Lajoie and Lagha win gold at ISU Junior Grand Prix

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RICHMOND, B.C. – Marjorie Lajoie of Boucherville, Que., and Zachary Lagha of Greenfield Park, Que., won the gold medal Friday in ice dancing at the fourth top on the ISU Junior Grand Prix figure skating circuit.

The couple posted a personal best 166.52 points for the victory. Russian couples followed with Polina Ivanenko and Daniil Karpov second at 149.39 and Ksenia Konkina and Alexander Vakhnov third at 147.92.

Lajoie and Lagha earned silver two weeks ago at the second stop in Linz, Austria.

‘’We made a few changes since the last junior Grand Prix and it has already paid off,’’ said Lagha. ‘’The beginning could have been a little bit better. But after the spin we just calmed down.’’

Natalie D’Alessandro and Bruce Waddell of Toronto were sixth and Miku Makita of Anmore, B.C., and Tyler Gunara of Burnaby, B.C. were eighth.

‘’We are continuing to build with these junior Grand Prix experiences,’’ said D’Alessandro. ‘’We were quite nervous but we were able to turn those nerves into really good energy.’’

‘’We were very excited with how we skated today although we were nervous,’’ said Makita. ”It was a whole new experience for us.’’

Russia was 1-2 in women’s competition. Anna Shcherbakova took the gold and Anastasia Tarakanova the silver. Rion Sumiyoshi of Japan was third.

Sarah Maude-Blanchard of Sherbrooke, Que., was ninth, Hannah Dawson of Vankleek Hill, Ont., 10th and Alison Schumacher of Tecumseh, Ont., 12th.

‘’It was definitely a learning experience after coming back from a disappointing short program,’’ said Schumacher. ‘’I really had to dig deep today for the free and trust my training. I was really glad I persevered and fought through it.’’

Russian couples are 1-2-3 after the pairs short program. Patricia Andrew of London,Ont. and Paxton Fletcher of Rodney, Ont., are seventh, Chloe Panetta of Laval, Que., and Benjamin Mimar of Terrebonne, Que., eighth and Camille Perreault of Orford, Que., and Bryan Pierro of St-Hubert, Que., are 10th.

In Thursday’s men’s short program, Ilya Kovler of Richmond Hill, Ont., stands third with 72.16. Tomoki Hiwatashi of the U.S. leads at 76.81 and Yuma Kagiyama of Japan second at 75.60.

Thirteen-year-old Stephen Gogolev of Toronto is seventh and Beres Clements of Richmond, B.C. ninth.

The men’s and pairs free skates are on Saturday.

Full results: ISU JGP Canada 2018

Nguyen triumphs at U.S. International Figure Skating Classic

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SALT LAKE CITY – Nam Nguyen of Ajax, Ont., overcame a self-described ‘’disastrous’’ warm-up to win the gold medal in men’s competition Friday at the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic.

Nguyen earned 213.52 points with Michael Brezina of the Czech Republic second at 208.27 and Jimmy Ma of the U.S. third at 206.10.

‘’My warm-up was disastrous,’’ said Nguyen, who couldn’t have asked for a better start after finishing last season with a 25th place at the world championships. ‘’But I was able to regroup afterwards and get the job done.’’

‘’The first two-thirds of the program was solid with my two quads and triple Axel. Then the legs got really heavy. I almost cried going into the last jump because I was hurting so much.’’

In pairs, Camille Ruest of Rimouski, Que., and Drew Wolfe of Calgary placed fifth. Americans were 1-2 led by Ashley Can and Timothy Leduc.

Canada is also in medal contention in ice dancing and women’s competition.

Two-time Olympian Gabrielle Daleman of Newmarket, Ont., produced a clean program and is third after the women’s short program with 63.28. Satoko Miyahara of Japan leads at 67.53 and Eunsoo Lim of South Korea is second at 64.85

Haley Sales of Burnaby, B.C., and Nikolas Wamsteeker of Langley, B.C. are third after the short dance with 54.11. Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue of the U.S., are first at 79.11 and their compatriots Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko are second at 68.61.

Full results: 2018 U.S. International Figure Skating Classic

Skate Canada Announces 2018-2019 National Team

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OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada is pleased to announce the 2018-2019 National Team. The team is comprised of 23 senior members, which includes five men, four women, three pair teams and four ice dance teams.

