Skating Delegates headed to Ottawa for 2019 Ice Summit

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OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian skating community will be in Ottawa, Ont., this week for the 2019 Ice Summit. More than 400 skating leaders from across the country will meet up in Ottawa for the three-day conference, that will take place from May 23-25. The conference will consist of a wide range of opportunities for members at all levels within Skate Canada.

“We are thrilled to be celebrating this past year’s accomplishments here in the nation’s capital at the 2019 Ice Summit,” said Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada. “It’s always an exciting time when all levels of Skate Canada come together in one place to support development from the grassroots level to the world stage. We all have the same goal to continue to inspire Canadians to embrace the joy of skating.”

The theme of this year’s event is: Plan to Execute for Success. The 2019 Ice Summit package offers a broad spectrum of informative and interactive workshops specifically targeting coaches, choreographers, officials, clubs and skating schools, and Skate Canada sections. With over 24 workshops hosted by world-class experts and sports professionals, attendees will be able to select the workshops more relevant to their skating career.

The Ice Summit will welcome an unbelievable group of presenters, keynote speakers and moderators. The conference offers a selection of off-ice and on-ice workshops, of which the on-ice portions will be taking place at the Richcraft Sensplex facility. The on-ice workshops feature top coaches and choreographers, including Lee Barkell, Richard Gauthier, Lance Vipond, Carol Lane and others.

The Ice Summit will also host the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association on Saturday. Members will again be able to participate remotely as the AGM and voting will be available via live stream.

The weekend will close out on Saturday evening with the annual Skate Canada Awards Banquet, where Skate Canada will celebrate success and honour the many accomplishments of key contributors in the skating community. The evening will be hosted by 2019 Canadian silver medallists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier.

Fifty-four Canadians to compete at the 2019 ISU Adult International Competition in Germany

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OTTAWA, ON: Canadian adult figure skaters are headed to Oberstdorf, Germany for the International Adult Figure Skating Competition from May 19-25, 2019.

This year marks the 15th edition of the prominent adult figure skating competition, which attracts skaters from across the world, including a large group of Canadians each year. This year, 600 competitors from 34 International Skating Union (ISU) member countries are registered to compete. Nine synchronized skating teams have registered, including two teams from Ontario’s EnergICE. Canada will have a 54 member team.

“We are thrilled to see such a dedicated and skillful group of adult skaters heading to Oberstdorf for the 2019 International Adult Figure Skating Competition,” said Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada. “These skaters are the perfect example of what it means to live a healthy and active lifestyle which Skate Canada values deeply. Best of luck to the Canadian Team.”

Over the seven-day competition, skaters will compete in the following categories:

  • Free Skating
  • Artistic Free Skating
  • Pairs Free Skating
  • Pairs Artistic Free skating
  • Ice Dance- Pattern Dance
  • Ice Dance- Rhythm Dance
  • Ice Dance- Free Dance
  • Synchronized Skating

The Canadian delegation includes skaters from British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta.

British Columbia

Gary Beacom Maureen Bennie Donna Bergvinson Isabella Ciocoiu
Joanne Johnson Linda Maundrell Wendy Morris Henrietta Penny
Jacqueline Parser Linda Reynolds Lesley Ricci Alanna Rittich
Karen Smith

Alberta

Cathy McLean Krista Wright Natasha Sopel Elina Viola

Ontario

Karen Ciprietti Patricia Clarke Laura Goode Fred Gutz
Ken Langlois Carol Ann Lehovich Cathy Lynd Jennifer Powell
Barbara Tkach Angie Zurita

Synchro Teams (Ontario)
EnergICE – Adult 2 and 3

Melissa Becker Laura Blake Melanie Chapman Deanna Collins
Melissa Collver Dodi DeLeye Michelle Docker Jennifer Elsdon
Carly Ens Katrina Ferguson Jennifer Fink Elizabeth Gough
Carmina Halstead Tracy Knack Katie Knight Tammy Lama
Jade Mercier Laurie Milne Anne Marie Moss Debbie Murray
Adrianna Otten Victoria Phillips Stacey Robinson Jessica Sinnesael
Erin Slager Kendra Walker Breanne Wilson

For further information, please visit www.isu.org. This event will be live streamed.

Media Inquiries:
Diana Barkley
ISU Adult Figure Skating Group
[email protected]

World & Olympic Champion Kaetlyn Osmond Retires from Competitive Skating

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OTTAWA, ON: 2018 world champion, Kaetlyn Osmond, 23, Marystown, N.L./Edmonton, Alta., announced her retirement from competitive figure skating today.  Osmond is Canada’s most decorated female singles skater with three Olympic medals, two world championships medals and three national titles.

