Halifax to host 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships

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HALIFAX, NS: Skate Canada and Canadian Tire announced today that Halifax, Nova Scotia will be the host city for the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. The championships will take place from January 18-24, 2016, at the Scotiabank Centre. The event will feature approximately 250 skaters in the men’s, women’s, pair, and ice dance disciplines, competing in three levels: senior, junior, and novice.

This is the fourth time that Halifax will play host to the National Skating Championships. The city held the event in 1981, 1995 and 2007. Halifax has also been the site of several international events, including Skate Canada International in 1983, 1997 and 2004, and the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in 1990.

“The city of Halifax is the site of so many memorable moments in skating history. We’ve seen champions crowned here on both national and world stages. We’re excited to bring the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships back to Halifax and create more unforgettable skating moments,” said Dan Thompson, Skate Canada CEO. “This event is the pinnacle of the Canadian skating calendar and we know the support from the fans, volunteers, and the rest of the city will be a catalyst for an incredible competition.”

“Canadian Tire believes in the power of sport to rally our nation and define us on a global stage,” said Pat McEleney, Vice President, Sport Partnerships, Canadian Tire Corporation. “We have celebrated skating for over 90 years, and as title sponsor of the Canadian Tire National Skating Championships, we could not be more proud to help bring this world-class event to Halifax in 2016.”

Leading the senior events are 2015 World Pair Champions Meagan Duhamel, 29, Lively, Ont., and Eric Radford, 30, Balmertown, Ont. The four-time Canadian champions will look to win their fifth title, taking on Canada’s best. Current Canadian champion Nam Nguyen, 16, Toronto, Ont., will go head-to-head with three-time world champion Patrick Chan, 24, Toronto, Ont., as he returns to competition after a year off. In ice dance, two-time world medallists Kaitlyn Weaver, 25, Waterloo, Ont., and Andrew Poje, 28, Waterloo, Ont., plan to capture their second Canadian title. In women’s Gabrielle Daleman, 17, Newmarket, Ont., will defend her 2015 Canadian title against two-time Canadian champion Kaetlyn Osmond, 19, Marystown, Nfld. & Sherwood Park, Alta., who will return to competition after missing last season due to injury.

“We are very excited to welcome fans, coaches and athletes for the Canadian Tire National Skating Championships in 2016,” said Scott Ferguson, President and CEO of Scotiabank Centre. “Scotiabank Centre has a rich history of attracting world-class skating events and we’re proud to continue delivering a diverse lineup of events for Nova Scotians to enjoy.”

Athletes will vie for spots on the Skate Canada National Team and the Canadian teams that will compete at the 2016 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, 2016 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, and 2016 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships.

All-event ticket packages for the entire week will go on sale this Saturday, May 2, 2015, at 10 a.m. (AT). This is the ultimate ticket package that will allow fans to experience all levels (novice, junior, senior) and disciplines of skating (men’s, women’s, pair, ice dance), including practices. All-event ticket packages range from $125-$175, plus applicable surcharges. Fans can purchase tickets online at www.ticketatlantic.com, by phone at 1-877-451-1221, or in person at the Scotiabank Centre box office.

Tickets on Sale Now for the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships

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HALIFAX, NS: All-event ticket packages for the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships will go on sale Saturday, May 2, 2015, at 10 a.m. (AT). The event will take place in Halifax, N.S., at the Scotiabank Centre from January 18-24, 2016.

The all-event ticket package is the ultimate ticket package that will allow fans to experience all levels (novice, junior, senior) and disciplines of skating (men’s, women’s, pair, ice dance), including practices. All-event ticket packages range from $125-$175, plus applicable surcharges. Fans can purchase tickets online at www.ticketatlantic.com, by phone at 1-877-451-1221, or in person at the Scotiabank Centre box office.

Leading the senior events are 2015 World Pair Champions Meagan Duhamel, 29, Lively, Ont., and Eric Radford, 30, Balmertown, Ont. The four-time Canadian champions will look to win their fifth title, taking on Canada’s best. Current Canadian champion Nam Nguyen, 16, Toronto, Ont., will go head-to-head with three-time world champion Patrick Chan, 24, Toronto, Ont., as he returns to competition after a year off. In ice dance, two-time world medallists Kaitlyn Weaver, 25, Waterloo, Ont., and Andrew Poje, 28, Waterloo, Ont., plan to capture their second Canadian title. In women’s Gabrielle Daleman, 17, Newmarket, Ont., will defend her 2015 Canadian title against two-time Canadian champion Kaetlyn Osmond, 19, Marystown, Nfld. & Sherwood Park, Alta., who will return to competition after missing last season due to injury.

