Lethbridge, Alberta, set to host 2015 Skate Canada International

OTTAWA, ON: Canada’s top figure skaters will compete against many of the world’s best at the 2015 Skate Canada International this week in Lethbridge, Alta. The event, which takes place October 29-November 1, 2015, at the ENMAX Centre will feature 12 Canadian entries (three per category in men’s, ladies, pair and ice dance) for a total of 18 skaters.

Skate Canada International is the second of six competitions on the International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating circuit, which qualifies skaters for the ISU Grand Prix Final, taking place December 10-13 in Barcelona, Spain.

Three-time World Champion and double Olympic silver medallist (men’s and team) Patrick Chan, 24, Toronto, Ont., is one of three Canadian entries in men’s. The representative of the Granite Club has previously competed at this event six times, winning in 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2013. This event marks Chan’s return to competition after taking the 2014-2015 season off. He is coached by Kathy Johnson and trains at the Detroit Skating Club.

Canadian champion Nam Nguyen, 17, Toronto, Ont., is will also represent Canada in men’s. This will be his first time competing at this event. Nguyen began this season winning silver at the Skate Canada Autumn Classic International. Last season, he won bronze at Skate America, placed fourth at the Cup of China, 11th at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, and fifth at the World Championships. Nguyen is coached by Brian Orser and Ernest Pryhitka at the Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club.

Keegan Messing, 23, Girdwood, Alaska, USA, rounds out the Canadian entries in men’s. This will also be his first time competing at this event. Earlier this season, Messing placed fifth at the Ondrej Nepela Trophy. Last season, Messing placed fifth at the 2015 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. The representative of Sherwood Park FSC is coached by Ralph Burghart at in Anchorage, Alaska, USA.

Canadian champion Gabrielle Daleman, 17, Newmarket, Ont., is the first of three Canadian entries in ladies. Daleman will be competing at this event for the first time. Earlier this season, she placed fourth at the Ondrej Nepela Trophy. Last season she placed fifth at the Cup of China, sixth at the NHK Trophy, seventh at the Four Continents Championships, and 21st at the World Championships. Daleman is coached by Lee Barkell and Brian Orser at the Toronto Cricket, Skating & Curling Club.

Two-time Canadian champion and Olympic silver medallist (team) Kaetlyn Osmond, 19, Marystown, Nfld., will also represent Canada in ladies. She previously competed at this event in 2012, winning gold. Earlier this season, she won gold at the Nebelhorn Trophy. Osmond is coached by Ravi Walia and represents the Ice Palace Figure Skating Club.

Canadian bronze medallist Véronik Mallet, 21, Sept-Îles, Que., is the final Canadian entry in the ladies division. This will be her third time competing at this event, having placed eighth in 2013 and 10th in 2014. Earlier this season, she placed ninth at the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic. Last season, the representative of CPA Sept-Îles placed 10th at Trophée Eric Bompard and finished 14th at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships. Mallet is coached by Annie Barabé at CTC Varennes.

World champions and Olympic silver medallists (team) Meagan Duhamel, 29, Lively, Ont., and Eric Radford, 30, Balmertown, Ont., lead the Canadian pair entries. The four-time Canadian champions have reached the podium four times at this event and are current defending champions. Duhamel and Radford began this season winning gold at the Skate Canada Autumn Classic International. Last season, they won gold at all of their events including the NHK Trophy, ISU Grand Prix Final, Four Continents Championships and World Championships. The representatives of Walden FSC and CPA Saint-Léonard are coached by Richard Gauthier, Bruno Marcotte, and Sylvie Fullum at CPA Saint-Léonard.

Kirsten Moore-Towers, 23, St. Catharines, Ont., and Michael Marinaro, 23, Sarnia, Ont., are the second Canadian entry in pair. Last season, the representatives of Kitchener-Waterloo SC and Point Edward SC placed sixth at this event. Moore-Towers and Marinaro won bronze at their first international assignment this season, the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic. Last season they placed seventh at Trophée Eric Bompard, ninth at the ISU Four Continents Championships, and fourth at the 2015 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. Moore-Towers and Marinaro are coached by Bruno Marcotte, Richard Gauthier, Sylvie Fullum, Julie Marcotte and Cynthia Lemaire in CPA Saint-Léonard.

Vanessa Grenier, 23, Johnville, Que., and Maxime Deschamps, 23, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Que., will also represent Canada in pair. Earlier this season, Grenier and Deschamps placed fourth at the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic. Last season, the representatives of CPA Sherbrooke and CPAR Vaudreuil placed fifth at the Nebelhorn Trophy, fifth at the Skate Canada Autumn Classic International, sixth at Skate America, and fifth at the 2015 Canadian Championships. They are coached by Richard Gauthier and Bruno Marcotte at CPA Saint-Léonard.

