Two fourth place finishes for Canada at Youth Olympic Winter Games

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland – Pairs skaters Brooke McIntosh of Toronto and Brandon Toste of Mississauga, Ont. and men’s entry Aleksa Rakic of Burnaby, B.C., finished fourth in figure skating action Sunday at the Youth Olympic Winter Games.

Brooke McIntosh / Brandon Toste – 2020 Youth Olympic Games – Free Skate (Photo: Thomas Skrlj/COC/CBC)

In pairs, McIntosh and Toste, Canada’s number-two junior team, climbed to fourth overall with a personal best 146.15 points. They were fifth after Friday’s short program.

“We’ve been training really hard leading into this moment,” said Toste, 17. “We definitely wanted to move up in the standings. We adjusted some elements to make our overall program better and despite a shaky warm-up were able to nail those elements.”

Apollinariia Panfilova and Dmitry Rylov led Russia to a 1-2 finish with 199.21 followed by Diana Mukhametzianova and Ilya Mironov at 175.42. Alina Butaeva and Luka Berulava of Georgia were third at 157.29.

Aleksa Rakic – 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games – Free Skate (Photo: Thomas Skrlj/COC/CBC)

In men’s competition, Yuma Kagiyama of Japan soared ahead of two Russians to take the gold with 239.17. Andrei Mozalev of Russia was second at 237.94 and his compatriot Daniil Samsonov third at 215.21.

Rakic remained in fourth spot with a personal best 205.23.

“I feel great with how I skated and that I was able to show my abilities,” said Rakic, 15, the 2019 national junior champion. “I didn’t think about the possibility of a podium and just focused on myself and nothing else. I stayed calm and didn’t get ahead of myself.”

Competition continues Monday with the free dance and women’s free skate.

Full results: Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games

Top featured image by: OIS/Joe Toth

Canadian ice dancers open Youth Olympics with strong performances

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland – Toronto ice dancers Natalie D’Alessandro and Bruce Waddell continued to build on a strong season on Saturday to stand third after the rhythm dance in figure skating action at the Youth Olympic Games.

As was the case in men’s and pairs competition Friday, the Russians are 1-2 after the rhythm dance. Irina Khavronina and Dario Cirisano lead with 63.52 points followed by Sofya Tyutyunina and Alexander Shustitskiy at 62.64.

D’Alessandro and Waddell scored 59.61 just ahead of compatriots Miku Makita of Anmore, B.C., and Tyler Gunara of Burnaby, B.C., in fourth at 58.47.

“We were able to show what we can do,” said Waddell, who won a silver medal with his partner this past fall on the Junior Grand Prix circuit. “We had a few technical issues with some turns and some key points but that’s just another learning curve for us this year.”

Makita and Gunara posted two fourth place finishes on the Junior Grand Prix.

“We had one small error but apart from that we were happy with the performance,” said Makita. “I lost my balance on the twizzle and certainly intend to do that better in the free dance.”

In women’s competititon, Young You of South Korea leads after the short program. Catherine Carle of Georgetown, Ont., is 12th.

Competition continues Sunday with the men’s and pairs free skates.

Full results: Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games

Photo by: Joe Toth

Rakic in medal chase at Youth Olympics

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland – Aleksa Rakic of Burnaby, B.C., posted a personal best score to stand in fourth place after Friday’s men’s short program as figure skating got underway at the Youth Olympics.

Russia is 1-2 with Andrei Mozalev first at 79.72 and Daniil Samsonov second at 76.62. Yuma Kagiyama of Japan is third at 72.76 followed by Rakic who earned 70.96.

The Russians are also in the top-two positions after the pairs short led by Apollinariia Panfilova and Dmitry Rylov.

Brooke McIntosh of Toronto and Brandon Toste of Mississauga, Ont., are fifth.

“We made one small error but overall we’re pleased with our performance,” said Toste. “For us our goal is to come in here and do as best as we can and enjoy the moment.”

“This is a really unique experience for us to be at the Games with athletes from other sports, bigger crowds and the great atmosphere.”

Competition continues Saturday with the short programs in ice dancing and women’s competition.

Full results: Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games

Photo by: Joe Toth

Canada’s best skaters headed to Mississauga for the 2020 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships

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OTTAWA, ON: The nation’s best figure skaters are headed to Mississauga, Ont., for the 2020 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. The week-long championships will be held at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre from January 13-19, 2020. The event will feature approximately 250 skaters in the men, women, pairs, ice dance disciplines, competing in three levels: senior, junior and novice.

