SKATE CANADA ANNOUNCES BID TO HOST THE ISU WORLD FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS® 2024 IN MONTREAL, QUEBEC

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OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada will formally submit a bid in April of 2021 to host the ISU World Figure Skating Championships® 2024 in Montreal, Quebec. If successful, this will be Canada’s 11th time hosting the championships. Montreal was set to host the ISU World Figure Skating Championships® 2020 but was cancelled a week prior due to the pandemic. Canada last hosted the illustrious event in 2013 in London, Ontario.

The ISU World Figure Skating Championships® is the pinnacle event of the annual figure skating season moving around the globe, attracting more than 300 million television viewers worldwide and showcasing the 200 best athletes from 50 countries in four disciplines: men’s, ladies, pair and ice dance.

“We are thrilled to put forth Montreal as the host city for the ISU World Figure Skating Championships® 2024 for consideration by the International Skating Union. Canada has an exceptional hosting history, and we would be honoured to hold the 2024 event,” said Leanna Caron, President, Skate Canada. “With all the diligence that went into planning the 2020 World Championships, the entire team is ready to welcome the world to Montreal in 2024.  We have confidence that working with all government and municipal partners together with Patinage Quebec, we will deliver an excellent event in Montreal.”

“The ISU World Figure Skating Championships are a staple event. I am thrilled that Montréal was chosen to be the Canadian candidate to host its 2024 edition. I would like to underline Tourisme Montréal’s contribution to this success as well as to the mobilization of the community. This much-anticipated international competition promises to be highly successful and to provide an excellent showcase for our metropolis,” stated Valérie Plante, mayor of Montréal.

In accordance with ISU regulations, Skate Canada will submit Montreal as the host city along with supporting documents in April 2021. The 2024 host will be determined by the ISU Council and a decision is expected later this year.

Previous Canadian host cities:
● 1932 Montreal ● 1960 Vancouver ● 1972 Calgary ● 1978 Ottawa ● 1984 Ottawa ● 1990 Halifax ● 1996 Edmonton ● 2001 Vancouver ● 2006 Calgary ● 2013 London  ● 2020 Montreal Cancelled

 

REGISTRATION OPENS FOR THE 2021 ANNUAL ICE SUMMIT

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Dear members and registrants,

Registration for the 2021 Skate Canada Ice Summit is now open. Join community leaders from across the country and meet online for this interactive, exciting conference. Registration will include all pre-conference and conference activities, including Skate Canada’s Annual General Meeting.

“This past year has been difficult for all due to the pandemic,” said Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada. “We are thrilled to be able to host our annual conference virtually, allowing our skating community to still connect and come together in one place to support the continued development from the grassroots level to the world stage. Though we will not be able to be together in person this year, the goal of continuing to inspire Canadians to embrace the joy of skating will unite us all.”

REGISTER NOW

The theme of this year’s event is: Change Connecting Community. The 2021 Ice Summit package offers an interactive and engaging virtual environment featuring comprehensive education and discussion with leading experts. We will also be honouring members of our skating community who have played an integral role during the global pandemic.

This year’s conference kicks off on May 15-16 for a pre-conference virtual skating seminar hosted by world and Olympic champion, Meagan Duhamel. May 18-20 will also feature pre-conference sessions, including a leadership development session with three-time Grey Cup Champion, Henry Burris.

Beginning on May 21, the virtual tradeshow and exhibitor booths will open and will include a wide variety of programming content and other features.

The Ice Summit officially kicks off on May 28 with our Annual General Meeting taking place on May 29 at 10 a.m. ET.

For more information on how to register, please click here.

Gilles & Poirier claim bronze medal, Canada adds two more top-eight finishes on final day in Stockholm

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STOCKHOLM, Sweden – Consider it mission accomplished for Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier.

Arriving in Sweden with their sights clearly set on a podium finish at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships, the reigning Canadian ice dance champions delivered when it mattered most Saturday, and now they’ll return to Canada with bronze medals draped around their necks.

Gilles and Poirier performed a spellbinding free dance to Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now, scoring a personal best 130.98 score for a 214.35 total, also a personal best, to claim their first world championships medal.

Starting the day less than two points off the podium, Gilles and Poirier’s riveting skate lifted them into third spot, less than half a point behind silver medallists Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue of the U.S. (214.71). Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov (FSR) won gold with 221.17.