Canadian champions and two time world medallists Kaitlyn Weaver, 26, Toronto, Ont., and Andrew Poje, 28, Waterloo, Ont., are the first of three Canadian entries in ice dance. The current defending champions have reached the podium four times at this event. Earlier this season, they won gold at the Finlandia Trophy. Last season, they won gold at each of their events (Nebelhorn Trophy, Skate Canada International, NHK Trophy, ISU Grand Prix Final and Four Continents Championships) and won the bronze medal at the World Championships. Representing Sault FSC and Kitchener-Waterloo SC, they are coached by Angelika Krylova, Pasquale Camerlengo and Shae-Lynn Bourne in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Three time Canadian bronze medallists Alexandra Paul, 24, Midhurst, Ont., and Mitchell Islam, 25, Barrie, Ont., are the second Canadian entry in ice dance. This will be their third time competing at this event, having placed fourth in 2010 and fifth in 2013. Paul and Islam began this season winning silver at the Nebelhorn Trophy. Last season, they placed fifth at the Cup of China, sixth at Trophée Eric Bompard, sixth at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships and 13th at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships. The representatives of Barrie SC train in Montreal, Que., with coaches Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon and Romain Haguenauer.

Élisabeth Paradis, 23, Loretteville, Que., and François-Xavier Ouellette, 23, Laval, Que., are the third Canadian ice dance entry. Last season, they placed seventh at this event. This season, they won bronze at the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic. Paradis and Ouellette also placed fifth at the Nebelhorn Trophy, fourth at Skate America, and fifth at the 2015 Canadian Championships last season. The representatives of CPA Loretteville and CPA Les Lames D’Argent De Laval Inc., train in in Montreal, Que., with coaches Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon and Romain Haguenauer.

Cynthia Ullmark, of Canmore, Alta., and Carolyn Allwright of Kitchener, Ont., will be the Canadian team leaders at the event. Dr. Erika Persson of Edmonton, Alta., and physiotherapist Agnes Makowski of Toronto, Ont., will be the Canadian medical staff. Andrea Derby of Windsor, Ont., Beth Crane of Burnaby, B.C., Cynthia Benson of Quispamsis, N.B., and Leslie Keen of Vancouver, B.C., will be the Canadian officials at the event.

For results and full entries please visit 2015 Skate Canada International.

CANADIAN ENTRIES AT 2015 SKATE CANADA INTERNATIONAL

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Mens Patrick Chan 24 Toronto, Ont. Granite Club Kathy Johnson
Mens Nam Nguyen 17 Toronto, Ont. Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club Brian Orser / Ernest Pryhitka
Mens Keegan Messing 23 Girdwood, Alaska, USA Sherwood Park FSC Ralph Burghart
Ladies Gabrielle Daleman 17 Newmarket, Ont. Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club Lee Barkell / Brian Orser
Ladies Kaetlyn Osmond 19 Marystown, Nfld. & Sherwood Park, Alberta Ice Palace FSC Ravi Walia
Ladies Véronik Mallet 21 Sept-Îles, Que. CPA Sept-Îles Annie Barabé / Maximin Coïa
Pair Meagan Duhamel / Eric Radford 29/30 Lively, Ont. / Balmertown, Ont. Walden FSC / CPA Saint-Léonard Richard Gauthier / Bruno Marcotte / Sylvie Fullum
Pair Kirsten Moore-Towers / Michael Marinaro 23/23 St. Catharines, Ont. / Sarnia, Ont. Kitchener-Waterloo SC / Point Edward SC Inc. Bruno Marcotte / Richard Gauthier / Sylvie Fullum / Julie Marcotte / Cynthia Lemaire
Pair Vanessa Grenier / Maxime Deschamps 23/23 Johnville,. Que./ Vaudreuil-Dorion, Que. CPA Sherbrooke / CPAR Vaudreuil Richard Gauthier / Bruno Marcotte
Ice Dance Kaitlyn Weaver / Andrew Poje 26/28 Toronto, Ont. / Waterloo, Ont. Sault FSC / Kitchener-Waterloo SC Angelika Krylova / Pasquale Camerlengo / Shae-Lynn Bourne
Ice Dance Alexandra Paul / Mitchell Islam 24/25 Midhurst, Ont. / Barrie, Ont. Barrie SC / Barrie SC Marie-France Dubreuil / Patrice Lauzon / Romain Haguenauer
Ice Dance Élisabeth Paradis / François-Xavier Ouellette 23/23 Loretteville, Que. / Laval, Que. CPA Loretteville / CPA Les Lames d’Argent de Laval Inc. Marie-France Dubreuil / Patrice Lauzon / Romain Haguenauer

Skate Canada International Primer, Part II

SCI 101

Skate Canada International is the second stop in the International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. The series also includes events in China, France, Russia, Japan and the U.S. During the series, points are awarded in the four disciplines (men’s, ladies, ice dance and pair) based on event results.