“We are so excited to be back in Mississauga for the 2020 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships,” said Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada. “This event always sheds a spotlight on Canada’s brightest skaters and this year will be no different as these athletes continue their pursuit of excellence.”

The all-Canadian competition will begin with the novice and junior events taking place from Monday, January 13, to Thursday, January 16, followed by the senior events beginning on Friday, January 17 to Saturday, January 18, and finishing with an Exhibition Gala on Sunday, January 19. Athletes will vie for spots on the Skate Canada National Team and the Canadian teams that will compete at the 2020 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, 2020 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships and 2020 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships.

The senior events will be the highlight of the week as Canada’s top skaters will look to build their resume’s. Nam Nguyen, 21, Ajax, Ont., is the reigning national champion in the senior men’s discipline and will be aiming to be on top of the podium again this year in Mississauga. Keegan Messing, 27, Sherwood Park, Alta., will be aiming for the top spot, having finished third at last year’s event.

Aurora Cotop, 17, Thornhill, Ont., will be eyeing another podium finish after winning silver at the 2019 championships. Two-time Canadian champion Gabrielle Daleman, 21, Newmarket, Ont., will be looking to return to the podium  in Mississauga after finishing 5th last year.

Senior ice dancers Piper Gilles, 27, Toronto, Ont., and Paul Poirier, 28, Unionville, Ont., finished second in 2019 and will be eyeing the top of the podium in Mississauga. They will be challenged by  2019 junior national champions and first-time senior ice dancers Marjorie Lajoie, 18, Boucherville, Que., and Zachary Lagha, 20, Saint-Hubert, Que.

Senior pair team Kirsten Moore-Towers, 27, St. Catharines, Ont., and Michael Marinaro, 27, Sarnia, Ont., will look to repeat as national champions in Mississauga. Also looking for another spot on the podium will be 2019 silver medallists Evelyn Walsh, 18, London, Ont., and Trennt Michaud, 23, Trenton, Ont. New pair team Lubov Ilyushechkina, 28, Toronto, Ont., and Charlie Bilodeau, 26, Trois-Pistoles, Que., will be making their nationals debut as a team.

Other notable national team members that will not be attending are ice dancers Laurence Fournier Beaudry, 27, Montreal, Que., and Nikolaj Sørensen, 30, Montreal, Que., pair team Camille Ruest, 26, Rimouski, Que, and Drew Wolfe, 25, Calgary, Alta, and Stephen Gogolev, 14, Toronto, Ont. All athletes had to withdraw due to injury but hope to compete later this season.

The novice and junior categories will display Canada’s up and coming talent as they look to leave their mark at the national level. All novice and junior competition, and select senior events, will be live streamed on the Skate Canada Dailymotion page. For full entries and event start orders, please click here.

Fans will also be able to tune into Facebook Live on the segments called The Inside Edge, which will be hosted by Skate Canada Digital Host Elladj Balde and will feature an assortment of figure skating guests throughout the week. The show will air on the Skate Canada Facebook page and will host a daily pre and post show.

Off the ice, three-time Canadian champion and 2018 world Champion, Kaetlyn Osmond, will be this year’s Athlete Ambassador. During the event, Osmond will handle speaking engagements, media interviews, make appearances on behalf of the competing athletes and interact with fans.

On Sunday, January 19, Skate Canada will celebrate the achievements of the skating community and will be inducting two new members into the Skate Canada Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place before the exhibition gala and will see Olympian and six-time Canadian champion Jennifer Robinson and renowned figure skating journalist Steve Milton both officially enter the hall.

Tickets for Thursday’s senior practice are $16.00 ($10 ticket + $6 venue fee) and includes novice pairs free and junior pairs free. Single session tickets for seniors begin on Friday at $38.65 ($30 tickets + $8.65 venue fee) and pricing varies by session and seating level. Ticket prices for the novice and junior competition fall earlier in the week and are $28.35 per day ($20 ticket +$8.35 venue fee). Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at 905-615-3200 x2814 or in person at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre Box Office.

Having previously hosted the Canadian Tire National Skating Championships in 2013, this will be the second time that Mississauga will welcome Canada’s best skaters. The city has also hosted four Skate Canada International competitions (2000, 2003, 2011, 2016) and the 2017 World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships.

Canadian figure skating team named for the 2020 Youth Olympic Winter Games

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OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Skate Canada officially announced the eight athletes and four coaches that will represent Team Canada in figure skating at the Youth Olympic Winter Games in Lausanne, Switzerland from January 9-22, 2020.

Skaters qualified for the team based on their performances during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.