Athletes will vie for spots on the Skate Canada National Team and the Canadian teams that will compete at the 2016 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, 2016 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, and 2016 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships.

Kevin Reynolds recovering from hip surgery

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OTTAWA, ON: Three-time Canadian silver medallist and 2014 Olympic silver medallist (team) Kevin Reynolds, 24, Coquitlam, B.C., underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left hip earlier this month. The surgery took place on April 9, 2015 in Vancouver, B.C., and was successful in repairing a labral tear.

Earlier this year, Reynolds had to withdraw from the free program at the 2015 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships due to the injury which he has dealt with since late 2010. Over the last year, the condition had worsened considerably and treatment such as physiotherapy, rest, and specific recovery exercises had had no significant effect.

“It is an injury that I have been dealing with for a long time. After speaking with experts, we made the difficult decision to undergo surgery. Over the next week and beyond, I will work closely with my medical team on my recovery,” explained Reynolds. “I’d like to thank everyone for their continuous support, and I hope to eventually return to skating with a renewed sense of freedom.”

Optimistic for a successful recovery, Reynolds hopes to return to competitive skating when healthy.

Skating Family grieving the loss of Chief Operating Officer Bethany Tory

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Bethany ToryOTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada is in mourning after the passing of Bethany Tory. Bethany had been Skate Canada’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) since November 2013 and was a critical member of the executive team. She leaves behind her husband Graham and two young sons.

Bethany passed away suddenly on Tuesday at age 44 after experiencing complications from a minor surgery. She had a lifelong passion for skating with a tremendous desire for life and a positive energy that was infectious.

“We are in shock by the sudden passing of our colleague and friend Bethany. There are no words that can describe the sadness felt by everyone who knew her,” said Dan Thompson, Skate Canada CEO. “During her time with Skate Canada, Bethany changed our culture and helped streamline our priorities. Her open communication and belief in alignment and collaboration has helped all of us change how we think in so many ways. Bethany’s contribution will not be forgotten.”

The entire skating family grieves in the loss of a wonderful life but will find the strength to celebrate her legacy and the positive impact she made to Skate Canada.

A Memorial Service will be held at Cedarview Alliance Church (2784 Cedarview Rd, Nepean, ON K2J 4J2) on Saturday, April 25 at 1 p.m. The family will receive friends and colleagues in the church reception hall from 1:30-4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred for the Queensway Carleton Hospital and/or the New Beginnings Pet Rescue. A full length notice will appear in Friday’s Ottawa Citizen.

Skate Canada wishes to express the most sincere sympathies to Bethany’s family and friends.

Canada fourth at ISU World Team Trophy

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TOKYO – Meagan Duhamel of Lively, Ont., and Eric Radford of Balmertown, Ont., won the free skate in pairs and Canada finished fourth on Saturday at the ISU World Team Trophy figure skating competition.

The U.S. finished first overall in the six-country competition with 110 points, Russia was second at 109 and Japan third at 103. The Canadians, Olympic silver medallists in 2014, followed at 82 with China fifth and France sixth.

Duhamel and Radford, just a few weeks off their first world title, took the free skate with 140.70 points. They edged Wenjing Sui and Cong Han of China in second at 139.73 and Alex Scimeca and Chris Knierim of the U.S. were third at 127.87.

The victory for Duhamel and Radford was worth 12 points to Canada’s total score. Second place was worth 11 and so on.

‘’Our team came in with the feeling that we didn’t have the expectations to win the gold medal,’’ said Duhamel, Canada’s team captain. ‘’But everyone was satisfied with their efforts and we’re building this Canadian team towards the next World Trophy in 2017 and of course the Olympics in 2018 where we’ll be aiming for a better result.

‘’We should end our season with our heads held high.’’

In the women’s free skate, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and Elena Radionova, both of Russia, were 1-2 in the free skate which was worth 23 points to the Russians in the team standings but not enough to catch the Americans.

Gabrielle Daleman of Newmarket, Ont., was eighth and Alaine Chartrand of Prescott, Ont., 11th.

Full competition: http://www.isuresults.com/results/wtt2015/

Canada remains fourth at ISU World Team Trophy

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TOKYO – Second place finishes in the pairs short program and free dance wasn’t enough to lift Canada in the standings on Friday at the ISU World Team Trophy figure skating competition.