The Grand Prix Series culminates in December 2015, when the top six Series finishers in each discipline square off in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Barcelona, Spain.

Nearing the halfway point between the 2014 and 2018 Olympic Winter Games, the 2015 edition of SCI also will allow fans a sneak peek at potential Olympic contenders for the 2018 Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.

TICKETS

Get your tickets today to witness this world-class international showdown in Lethbridge. Visit enmaxcentre.ca or call 403-329-7328.

TV SCHEDULE

SCI will be broadcast in Canada by TSN, CTV and RDS, the event’s official broadcast partners.

Teen living with cerebral palsy capturing hearts while putting the CAN in CanSkate

Sidney Crosby inspired a dream.

Noah Robichaud is taking it from there.

The affable 15-year-old from Penobsquis, NB, who lives with cerebral palsy, is capturing hearts in his small Maritime community as he continues his inspirational journey in CanSkate, Canada’s flagship learn-to-skate program.

And he’s doing it sitting down, on a sledge.

“I’ve never seen him smile so much as when he’s on that ice,” says Tammy Robichaud, Noah’s mother, her voice starting to crack with emotion.

“He’s not treated any different than anyone else. He’s just one of the kids out there.”

“He’s been through so much, and he never complains. Noah always wanted to skate, but we just never looked into it. But once he saw that commercial…”

Noah Robichaud

A commercial Tammy Robichaud says changed Noah’s life. Going through yet another round of rehabilitation following surgery this past summer, Noah was watching TV when he saw a Gatorade commercial featuring Crosby playing sledge hockey with several disabled athletes.

The dream was born. Noah formed the steel resolve that he was going to be just like Crosby, his childhood hero. So ironclad was that resolve that when Noah left the Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation in nearby Fredericton, a sledge, loaned from Para New Brunswick, made the trip home with him.

Through social media, Tammy Robichaud reached out to the Sussex Skating Club, a mere ten minutes from their home in Penobsquis N.B., to inquire about a skating program for special needs children. Club officials worked with Skate Canada, and planning began. Coach Kirsten Graham, herself a CanSkate graduate from the club, trained with Para New Brunswick to help her prepare.

Weeks after bringing that sledge home, on October 7th, Noah took his first CanSkate lesson.

“When he falls over, he finds it hilarious and he just keeps laughing,” says Stacey Rouse-Charlton, head coach at Sussex Skating Club. “You can see every little bit of achievement from lesson to lesson.”

“Oh, yes, he’s not falling over nearly as much,” laughs Tammy Robichaud when asked if she sees her son progressing after his first couple of weeks on the ice.

“This has been life changing not only for Noah, but for a lot of us at the club, as well,” adds Rouse-Charlton. “I have never seen a child so happy. That smile widens with each lesson. We are a pretty small club, so to be able to work with a child like this is extremely gratifying. He is a very special young man.”

Noah RobichaudSporting his Crosby jersey, Noah takes to the ice twice a week to work with Graham. Sitting in the stands, Tammy Robichaud cheers her son on as he makes his way around the modified CanSkate circuits, a mother sharing a cloud with her son as they live a dream.

Their dream.

“I hope this shows that just because a child has a disability, doesn’t mean they should be held back,” adds Tammy Robichaud. “Every child can do whatever they want, be whoever they want.”

“Noah’s story is one of inspiration and perseverance, and a testament to the true strength of the human spirit,” says Skate Canada CEO Dan Thompson. “Skate Canada is committed to continue to find ways of providing inclusive initiatives allowing all Canadians to embrace the joy of skating.”

“As a mom, nothing else matters but seeing him happy,” says Tammy. “He is a kid learning to skate, like everyone else.”

Rouse-Charlton says the largest hurdle the club has faced with Noah was finding a convenient way of getting him on and off the ice. A local contractor, whose daughter is taking CanSkate at the club, built a custom-made ramp for the club.

Word is starting to spread. The little club in New Brunswick has received several calls about the program and soon, one of Noah’s young friends will start lessons, once doctors and physiotherapists have given their stamp of approval.