To be named to the National Team a skater must finish in the top five in senior men, women, pair and ice dance disciplines at the 2018 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships and/or be assigned a 2018 ISU Grand Prix event and must be competing in the 2018-19 season. Athletes can be added at the discretion of Skate Canada based on new partnerships of current and former national team members.

Their appointment to the national team is effective from September 1, 2018 through to June 30, 2019.

Skate Canada also announced the three teams that will make up the Skate Canada Synchronized Skating National Team. The Synchronized National Team comprises those teams finishing in the top three in senior discipline at the 2018 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships.

MEN
Keegan Messing, 26, Sherwood Park, Alta./Brantford, Ont.
Nam Nguyen, 20, Ajax, Ont.
Kevin Reynolds, 27, Coquitlam, B.C.
Roman Sadovsky, 19, Vaughan, Ont.
Nicolas Nadeau, 20, Boisbriand, Que.

WOMEN
Gabrielle Daleman, 20, Newmarket, Ont.
Larkyn Austman, 20, Coquitlam, B.C.
Alaine Chartrand, 22, Prescott, Ont.
Aurora Cotop, 16, Thornhill, Ont.

PAIR
Kirsten Moore-Towers, 25, St. Catharines, Ont. & Michael Marinaro, 26, Sarnia, Ont.
Camille Ruest, 24, Rimouski, Que., & Andrew Wolfe, 23, Calgary, Alta.
Evelyn Walsh, 17, London, Ont., and Trennt Michaud, 22, Trenton, Ont.

ICE DANCE
Piper Gilles, 26, Toronto, Ont. & Paul Poirier, 26, Unionville, Ont.
Kaitlyn Weaver, 29, Toronto, Ont. & Andrew Poje, 31, Waterloo, Ont.
Carolane Soucisse, 23, Châteauguay, Que., & Shane Firus, 24, North Vancouver, B.C.
Haley Sales, 21, Kelowna, B.C., and Nikolas Wamsteeker, 21, Langley, B.C.

SYNCHRONIZED SKATING
NEXXICE, of the Burlington Skating Centre
Les Suprêmes, of CPA Saint-Léonard
Nova, of CPS NOVA

Canadian figure skaters en route to Salt Lake City for U.S. International Figure Skating Classic

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OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada will send four entries, for a total of six skaters to the 2018 U.S. International Figure Skating Classic, the second event on the International Skating Union’s (ISU) 2018 Challenger Series. Canada will have one entry per discipline in men, women, pairs and ice dance, at the event which runs from September 12-16, 2018, in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

Canadian bronze medallist Nam Nguyen, 20, Ajax, Ont., will be the Canadian men entry. In 2016, he placed fifth at this event. Last season on the ISU Challenger Series, he placed fifth at the 2017 Autumn Classic International. Nguyen ended last season with a 25th place finish at the 2018 ISU World Figure Skating Championships. The three-time Canadian medallist is coached by Robert Burk in Richmond Hill, Ont.

Olympic gold medallist (team) and world bronze medallist Gabrielle Daleman, 20, Newmarket, Ont., will represent Canada in women. This will be her first time competing at this event. Last season, she placed 15th in women’s singles at the Olympic Winter Games and seventh at the 2018 ISU World Figure Skating Championships. The two-time Canadian champion is coached by Lee Barkell, Brian Orser and Tracy Wilson in Toronto, Ont.

Camille Ruest, 24, Rimouski, Que., and Drew Wolfe, 23, Calgary, Alta., will be the Canadian entry in pairs. This will also be their first time competing at this event. Last season, they placed sixth at the 2018 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships, seventh at the ISU Four Continents Championships and 18th at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships. Ruest and Wolfe are coached by Richard Gauthier and Bruno Marcotte in Montreal, Que.

Haley Sales, 21, Kelowna, B.C., and Nikolas Wamsteeker, 21, Langley, B.C., will be the Canadian ice dance entry at the event, and will also be competing at this event for the first time. Last season, they placed sixth at the 2018 Canadian championships and ninth at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships. Sales and Wamsteeker are coached by Megan Wing and Aaron Lowe in Burnaby, B.C.

