Skate Canada names team for 2021 ISU World Figure Skating Championships

OTTAWA, ON: In preparation for the upcoming 2021 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Stockholm Sweden, the following athletes have been selected to represent Skate Canada:

2021 ISU WORLD FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – MARCH 22-28, 2021
MEN
Keegan Messing
WOMEN
Madeline Schizas
Emily Bausback
PAIR
Kirsten Moore-Towers / Michael Marinaro
Evelyn Walsh / Trennt Michaud
ICE DANCE
Piper Gilles / Paul Poirier
Laurence Fournier Beaudry / Nikolaj Sorensen
Marjorie Lajoie / Zachary Lagha

For more information on Skate Canada’s team selection process, please click here.

Skate Canada to host the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships 2022 in Hamilton

Hamilton, ON: The International Skating Union (ISU) has awarded the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships® 2022 to Skate Canada, who will host the event in Hamilton, Ontario. This top-tier event will be held at FirstOntario Centre from April 7-9, 2022.

“Skate Canada is delighted to be heading back to Hamilton for the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships. Skate Canada has a rich history of holding successful ISU sanctioned events and we are looking forward to bringing the world’s best synchronized skaters to Hamilton in 2022,” said Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada. “Hamilton is a vibrant city that possesses all the necessary elements to carry out a successful event and we know athletes and fans will enjoy all aspects of these championships. We’re also thrilled to reveal the official logo for the championships, today.”

The ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships is an annual event that moves around the world, showcasing 25 teams from 20 ISU member nations, competing for the world title.

Skate Canada has a long and proud history of hosting ISU events, having previously held the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships three times. This is the second time Hamilton has been selected to host the event, previously having hosted in 2015. Canada has also hosted the championships in London in 2007 and Ottawa in 2003.

“The City of Hamilton is proud to welcome back the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships to our city in 2022,” said Fred Eisenberger, Mayor of Hamilton. “Hamilton has a rich history in hosting premium International and National skating events, including the highly successful 2015 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships. We are excited to once again work with Skate Canada to create another memorable experience for all competitors, sponsors, officials, dignitaries and skating fans. A Task Force has been assembled by my office for economic recovery in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and with this positive announcement today, to a sector that has been greatly impacted by COVID-19, signifies an increasing level of economic recovery.”

More information on the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships, including ticket sales, will be available this summer.

SKATE CANADA STATEMENT ON PANDEMIC DECISIONS

OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada would like to respond to the article published by Jack Gallagher on Japan Forward and a series of social media Tweets by reporter Philip Hersh on February 13, 2021.

Skate Canada stands behind its difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. Several factors contributed to this decision, including evolving, unpredictable restrictions associated with travel and event hosting, including the possibility of on-site cancellation. Changing to an alternative location was simply not possible.  To read more, please see our full press release announcing the cancellation.

Skate Canada understands that coaches, choreographers, and skaters are frustrated by pandemic-driven decisions. The Board of Directors and its President, Leanna Caron, stand behind their decision that was fully supported by management in the best interest of all involved. The decision was highly informed and based on careful consultations with all Skate Canada Sections, and on the situation in British Columbia and across Canada at the time. The difficult decision to cancel our National Championships was based on the genuine concern for the safety of all participants.

Ottawa to host 2022 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships

OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada is pleased to announce that Ottawa, Ont., will host the 2022 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. The week-long championships held at TD Place from January 6-13, 2022 will feature approximately 250 of the best Canadian figure skaters in the men, women, pairs and ice dance disciplines, competing in three levels: senior, junior, and novice.

“Skate Canada is thrilled to be heading back to beautiful city of Ottawa for the 2022 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships,” said Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada. “After a challenging competitive season in 2020-21, we are looking forward to a brighter and prosperous season. The national championships will showcase the nation’s top figure skaters and we look forward to working with our partners in Ottawa to host an unforgettable event.”

“As Mayor of Ottawa, I am thrilled that Skate Canada has chosen to host the 2022 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships in the nation’s capital,” said Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa. “TD Place at beautiful Lansdowne Park will be an excellent venue to showcase the talent of the world’s best figure skaters for residents and visitors alike.”

The championships are part of the qualification criteria that will aid in selecting the Canadian team that will compete at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, China later next year.

The pre-eminent all-Canadian competition will begin with the senior event on Thursday, January 6, and the novice event will begin on Monday, January 10. Athletes vie for spots on the Skate Canada National Team and the Canadian teams that will compete at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, 2022 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, the 2022 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships and the 2022 ISU World Figure Skating Championships.

“We look forward to welcoming Canada’s top skaters to Ottawa for the 2022 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. Skating plays a big role in our community and in the life of many Ottawans and we are excited for the opportunity to host the best of the best in national skating,” says Michael Crockatt, President and CEO, Ottawa Tourism. “Large scale sporting events like the Canadian Tire National Skating Championships are not only important to boosting our local economy, but also give Ottawa the opportunity to emerge from these unprecedented times with enhanced exposure on the national stage.”

“We are proud to be hosting the 2022 Canadian Tire National Skate Championships here at The Arena at TD Place,” said Mark Goudie, CEO of the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group. “After a long, brutal period of time without the being able to share the emotions that come with live sports, getting these marquee events back on the calendar gives us all a sense of optimism and excitement.  Lansdowne will also be the perfect place for us all to celebrate world class skating and time back together again.”

Ottawa is no stranger to hosting the Canadian Tire National Skating Championships, as 2022 will be its 12th time hosting the flagship event. Previously, Ottawa has hosted the event in 1922, 1940, 1949, 1953, 1958, 1987, 1996, 1999, 2006, 2014, and 2017.

Event ticket information for the 2022 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships will be released in the spring.