“That is a special kid right there,” says Rouse-Charlton of Noah. “He’s not sitting on the sidelines saying ‘look at me, I have cerebral palsy.’

“He’s saying ‘look at me, I have cerebral palsy and can skate.’”

Canada wins two bronze at Skate America

MILWAUKEE – Pairs skaters Julianne Séguin of Longueuil, Que., and Charlie Bilodeau of Trois-Pistoles, Que., and ice dancers Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Toronto won bronze medals on Saturday at Skate America.

The competition is the first stop on the ISU Grand Prix figure skating circuit.

In pairs, Séguin and Bilodeau were the only entry to skate clean in the final flight and produced a personal best 189.49 points. It was their first international medal at the senior level.  Last winter they took silver at the world juniors.

‘’We didn’t expect to win a medal so early in our senior careers,’’ said Bilodeau, 22, fifth with his partner at the Nebelhorn Trophy last month in Germany. ’’But I think we realized after Germany we had to be more solid in order to compete at this level.’’

Their program was highlighted by remarkable lifts.

‘’We’ve put a lot of focus on improving our lifts,’’ said Séguin, 18. ‘’We’ve worked at making them more challenging and original as well.’’

In ice dancing, Gilles and Poirier notched a second international medal this month earning 157.58.  Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. took the gold at 173.22 and Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov of Russia were second at 162.21.

‘’Our goal this year is to make the Grand Prix Final so that result will make it more difficult for us,’’ said Gilles. ‘’Still we were very happy with the performance and we felt it was a step-up from Slovakia.’’

Three weeks ago, Gilles and Poirier won gold at an international event in Bratislava.

‘’It’s a big boost for us to see our scores higher than at this point last season,’’ said Poirier. ‘’We’ve been really consistent so far and we’ve got two programs that really work us.’’

Wenjing Sui and Cong Han of China took the gold at 202.00 and Alexa Scimeca and Chris Knierim of the U.S., who each fell in the free skate, were second at 191.91.

In women’s competition, world junior champion Evgenia Medvedeva of Russia won the gold medal with Gracie Gold of the U.S. second and Satoko Miyahara of Japan third. Alaine Chartrand of Prescott, Ont., was 12th.

The next stop on the circuit is Skate Canada International this Friday and Saturday in Lethbridge, Alta.

Full results: ISU GP 2015 Progressive Skate America

Gilles and Poirier stand third after short dance

MILWAUKEE – Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Toronto are in third place after the short dance at Skate America, the first stop on the ISU Grand Prix figure skating circuit.

World championship silver medallists Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. stand first at 70.56, Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov of Russia second at 62.76 and Gilles and Poirier follow at 61.33.  Earlier this month the Canadians won gold at an international event in Slovakia.

‘’It was important for us to come into this season competition ready,’’ said Poirier. ‘’So far we’ve shown that this season. I was pleased with how we made the necessary adjustments with the event in a smaller rink and it worked out really well.’’

In pairs, world junior silver medallists Julianne Séguin of Longueuil, Que., and Charlie Bilodeau of Trois-Pistoles, Que., are in the medal mix.  They produced clean short program standing fourth with 64.85 points which bettered their score from the world juniors.

Alexa Scimeca and Chris Knierim of the U.S. lead at 69.69, Wenjing Sui and Cong Han of China are second at 68.28 and their compatriots Xuehan Wang and Lei Wang third at 64.95.

Séguin and Bilodeau opened their senior level international career at the Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany last month placing fifth.

‘’We showed what we can achieve at this level today,’’ said Séguin, 18. ‘’Over the past three weeks we’ve worked really hard in training and have regained our confidence. We did really well and we are very pleased.’’

Bilodeau says entering the senior circuit has forced them to elevate their game.

‘’It’s super exciting to compete at this level,’’ he said. ‘’Definitely we’ve increased the difficulty of our two programs in put a lot more detail into our choreography as well.’’

In women’s competition, Alaine Chartrand of Prescott, Ont., stands sixth after a clean short program. Evgenia Nedvedeva of Russia leads with Gracie Gold of the U.S. second and Satoko Miyahara of Japan third.

‘’It didn’t go exactly the way I wanted,’’ said Chartrand, 19. ‘’I thought my combination jump in particular could have been better. Still it’s a good start to the Grand Prix season and I want to show more improvement in the long.’’

Canada is not entered in men’s singles.  All four free skates are on Saturday. Live streaming is available at cbc.ca starting at 2:20 p.m.(EDT)

Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1516/gpusa2015/index.htm

Skate Canada International Primer, Part I

SCI 101

What, exactly, is Skate Canada International?

