2025-2026 Canadian Figure Skating

[4everchan]

So.. will speaking out about the judging hamper Piper and Paul's chances at the Olympics ? Will judges hold a grudge ? Are we back to the 6.0 era ?

 

[saine]

So.. will speaking out about the judging hamper Piper and Paul's chances at the Olympics ? Will judges hold a grudge ? Are we back to the 6.0 era ?

I don't think it helps, same as I thought when Charlene Guignard spoke out. Especially when the dog Instagram account came into it.

At the same time, it's getting to a point where it's more skaters speaking about it. Olivia Smart talked about the Finlandia scoring on her YouTube channel. Zingas/Kolesnik were confused by having an illegal element called at GPF.

If the skaters aren't trusting the scoring and end up confused, the ISU needs to look at what can be done to help them trust it. The narrative I'm getting from the skaters is that they're frustrated and not sure what they can do to improve their scores.

 

[4everchan]

I don't think it helps, same as I thought when Charlene Guignard spoke out. Especially when the dog Instagram account came into it.

At the same time, it's getting to a point where it's more skaters speaking about it. Olivia Smart talked about the Finlandia scoring on her YouTube channel. Zingas/Kolesnik were confused by having an illegal element called at GPF.

If the skaters aren't trusting the scoring and end up confused, the ISU needs to look at what can be done to help them trust it. The narrative I'm getting from the skaters is that they're frustrated and not sure what they can do to improve their scores.

and Cizeron also complained... Pretty much, the only ones not complaining are CB and FG

 

[rain]

So.. will speaking out about the judging hamper Piper and Paul's chances at the Olympics ? Will judges hold a grudge ? Are we back to the 6.0 era ?

I think it will hurt them, and I still commend them for speaking out. I think the writing was already on the wall for their season and Olympic dream and solidified at the GPF. I still think it's not the Brits who will ultimately benefit with a podium placement, but the Italians at home, but that's just my own theory. The Brits were used here to free up that Olympic podium spot, I think.

 

[4everchan]

I think it will hurt them, and I still commend them for speaking out. I think the writing was already on the wall for their season and Olympic dream and solidified at the GPF. I still think it's not the Brits who will ultimately benefit with a podium placement, but the Italians at home, but that's just my own theory. The Brits were used here to free up that Olympic podium spot, I think.

maybe Italy winning the bronze in the team event will free that podium space again for Piper and Paul let's share the medals

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I still think it's not the Brits who will ultimately benefit with a podium placement, but the Italians at home, but that's just my own theory.

Yeah, it's anyone's guess. I think Guignard/ Fabbri missed their oppty last season to shore up podium prestige when they had that awful FD. Their RD this season is the problem. It seems to me that Italian fed decided by the end of last season to place the majority of their politiking behind their pairs team, Conti/ Macii, and allow G/F to fend for themselves.

I'd prefer seeing the Olympics ice dance podium as FB/C; G/P; C/B; F/G; G/F; et al. But it's looking like ISU honchos, I.AM, and Shawn Rettstatt are interested in ensuring that C/B flamenco their way to a gold medal. I get C/B's intensity and determination. I have respect for their efforts throughout their career, but they are not the best ice dance team. Laurence & Guillaume absolutely have the best FD, with Gilles/Poirier close behind, yet, G/P have been short-changed yet again.

Evan plays a high visibility role on the ISU's athlete committee, which obv. adds to C/B's political favor. All I know is, Piper & Paul better not be x-ed out of an individual Olympic medal! What a travesty this sport is in regard to the judging and the utter lack of good leadership. I understand the need for speaking out and I'm glad Piper did, but it's too bad that it went so far on social media. The takes by co-hosts on The Runthrough podcast is a good example of mixed perceptions once the dog tweets got involved, shading F/G. Plus, the social media comment about Marie-France and Linichuk, is not what the focus needs to be on.

Hopefully, Piper & Paul can regroup, come out fighting hard, and hold their heads up high. Fans and Skate Canada should get behind them with positive fighting spirit. While I like the sentiment of the Vincent FD and they absolutely should have won a GPF medal over F/G, I wish P&P had brought back Evita or Wuthering Hts for this Olympic season. Being talented and creative is sadly not enough these days in ice dance and figure skating overall. Skaters sorely need well-connected and/ or well-respected coaches; full fed backing; a broad spectrum of political backing which requires more than competitive consistency; and chess-like strategic savvy.

 

[RatedPG]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news…

P&P also need to fight and to be smart moving forward.

If I were them, I would skip Nationals and compete at 4CC.

Reason: they are currently ranked in 5th place in the world standings.

They need 4CC if they want to move up to the final flight for the RD portion at the Olympics. If they do not, I sense a disappointing Olympic outing. Guess who is currently the last dance team to skate RD?

GB (currently ranked number 1)

I have a gut feeling the judges will score P&P harshly if they are not in the final flight. With the Great Britain team skating last, they are at a huge disadvantage if they are not in the final flight

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

P&P also need to fight and to be smart moving forward.

If I were them, I would skip Nationals and compete at 4CC.

Reason: they are currently ranked in 5th place in the world standings.

Yes. They absolutely have to be strategic. Their rivals will be gathering more points at Euros, so it does make sense to focus on 4CCs, in order to win there and gain points. They need to be skating in the final group at the Olympics.