2020 Youth Olympic Winter Games – Figure Skating Team:

Name Event Hometown
Aleksa Rakic Men’s singles Burnaby, BC
Catherine Carle Women’s singles Georgetown, ON
Brooke Mcintosh & Brandon Toste Pairs Toronto, ON/Mississauga, ON
Natalie D’Alessandro & Bruce Waddell Ice dance Toronto, ON/Toronto, ON
Miku Makita & Tyler Gunara Ice dance Anmore, BC/Burnaby, BC

“We’re very excited about our figure skating team going into the 2020 Youth Olympic Winter Games,” said Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada. “We have no doubt that our skaters in Lausanne will make us proud. Canada will be cheering them on as they head into the Games.”

“We’ve been aiming for the Youth Olympics for over a year now and it’s crazy to believe it’s already here,” said Natalie D’Alessandro and Bruce Waddell, junior ice dance team. “We’ve followed the amazing preparations for Lausanne 2020 on social media and are excited to be a part of this experience representing Canada. We are extremely proud to be team members of Canada’s next generation for this new decade!”

“Our NextGen athletes have been focused on training for the Youth Olympic Winter Games and we are proud to have a strong team representing Team Canada in Lausanne,” said Andre Bourgeois, NextGen Director, Skate Canada. “All our skaters are solid contenders and we are looking forward to hitting the ice at the Games.”

2020 Youth Olympic Winter Games – Figure Skating Coaches:

Name Event Hometown
Andrew Evans Coach Toronto, ON
Andrew Hallam Coach Toronto, ON
Aaron Lowe Coach Vancouver, BC
Manon Perron Coach Boucherville, QC

The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) are an elite sporting event for young people from all over the world. The Games are aimed at bringing together talented young teenage athletes from around the world. Like the Olympic Games, the YOG are held every four years. The first winter edition was held in Innsbruck, Austria in 2012.

The YOG is distinct from other youth sports competitions, as they also include a series of educational activities with three areas of focus: protecting the athletes, working on performance, and assisting the athletes outside sport.

Kaetlyn Osmond Named Athlete Ambassador for 2020 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships

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OTTAWA, ON: One of Canada’s figure skating sweethearts makes her return to the 2020 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. Skate Canada is pleased to announce that 2018 world champion, Kaetlyn Osmond, will serve as the official Athlete Ambassador for the 106th edition of the national championships. The event will take place in Mississauga, ON, from January 13-19, 2020 at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre.

“It truly is an honour to serve as Athlete Ambassador for the Canadian Tire National Skating Championships,” says Osmond. “This sport will always have a special place in my heart, and it is a privilege to represent all athletes competing in Mississauga and to interact with the fans who joined me in an unforgettable journey throughout my competitive career.”

Osmond is Canada’s most decorated female singles skater. She began her success winning her first international title in 2012 at Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany and later went on to win her first senior national title at the 2013 Canadian Championships, and subsequently won two more titles in 2014 and 2017. She competed in two Winter Olympic Games, the first being in 2014, where she won silver for the team event, and the second in 2018, winning bronze in the individual women’s event and gold in the team event. On the ISU Grand Prix Circuit, she won four medals, qualifying for the ISU Grand Prix Final in 2016 and won a bronze medal in 2017. In addition, she won two world championship medals, gold in 2018 and silver in 2017. In 2018, Osmond became the first Canadian woman to win the World Championship title in 45 years.

As Athlete Ambassador, Osmond will handle speaking engagements, media interviews, make appearances on behalf of competing athletes and, of course, make time for fans attending the event.

“We are excited to have Kaetlyn as our Athlete Ambassador for this event. We know Kaetlyn will do an exceptional job at inspiring the fans at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre,” says Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada. “Kaetlyn is an excellent role model for all Canadians and has made significant contributions this sport. With a world title and three Olympic medals she knows what it takes to stand on the podium and we hope fans in Mississauga enjoy engaging with Kaetlyn during the event.”

Taking a step back from competitive skating in 2018, Osmond entertained skating fans in a multitude of shows in Canada and internationally, including the cross-country “Thank you Canada” tour. In 2018, Osmond was honoured with both the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador and having in the highway from Red Harbour N.L., to Marystown being renamed Osmond Way. Osmond announced her retirement in 2019.

TICKET INFO
Tickets for Thursday’s Senior practice are $16.00 ($10 ticket + $6 venue fee) and includes Novice Pairs Free and Junior Pairs Free. Single session tickets for Seniors begin on Friday at $38.65 ($30 tickets + $8.65 venue fee) and pricing varies by session and seating level. Ticket prices for the Novice and Junior competition fall earlier in the week and are $28.35 per day ($20 ticket +$8.35 venue fee). Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at 905-615-3200 x2814 or in person at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre Box Office.