Mike Slipchuk, Skate Canada High Performance Director, will be the Canadian team leader at the event. Physiotherapist Scott Fraser of Kingston, Ont., will be the Canadian medical staff onsite. Jeff Lukasik of Calgary, Alta., and Ron Conacher of Toronto, Ont., will be the Canadian officials at the event.

For more information and full entries please visit www.isu.org or www.usfigureskatingclassic.com.

CANADIAN ENTRIES AT 2018 U.S. INTERNATIONAL FIGURE SKATING CLASSIC

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Men Nam Nguyen 20 Ajax, Ont. Richmond Training Centre Robert Burk
Ladies Gabrielle Daleman 20 Newmarket, Ont. Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club Lee Barkell / Brian Orser / Tracy Wilson
Pairs Camille Ruest / Drew Wolfe 24/23 Rimouski, Que. / Calgary, Alta. CPA De Rimouski / Glencoe Club Richard Gauthier / Bruno Marcotte
Ice Dance Haley Sales / Nikolas Wamsteeker 21/21 Burnaby, B.C. / Langley, B.C. Kelowna SC / Champs International Skating Centre Megan Wing / Aaron Lowe

Single Session Tickets Info: 2018 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final

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OTTAWA, ON: Single session tickets for the 2018 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final will go on sale Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. PT. The event will take place in Vancouver, B.C., at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre from December 6-9, 2018.

Single session tickets begin at $60, plus applicable taxes and surcharges and prices range by session. Tickets for the Wednesday practices are only $25, plus applicable taxes and surcharges. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.ca and by phone at 1-855-985-5000. Please note that All Event Tickets will no longer be available.

Super Fan Bags are available for $75, plus applicable taxes and surcharges until September 30, 2018.  Super Fan Bag includes a commemorative blanket, event pin, event program and stylish bag.  Fans will receive a voucher for the Super Fan Bag that is exchanged at the area during the event.

EVENT INFO

The ISU Grand Prix Final is the concluding event of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating circuit. The series hosts six stops: United States (Skate America), Canada (Skate Canada International), Russia (Rostelecom Cup), France (Internationaux de France), China (Cup of China), and Japan (NHK Trophy). Skaters are awarded points based on their placements at their assigned events and the top six in each of the four disciplines advance to the final.

The event will also include the 2018 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final. The world’s top junior skaters also collect points to qualify, through seven events which change location yearly. The top six in men’s, ladies, pair and ice dance, based on the results of the Junior Grand Prix series, advance to the Junior Final.

In total, there will be 48 entries and 72 skaters taking part in the event in both senior and junior.

This will be the city’s first time hosting this event. Vancouver has hosted the Canadian Tire National Skating Championships six times. The have also hosted several international figure skating events: the 2009 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, 2001 & 1960 ISU World Figure Skating Championships and the 1978 Skate Canada International.

The ISU Grand Prix Final began in 1995 and the first three editions of the competition were titled the Champions Series Final. During the 1998-99 season the name changed to the current title.

Join our exclusive mailing list to receive event and ticket information for the 2018 ISU Grand Prix Final.

 

Richmond, British Columbia, ready to host fourth stop of 2018 ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit

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RICHMOND, B.C.: The City of Richmond, British Columbia, is set to welcome athletes from across the world for the fourth stop on the 2018-2019 ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating. Skate Canada will send 12 entries, for a total of 18 skaters to the event taking place at the Minoru Arenas from September 12-15, 2018. Canada will have three entries per discipline in men, women, pairs and ice dance.

Stephen Gogolev, 13, Toronto, Ont., is the first of three Canadian entries in the men’s discipline. Gogolev won the gold medal at his first ISU Junior Grand Prix last month in Slovakia. He is coached by Brian Orser and Lee Barkell in Toronto, Ont.

Iliya Kovler, 15, Richmond Hill, Ont., is the second Canadian entry in men. Last season, he placed fourth in junior at the 2018 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. In 2016, he placed 19th at the ISU Junior Grand Prix in Germany. He is coached by Andrei Berezintsev and Inga Zusev in Richmond Hill, Ont.

Beres Clements, 16, Richmond, B.C., will also represent Canada in the men’s discipline. Clements placed 12th in Austria at his first ISU Junior Grand Prix assignment of the season. He is coached by Joanne McLeod in Burnaby, B.C.