Skate Canada International is the second stop in the International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. The series also includes events in China, France, Russia, Japan and the U.S. During the series, points are awarded in the four disciplines (men’s, ladies, ice dance and pair) based on event results.

The Grand Prix Series culminates in December 2015, when the top six Series finishers in each discipline square off in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Barcelona, Spain.

Nearing the halfway point between the 2014 and 2018 Olympic Winter Games, the 2015 edition of SCI also will allow fans a sneak peek at potential Olympic contenders for the 2018 Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.

TICKETS

Get your tickets today to witness this world-class international showdown in Lethbridge. Visit enmaxcentre.ca or call 403-329-7328.

TV SCHEDULE

SCI will be broadcast in Canada by TSN, CTV and RDS, the event’s official broadcast partners.

Canadian skaters kick off ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Season at Skate America

OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada will send three entries, for a total of five skaters to the first event on this season’s ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, Skate America. Canada will have one entry per category in ladies, pair and ice dance. The competition is the first of six ISU Senior Grand Prix stops, and will take place from October 23-25, 2015, at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena Centre in Milwaukee, WI, USA.

Canadian silver medallist Alaine Chartrand, 19, Prescott, Ont., will be Canada’s entry in the ladies category. This will be her first time competing at this event. Earlier this season, she placed fourth at the Nebelhorn Trophy. Last season on the ISU Grand Prix circuit, she placed seventh at Skate Canada International and won bronze at the Rostelecom Cup. She also placed tenth at the 2015 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships and 11th at the 2015 ISU World Figure Skating Championships. Chartrand is coached by Michelle Leigh and Brian Orser and represents the Nepean Skating Club.

Canadian bronze medallists Julianne Séguin, 18, Longueuil, Que., and Charlie Bilodeau, 22, Trois-Pistoles, Que., will be the Canadian pair entry at the event. This will be their first assignment on the ISU Senior Grand prix circuit. Earlier this season, they placed fifth at the Nebelhorn Trophy on the ISU Challenger Series. Last season, they won gold at the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final, silver at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships, and placed eighth at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships. They are coached by Josée Picard in Chambly, Que.

Canadian silver medallists Piper Gilles, 23, Toronto, Ont., and Paul Poirier, 23, Unionville, Ont., will represent Canada in ice dance. This will be their first time competing at this event. Earlier this season, they won gold at the Ondrej Nepela Trophy. Last season, they won silver at Skate Canada International and Trophée Eric Bompard, placed fifth at the ISU Grand Prix Final, fourth at the Four Continents Championships and sixth at the World Championships. The representatives of Scarboro FSC are coached by Carol Lane and Juris Razgulajevs at Ice Dance Elite in Scarborough, Ont.

Mike Slipchuk, Skate Canada High Performance Director, will be the Canadian team leader and physiotherapist Mike McMurray of Oak Bluff, Man., will be the Canadian medical staff onsite. Nicole Leblanc-Richard of Dieppe, N.B., and Lynne Dey of Edmonton, Alta., will be the Canadian officials at the event.

For results and full entries please visit www.isu.org.

CANADIAN ENTRIES AT 2015 SKATE AMERICA

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Ladies Alaine Chartrand 19 Prescott, Ont. Nepean Skating Club Michelle Leigh / Brian Orser
Pair Julianne Séguin / Charlie Bilodeau 18/22 Longueuil, Que. / Trois-Pistoles, Que. CPA Longueuil / CPA Chambly Josée Picard
Ice Dance Piper Gilles / Paul Poirier 23/23 Toronto, Ont. / Unionville, Ont. Scarboro FSC / Scarboro FSC Carol Lane / Juris Razgulajevs

A podium worthy volunteer career

For super volunteer Fran McLellan, her interest in community activities began in her hometown of Ingersoll, Ontario, with parents who were strong role models when it came to offering their time to help.

Volunteering was definitely a community and family priority.

Fran remembers being inspired by the Director of the local YMCA, Al Clark. “He encouraged me to form ‘Teen Town’ and organize Friday Night Dances at the Y. He also helped me to swim competitively and hired me to teach and lifeguard at our local pool.”

That experience and others set the stage for Fran’s love of sports. “We swam in the summer and skated in the winter,” says Fran. “Along with my older brother and two younger sisters, we started skating at a very young age. My brother played hockey and the girls took figure skating lessons. I remember our mother driving us to early morning ‘patch’ lessons and then getting us to school on time.”

Many of her fondest memories revolve around skating in the club Ice Shows and wearing the wonderful costumes. “Some of the costumes were rented from the Unionville Skating Club. I also remember one year when our coach, Liliane de Kresz, skated a solo to the music Sabre Dance. I’ve never forgotten how fast she could skate!”