“Competition has been such a rewarding part of my life. Having a purpose and accomplishing goals beyond my wildest dreams has been incredibly fulfilling. No words will ever describe the emotions competitions carry,” said Osmond. “I would like to thank my coaches, family, friends, and Skate Canada for all the support they have given me over the years. Leaving competition is terrifying, but I am excited to see what else life has to offer.”

Osmond won her first Canadian title in 2013 and would go on to win two more in 2014 and 2017. Over the course of her decorated career, Osmond would compete at two Olympic Games in 2014 and 2018. At the 2014 Olympics she won the silver medal for the team event. In 2018 she added two more Olympic medals to her collection, a bronze in the individual women’s event and gold in the team event.

“It was truly a pleasure to have had a skater like Kaetlyn represent Canada. Kaetlyn brought energy to our Canadian team and inspired many young women around the world with her talent,” said Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada. “Kaetlyn’s accomplishments on the ice are only matched by her outgoing and kind personality and Skate Canada wishes Kaetlyn the very best in the next chapter of her life.”

During her senior career, Osmond won two world championship medals, winning gold in 2018 and a silver in 2017. In 2018 she became the first Canadian woman to win the world championship title in 45 years. On the ISU Grand Prix circuit, she picked up four medals and would go on to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix Final in 2016 and 2017, earning a bronze medal in 2017.

“It has been a pleasure to be a part of Kaetlyn’s amazing journey. She has done so much for skating in Canada and her dedication to the sport led her to three Olympic medals and a world championship title. Skate Canada is incredibly proud and grateful for Kaetlyn’s contribution to our national team and we wish her the best in her future endeavours,” said Mike Slipchuk, High Performance Director, Skate Canada.

For her work on the ice, Osmond received the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2018 and the highway from Red Harbour, N.L., to Marystown was officially renamed as Osmond Way. Osmond currently resides in Brantford, Ont., where she continues to perform in skating shows in Canada and internationally.

Ticket Information: ISU World Figure Skating Championships ® 2020

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OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada is pleased to announce that all-event tickets for the ISU World Figure Skating Championships ® 2020 will go on sale on May 31, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. (ET).  Tickets are available at www.montreal2020.com. The championships will take place next year from March 16-22, 2020 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Montreal is one of the world’s most vibrant cities, where fans can enjoy a city that truly offers all the finest experiences. Buying a ticket and coming to this exceptional event will offer fans an opportunity to experience the world’s best of everything and the Joie de Vivre of both the world championship and the city of Montreal!

TICKET INFO – All prices are in Canadian dollars
All-event ticket packages will include all competitions, as well as competition practices (excluding gala practice). Fans will be able to choose from six levels of all-event ticket packages located in the 100L and 200L that are priced at:

  • P5, 200L end sections = $845 ($800 ticket + $45 venue fee).
  • P4, 100L upper end & 200L side sections = $1,080 ($1,025 ticket + $55 venue fee)
  • P3, 100L lower end & 200L centre sections = $1,365 ($1,300 ticket + $65 venue fee)
  • P2, 100L centre sections = $1,675 ($1,600 ticket + $75 venue fee)
  • P1, 100L rows 4-6 & 100L centre lower bowl = $2,100 ($2,000 ticket + $100 venue fee)
  • Gold Circle, 100L rows 1-3 = $2,410 ($2,300 ticket + $110 venue fee)

SUPER FAN SECTION
The ISU World Figure Skating Championships ® 2020 will feature a Super Fan Section for the first time! The Super Fan Section is a regular section offered at events hosted by Skate Canada and is the most popular area for skating enthusiasts. This section includes all the seats located in the Gold Circle, allowing fans to have the best seat in the house. All fans purchasing tickets in this section will receive a voucher that is exchanged on-site for a keepsake Super Fan bag that includes a souvenir program, a championship pin, and a branded premium blanket.

All-event ticket packages in the Super Fan Section which includes the super fan kit are priced at $2,410 ($2,300 ticket + $110 venue fee).  Fans sitting outside the first three rows of seating may also purchase a Super Fan Bag for $110 ($100 ticket+ $10 venue fee).

MONTREAL2020.COM
Skate Canada is also excited to announce the launch of  www.montreal2020.com., the official website of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships ® 2020. The website is dedicated to all things #Montreal2020 and will be your go-to source for all updated information regarding the championships. Created with the fan experience in mind, the site includes ticket and hotel/accommodation information, local insights on the best ways to experience Montreal and event-related features.  Optimized to enhance user experience, visitors will be able to quickly and easily navigate the site and stay informed with the latest information around the 2020 world championships.