EVENT
Having previously hosted the Canadian National Skating Championships in 2013, this will be the second time that Mississauga will welcome Canada’s best skaters. The city has also hosted four Skate Canada International competitions (2000, 2003, 2011, 2016) and the 2017 World Junior Synchro Championships.

The pre-eminent all-Canadian competition will see athletes vie for spots on the Skate Canada National Team and the Canadian teams that will compete at the 2020 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, the 2020 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships and the 2020 ISU World Figure Skating Championships.

Join our exclusive mailing list to receive event and ticket information for the 2020 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships.

Canada’s Les Suprêmes win bronze at synchronized skating international

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EINDHOVEN, Netherlands – Les Suprêmes from St-Léonard, Que., won the bronze medal Saturday in the junior event at the Lumiere Cup synchronized skating competition.

Musketeers from Finland maintained top spot for the gold with 189.32 points, their compatriots Valley Bay Synchro were second at 184.04 and the Canadiand followed in third at 181.74. There were 13 entries.

Les Suprêmes were second after Friday’s short program but lost a spot with their free while Valley Bay gained a position.

Skating for les Suprêmes were Jade Deschênes, Solène Aymard, Émilie Beaucage, Julia Caponi, Alona Chabalin-Zea, Alice Cormier, Thea Dimbu, Natasha Gligorijevic, Victoria Gligorijevic, Charlotte Grutter, Josephine Kawa, Astrid Kumpulainen, Audrey-Ann Lajeunesse, Audrey Landrey, Mia Lasalle, Olivia Ronca, Simona Ronca, Lauren Santori, Frédérique Savard and Sara Squalli.

“The performance felt very good,” said Deschênes. “We had extremely strong energy throughout and we were very confident in our skate.”

Les Suprêmes won gold at the 2019 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships in Waterloo, Ont. The team then went on to place sixth at the 2019 World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships. They are coached by Marilyn Langlois, Pascal Denis, Kassandra Patenaude and Cathy Dalton.

Full results: http://results.lumierecup.com/4th/int/index.htm

Canada’s Les Suprêmes second after short program

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EINDHOVEN, Netherlands – Les Suprêmes from St-Léonard, Que., are in second place in the junior event after Friday’s short program at the Lumière Cup synchronized skating competition.

Musketeers from Finland are in first place with 69.98 points followed by the Canadians at 67.02 and Valley Bay Synchro from Finland in third at 66.66. There are 13 entries.

“We felt confident in the short program,” sais Suprêmes skater Jade Deschênes. “We had fun and it felt good. This was our first performance at a competition this season and we felt good about how everything was executed. It was not perfect but it was still awesome.”

Also skating for the Suprêmes besides Deschênes are: Solène Aymard, Émilie Beaucage, Julia Caponi, Alona Chabalin-Zea, Alice Cormier, Thea Dimbu, Natasha Gligorijevic, Victoria Gligorijevic, Charlotte Grutter, Josephine Kawa, Astrid Kumpulainen, Audrey-Ann Lajeunesse, Audrey Landrey, Mia Lasalle, Olivia Ronca, Simona Ronca, Lauren Santori, Frédérique Savard and Sara Squalli.

Les Suprêmes won gold at the 2019 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships in Waterloo, Ont. The team then went on to place sixth at the 2019 World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships. They are coached by Marilyn Langlois, Pascal Denis, Kassandra Patenaude and Cathy Dalton.

The free skate is on Saturday.

Full results: 4th Lumière Cup

Canadian skaters nominated for the ISU Skating Awards

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The Canadian flag will be flying high at the inaugural ISU Skating Awards.

As Skate Canada prepares to host the premiere edition of the ISU Skating Awards that will close out the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2020 in Montreal, Quebec, we are thrilled to announce that 12 entries from the host country are nominated for awards in three categories: Most Valuable Skater, Best Costume and Most Entertaining Program.

Winners will be announced during the ISU Skating Awards on Sunday, March 22, 2020 between 16:00 – 18:30 hours (EDT) at the Centre Bell.

Canadian skating fans, it’s time to cast your ballot!  Voting is now OPEN! Online voting for the public, ISU Members and Media is open from December 1, 2019 to February 10, 2020.