Canada, the Olympic silver medallists, remains fourth with 63 points with one day of competition remaining. The U.S. leads with 83 points, Japan is second at 79 and Russia third at 77.

In the free dance, world champions Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France were first edging Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Waterloo, Ont., by under two points. The Canadians won the short dance on Thursday.

For each event the winning country gets 12 points, second place 11 points and so on. The top six-ranked countries in the world are battling for the world team crown.

In the pairs short program, Wenjing Sui and Cong Han of China were first ahead of world champions Meagan Duhamel of Lively, Ont., and Eric Radford of Balmertown, Ont., in second.

The men’s free skate was won by Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan with Nam Nguyen of Toronto seventh and Jeremy Ten of Vancouver ninth.

Competition ends Saturday with the free skates for pairs and women.

Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/wtt2015/

Canada in fourth place after first day at ISU World Team Trophy

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TOKYO – Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Waterloo, Ont., won the short dance and Canada is in fourth place after the first day of competition at the ISU World Team Trophy figure skating event.

The U.S. is in first place with 48 points followed by Japan and Russia which are tied at 43. Canada, the Olympic silver medallists last winter, stand at 31 points.

In the short dance, Weaver and Poje bettered their score from last month’s world championships earning 73.14 points. Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. were second at 72.17 points and world champions Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France were third at 70.86.

Weaver and Poje’s first place finish was worth 12 points to the team score while the Americans earned 11 and the French 10.

Gracie Gold of the U.S. topped the women’s short program standings followed by Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia and her compatriot Elena Radionova. Gabrielle Daleman of Newmarket, Ont., and Alaine Chartrand of Prescott, Ont., were eighth and ninth combining for nine points to the team standings. Both the Russians and Americans earned 21 points in the event.

In the men’s short program, Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan, Han Yan of China and Jason Brown of the U.S. were 1-2-3. Nam Nguyen of Toronto was sixth and Jeremy Ten of Vancouver 10th. That was worth 10 points for Canada while Japan totalled 21 and the U.S. 16.

Competition continues Friday with the pairs short program featuring Canadian world champions Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford and the free skates for ice dancing and men.

Full competition: http://www.isuresults.com/results/wtt2015/

Skate Canada mourns the loss of Hall of Fame Coach Sheldon Galbraith

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Skate Canada Hall of Fame coach Sheldon Galbraith passed away at the age of 92 yesterday in Toronto.

Galbraith had a record of success unequaled by any other Canadian coach. He was a dedicated teacher and technical innovator that led his skaters to world titles in men’s, ladies, and pair, as well as Canada’s first ladies and pair Olympic gold medals.

After a successful skating career, he began to coach at the Minto Club in 1946, moving to the Toronto Skating Club in 1949. His students included Barbara Ann Scott, Frances Dafoe and Norris Bowden, Barbara Wagner and Robert Paul, and Donald Jackson. He was the Olympic team coach in 1948, 1956 and 1960 and was instrumental in the formation of the Professional Skating Association of Canada.

He was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1980 as the first figure skating coach ever to be honoured. He later entered the Skate Canada Hall of Fame, World Figure Skating Museum and Hall of Fame, and the Professional Skaters Association Coaches Hall of Fame. Galbraith was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1999 and in 2005 was awarded the Order of Ontario.

Skate Canada offers its sincere sympathies to Galbraith’s family and friends.

Team Canada ready to compete at ISU World Team Trophy in Japan

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OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada will send an eight member team to the 2015 ISU World Team Trophy taking place for the fourth time Tokyo, Japan from April 15-19. The team will consist of two entries in ladies and men’s, and one entry in pair and ice dance.

The countries ranked one to six on the ISU team standings qualify for the event. This year the six-country competition will include teams from Russia, USA, Japan, Canada, France, and China. Skaters compete in their disciplines with short programs/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 medal at all three previous events, winning silver at the inaugural event in 2009, bronze in 2012 and silver in 2013.

Leading the Canadian team are 2015 World Pair Champions Meagan Duhamel, 29, Lively, Ont., and Eric Radford, 30, Balmertown, Ont. They competed at this event both in 2012 and 2013. Duhamel will also act as the captain for Team Canada. The representatives of Walden FSC and CPA Saint-Léonard are coached by Richard Gauthier, Bruno Marcotte, and Sylvie Fullum at CPA Saint-Léonard.