EVENT INFO
The ISU World Figure Skating Championships is an annual event that moves around the globe, attracting more than 300 million television viewers worldwide and showcasing the 200 best athletes from 50 countries in four disciplines: men, women, pair and ice dance. An event of this magnitude could not take place without the contribution of the Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec, the City of Montreal and Montreal Tourism.

The 2020 world championships will mark Canada’s 11th time hosting, and a second for Montreal. Montreal last hosted the championships in 1932, the very first time Canada hosted the event. Canada last hosted the event in London, Ontario, in 2013.

Canada finishes fifth at ISU World Team Trophy

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FUKUOKA, Japan – Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro produced Canada’s best results at the ISU World Team Trophy on Saturday ranking third in the pairs free program.

The Canadians, seeded sixth entering the competition, took fifth spot overall with 73 points. The U.S. won the gold medal with 117 followed by Japan at 104 and Russia at 102. France was fourth at 75 and Italy sixth at 69.

In the pairs free skate, Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France were first with 152.52 points. Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert of Russia were second at 141.32 and Moore-Towers and Marinaro were third at 131.84.

“I felt we performed this program better than at worlds,” said Moore-Towers, from St. Catharines, Ont. “We used our breathing spots a little bit better and we learned a lot of lessons that we will take with us next year.”

“It’s a little better to end the season on a positive skate,” added Marinaro, from Sarnia, Ont.

In the women’s free skate Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia was first, Bradie Tennell of the U.S. second and Kaori Sakamoto of Japan third.

Gabrielle Daleman of Newmarket, Ont., was 10th and Alaine Chartrand of Prescott, Ont., 12th.

In the team event, skaters competed in their disciplines with their short and free programs. After the results, they received placement points (first is worth 12 points, second place 11 points and so on), which were then added together.

Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/wtt2019/

Canada’s Nexxice edged off podium at ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships

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HELSINKI – The Helsinki Rockettes nudged Nexxice, from Burlington, Ont., off the podium on Saturday at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships.

Paradise, from Russia, placed first in both the short and long programs for the gold with 234.38 points. Marigold Ice Unity from Finland followed for the silver at 228.70 and their compatriots, the Helsinki Rockettes, moved from fifth after the short to the bronze position with 228.61 thanks to the second best free skate of the day.

Nexxice was third after Friday’s short and ranked fourth in the long to finish fourth overall with 224.42.

The skaters for Nexxice were Nadine Banholzer, Payton Beckett, Kelly Britten, Danielle Broughton, Naya Bay, Molly Coxon, Emma Daigle, Laura Emery, Aranna Gould-Tasoojy, Taylor Johnson, Emma Kim, Megan MacLellan, Elizabeth McKenna, Courtney McNaughton, Tegan Orr, Carolina Rodriguez, Alessandra Toso and Emily Wright.

“This was the first time we skated our Handmaid’s Tale routine full out which is really nice to put down all at once and give an emotional experience for us and the audience,” said Britten. “This was an incredible atmosphere to skate in and our improvements really showed in the past two days.”

Nova performing their free program

Nova from St-Hubert, Que., also dropped a spot to finish seventh overall. There were 24 entries.

The Nova skaters were: Domini Barthe, Sarah Bousquet-Saint-Laurent, Maya Cardillo, Josyane Cholette, Laurence Darveau, Laura Derôme, Gabrielle Gauthier Roy, Audrey Hébert, Maude Héon-Grandchamps, Noémie Julien, Valérie Magnan-Lévesque, Audrey Martel, Elizabeth Morin, Alycia O’Leary, Gabrielle Paul, Simon Proulx Sénécal, Tessa Sarret and Émilie Villeneuve.

“We had a great experience,” said Darveau. “It definitely wasn’t the skate we wanted to have. There were some mishaps but that’s part of skating. You have to have two solid sates to be on top on the world. We’re pretty happy with the experience we gained here. Our short was the best of the entire season and we can take this and build on it.”

Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/wcsys2019/

Photo credit: Jim Coveart

Canada glides into fourth at ISU World Team Trophy

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FUKUOKA, Japan – Three fourth place finishes in Friday’s events has moved Canada from fifth to fourth overall at the ISU World Team Trophy figure skating competition.

With one day of competition remaining, the U.S. still leads with 98 points followed by Japan at 79, Russia at 70, Canada at 59, France at 54 and Italy at 52.

In ice dancing, Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Waterloo, Ont., took fourth spot in the free dance with a season’s best 124.18 points. World champions Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France were first with 135.82.