“We’re absolutely thrilled with what we did today,” said Gilles. “Having a crazy season, like everyone else…but I’m so proud that we pushed through. We didn’t let the uncertainty of everything get in the way. We just love to perform and skate, and I think that came out on the ice today.”

“I’m sort of at a loss for words,” added Poirier. “It’s been a very long time for us, this is our eighth world championships together, and being able to accomplish this just feels like a nice relief.”

“I’m sure once we’ve had time to process it as well, and be home with the rest of our team, as well as our family and friends, I think it will feel that much more real. What we’ve been able to accomplish today is the product of so many people’s effort, and we want to be able to celebrate that with them.”

Making their first international start since the fall of 2019, Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Nikolaj Sørensen of Montreal, Que. scored 119.01 in their free dance to place eighth with a 196.88 total.

Marjorie Lajoie (Boucherville, Que.) and Zachary Lagha (Saint-Hubert, Que.), the 2019 world junior champions, had an impressive senior world championships debut, finishing 14th at 180.71.

In the men’s competition, Keegan Messing racked up 176.75 points in his free program to finish sixth with a 270.26 total, a new personal best. The showing was Messing’s best in three appearances at the world championships and guaranteed Canada two men’s spots for next year’s Olympic Winter Games.

Messing was the lone member of the Canadian team with an international competition this season, dedicating his bronze medal at Skate America to his Canadian teammates in October.

As his free program ended Saturday, he pointed to his teammates in the stands, pumped his fist in the air several times and placed his hand over his heart. As he waited in the kiss and cry for his marks, Messing looked into the camera and spoke to his best friend and teammate, Nam Nguyen, back in Canada.

“We did it together. We did it. Love you, buddy,” he said.

“I feel absolutely incredible,” added Messing minutes later. “To be able to go out there and to put that kind of program out. I said before coming here that Nam and I were going to do this together, and together we did it. He was there with me, backstage, on the ice, and gave me the strength to push through this program. I couldn’t have done it without him.”

Nathan Chen of the United States, in third spot after the short program, scored 222.03 in a flawless free program that featured five quads to win his third straight men’s world title with 320.88.

For Fournier Beaudry and Sørensen, it was a triumphant return to the international stage. Not only did the pandemic wipe out this past season, but they missed the entire 2020 campaign as Sørensen recovered from knee surgery.

“We just wanted to dance and give some hope to everybody,” said Fournier Beaudry. “We’re so proud to be here representing Canada.”

“We’re just really grateful and so happy to be part of this amazing team,” added Sørensen.

Team Canada left Sweden with a medal and three other top-eight showings. Earlier in the week, Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro placed sixth in the pair event.

Evelyn Walsh and Trennt Michaud were 12th in pair, while 2020 Canadian women’s bronze medallist Madeline Schizas placed 13th in her world championships debut. Emily Bausback, the 2020 Canadian women’s champion, missed qualifying for the women’s free program by less than two points.

To see final results, please visit the ISU website.

Canadian ice dance teams open strong, Madeline Schizas caps off impressive debut at ISU World Figure Skating Championships

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STOCKHOLM, Sweden – Canadian ice dance champions Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier arrived in Sweden targeting a podium finish at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships.

That goal is well within reach.

Stepping onto international ice for the first time in over a year, the duo from Toronto, Ont. performed an elegant rhythm dance to earn 83.37 points, putting them in fourth place and less than two points out of the bronze medal position.

Fellow Canadians Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Nikolaj Sørensen of Montreal, Que. also find themselves inside the top 10, sitting seventh at 77.87. Marjorie Lajoie (Boucherville, Que.) and Zachary Lagha (Saint-Hubert, Que.), making their world championships debut, scored 72.00 and are 14th.

Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov (FSR) lead with 88.15, followed by Americans Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue at 86.05.

Skating to a medley from Mack and Mabel, Gilles and Poirier showed they are in prime position for a run at a medal despite not competing internationally all season due to the pandemic.

“We were absolutely thrilled,” said Gilles. “I think we are just so completely confident in our training and our ability. We got to enjoy performing again, which is why we skate.”

No fans are permitted inside Ericsson Globe this week for figure skating’s crown jewel event, but Poirier admitted they were so focused they didn’t notice the lack of atmosphere inside the building.

“I didn’t even really notice that it was empty,” he said. “That was really one of those programs where we kind of went on blinders mode and just kind of lived the performance. I didn’t really notice anything that was happening outside of that.”