CANADIAN NOMINEES FOR THE ISU SKATING AWARDS

Most Valuable Skater
Keegan Messing
Kirsten Moore-Towers & Michael Marinaro
Piper Gilles & Paul Poirier

Best Costume
Nam Nguyen (SP)
Roman Sadovsky (FS)
Liubov Ilyushechkina & Charlie Bilodeau (FS)
Kirsten Moore-Towers & Michael Marinaro (SP)
Piper Gilles & Paul Poirier (RD)
Laurence Fournier Beaudry & Nikolaj Sorensen (RD)

Most Entertaining Program
Nam Nguyen (FS)
Keegan Messing (FS)
Gabrielle Daleman (FS)
Liubov Ilyushechkina & Charlie Bilodeau (FS)
Kirsten Moore-Towers & Michael Marinaro (FS)
Piper Gilles & Paul Poirier (FD)

The ISU Skating Awards, which combine the high-flying energy of the traditional exhibition gala with the glitz and glamour of an awards show, are created to honour the world’s best skaters competing at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2020. In keeping with the exhibition gala tradition, the 2020 world medallists will perform an exhibition number coupled with live musical acts and exciting production numbers that combine contemporary skating and dance. Awards will be handed out to skaters, coaches and choreographers in seven categories.

All day tickets, including the ISU Skating Awards show, are on sale now and can be purchased online at montreal2020.com, by phone at 1-855-310-2525 or in person at the Centre Bell Box Office.

For further information on the ISU Skating Awards please visit: https://isu.org/figure-skating/isu-skating-awards.

Les Suprêmes junior headed to Europe for 2019 Lumiere Cup

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OTTAWA, ON: Les Suprêmes junior will be the lone Canadian synchronized skating team competing at the fourth edition of the Lumiere Cup. The event will take place from December 13-15, 2019 in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

Les Suprêmes junior of Saint-Leonard, Que., won gold at the 2019 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships in Waterloo, Ont. The team then went on to place sixth at the 2019 World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships. They are coached by Marilyn Langlois, Pascal Denis, Kassandra Patenaude and Cathy Dalton.

For more information, please visit www.isu.org.

Gilles and Porier fifth in close battle for ice dance medals at Grand Prix Final

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TORINO, Italy – Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Toronto took fifth spot in ice dancing, finishing less than five points from a medal berth to conclude the ISU Grand Prix Final figure skating competition.

Defending Grand Prix Final champions Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France won the gold medal with 219.85 points. Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. were second at 210.68 and their compatriots Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue were third at 207.93.

Gilles and Poirier, who collected a gold and silver on the circuit this season, posted the fourth best free dance to move from sixth after the rhythm dance to fifth overall with 203.50.

‘’We both know we’ve got a strong free dance and everyone enjoys watching it,’’ said Gilles. ‘’We owed it to ourselves not to let a score define who we are at a competition. We need to make sure we are doing our job and our best in every program.

‘’We showed maturity and confidence today.’’

Canada’s other entry Kirsten Moore-Towers of St.Catharines, Ont., and Michael Marinaro of Sarnia, Ont., were fifth in pairs on Saturday.

ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2019

Media Accreditation: ISU World Figure Skating Championships ® 2020

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OTTAWA, ON: The media accreditation applications for the ISU World Figure Skating Championships taking place in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on March 16-22, 2020 are now open.

Media must apply for accreditation through the ISU Online Media Accreditation System (OMAS). The deadline to apply for accreditation is February 24, 2020.

The media information package for the event is also available and will help you prepare for your trip to Montreal. Accreditation will be granted to professional journalists and photographers only.

  • Writing Press (newspaper, magazine, internet, agencies and ISU Member Federations): maximum one professional per organization (agencies and major newspapers: maximum two professionals)
  • Photographer: maximum one professional per organization (agencies and major newspapers: maximum two professionals)
  • Television non-right holder: maximum three professionals per organization
  • Radio non-right holder: maximum one professional per organization
  • Freelancer: A freelance journalist or photographer is a full-time professional editor or photographer, who is not employed by an agency or newspaper – a self-employed professional. A freelance editor or photographer must provide written evidence that he/she operates on behalf of a clearly identified media. A freelance editor or photographer operating under his/her own account will not be accepted.

The total number of accredited media representatives will be subject to space available. The Organizing Committee (OC) and ISU reserve the right to refuse accreditation should the number of applications exceed given space or if any requested information / documentation has not been provided in due time.

All applications are evaluated on an event-by-event basis and are subject to Skate Canada’s media accreditation guidelines, and the International Skating Union (ISU) media accreditation regulations.

For further information on the ISU World Figure Skating Championship 2020, including entries, standings and results, please visit the event page.