“We were determined to skate with ease and confidence today,” said Weaver, celebrating her 30th birthday. “It was an incredible six minutes between the program and the support we got from the crowd. Special memories for sure.”

In the men’s free skate, the Americans cashed in 23 points with a 1-2 finish. World champion Nathan Chen was first with 199.49 edging Vincent Zhou at 198.50. Shoma Uno of Japan took third at 189.46 followed by Keegan Messing of Sherwood Park, Alta., with 178.04. Nam Nguyen of Toronto was seventh at 164.40.

“Apart from tripling one of my quads my performance went very well today,” said Messing. “I decided to go with a very strong and confident program. This is the last time doing my Chaplin routine and I’m very sad to see it go.”

In the pairs short program, Kirsten Moore-Towers of St. Catharines, Ont., and Michael Marinaro of Sarnia, Ont., were fourth earning 68.38 less than two points from third spot. Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert of Russia topped the field with 75.80.

Skaters compete in their disciplines with their short and free programs. After the results, they receive placement points (first is worth 12 points, second place 11 points and so on), which are then added together.

Competition ends Saturday with the women’s and pairs free skates.

Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/wtt2019/

Ticket Info: 2020 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships

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MISSISSAUGA, ON: All-event tickets for the 2020 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships will go on sale to the public on April 17, 2019 at 10 a.m. ET. The event will take place in Mississauga, Ont., at Paramount Fine Foods Centre from January 13-19, 2020.

All-event ticket packages will include all competitions, as well as practices. Fans will be able to choose from four levels of all-event ticket packages that are priced at:

  • $154.85 ($140 ticket + $14.85 venue fee)
  • $196.20 ($180 ticket + $16.20 venue fee)
  • $247.55 ($230 ticket + $17.55 venue fee)
  • $350.70 ($330 ticket + $20.70 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.

SUPER FAN SECTION
The 2020 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships will feature a special Super Fan Section! This section includes the first four rows of the arena, allowing fans to be closest to the action. All fans purchasing tickets in this section will receive a voucher that is exchanged on-site for a Super Fan bag that includes a program, a championship pin, and a branded premium item.

All-event ticket packages in the Super Fan Section which includes the super fan bag are priced at $350.70 ($330 ticket + $20.70 venue fee). Fans sitting outside the first four rows of seating may also purchase a Super Fan Bag for only $82.35  ($75 tickets + $7.35 venue fee).

EVENT
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.

Canada’s Nexxice third after short program at ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships

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HELSINKI – Team Nexxice from Burlington, Ont., is in third place after Friday’s short program at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships.

Paradise from Russia is first at 87.12, Marigold Ice Unity from Finland second at 85.90 and Nexxice third at 84.63. Nova from St-Hubert, Que., is in sixth spot out of 24 entries with 82.00.

The skaters for Nexxice were Nadine Banholzer, Payton Beckett, Kelly Britten, Danielle Broughton, Naya Bay, Molly Coxon, Emma Daigle, Laura Emery, Aranna Gould-Tasoojy, Taylor Johnson, Emma Kim, Megan MacLellan, Elizabeth McKenna, Courtney McNaughton, Tegan Orr, Carolina Rodriguez, Alessandra Toso and Emily Wright.

“I felt really good about our performance and we put a lot of effort into it,” said Banholzer. “We took what we work on in practice and put it out on the ice. We all stayed calm together and we were confident in what we were doing.”

The stands were full for the competition which added to the excitement.

“It was such a rush to know all those people were there to watch you,” said McNaughton. “It motivates you to show your best and show what you work for and what you practice for.”

Nova performing their short program

The Nova skaters are: Domini Barthe, Sarah Bousquet-Saint-Laurent, Maya Cardillo, Josyane Cholette, Laurence Darveau, Laura Derôme, Gabrielle Gauthier Roy, Audrey Hébert, Maude Héon-Grandchamps, Noémie Julien, Valérie Magnan-Lévesque, Audrey Martel, Elizabeth Morin, Alycia O’Leary, Gabrielle Paul, Simon Proulx Sénécal, Tessa Sarret and Émilie Villeneuve.

Competition ends Saturday with the free skate.

Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/wcsys2019/

Photo credit: Jim Coveart

Canada stands fifth after day one at the ISU World Team Trophy

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FUKUOKA, Japan – Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Waterloo, Ont., posted Canada’s best finish on day one of the ISU World Team Trophy figure skating competition on Thursday placing fifth in the rhythm dance.

The U.S. is first in the team standings with 50 points, followed by Japan at 48 and Russia at 38. France is fourth with 27, Canada fifth with 26 and Italy sixth at 24.

