Two-Time Canadian Champion Alaine Chartrand Retires from Competitive Skating

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OTTAWA, ON: 2016 and 2019 Canadian Champion, Alaine Chartrand, 25, Prescott, Ont., has announced her retirement from competitive skating.

“Throughout the past two seasons, I strongly considered a return to competitive skating,” said Chartrand. “However, with the onset of the pandemic, creating a training plan, finding enough ice time, and making things work with my other commitments became more difficult and untenable. Following conversations with my support team and coaches, Gregor Filipowski and Tracey Wainman, I now feel confident that this is the right decision. I would like to thank Skate Canada for their support during my skating career as well as my personal development outside the sport.”

Chartrand is a five-time Canadian medallist and claimed her first Canadian title in 2016 and would go on to win one more in 2019.

“Alaine was such an exciting skater to watch each and every time she stepped onto the ice, and it was an honour to have had her compete for Canada,” said Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada. “Her drive and dedication to push herself on and off the ice is a testament to her personality and Skate Canada wishes her all the best in her future endeavours.”

On the ISU Grand Prix Circuit, Chartrand has competed 10 times, earning a bronze medal at the Rostelecom Cup in 2014. Over the course of her career, Chartrand has competed in three world championships and six ISU Four Continents Skating Championships, finishing in the top ten three times.

“Alaine has been an integral part of the success of Skate Canada through her many accomplishments from becoming a Canadian Champion to competing at the World Championships.  Skate Canada is incredibly proud of the way Alaine has represented Canada and wish her nothing but the best,” said Mike Slipchuk, High Performance Director, Skate Canada.

Alaine continues to stay involved in skating with a focus on supporting the next generation of skaters both as a coach and skating fan.

Skate Canada Announces Safe Sport Ambassador Program

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OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada is proud to announce the launch of its Safe Sport Ambassador program. The new program will further advance Skate Canada’s safe sport program by allowing alumni and current athletes to give back to the sport by setting a positive example for the next generation of athletes and the greater skating community in safe sport.

We are happy to announce that three-time Canadian pair champion and Olympian, Kirsten Moore-Towers, and ten-time Canadian champion and three-time World champion, Patrick Chan, will be the Skate Canada Safe Sport Ambassadors for the 2021-2022 season.

“I am so honoured and thrilled to be named a Safe Sport Ambassador for the upcoming season, alongside Patrick Chan, who has been a long-time teammate and friend,” said Kirsten Moore-Towers. “I look forward to playing a key role in helping increase the awareness of Skate Canada’s National Safe Sport Program to all members and registrants.”

Both Kirsten and Patrick will be involved in increasing program awareness and education by promoting Skate Canada’s safe sport program through various channels. They will work closely with the safe sport and communications division to achieve its goals and objectives, such as communicating the value of our program to members/registrants, educating on various safe sport topics, and representing the program at launches and events.

“I am very humbled to be named one of Skate Canada’s Safe Sport Ambassadors for the 2021-2022 season. I am also very excited to have the opportunity to work with Kirsten Moore-Towers, who has been a positive role model in the figure skating world,” said Patrick Chan. “I believe Kirsten and I will be able to set a positive example and successfully relay Skate Canada’s Safe Sport messaging to the future generation of athletes.”

More information on this exciting new initiative will be available in the coming months.

 

Skate Canada to host 2023 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships®

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OTTAWA, ON: The International Skating Union (ISU) has awarded the 2023 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships® to Skate Canada, who will host the event in Calgary, Alberta. This premium event will take place at WinSport Arena at Canada Olympic Park from February 27-March 5, 2023.

“Skate Canada is pleased to be hosting another top-tier event in Calgary at WinSport Arena at Canada Olympic Park for the 2023 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships,” said Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada. “Calgary is no stranger to hosting successful events and Skate Canada is confident that this event will be no different. We are thrilled to be welcoming the future stars of figure skating in 2023.”

The ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships is an annual event that moves around the globe, showcasing the best young skaters from around the world, competing for the world junior titles in men’s, women’s, pairs and ice dance.

Skate Canada has a long and illustrious history of hosting ISU sanctioned events, having previously held the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships five times. This will be the first time Calgary has been selected to host the event. Canada has hosted the championships in London (1981), Kitchener (1987,2005), Hull (1992), and Saint John (1998).

“Calgary is a preeminent winter sport city and we are ecstatic to be hosting the 2023 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championship.” said Jeff Daniels, Executive Director, Sport, Culture & Major Events at Tourism Calgary. “We had the privilege of collaborating with Skate Canada on a first-class bid and are pleased to have secured the event and its projected $8 million in economic impact for our city. Not only do international events like these provide benefits to support the recovery of Calgary’s visitor economy, they also deliver promotional and branding opportunities that enhance Calgary’s position as Canada’s Ultimate Host City.”

More information on the 2023 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships will be available in the coming months.