Canadian junior silver medallist Sarah-Maude Blanchard, 17, Sherbrooke, Que., is the first of three Canadian entries in junior women. This will be her first ISU Junior Grand Prix assignment. She trains in Sherbrooke, Que., with coaches Marie-Christine Grenier and Odrée Grenier.

Alison Schumacher, 15, Tecumseh, Ont., will also represent Canada in the women’s category. Schumacher placed ninth at her first ISU Junior Grand Prix assignment of the season in Slovakia. She is coached by Lee Barkell in Toronto, Ont.

Hannah Dawson, 17, Vankleek Hill, Ont., will round out the Canadian women entries. Last season, she placed 15th in the junior women’s category at the 2018 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. Dawson is coached by Annie Barabé in Varennes, Que.

Canadian junior silver medallists Patricia Andrew, 13, London, Ont., and Paxton Fletcher, 19, Rodney, Ont., are the first of three Canadian pairs entries at the event. They placed fourth at their first ISU Junior Grand Prix assignment in Slovakia earlier this season. Andrew and Fletcher are coached by Alison Purkiss in Brantford, Ont.

Canadian novice bronze medallists Camille Perreault, 14, Orford, Que., and Bryan Pierro, 18, Saint-Hubert, Que., will also represent Canada in pairs. This will be their first ISU Junior Grand Prix assignment. They train in Chambly, Que., with coach Marc-André Craig.

Also representing Canada in pairs are Chloé Panetta, 15, Laval, Que., and Benjamin Mimar, 17, Terrebonne, Que. This will be their first international assignment since teaming up in the offseason. Panetta and Mimar are coached by Richard Gauthier, Bruno Marcotte and Sylvie Fullum in Montreal, Que.

Two-time Canadian junior champions Marjorie Lajoie, 17, Boucherville, Que., and Zachary Lagha, 19, Greenfield Park, Que., are the first of three Canadian ice dance entries. They duo who placed fourth at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships in 2018 began their ISU Junior Grand Prix 2018-2019 season with a silver medal in Austria. They train in Montreal, Que., with coaches Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon, Romain Haguenauer and Pascal Denis.

Natalie D’Alessandro, 14, Toronto, Ont., and Bruce Waddell, 16, Toronto, Ont., are the second Canadian entry in ice dance. They placed fourth at their first ISU Junior Grand Prix this season, in Austria. They are coached by Andrew Hallam and Siobhan Karam in Toronto, Ont.

Canadian novice silver medallists Miku Makita, 15, Anmore, B.C., and Tyler Gunara, 16, Burnaby, B.C., round out the Canadian ice dance entries at the event. This will be their first ISU Junior Grand Prix assignment. They are coached by Megan Wing and Aaron Lowe in Burnaby, B.C.

Annie Thibodeau of Montreal, Que., and David Schultz of Regina, Sask., will be the Canadian team leaders at the event. Dr. Ed Pilat of Winnipeg, Man., and physiotherapist Sylvia Ciurysek of Berwyn, Alta., will be the Canadian team medical staff on site. Susan Blatz of Burlington, Ont., Andrew Bosco of Thorold, Ont., Pam Chislett of Grand Prairie, Alta., and Patty Klein of Mt. Royal, Que., will be the Canadian officials at the event.

For results and full entries please visit www.isu.org. All events on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit will be livestreamed on the ISU Junior Grand Prix YouTube channel.