Later Friday, Madeline Schizas of Oakville, Ont., capped off an impressive debut at the world championships. Unlike her breathtaking short program, the 18-year-old fought through a challenging free skate, earning 117.01 to place 13th in the women’s event with 185.78. The 2020 Canadian bronze medallist more than held her own against the world’s top skaters and says the week was a crucial learning experience for the future.

“I learned a lot this week about competing at a championship, which is obviously something I’ve never done,” said Schizas. “I think I had really high expectations for myself coming into this, especially after the short program, knowing I wanted to be in the top 10.”

It has been a long road back to the international skating scene for Fournier Beaudry and Sørensen, the 2019 Canadian bronze medallists who missed the 2020 season as Sørensen recovered from knee surgery. The pandemic wiped out their competitive season this year, although they did compete at the 2021 Skate Canada Challenge virtual event in January, where they finished second to Gilles and Poirier.

Following their rhythm dance Friday, you could sense a bit of sentimentality in their voices after Fournier Beaudry and Sørensen performed their Bonnie and Clyde routine, a program they have a deep emotional connection to, for the final time.

“We are so happy, so excited, so extremely grateful,” said a relieved Sørensen. “We feel really good during the event, I wake up every day like ‘can’t believe it, we’re here.’”

“It was a heartfelt goodbye to the program, now that it is the last time. Just going out and celebrating all the hard work we’ve put into it and celebrating, most of all, that we’re here today, and hopefully sharing a little bit of hope with the skating community.”

“We felt great,” added Fournier Beaudry. “We put so much love into this program, we love being Bonnie and Clyde and doing those characters.”

Lajoie and Lagha, the 2019 junior world champions, were pleased with their debut and are looking forward to their free dance Saturday.

“It was a great experience for the short dance, so I’m pretty happy with what we did,” said Lajoie.

The tandem is not putting any unnecessary pressure on themselves as they compete at the world championships for the first time.

“I think the only pressure we have is the pressure we put on ourselves,” added Lagha. “It’s our first year and it’s such a different game (at the senior level). So, no, we don’t have that pressure.”

The competition concludes Saturday, with Keegan Messing, currently in fifth spot, skating his men’s free program at 9:14 am EDT. The free dance follows, with Lajoie and Lagha taking the ice at 1:00 pm EDT. Fournier Beaudry and Sørensen skate at 2:16 pm followed by Gilles and Poirier at 2:46 pm.

For full results, please visit the ISU website.

Photo credit: ISU

Moore-Towers, Marinaro bounce back to match best career finish at ISU World Figure Skating Championships

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STOCKHOLM, Sweden – For Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro, what a difference a day makes.

Less than 24 hours after a shaky short program to open the ISU World Figure Skating Championships, the two-time Canadian pair champions bounced back with an exceptional free program Thursday, scoring 131.84 for a 195.29 total, vaulting them from 10th into sixth.

The result matched their previous best at the world championships, set in 2018. Moore-Towers and Marinaro have finished inside the top eight in all four trips to the world championships.

“We definitely skated for ourselves today,” said Moore-Towers. “We were excited to show that program and I think that was something that was lacking (Wednesday). I think it showed in our skating.”

“We’re definitely proud of the skate today, considering the circumstances,” added Marinaro. “A very short season, a lot to take away, a lot of lessons learned over the past two months that we can carry into next season.”

Minutes before Moore-Towers and Marinaro took the ice, Evelyn Walsh and Trennt Michaud laid down a solid free skate of their own, earning 116.83 to place 12th at 176.24.

“We were really excited and looking forward to this competition,” said Walsh. “Not only another worlds, but just a competition this season.”

“This season, in different countries, a lot of things were different,” reasoned Michaud. “For us in Canada, we didn’t get any competitions due to the pandemic, so we’re very, very grateful to be here.”

Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov, representing the Figure Skating Federation of Russia (FSR), captured pair gold.

Earlier Thursday, Keegan Messing, the lone Canadian entry in the men’s competition, scored 93.51 in his short program and is in fifth place heading into Saturday’s free program.

Messing, who holds American and Canadian citizenship, is the only Team Canada member to compete internationally this past season, winning bronze at Skate America in October.

Making his third appearance at the world championships, Messing, who finished eighth in 2018 and 15th in 2019, said he was happy with his performance and is trying to keep his emotions in check this week.

“I’m trying to go out there and skate for family, skate for team camaraderie, so I can put the best performance out and try to keep some of those nerves to a minimum,” said Messing. “And just hope that it’s enough.”

Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan scored 106.98 to set the early pace in the men’s event.

The women’s short program kicked off the world championships Wednesday morning and Madeline Schizas of Oakville, Ont., making her world championship debut, skated with ice in her veins, scoring 68.77. Schizas, who celebrated her 18th birthday last month, is in ninth spot leading into Friday’s free program.

“This is my second senior international ever, so it was so cool to compete with the highest ranked competitors in the world,” said Schizas. “It’s just so incredible to be here competing against the best in the world and I was really proud that I put out a good performance today.”

Emily Bausback from New Westminster, B.C., the 2020 Canadian women’s champion also making her first appearance at the world championships, finished 27th and missed qualifying for the free program by just three spots.

“This has been a really great experience for me,” said Bausback. “I was super excited for the training leading up to the world championships, my very first one. It’s an incredible experience. It’s everything I imagined.”

The ice dance competition gets underway Friday morning, with three teams representing Canada. Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha will skate their rhythm dance at 8:47 am EDT, followed by Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Nikolaj Sørensen at 9:07 am and Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier at 10:22 am.

The women’s free program will follow Friday afternoon, with Schizas scheduled to skate at 3:35 pm EDT.

Photo Credit: ISU

Canadians en route to Sweden for 2021 ISU World Figure Skating Championships

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OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada will send eight entries, for a total of 13 skaters, to the 2021 ISU World Figure Skating Championships. The event is set to take place March 22-28, 2021, in Stockholm, Sweden. Canada will have two entries in women, one entry in men, two entries in pair and three entries in ice dance.

Keegan Messing, 29, Girdwood, Alaska, USA, will be the only Canadian entry in the men’s category.  This will be his third time competing at this event, having finished 15th in 2019. This season, Messing won bronze at 2020 Skate America. The three-time Canadian medallist is coached by Ralph Burghart in Anchorage, Ak, USA.

Madeline Schizas, 18, Oakville, Ont., will be the first of two Canadian women competing at the event. This will be her first time competing at this event. Schizas claimed the gold medal at the 2021 Skate Canada Challenge event in January. She is coached by Nancy Lemaire and Derek Schmidt in Milton, Ont.

Emily Bausback, 18, Vancouver, B.C., will be the second Canadian entry in the women’s category. This will be her first time competing at this event. The 2020 Canadian champion is coached by Joanne McLeod and Neil Wilson in Burnaby, B.C.

Kirsten Moore-Towers, 28, St. Catharines, Ont., and Michael Marinaro, 29, Sarnia, Ont., will be the first of two Canadian entries in pair. This will be their fourth time competing at the world championships, having finished 7th in 2019. The 2020 Canadian champions are coached by Bruno Marcotte, Alison Purkiss and Brian Shales in Oakville, Ont.

Evelyn Walsh, 19, London, Ont., and Trennt Michaud, 24, Trenton, Ont., will be the second Canadian entry in pair. This event will mark their second time competing on the world championship stage, having placed 12th back in 2019. The 2020 national silver medallists are coached by Alison Purkiss, Andrew Evans and Paul Macintosh in Brantford, Ont.

Piper Gilles, 29, Toronto, Ont., and Paul Poirier, 29, Unionville, Ont., will be the first of three of Canadian entries in ice dance. This will be their eighth time competing at this event, having finished in the top ten the past five consecutive seasons. The 2020 Canadian champions are coached by Carol Lane, Juris Razgulajevs and Jon Lane in Scarborough, Ont.

Laurence Fournier Beaudry, 28, Montreal, Que., and Nikolaj Sørensen, 32, Montreal, Que., will be the second Canadian entry in ice dance. This will be their second time competing at this event, having finished 10th in 2019. The 2021 Skate Canada Challenge silver medallists are coached by Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon, Romain Haguenauer, Josée Piché, Samuel Chouinard, Emilie Josset and Benjamin Brisebois.

Marjorie Lajoie, 20, Boucherville, Que., and Zachary Lagha, 21, Saint-Hubert, Que., will be the third entry in ice dance. This will be their first time competing at this event. The 2019 World Junior champions are coached by Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon, Romain Haguenauer, Pascal Denis and Josée Piché in Montreal, Que.

Mike Slipchuk, Skate Canada High Performance Director, and Dr. Shae Zukiwsky, Senior Director, Performance Excellence, will be the team leaders at the event. Physiotherapist Paige Larson of North Vancouver, B.C., and Dr. Ghislaine Robert of Seattle, WA., will be the Canadian medical staff onsite. Leanna Caron, Skate Canada President, will also be attending.

