Les Suprêmes lead 2016 ISU Junior World Challenge Cup

ZAGREB, Croatia – Les Suprêmes from St-Leonard, Que., are in first place after Friday’s short program at the 2016 ISU Junior World Challenge Cup synchronized skating competition.

The first of two Canadian entries leads with 63.71 points with Russia second at 62.02 and Finland third at 61.11.

The Les Suprêmes skaters are Jessica Allaire, Alessia Arsenault, Amélie Béland, Julia Bernardo, Rachel Maria Cecere, Alisia Cirella, Emily Degni, Béatrice Coté Gomes De Oliveira, Marie-Ève Deschesnes, Gabrielle Gauthier-Roy, Marie-Michèle Gauthier-Roy, Kathleen Grandchamps, Alessia Hart-Lewis, Jessisa Giovanna Iacono, Nadia Lemay, Christina Morin, Alexia Nadai-Plante, Andréanne Paradis, Alessia Malissa Polletta and Florence Poulin.

Canadian junior silver medallists, Les Suprêmes qualified for the event by winning Skate Canada Central Ontario’s annual Winterfest competition. They have previously competed at this event in 2014, winning silver, and in 2012, winning bronze. Last year, they won the bronze medal at the 2015 ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships. This season, they won gold at the 2016 French Cup. Les Suprêmes junior are coached by Marilyn Langlois, assisted by Pascal Denis, Amélie Brochu, and Kassandra Patenaude.

NEXXICE from Burlington, Ont., are in seventh spot at 54.25. The NEXXICE skaters are Madina Asrorova, Alyssa Finocchi, Alycia Giro, Taylor Johnston, Anna Ljungberg, Caroline Marr, Emiko Marr, Shayna McFadden, Jessica Morgan, Scarlet Panning-Stinson, Angie Qi, Jeian Simbahon, Samantha Smith, Nicole Suszek, Alessandra Toso, Nadejda Vladco, Kayla Walker, Brooklyn Williamson, Emily Wright and Olivia Xie.

Canadian champions NEXXICE junior won silver at Skate Canada Central Ontario’s Winterfest. NEXXICE junior previously competed at this event in 2012, placing sixth. Last year, the representatives of the Burlington Skating Centre placed fifth at the 2015 ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships. This season, NEXXICE junior won silver at the 2016 Neuchâtel Trophy. NEXXICE junior are coached by Trish Perdue-Mills.

Competition ends Saturday.

Information: 2016 ISU Junior World Challenge Cup

Liam Firus, Julianne Séguin and Charlie Bilodeau withdraw from 2016 ISU World Figure Skating Championships

OTTAWA, ON: Canadian skaters Liam Firus, Julianne Séguin and Charlie Bilodeau have withdrawn from the 2016 ISU World Figure Skating Championships. The event is scheduled to take place form March 28 – April 3, 2016 in Boston, MA, USA.

In the men’s category Liam Firus, 23, North Vancouver, B.C., has withdrawn. “Making this decision was extremely difficult. However, I feel that withdrawing from the World Championships is vital for our team,” said Firus.

Nam Nguyen, 17, Toronto, Ont., will replace Firus on the Canadian Team. “My teammates Patrick Chan and Nam Nguyen are among the top men in the world. I have full faith in their abilities. This decision is about performance and giving our country the best opportunity to obtain three spots for the World Championships next year,” explained Firus. “I am extremely proud of the strides I’ve made this year; skating truly is a passion of mine. I look forward to coming back even stronger next season to help Canada obtain the three spots needed for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games.”

Skate Canada’s High Performance Director Mike Slipchuk added, “I have a lot of respect for Liam and his decision on Worlds.  We have confidence in Liam being a strong part of our team leading to 2018.”

In pairs Julianne Séguin, 19, Longueuil, Que., sustained a minor injury in training earlier this year causing the withdrawl of her and partner Charlie Bilodeau, 22, Trois-Pistoles, Que. “Due to injury last month, which is not fully healed, Charlie and I had to make a heartbreaking decision to not participate at Worlds. We missed a lot of practices and during competition we want to give our best for our satisfaction and for the people around us. We are unfortunately not ready for this event. We will take the time to heal and work to come back stronger for the future. We want to thank everyone for their support,” explained Séguin.

Séguin and Bilodeau will be replaced by Kirsten Moore-Towers, 23, St. Catharines, Ont., and Michael Marinaro, 24, Sarnia, Ont.

“Julianne and Charlie have had a great season this year and it is unfortunate they won’t be able to compete at Worlds. Full recovery for Julianne is the priority and they will return stronger for next season,” said Slipchuk.

Junior Synchronized Skating Teams Set to Represent Canada at 2016 ISU Junior World Challenge Cup

OTTAWA, ON: Canada will have two junior synchronized skating teams competing at the 2016 ISU Junior World Challenge Cup in Zagreb, Croatia, from March 10-12. Les Suprêmes junior from Quebec and NEXXICE junior, from Western Ontario, will represent Canada at the event. Zagreb will host 20 of the top junior synchronized skating teams from 15 countries. The event runs in conjunction with the Zagreb Snowflakes Trophy synchronized skating competition which features novice and senior events.