It would help if Skate Canada conferred with P&P and their coaches on how to boost their chances in every way possible. If that means skipping Cdn Nats to get a well-timed win at 4CCs, so be it. P&P could always come back next year for a farewell season, and bring back their fave RD along with either Evita, Wuthering Hts, or even their long ago Hitchcock program. They can always be celebrated at a future Cdn Nats. Right now, it's important to give themselves the best chances they can. Don't be discouraged nor feel hopeless. Do everything you can as competitors to be strong and confident moving forward.

 

[RatedPG]

Yes. They absolutely have to be strategic. Their rivals will be gathering more points at Euros, so it does make sense to focus on 4CCs, in order to win there and gain points. They need to be skating in the final group at the Olympics.

It would help if Skate Canada conferred with P&P and their coaches on how to boost their chances in every way possible. If that means skipping Cdn Nats to get a well-timed win at 4CCs, so be it. P&P could always come back next year for a farewell season, and bring back their fave RD along with either Evita, Wuthering Hts, or even their long ago Hitchcock program. They can always be celebrated at a future Cdn Nats. Right now, it's important to give themselves the best chances they can. Don't be discouraged nor feel hopeless. Do everything you can as competitors to be strong and confident moving forward.

Perfect response. Yes. To summarize, the results are what they are. However, let’s strategize what can be done to put our Canadians in the best position for the best Olympic result. This is where we often fail.

I think they actually have some fan support to push the judges towards an Olympic podium result.

I personally think there is no point in another Canadian title. Instead, they could use this backlash to win 4CC (I’m assuming no Chock/Bates), which would push them to the final flight and give them the best chance for that bronze medal.

 

[4everchan]

I don't disagree about Piper and Paul going to 4CC to get points but I doubt it will happen.

They never seemed to care so much about points... not doing challengers etc...

FBC will skate quite early in the draw with no points from the past seasons... that will be interesting .

The European teams are always at an advantage with Euros during the olympic year... it's quite unfair. The ISU should make the schedule more compatible for the4CC teams

 

[sofiaidfan]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news…

P&P also need to fight and to be smart moving forward.

If I were them, I would skip Nationals and compete at 4CC.

Reason: they are currently ranked in 5th place in the world standings.

They need 4CC if they want to move up to the final flight for the RD portion at the Olympics. If they do not, I sense a disappointing Olympic outing. Guess who is currently the last dance team to skate RD?

GB (currently ranked number 1)

I have a gut feeling the judges will score P&P harshly if they are not in the final flight. With the Great Britain team skating last, they are at a huge disadvantage if they are not in the final flight

Lithuaians need won in European championships to start in final flight in Olympic games. In world rank count only two best results from last three years, not all three results

 

[lariko]

You guys are talking strategy, but imo it's not the backing that G/P lacked but the dance. Imo, they compared unfavorably to both the zest of the Brits who danced before them and to the artsy-ness of the FB/C after them. The Vincent program just doesn't have a grab, it needs to be brighter, hit harder or fresher, or something that others don't do better. My two cents.

 

[FlossieH]

I think the Olympic bronze is between Piper and Paul and Guignard and Fabbri, and will probably come down to which team does the best job of implementing the feedback they have had from judges. If Piper and Paul do a good job of that, they will get the medal. If they don't, G/F will have home advantage.

Gold is between Chock and Bates and Fournier-Beaudry and Cizeron. If the latter start ticking all of the boxes the judges want, they will win.

 

[skatingguy]

I think the Olympic bronze is between Piper and Paul and Guignard and Fabbri, and will probably come down to which team does the best job of implementing the feedback they have had from judges. If Piper and Paul do a good job of that, they will get the medal. If they don't, G/F will have home advantage.

Gold is between Chock and Bates and Fournier-Beaudry and Cizeron. If the latter start ticking all of the boxes the judges want, they will win.

You don't think Fear/Gibson will be in the mix for the bronze?

 

[FlossieH]

You don't think Fear/Gibson will be in the mix for the bronze?

No I don't. They will probably get either silver or bronze at Euros, but not at the Olympics. Zingas/Kolesnik (if selected over Carreira/Ponomarenko or the Shibutanis, which may depend on where the three teams place at US nationals), Lopareva/Brissaud, Reed/Ambrulevicius, and Lajoie/Lagha won't be in the mix for Olympic medals either unless there are a lot of very unexpected mistakes from the top 4.

 

[Sackie]

Do we not remember Bourne and Kraatz and how they were world medalist and yet were kept down at the Olympics.

 

[4everchan]

Do we not remember Bourne and Kraatz and how they were world medalist and yet were kept down at the Olympics.

I immediately thought about how they were screwed over many times... and how all that pressure also probably led them to make mistakes as they knew they couldn't afford any little slip.

Yup...people talk about the Olympic Canadian curse in men but to me, the Canadian curse is also very strong in dance.

 

[ladyjane]

Except for Tessa and Scott of course...two golds, one silver (and the silver and gold in the Team event too)...

 

[RatedPG]

I wonder now if our best bet for an Olympic medal is in the team event or ice dance

My prediction is fourth place for both of these events.

Chances are higher in Ice Dance though…

 

[4everchan]

I think the best bet is still dance bronze. I think the second best bet is pairs : if Deanna and Max skate their season's best programs, they are in the mix for the podium. For the team event, too many things need to go right for Canada, while counting on others to falter a bit

this being said, I'd bet money on no medals for canada unfortunately. I remain hopeful but gpf was harsh and I'm not quite over it.