Growing up, Fran was dedicated to advancing her own skating skills, eventually earning her silver medal in dance. Once married, she and her husband John moved to Oakville where the Oakville Skating Club was a major star in the community. Fran thinks back, “Coming to Oakville, one of my first recollections was the parade welcoming home Maria and Otto Jelinek from the 1962 World Championships in Prague with their gold medal in pairs figure skating.”

That event sparked her interest in the Oakville Skating Club.

“One day I got brave enough to walk into the Club to see about registering our children for lessons and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to sign up. Louis and Marijane Stong were their first coaches – group lessons – three times a week.”

While Fran continued to skate herself and take on new volunteer club responsibilities at the same time, her children were following in her skating footsteps, Michael in hockey and the girls in figure skating. During this time, Fran was also discovering another side to the sport, precision skating, now called Synchronized Skating.

It was at an ACGM where she attended a precision workshop and listened to advocate Elizabeth Swan. “She was so keen to talk about this new discipline that everyone in the room became excited about taking the information back to their clubs.”

Realizing that not every figure skater could become a Barbara Ann Scott, Fran liked the team element. “There were very few team sports for girls when I was growing up,” admits Fran. “Finally, with precision, the girls and I had something we could do together!”

Fran remembers the beginning of the sport. “At first the teams were very large, 24 to 32 skaters, so it meant a lot of individuals found a new home at the rink. The skaters could set new goals, travel as a team to overnight competitions and share in the expenses.”

Fran was so attracted to precision, she continued to skate competitively for 25 years on adult teams and even sometimes on teams with her daughters. Yes, both Laura and Leanne caught the precision bug too, skating on teams in Oakville and in Burlington all while pursuing more traditional skating honors, Laura eventually earning her gold medal in Figures, Free Skate and Dance and Leanne earning her gold medal in Dance.

“Laura started judging when she was sixteen and is qualified to judge all disciplines – singles, pairs, dance and synchro,” boasts Fran. “At the age of 9 Leanne was an alternate on the senior team in Oakville and continued to participate in the sport until she retired at the age of 34.”

Fran recalls her proudest moment as a synchro skater. “It was at Synchro Nationals in 1994 in Verdun, Quebec and our Oakville adult team, skating to Pomp and Circumstance, earned a bronze medal.  I believe that was the first time a mother and two daughters skated together and won a national medal.”

Fran McLellan

1994 Adult Nationals – Fran McLellan

Once Fran hung up her skates, her transition to becoming a full-time volunteer was completely natural. Although she’s tiny in stature, her infectious spirit and endless enthusiasm meant she could take on jobs and get things done.

“Somehow it just happens. One day you’re driving your kids to the rink and the next thing you know you’re attending planning meetings and voting on budgets.”

Skating wasn’t the only activity on Fran’s list of priorities. “I volunteered at our high school, church and the YMCA, helped out with all the activities at school, volunteered at our hospital and the IODE, sat on several town committees and was a founding member of the Oakville Sports Hall of Fame.”

But it was when she was appointed Accreditation Director for the Winter Special Olympics that Fran found one of her most challenging and rewarding experiences.

“My committee accredited over 10,000 participants, officials, managers, chaperones, entertainers, food vendors, directors and special guests. It was a year-long process working closely with the Kodak people to develop the photo ID system. The experience and the people we met along the way were priceless.”

Back in the rink, Fran devoted countless hours volunteering at local, regional, provincial, national and international skating competitions. “At most of the synchro competitions I was judging, skating and managing. Always a challenge for the Tech Rep,” Fran laughs. “I had to make sure I removed the headset before going back on the panel!”

Today as Business Manager for Canada’s World Champions, NEXXICE, Fran is looking forward to the sport’s acceptance into Olympic competition. “My prediction is 2022 in Beijing, China.  And now this year for the first time Synchro will be part of the Grand Prix Final in Barcelona. As the old saying goes, we’ve come a long way baby!”

For her vision and commitment, Fran has been recognized by both Oakville and her skating community. She was inducted into the Oakville Sports Hall of Fame this year and has been the recipient of the Elizabeth Swan Memorial Award for her contributions to synchro skating. While delighted with these honors, Fran’s proudest moment came after the 2013 World Synchro Championships in Boston when NEXXICE presented her with the Team Spirit Award.

oakville-sports-hall-of-fame-induction

Oakville Sports Hall of Fame Induction

Over the years Fran’s name has become synonymous with volunteering. “I’ve learned that it takes a ‘team’ effort to make things happen. I’ve gained a lot of friends – young and old.”