CANADIAN ENTRIES AT ISU JGP #4 – RICHMOND, CANADA

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Men Stephen Gogolev 13 Toronto, Ont. Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club Brian Orser / Lee Barkell
Men Iliya Kovler 15 Richmond Hill, Ont. Richmond Training Centre Andrei Berezintsev / Inga Zusev
Men Beres Clements 16 Richmond, B.C. Champs International Skating Centre of B.C. Joanne McLeod
Women Sarah-Maude Blanchard 17 Sherbrooke, Que. CPA Sherbrooke Marie-Christine Grenier / Odrée Grenier
Women Alison Schumacher 15 Tecumseh, Ont. Riverside SC Lee Barkell
Women Hannah Dawson 17 Vankleek Hill, Ont. CPA Hawkesbury FSC Annie Barabé
Pairs Patricia Andrew / Paxton Fletcher 13/19 London, Ont. / Rodney, Ont. Brant FSC / Brant FSC Alison Purkiss
Pairs Camille Perreault / Bryan Pierro 14/18 Orford, Que. / Saint-Hubert, Que. CPA Magog / CPA De St. Hubert Marc-André Craig
Pairs Chloé Panetta / Benjamin Mimar 15/17 Laval, Que. / Terrebonne, Que. CPA Les Lames d’Argent de Laval Inc. / CPA St-Michel Richard Gauthier / Bruno Marcotte / Sylvie Fullum
Ice Dance Marjorie Lajoie / Zachary Lagha 17/19 Boucherville, Que. / Greenfield Park, Que. CPA De Boucherville / CPA St. Lambert Marie-France Dubreuil / Patrice Lauzon / Romain Haguenauer / Pascal Denis
Ice Dance Natalie D’Alessandro / Bruce Waddell 14/16 Toronto, Ont. / Toronto, Ont. Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club / Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club Andrew Hallam / Siobhan Karam
Ice Dance Miku Makita / Tyler Gunara 15/16 Anmore, B.C. / Burnaby, B.C. Inlet SC / Champs International Skating Centre of B.C. Megan Wing / Aaron Lowe

Learn to Skate at Your Local Skate Canada Club

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OTTAWA, ON: The 2018-2019 ice skating season is beginning in many communities across Canada and all Canadians have the opportunity to register for skating programs at your local Skate Canada club or skating school.  Skating is an integral part of the Canadian experience, and with a diverse offering of programs, aspiring participants of all ages can learn at their own pace.

Skate Canada is thrilled to offer CanSkate, presented by Canadian Tire, the number one learn-to-skate program in the country. CanSkate is accessible to all Canadians and has been implemented in all member clubs and skating schools nationwide.

The CanSkate program is based on principles of Sport Canada’s Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD), and offers custom tools, professional coaching, a tested and proven curriculum, and delivery methods that guarantee strong basic skills and quicker skating development. The CanSkate program also teaches skills that prepare skaters for other popular Canadian sports like hockey, ringette and speed skating, by working on the skaters’ balance, speed, control and agility.

Learning to skate is a natural part of Canadian life. From early steps on the ice, holding onto a parent’s hand, to skating as a family activity, or moving on to other ice sports, skating is an enriching, active experience. Skate Canada offers a wide-range of programs, from CanSkate for beginners of any age to AdultSkate, for adults looking to continue their healthy lifestyle. For those looking to join a team, our Synchronized Skating programs are tailored for groups of eight or more skaters performing as a team.

Skating opportunities include:

  • CanPowerSkate – with a focus on balance, control and agility, this program is perfect for those looking to enhance specialized skating skills specifically for hockey and ringette.
  • Figure Skating – STAR 1-5 is a diverse program that offers figure skating fundamentals and aims to enhance skills in four different disciplines.
  • Adaptive Skating – options are available with all our programs for the development of skating skills. Contact your local club for details.
  • Adult Skating – options are available through programs. Contact your local skating club for details and availability.

All Skate Canada member coaches hold National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) status, first aid and valid police clearance checks and quality instruction is available at all 1,200 member clubs and skating schools across the country.

To learn more about skating programs near you, please contact your nearest club using Skate Canada’s Find a Club and get skating with us!

Three top-10’s for Canada at ISU Junior Grand Prix

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KAUNAS, Lithuania – Canadian ice dance teams placed sixth and seventh on Saturday to conclude the third stop on the ISU Junior Grand Prix figure skating circuit.

Arina Ushakova and Maxim Nekrasov of Russia won the gold with 168.17 points, Avonley Nguyen and Vadym Kolesnik of the U.S. took the silver with 161.84 and Darya Popova and Volodymyr Byelikov of Ukraine were third at 142.29.

Ashlynne Stairs of Barrie, Ont., and Elliott Graham of Angus, Ont., remained sixth at 136.75 and Irina Galiyanova of Toronto and Grayson Lochhead of Sweaburg, Ont., climbed from eighth after the short dance to seventh at 132.58.