For results and full entries, please visit isu.org or https://stockholm2021.se/.

 

CANADIAN ENTRIES AT 2021 ISU WORLD FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Men Keegan Messing 29 Girdwood, Ak, USA Ice Palace FSC Ralph Burghart
Women Madeline Schizas 18 Oakville, Ont. Milton SC Nancy Lemaire/Derek Schmidt
Women Emily Bausback 18 Vancouver, B.C. Champs International Skating Centre of BC Joanne McLeod/Neil Wilson
Pair Kirsten Moore-Towers/Michael Marinaro 28/29 St. Catharines, Ont./Sarnia, Ont. Skate Oakville/Skate Oakville Bruno Marcotte/Alison Purkiss/Brian Shales
Pair Evelyn Walsh/Trennt Michaud 19/24 London, Ont./Trenton, Ont. London SC/Trenton SC Alison Purkiss/Andrew Evans/Paul Macintosh
Ice Dance Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier 29/29 Toronto, Ont./Unionville, Ont. Ice Dance Elite/Scarboro FSC Carol Lane/Juris Razgulajevs/Jon Lane
Ice Dance Laurence Fournier Beaudry/Nikolaj Sørensen 28/32 Montreal, Que. /Montreal, Que. Town of Mount Royal FSC/Town of Mount Royal FSC Marie-France Dubreuil/Patrice Lauzon/Romain Haguenauer/ Josée Piché/Samuel Chouinard/Emilie Josset/Benjamin Brisebois
Ice Dance Marjorie Lajoie/Zachary Lagha 20/21 Boucherville, Que. / Saint-Hubert, Que. CPA Boucherville/CPA Saint-Lambert Marie-France Dubreuil/Patrice Lauzon/Romain Haguenauer/Pascal Denis/ Josée Piché

Save the Date: 2021 Skate Canada Ice Summit

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Dear members and registrants,

Skate Canada is pleased to announce that the annual Skate Canada Ice Summit is back and will be held in a virtual format! Mark your calendars and get ready to take part in educational and engaging workshops and sessions with leading experts, including our 2021 Ice Summit keynote speaker, Henry Burris.

Kicking off on May 15, 2021, Skate Canada will host pre-conference webinars that lead into the May 28-29 conference. The 2021 Ice Summit package offers a broad spectrum of informative and interactive workshops and sessions and will give the Canadian skating community the opportunity to learn more about programming, safe sport, and equity, diversity and inclusion.

Here’s a snapshot of what to expect this year:

  • May 15 – Skate Canada’s pre-conference webinars begin, including a skating seminar hosted by Olympic and World Champion, Meagan Duhamel.
  • May 28-29 – the official 2021 Ice Summit begins. Join sessions hosted by world-class sport professionals, conference keynote speaker, Henry Burris, and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association on May 29. Members will be able to participate remotely as the AGM and voting will be available via live stream.

Registration for this interactive and engaging virtual conference will open on April 1, 2021. Visit our website for more information.

Calgary to host 2022 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships

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OTTAWA, ON: The Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships are heading back to Calgary, Alta., in 2022. The Championships will take place from February 24-27, 2022, at WinSport’s Markin MacPhail Centre.

“We are very excited to be returning to Calgary for the Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships in 2022. Calgary is known for its successful sporting events and we are more than confident that this event will be nothing but that,” said Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada. “With the severe level of disruption to the 2020-2021 competitive season, we are very much looking forward to Canada’s best synchronized skating teams stepping onto the ice in Calgary in 2022, showcasing their dedication and hard work for all to see.”

The 2022 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships will bring approximately 40 teams and over 800 skaters from across the country to Calgary. The city most recently hosted this event in 2020.

“Calgary is excited to welcome back the Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championship and its accompanying $2.8 million in projected economic impact,” said Jeff Daniels, Executive Director, Sport, Culture & Major Events at Tourism Calgary. “This will mark the fourth time Calgary has been selected to host the championship in the past nine years and we are thrilled to once again have Canada’s best synchronized skating teams compete at WinSport’s Markin MacPhail Centre.”

Teams will compete for national titles in senior, junior, novice, intermediate and open categories. The top two senior teams will represent Canada at the 2022 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Hamilton, Ontario.

Skate Canada names team for 2021 ISU World Figure Skating Championships

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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

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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

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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

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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.