with this one.

If you look deeper, it seems that there are two separate streams: elite with Joanne McLeod and ice dance with Meghan Wing and Aaron Lowe. Don't these people talk to each other? I'm sure Wing and Lowe would be able to improve McLeod's students' skating skills, if she gave them the chance.

I fear we'll just have to wait until McLeod retires for an improvement in BC skating. Unfortunately, it probably won't be in my lifetime. She seems to be nearing retirement age, but I am well past it. Or we can hope more skaters go to Connaught.

NOTE: just to be contrary, there is one Champs skater with decent skating skills and artistry. Check out Shohei Law if you ever have the opportunity. I don't know if he learned to skate elsewhere or if he is just a natural talent.

Gabriel Blumenthal also was a good skater. It happens. Sandhu was a full-package kind of skater but I guess his extensive ballet training was responsible for his skills.

McLeod is not alone. There is also with her, a coach, I think British guy. And no, they don't seem to talk to Wing and Lower which is unfortunate. I mean MFD does lots of work for single skaters. Pair skaters often work with dancers too. ETC but not in Champs.

One of the worst thing ever was when Emily Bausback won Nationals. I just couldn't believe my eyes. How ? Why ? I mean you have tons of skaters who are so much better than her who never came close to win Nationals ....anyway... I better go to bed and exorcize these thoughts.

 

[FlossieH]

Gabriel Blumenthal also was a good skater. It happens. Sandhu was a full-package kind of skater but I guess his extensive ballet training was responsible for his skills.

McLeod is not alone. There is also with her, a coach, I think British guy. And no, they don't seem to talk to Wing and Lower which is unfortunate. I mean MFD does lots of work for single skaters. Pair skaters often work with dancers too. ETC but not in Champs.

One of the worst thing ever was when Emily Bausback won Nationals. I just couldn't believe my eyes. How ? Why ? I mean you have tons of skaters who are so much better than her who never came close to win Nationals ....anyway... I better go to bed and exorcize these thoughts.

To be honest, Uliana could win Nationals if she goes clean and others make mistakes. I don't think it is likely that all of the skaters who might be expected to place above her will have bad skates, but it is possible.

 

[4everchan]

To be honest, Uliana could win Nationals if she goes clean and others make mistakes. I don't think it is likely that all of the skaters who might be expected to place above her will have bad skates, but it is possible.

At least, Uliana has good jumps. Emily was solid but not as good as Uliana. For the rest, I'd be concerned if I had to pick which one of the two had/has better skating skills.

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

If this isn't wanted here, I can take he post down again. I am collecting support messages for Deanna and Max for the Olympics. This is what I posted in their fan fest:

Deanna and Max won Warsaw Cup! Unfortunately the jumps were not jumping for Deanna at all, but since she was a bit sick, I think they're okay with how it went. The fall on the combo looked weird, but at least she knows why it happened.

Next up is the final! I hope Deanna gets back to full health in time and that they have a good preparation going into it. The final will be like a mini Olympics in a way because all the top contenders for the medals will be there. Exciting!

Also I wanted to bring this up again:

Show your support for Deanna and Maxime!

Hi everyone! Milano-Cortina is getting closer. These will be Deanna and Maxime’s first Olympics. I think by now we're all familiar with their background stories and careers and know how long and hard they have worked to get here. So to show them how loved and supported they are going into the...

docs.google.com

I have changed the deadline, it's now a bit later than I originally planned. Can't put it back further though because I'll need time to put together the PDF and I want them to have enough time to read everything.

Also I know the deadline is still more than a month away but I felt like it could use a little reminder since the participation so far is going slow. I hope it gets better closer to the event.

Anyway, I'd be happy if a few of you would contribute - and I'm sure they'll be happy too

Like I said in my post, I know there's still time, but just to bring awareness to this project I'm sharing it already.

 

[saine]

Some Skate Ontario interviews.

Lia Pereira and Madeline Schizas on their friendship:

Lia Pereira & Madeline Schizas on Friendship & Figure Skating - Skate Ontario

By: Valya Roberts Friends from when they were 9 years old, Skate Ontario skaters Lia Pereira and Madeline Schizas recently sat down with Skate Ontario to talk about their supportive and special friendship, and what they appreciate about one another. When reflecting on their friendship, Lia and...

skateontario.org

Gabrielle Daleman on her comeback:

Toronto’s Gabrielle Daleman Has ‘Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain’ in Comeback Season - Skate Ontario

By: Dylan Nazareth It’s been a long road back to the ice for Gabrielle Daleman. Owing to a number of unfortunate injuries, the last three years have been marked by surgeries, a lot of rehab, and disrupted training. This season things are finally lining up, after a move to Colorado to train...

skateontario.org

 

[Sackie]

After reading both those articles it makes me feel bad that only one will get to go to the Olympics. Gabby really seems to want it more and that may be what makes the difference in the end.

 

[4everchan]

Some Skate Ontario interviews.

“I am the golden retriever, and Maddie is the black cat.” Lia said.

 

[eterislouisvuitton]

Academie Performance Isatis posted what looks like a teaser for a new team announcement with Charly Laliberte-Laurent:

Here is a clearer picture of the girl, though I am not sure who she is, definitely not Lori-Ann Matte.

𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐞 on Instagram: "Family ❤️ @academieperformanceisatis"

57 likes, 2 comments - coralie__plante on November 27, 2025: "Family ❤️ @academieperformanceisatis".

www.instagram.com

 

[4everchan]

Coralie Plante. I've seen her name before.. I think In junior women in Quebec

 

[eterislouisvuitton]

Coralie Plante. I've seen her name before.. I think In junior women in Quebec

But his new partner is the one in the white sweater, second photo. She is not tagged and she is definitely not Coralie. But them training in Canada makes me think they are representing Canada, not France, since they aren't trying to fulfill the residency requirement for citizenship.

 

[4everchan]

But his new partner is the one in the white sweater, second photo. She is not tagged and she is definitely not Coralie. But them training in Canada makes me think they are representing Canada, not France, since they aren't trying to fulfill the residency requirement for citizenship.

Her sister?

 

[Skater Boy]

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 startthey now.

My heart is broken. I want Piper and Paul to win gold or at least medal. life isn't fair. They kind of were unluky in not going to an olympics. They have been close to gold at worlds then disaster. They have hadgreat season startsand somehow it fizzles. They are my faves in my heart but they look tired - like rant out of ideas anddrive granted Chock and bates lok tired too but they have the us fed behind them and IAM I fear they will be fourth. The French and CB will go for gold and silver andthe lucky and pesky brits will get bronze. they need to dig deep/They need to get thedrive the fire and rework the fd or get rid odf it and polish thatRD and add speed crispness and zoom.

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

Nope Not a chance sadly. if Psquared get fourth at the olympics this team will beat the Lithuanians and ZK. I am not sure how the us does it but they seem to always get a 2nd us team push and since CP probably can't go to the olympics you can see the push for ZK. Its been a while when Canada has not won a oly medal.

 

[NanaPat]

since CP probably can't go to the olympics you can see the push for ZK.

Christina has US citizenship. It has been reported here complete with a link to a social media post showing her holding a US passport.