‘’Our free dance was a pretty strong program today,’’ said Graham. ‘’It was probably the best we could have skated it this early in the season. The key was keeping a positive attitude after what we felt was a disappointing short dance.’’

Galiyanova and Lochhead also felt they improved in their free skate.

‘’We were much more into our feet’’ said Galiyanova. ‘’We were working well together. We pushed through and I feel that’s what works well for us.’’

In men’s competition, Andrew Torgashev of the U.S. won the gold, Kirill Iakovlev of Russia was second and Yuto Kishina of Japan third.

Joseph Phan of Toronto, fifth after the short program on Thursday, wound up ninth with the 10th best free skate.

‘’Today was really hard for me,’’ said Phan, 17. ‘’When I fell on my second quad toe I lost my confidence. It was a tough lesson. Now I need to bounce back at the next event.’’

Eric Liu of Edmonton, 17th after the short program, withdrew from the free skate due a sprained ankle suffered in Thursday’s performance.

The fourth stop on the circuit is this Thursday to Saturday in Richmond, B.C. at the Minoru Arenas.

Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpltu2018/index.htm

Emily Bausback surges to 12th at ISU Junior Grand Prix

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KAUNAS, Lithuania – Emily Bausback of Vancouver gained five spots in the overall standings on Friday to place 12th in women’s competition at the third stop on the ISU Junior Grand Prix figure skating circuit.

Alexandra Trusova of Russia won the gold medal, Yelim Kim of South Korea was second and Kseniia Sinitsyna of Russia third.

Bausback was 17th after Thursday’s short program and produced the 10th best free skate on Friday to surge in the standings.

‘’The free program was a reflection of how I’ve been training the past two weeks,’’ said Bausback, 16. ‘’The short was pretty disappointing but today I felt I put it together and was much more focused.’’

In ice dancing after the short dance, Ashlynne Stairs of Barrie Ont., and Elliott Graham of Angus, Ont., are sixth and Irina Galiyanova of Toronto and Grayson Lochhead of Sweaburg, Ont., are eighth.

In Thursday’s short program, Joseph Phan of Laval, Que., is in fifth spot and Eric Liu of Edmonton 17th.

Competition ends Saturday with the free dance and men’s free skate.

Full results: ISU JGP Amber Cup 2018

Single Session Tickets Info: 2018 Skate Canada International

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OTTAWA, ON: Single session tickets for the 2018 Skate Canada International will go on sale Friday, September 7, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. ET. The event will take place in Laval, Quebec, from October 26-28, 2018, at Place Bell.

The line-up in Laval features members of the 2018 Canadian Olympic Team, including Gabrielle Daleman, Keegan Messing, Larkyn Austman, Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro, Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier. They will be joined by various current and former world medallists including Shoma Uno of Japan, Evgenia Medvedeva of Russia, Vanessa James and Morgan Ciprès of France, and more. A full list of entries can be found on the ISU website.

Single session tickets begin at $40.50 (including applicable taxes and surcharges) and prices range by session. Tickets for the Thursday practices are only $16 (including taxes and surcharges).

Tickets can be purchased online at placebell.ca, by phone at 1-855-634-4472 or in person at the Place Bell Box Office.

EVENT INFO

Skate Canada International is the second competition in the annual ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. The other events take place in the United States (Skate America), Finland, Japan (NHK Trophy), Russia (Rostelecom Cup) and France (Internationaux de France).

Each skater/team can be assigned a maximum of two events. Skaters are awarded points based on their placements at their events. The top six from each discipline (men, women, pair and ice dance) qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final to be held in Vancouver, B.C., from December 6-9, 2018.

Canadian skaters continue on 2018-2019 ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit in Lithuania

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OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada will have five entries, for a total of seven skaters, competing at the third stop of the 2018-2019 ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating. The event is taking place in Kaunas, Lithuania, at the Zalgirio Arena from September 5-8, 2018. Canada will have two entries per discipline in men and ice dance, and one entry in women.

Joseph Phan, 17, Toronto, Ont., is the first of two Canadian men entries. Last year on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit Phan placed fourth in Australia and won silver in Croatia. He also placed sixth in senior at the 2018 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships and fourth at the 2018 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships. Phan is coached by Brian Orser in Toronto, Ont.