Canadian junior silver medallists, Les Suprêmes are the first Canadian entry. Les Suprêmes qualified as the first Canadian entry by winning Skate Canada Central Ontario’s annual Winterfest competition. They have previously competed at this event in 2014, winning silver, and in 2012, winning bronze. Last year, they won the bronze medal at the 2015 ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships. This season, the representatives of CPA Saint-Léonard won gold at the 2016 French Cup. Les Suprêmes junior are coached by Marilyn Langlois, assisted by Pascal Denis, Amélie Brochu, and Kassandra Patenaude.

Nexxice Junior

NEXXICE Junior

Canadian champions NEXXICE junior are the second Canadian entry, having won silver at Skate Canada Central Ontario’s Winterfest. NEXXICE junior previously competed at this event in 2012, placing sixth. Last year, the representatives of the Burlington Skating Centre placed fifth at the 2015 ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships. This season, NEXXICE junior won silver at the 2016 Neuchâtel Trophy. NEXXICE junior are coached by Trish Perdue-Mills.

Susan Morriss, of Victoria, B.C., will be the Canadian team manager at the event. Dr. Ed Pilat of Winnipeg, Man., will be the Canadian team doctor and Sylvia Ciurysek of Berwyn, Alta., will be the team physiotherapist.

For more information please visit 2016 ISU Junior World Challenge Cup.

Elvis Stojko and young Skate Canada skaters set for TV movie debut in “Ice Girls”

Elvis Stojko’s leading role in Ice Girls is a classic case of life imitating art.

The three-time world champion makes his movie debut in Ice Girls, playing a rink manager and – you guessed it – former figure skater named Mercury who takes a young, new-to-town skater under his wing.

Ice Girls, which also stars Natasha Henstridge (The Whole Nine Yards) and young Canadian skaters Michaela Du Toit and Taylor Hunsley, debuts on Family Channel on Friday, March 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Filmed in Sudbury, Ont., the movie’s plot revolves around the strong bond formed between aspiring figure skating star Mattie Dane (Du Toit) and Mercury (Stojko).

Mattie injures herself in a fall during a competition and struggles to regain her confidence after her skating dreams are shattered. Things take a turn for the worse when her mother loses her job and the family is forced to move to a small northern Ontario city, where Mattie struggles to find her place in unfamiliar surroundings.

As she tries to fit in, Mattie finds escape at the local arena, but another talented skater (Hunsley) and her overly-competitive mother (Henstridge) remind the newcomer there isn’t room at the top for both of them. Seeing the potential in the skater, Mercury begins to mentor Mattie, much like in real life when Stojko works with young Skate Canada athletes.

“It really was an awesome experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed it,” says Stojko. “The character fit well with my personality. There are so many aspects within Mercury that are already in my life. It felt comfortable because, in some ways, it was like walking in my own shoes.”

While Ice Girls marks his maiden movie role, this isn’t Stojko’s first acting gig. In his Broadway debut a couple of years ago, Stojko played smooth-talking, manipulative lawyer Billy Flynn in Chicago: The Musical.

“This is the direction I’ve wanted to go for a long time,” says Stojko of his acting career. “I love acting and working with guys like (acting coach) Brad Milne. It’s been building these last couple of years for me, so hopefully I can keep that momentum going for the next project. I’ll just keep working and honing my craft.”

Both Du Toit, and Hunsley have compiled impressive skating resumes early in their careers.

Hunsley, the 2009 Canadian juvenile women’s champion, also finished tenth at the 2015 Skate Canada Challenge to qualify for the 2015 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. Du Toit, who skates out of the Richmond Hill Skating Club but represents South Africa internationally, competed in the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in February and was pre-novice silver medallist at 2013 Skate Canada Challenge.

In her first leading role, Du Toit admits she was nervous starring with Stojko as shooting began, but the two connected with their roles almost immediately. Even when the cameras weren’t rolling, Stojko took some to work with Du Toit on technical elements for upcoming real-life competitions.

“It was just amazing working with the entire cast, and especially Elvis,” says Du Toit. “I was so excited when I heard he was in movie. On set he was just a great mentor. He is just an amazing person.”

Olympic and world ice dance champion Tessa Virtue, who recently announced with partner Scott Moir that they will return to the competitive ranks next season, also has a cameo in the movie.

Scenes were shot at three Sudbury arenas – Walden, Cambrian and Countryside. Young skaters from seven local skating clubs were brought in as extras.

“The skaters were so thrilled to be involved in the movie,” says Lisa Burton, a coach with the Chelmsford Skating Club. “It was an extremely positive experience for all of them, and the crew and everyone associated with the film were great. It was quite special for all of them.”

Sudbury was the city where a young Stojko first made his mark on the Canadian skating scene by finishing second to Kurt Browning at the 1990 Canadian championships. It was an early look at the greatness that would follow, as Stojko would go on to win three world titles between 1994 and 1997.

“Every time I go to Sudbury, it always brings back memories,” says Stojko. “ I have lots of memories from up there. The community was so supportive, and it was a lot of fun to be back.”