For Fran, volunteering has worked two ways. While she’s given her time and dedication, volunteering has given her a lot in return. “It’s kept me grounded,” says Fran.

Her advice? “Get involved and stay involved. One day you’ll be glad you did and the memories will live with you forever.”

Duhamel and Radford open season with gold at Autumn Classic International

BARRIE, Ont. – World champions Meagan Duhamel of Lively, Ont., and Eric Radford of Balmertown, Ont., won the gold medal in pairs on Thursday at the Autumn Classic International figure skating competition.

Duhamel and Radford earned 202.61 points in their season opener. Marissa Castelli and Mervin Tran of the U.S. took the silver at 177.86 and their compatriots Jessica Pfund and Joshua Santillan were third at 149.25.

Brittany Jones and Joshua Reagan of Toronto were fourth at 144.55 and Hayleigh Bell of Acton, Ont., and Rudi Swiegers of Kipling, Sask., were fifth at 135.43.

Meagan Duhame / Eric Radford - 2015 Autumn Classic International
Brittany Jones / Joshua Reagan - 2015 Autumn Classic International
Castelli / Tran - 2015 Autumn Classic International

It was a 1-2 Canadian finish in ice dancing with Nicole Orford of Burnaby, B.C. and Asher Hill of Pickering, Ont., a new partnership this season, winning the gold with 146.65.  Andréanne Poulin of Ile-Bizard, Que., and Marc-André Servant of Vaudreuil, Que., surged from fourth after the short dance to the silver at 132.35.

‘’Our programs are coming together really well,’’ said Orford. ‘’So well, that sometimes we forget we are a new team. We are both perfectionists because our previous partnerships were so successful so we need to remind ourselves we’ve only skated for three months.’’

Nicole Orford / Asher Hill - 2015 Autumn Classic International
Adreanne Poulin / Marc Andre Servant - 2015 Autumn Classic International
Karina Manta / Joseph Johnson - 2015 Autumn Classic International

Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan won the gold medal in men’s singles with 277.19 points. Canadian champion Nam Nguyen of Toronto took the silver at 241.10 and Sean Rabbitt of the U.S. was third at 201.70.

Bennet Toman of St. Lazare, Que., was sixth and Mitchell Gordon of Vancouver 10th.

Men - 2015 Autumn Classic International
Yuzuru Hanyu - 2015 Autumn Classic International
Nam Nguyen - 2015 Autumn Classic International
Sean Rabbit - 2015 Autumn Classic International
Bennet Toman - 2015 Autumn Classic International
Mitchell Gordon - 2015 Autumn Classic International

In women’s competition, Roxanne Rhéault of Victoriaville, Que., was fifth. Elizabet Tursynbayeva of Kazakhstan won the gold.

Roxanne Rheault - 2015 Autumn Classic International
Elizabet Tursynbayeva - 2015 Autumn Classic International
Haruka Imai - 2015 Autumn Classic International
Angela Wang - 2015 Autumn Classic International

Canadian junior women win two medals

In junior women’s singles, Amanda Stan of Romania finished ahead of three Canadians for the gold with 130.46.  Alicia Pineault of Montreal was mere 0.01 points from victory for the silver at 130.45.  McKenna Colthorp of Fort St. James, B.C. took the bronze at 129.25 and Alexis Dion of Ottawa fourth at 127.65.

Alicia Pineault - 2015 Autumn Classic International
McKenna Colthorp - 2015 Autumn Classic International

Full results: 2015 Autumn Classic International

World champions Duhamel and Radford first after short program

BARRIE, Ont. – World champions Meaghan Duhamel of Lively, Ont., and Eric Radford of Balmertown, Ont., are in first place in pairs after Wednesday’s short program at the Autumn Classic International figure skating competition.

Unbeaten last season in international competition, Duhamel and Radford earned 68.97 points for their short program skated to Elton John’s Your Song. Marissa Castelli and Mervin Tran are second at 62.07 and Brittany Jones and Joshua Reagan of Toronto third at 52.74.

Hayleigh Bell of Acton, Ont., and Rudi Swiegers of Kipling, Sask., are fifth at 48.19.

Canada also leads in ice dancing after the short dance with Nicole Orford of Burnaby, B.C. and Asher Hill of Pickering, Ont., a new partnership this season, first at 54.58 followed by two American couples.  Andréanne Poulin of Ile-Bizard, Que., and Marc-André Servant of Vaudreuil, Que., are fourth at 50.02.

Canadian champion Nam Nguyen of Toronto landed a quad toe as well as a triple Axel and stands second after the short program in men’s competition.  Bennet Toman of St-Lazare, Que., third.