Eric Liu, 17, Edmonton, Alta., will be the second Canadian entry in the men’s category. Last season on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit, Liu placed 12th in Italy. He also placed 14th in senior at the 2018 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. He is coached by Ravi Walia in Edmonton, Alta.

Emily Bausback, 16, Vancouver, B.C., will be the Canadian entry in women. Last season on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit, she placed 11th in Croatia. Bausback is coached by Joanne McLeod in Burnaby, B.C.

Ashlynne Stairs, 18, Barrie, Ont., and Elliott Graham, 20, Angus, Ont., are one of two Canadian entries in ice dance. This will be their first international assignment since teaming up this year. They are coached by David Islam, Kelly Johnson and James Callan in Barrie, Ont.

Irina Galiyanova, 16, Toronto, Ont., and Grayson Lochhead, 18, Sweaburg, Ont., will also represent Canada in ice dance, and this will also be their first international assignment since teaming up in the offseason. They are coached by Carol Lane, Jon Lane, Juris Razgulajevs and Marc-André Servant in Scarborough, Ont.

Mike Slipchuk, Skate Canada High Performance Director, and Manon Perron of Boucherville, Que., will be the Canadian team leaders at the event. Physiotherapist Shirley Kushner of Westmount, Que., will be the Canadian team medical staff on site. Susan Morriss of Victoria, B.C., and Erica Topolski of Fredericton, N.B., will be the Canadian officials at the event.

For results and full entries please visit www.isu.org. All events on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit will be livestreamed on the ISU Junior Grand Prix YouTube channel.

CANADIAN ENTRIES AT ISU JGP #3 – KAUNAS, LITHUANIA

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Men Joseph Phan 17 Toronto, Ont. CPA Laval Brian Orser
Men Eric Liu 17 Edmonton, Alta. Ice Palace FSC Ravi Walia
Women Emily Bausback 16 Vancouver, B.C. Champs International Skating Centre Joanne McLeod
Ice Dance Ashlynne Stairs / Elliott Graham 18/20 Barrie, Ont. / Angus, Ont. Champs International Skating Centre / Barrie SC David Islam / Kelly Johnson / James Callan
Ice Dance Irina Galiyanova / Grayson Lochhead 16/18 Toronto, Ont. / Sweaburg, Ont. Scarboro FSC / Woodstock SC Carol Lane / Jon Lane / Juris Razgulajevs / Marc-André Servant

Canada’s Lajoie and Lagha win silver at ISU Junior Grand Prix

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LINZ, Austria – Marjorie Lajoie of Boucherville, Que., and Zachary Lagha of Greenfield Park, Que., won the silver medal with a personal best international score in ice dancing Saturday to conclude the second stop on the ISU Junior Grand Prix figure skating circuit.

Sofia Shevchenko and Igor Eremenko of Russia took the gold with 158.70 points to edge the Canadians, second at 153.70. Another Russian couple Eva Kuts and Dmitrii Mikhailov of Russia were third at 142.79. Natalie D’Alessandro and Bruce Waddell of Toronto moved from fifth to fourth at 135.42.

It was the third career Junior Grand Prix medal for Lajoie and Lagha, fourth at the world juniors last season. Despite the result and score they didn’t seems particularly pleased with the performance.

‘’The presentation was good but there’s a lot of work to do at the technical level,’’ said Lajoie. ‘’One of our elements did not count and the whole performance in general was a bit of a battle for us. Basically it wasn’t an easy day but we camouflaged it well.’’

In pairs, Russians were 1-2-3 led by Polina Kostiukovich and Dmitrii Ialin with 180.59. Gabrielle Levesque of Bridgewater, N.S. and Pier-Alexandre Hudon of St-Roch-des-Aulnaies, Que., were eighth.

‘’It’s already a big improvement on last season,’’ said Levesque. ‘’We were pleased with how we rebounded from a disappointing short program. We need to work on our consistency in our jumps and throws for the next event.’’

The Russians were 1-2 in the women’s event won by Alena Kostornaia. Emma Bulawka of Kelowna, B.C., posted the eighth best free skate to climb from 11th to ninth overall.

The third stop on the circuit is this Thursday to Saturday in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Full results: ISU JGP Cup of Austria 2018