Du Toit says the story is one of perseverance, dedication and friendship and epitomizes the strength of the human spirit as her character battles back from odds so stacked against her.

“There are a lot of life lessons in the movie”, says Du Toit. “It’s about not giving up on your dreams no matter how hard things get.

“It may look kind of cloudy right now, but if you persevere, you will get there.”

Photos courtesy Family Channel

Canada’s Nexxice fourth at ISU Shanghai Trophy

SHANGHAI – Nexxice from Burlington, Ont., gained a spot in the standings with its free skate but just fell short of the podium in a fourth place finish at the ISU Shanghai Trophy synchronized skating competition.

Paradise from Russia held on for gold with 205.33 points, Haydenettes from the U.S. were second at 201.01 and Team Surprise from Sweden took bronze at 200.37. The Canadians followed at 191.11 climbing from fifth after Friday’s short program.

The Nexxice skaters were Shannon Aikman-Jones, Cassandra Ablack, Ellicia Beaudoin, Kelly Britten, Sarah Burns, Anna Cappuccitti, Lee Chandler, Alessia Chiovitti, Samantha Defino, Courtney Gray, Celina Hevesi, Renata Khuzina, Victoria Kwan, Lauren Malott, Courtney McNaughton, Lisa Miadovnik, Rachel Ng, Kiersten Tietz, Jillian Tyler and Lauren Varley.

Representing the Burlington Skating Centre, Nexxice won the silver medal at the recent national championships.

They are the defending world champions, and have previously won the world championships in 2009, won silver from 2012-2014, and won bronze in 2007 and 2008. Nine-time consecutive Canadian champions (from 2007-2015), they are coached by Shelley Simonton Barnett and Anne Schelter.

Full results: ISU Shanghai Trophy 2016

Skate Canada Coach Yvan Desjardins realizes goal with NCCP Level 5 certification

Don’t try telling Yvan Desjardins that 13 is an unlucky number.

A highly-respected coach at École Excellence Rosemère in Montreal, Desjardins, working with legendary coach Manon Perron in Skate Canada’s High Performance Mentorship Program, recently joined elite status by becoming the 13th Skate Canada coach to achieve the lofty Level 5 certification with the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).

Level 5 is the pinnacle of the NCCP and highest status a coach can receive.

“It was definitely one of my goals,” said Desjardins of the Level 5 distinction. “I didn’t know when I would finish, but I wanted to get my Level 5.”

Skate Canada’s High Performance Mentorship Program provides professional development opportunities to a select group of coaches working with targeted athletes, including one-on-one mentoring to help coaches prepare their athletes for the competitive journey ahead.

A former national team member and world junior competitor, Desjardins originally received Level 4 certification while attending the University of Montreal more than a decade and a half ago. Plans for full Level 5 certifications were put on hold when Desjardins and his wife welcomed two children into the world. Coaching took a back seat to fatherhood.

Desjardins, who has been coaching for more than two decades, joined the High Performance Mentorship Program in 2014. Working side-by-side with Perron, Desjardins achieved his Level 5 status last August and was officially presented with his certificate of achievement during the Canadian Tire National Skating Championships in Halifax this past January.

“It wasn’t about the actual level,” says Desjardins. “I was not looking for recognition. I wanted to be the best coach I can. I learned a lot in the program, and improved as a coach. Programs like this open your mind and allow you to see what other coaches are doing with their training.

“Working with Manon has been great. She reassures me that I’ve been doing the right things, and that means a lot coming from her. She also has a lot of contacts that have helped, as well. We all need mentors, in skating, as an organization and in life. You have to have that balance.

“That’s what Skate Canada is doing with the High Performance Coach Mentorship Program, and that is a very good thing.”

Desjardins has developed a special bond with all his athletes, including 2015 national junior champion Nicolas Nadeau. Later this month, Desjardins and Nadeau will head to Hungary for the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships.

“Nicolas’ father said to me ‘you spend more time with my son than I do, and I really appreciate what you are doing for him’”, says Desjardins, who also coaches Joseph Phan, the 2016 junior men’s champion.

“It’s a special relationship coaches have with their athletes, and those relationships develop each year. And it’s not just about the skating,” adds Desjardins.

“I want to push my athletes to be the best, on the ice and in life.”

Nexxice senior synchronized skating team in China for 2016 ISU Shanghai Trophy

OTTAWA, ON:  Canada will have one team competing at the 2016 ISU Shanghai Trophy in Shanghai, China. Nexxice senior will be the Canadian entry at the international synchronized skating invitational taking place from March 4-6, 2016.

Representing the Burlington Skating Centre are the 2016 Canadian silver medallists, Nexxice. They are the defending world champions, and have previously won the world championships in 2009, won silver from 2012-2014, and won bronze in 2007 and 2008. Nine-time consecutive Canadian champions (from 2007-2015), they are coached by Shelley Simonton Barnett and Anne Schelter.

Karen Robertson of Chelsea, Que., will be the sole Canadian official at the event.

For more information on the event please visit www.isu.org.