‘’I skated well,’’ said Nguyen, 17, fifth at the world championships last season. ‘’The quad was one of the best ones I ever executed. It is the first time I’ve inserted it in my short program which is a big step up.”

Toman was also pleased with his first foray against senior international competition.

‘’I showed I belonged here,’’ said Toman. ‘’I executed my triple toe and triple Lutz in the second half the program and I was able to land everything.’’

In women’s competition after the short dance, Roxanne Rhéault of Victoriaville, Que., is fourth less than two points behind leader Angela Wang of the U.S.

Canadian wins silver in junior competition

Joseph Phan

Joseph Phan – 2015 Autumn Classic International

Joseph Phan of Laval, Que., made an impressive international debut winning the silver medal in men’s junior competition. Jun Hwan Cha of South Korea was the winner at 198.44 followed by the 14-year-old Canadian at 167.85. Hugh Brabyn-Jones of Britain was third and Edrian Paul Celestino of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que., fourth.

‘’It was fun,’’ said Phan. ‘’It was a great experience for me. I was really happy with how I skated. I was especially proud of my long program. I just want to build on this for the rest of the season.’’

In junior women’s singles after the short, Alicia Pineault of Montreal is first with Alexis Dion of second and McKenna Colthorp of Fort St. James, B.C., fourth.

The free skates for the junior women and all four senior events are on Thursday at the  Allandale Recreation Centre.

Full results: 2015 Autumn Classic International

Canadian ice dancers headed to France for Cup of Nice

OTTAWA, ON: Ice dancers Carolane Soucisse and Simon Tanguay will represent Canada at the 20th annual Cup of Nice, a senior international competition. The event runs from October 14-18, 2015 at the Patinoire Jean Bouin in Nice, France.

Carolane Soucisse, 20, Chateauguay, Que., and Simon Tanguay, 22, Montreal, Que., will be the sole Canadian entry at the event, competing in ice dance. Earlier this season, Soucisse and Tanguay won bronze at their first senior international competition, the 2015 Lake Placid Ice Dance International. Last season, the representatives of CPA Terrebonne and CPA Ahuntsic placed ninth at the 2015 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. Soucisse and Tanguay are coached by Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon and Pascal Denis at the Centre Sportif Gadbois.

CANADIAN ENTRY AT 20th CUP OF NICE

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Ice Dance Carolane Soucisse / Simon Tanguay 20/22 Chateauguay, Que. / Montreal, Que. CPA Terrebonne Inc. / CPA Ahuntsic Marie-France Dubreuil / Patrice Lauzon / Pascal Denis

Another productive weekend for Canadian figure skaters in Europe

OTTAWA, ON – Canadian figure skaters collected gold and silver this past weekend at European stops on the ISU Challenger Series and ISU Junior Grand Prix.

In Espoo, Finland at the third stop on the Challenger series, ice dancers Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Waterloo, Ont., picked-up where they left off last season with a gold medal performance in their season debut on Saturday.  Weaver and Poje, who won five gold medals last season in international competition, totalled 161.67 points placing first in both the short dance and free skate.

“We had two great programs although there were some mistakes,” said Weaver, third with her partner at the world championships this past March. “But these events are an opportunity to see the areas we need to improve and get some important feedback.”

The next event for Weaver and Poje is Skate Canada International October 30 to November 1 in Lethbridge, Alta.

Brianna Delmaestro of Port Moody, B.C., and Timothy Lum of Burnaby, B.C., were seventh.

In men’s competition on Sunday, Liam Firus of North Vancouver produced the fifth best free skate to climb from ninth to seventh overall. Konstantin Menshov of Russia edged Adam Rippon of the U.S. by six points for the gold.

Meanwhile in Zagreb, Croatia at the seventh stop on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit which concluded Saturday, Nicolas Nadeau of Blainville, Que., was the Canadian star with a silver medal in men’s singles.  Nadeau bettered his personal best by nearly 50 points.

“My success was because I finally put together and strong short program and strong free program,” said Nadeau, 18. “Usually one or the other I tend to struggle with. I came into this competition with no hope of making the Grand Prix Final so I just wanted a strong international performance and impress the judges.”

Kim Decelles of Baie-Comeau Que., finished ninth in women’s singles and ice dancers Audrey Croteau-Villeneuve of Montreal and Jeff Hough of Russell, Ont., were also ninth.

The Grand Prix Final for the junior and seniors is December 10-13 in Barcelona.

Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1516/jgpcro2015/index.htm and http://www.figureskatingresults.fi/results/1516/CSFIN2015/index.htm