Skaters compete in their disciplines with their short and free programs. After the results, they receive placement points (first is worth 12 points, second place 11 points and so on), which are then added together.

In the men’s short, Nam Nguyen of Toronto was seventh and Keegan Messing of Sherwood Park, Alta., ninth.  Two-time world champion Nathan Chen of the U.S. topped the field

In the women’s short, Gabrielle Daleman of Newmarket, Ont., took seventh spot and Alaine Chartrand of Prescott, Ont., was 11th. Rika Kihira of Japan was first.

The countries ranked one to six on the ISU team standing qualified for the event. Team Canada is seeded sixth.

Canada took silver at the inaugural team event in 2009, bronze in 2012 and silver in 2013. Competition continues Friday with the pairs short and the free skates for the ice dancers and men.

Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/wtt2019/

Team Canada ready to take on the world at the ISU World Team Trophy

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OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada will send an eight-member team to the 2019 ISU World Team Trophy, taking place in Fukuoka, Japan from April 11-14, 2019. The Canadian team will consist of two men, two women, one pair and one ice dance entry.

Team Canada will be led by team captains and three-time world medalists Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje, Canadian pair champions Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro, Olympic gold team medallist Gabrielle Daleman, Canadian champion Alaine Chartrand, two-time Canadian champion Nam Nguyen, and Olympian Keegan Messing.

The countries ranked one to six on the ISU team standing qualify for the event. Team Canada is ranked sixth heading into this event. The other five countries, in order of qualification, are: Russia, USA, Japan, France and Italy. Skaters compete in their disciplines with their short programs/rhythm dance and free skates/dance. After the results, they receive placement points, which are then added together and the team with the highest points total will win the title. Teams will compete for a total of $1 million USD in prize money.

Canada has medalled three times at this event, winning silver at the inaugural event in 2009, bronze in 2012 and silver in 2013.

Mike Slipchuk, Skate Canada High Performance Director, will be the Canadian team leader at the event. Physiotherapist Agnes Makowski of Toronto, Ont., will be the Canadian medical staff at the event. Susan Blatz of Burlington, Ont., and Nicole Leblanc-Richard of Dieppe, N.B., will be the Canadian officials at the event.

For results and full entries, please visit the event page. For photos of Canadian entries, please contact [email protected]. For streaming and broadcast schedule, please visit CBC Sports.

CANADIAN ENTRIES AT 2019 ISU WORLD TEAM TROPHY

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Men Nam Nguyen 20 Ajax, Ont. Richmond Hill Training Centre Robert Burk
Men Keegan Messing 27 Sherwood Park, Alta./Brantford, Ont. Sherwood Park FSC Ralph Burghart
Women Gabrielle Daleman 21 Newmarket, Ont. Toronto Cricket, Curling and Skating Club Lee Barkell, Brian Orser
Women Alaine Chartrand 23 Prescott, Ont. York Region Skating Academy Tracey Wainman, Grzegorz Filipowski
Pairs Kirsten Moore-Towers/Michael Marinaro 26/27 St. Catharines, Ont./Sarnia, Ont. St. Catharines SC/Point Edward SC Bruno Marcotte, Richard Gauthier, Sylvie Fullum
Ice Dance Kaitlyn Weaver/Andrew Poje 29/32 Toronto, Ont./Waterloo, Ont. Granite SC/Kitchener-Waterloo SC Nikolai Morozov, Igor Shpilband, Pasquale Carmelengo

Canadian synchronized skating teams headed to Finland for 2019 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships

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OTTAWA, ON: Canada will have two teams competing at the 2019 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships this week from April 12-13, in Helsinki, Finland.

Canadian gold medallists, Nova, from St-Hubert, Que., will represent Canada for the first time at the world championships. The team finished second at Winterfest and won gold at Mozart Cup earlier this season. They are coached by Marie-France Sirois.

Canadian silver medallists, NEXXICE, from the Burlington Skating Club, will also represent Canada in Helsinki. They won gold at Trophy D’Ecosse and at the Spring Cup earlier this season. The team is coached by Shelley Simonton-Barnett and Ann Schelter.

Mary Ellen McDonald, Skate Canada Senior Director, Operations, will be the team leader at the event. Dr. Laura Cruz of Toronto, Ont., and physiotherapist Paige Larson of North Vancouver, B.C., will be the Canadian medical staff onsite. Diane Kamagianis of Mission, Ont., will be the Canadian official at the event. Dr. Shae Zukiwsky, Senior Director, Performance Excellence, will also be traveling with the team.

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