The Canadian ice dance entry will be 2015 world ice dance bronze medallists Kaitlyn Weaver, 26, Waterloo, Ont., and Andrew Poje, 28, Waterloo, Ont. This will be their second trip to this event, having won silver in 2013. Weaver and Poje represent the Sault FSC and Kitchener-Waterloo SC and are coached by Pasquale Camerlengo and Angelika Krylova in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Canadian champion Nam Nguyen, 16, Toronto, Ont., is the first of two Canadian entries in men’s. Nguyen will make his debut at this event following a fifth place finish at the world championships. He is coached by Brian Orser and Ernest Pryhitka at the Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club.

Canadian silver medalists Jeremy Ten, 26, Vancouver, B.C., will compete at the ISU World Team Trophy for the first time. Ten represents the Grandview Skating Club and is coached by Joanne McLeod and Neil Wilson at the Champs International Skating Centre.

In ladies, Gabrielle Daleman, 17, Newmarket, Ont., will make her second trip to this event after winning silver in 2013. The Canadian champion is a representative of Richmond Hill FSC. She is coached by Andrei Berezintsev and Inga Zusev and trains at the Richmond Training Centre in Richmond Hill, Ont.

Canadian silver medallist Alaine Chartrand, 19, Prescott, Ont., will be Canada’s second entry in the ladies category. This will be her first time competing at this event. Chartrand is coached by Michelle Leigh and Brian Orser and represents the Nepean Skating Club.

The team leader for the event will be Skate Canada High Performance Director Mike Slipchuk. Physiotherapist Shirley Kushner of Westmount, Que., will be the Canadian medical personnel onsite. Leslie Keen of Vancouver, B.C., and Andrea Derby of Windsor, Ont., will be the Canadian officials at the event.

For results and full entries please visit www.isu.org.

CANADIAN ENTRIES AT 2015 ISU WORLD TEAM TROPHY

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Mens Nam Nguyen 16 Toronto, Ont. Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club Brian Orser / Ernest Pryhitka
Mens Jeremy Ten 26 Vancouver, B.C. Grandview SC Joanne McLeod / Neil Wilson
Ladies Gabrielle Daleman 17 Newmarket, Ont. Richmond Hill FSC Andrei Berezintsev / Inga Zusev
Ladies Alaine Chartrand 19 Prescott, Ont. Nepean Skating Club Michelle Leigh
Pairs Meagan Duhamel / Eric Radford 29/30 Lively, Ont. / Balmertown, Ont. Walden FSC / CPA Saint-Léonard Richard Gauthier / Bruno Marcotte / Sylvie Fullum
Ice Dance Kaitlyn Weaver / Andrew Poje 26/28 Waterloo, Ont. / Waterloo, Ont. Sault FSC / Kitchener-Waterloo SC Pasquale Camerlengo / Angelika Krylova

Canada’s Nexxice crowned world champion in synchronized skating

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HAMILTON – Nexxice from Burlington, Ont., won the gold medal for Canada on Saturday at the 20-country ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships held before an impressive and patriotic crowd of 7,600 at the FirstOntario Centre.

It is Canada’s first world crown since 2009 when Nexxice also took gold.

The top-seeded Canadian team finished with 214.73 points performing to Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Finland won the free skate but added to their short program score Friday it wasn’t enough to catch the Canadians as they totalled 214.06. Russia won the bronze medal at 203.48.

Skating for Nexxice were Shannon Aikman-Jones, Maria Albanese, Ellicia Beaudoin, Emma Bonafiglia, Kelly Britten, Courtney Broadhurst, Lee Chandler, Alessia Chiovitti, Carla Coveart, Samantha Defino, Courtney Gray, Yu Hanamoto, Renata Khuzina, Victoria Kwan, Kristen Loritz, Nichole Manahan, Kerrin Caitlin McKinnon, Victoria Smith, Kiersten Tietz and Gillian Tyler.

‘’I don’t think it has sunk in that we are world champions,’’ said Lee Chandler. ‘’It was just a surreal experience with the crowd. In the end they really lifted us. This is a program we have been practicing since September and the girls came together today and performed it better than ever.’’

The second Canadian entry, les Suprêmes, from St-Léonard, Que., produced the fourth best free program to climb from seventh to sixth overall.

Skating for Les Suprêmes were: Elodie Marie Acheron, Audrey Bédard, Jessica Bernardo, Lou-Ann Bezeau-Tremblay, Joannie Brazeau, Sara Irma Corona, Alexandra Del Vecchio, Laurie Désilets, Jacqueline Hampshire, Maria-Victoria Langon, Clémence Léa Marduel, Agathe Sigrid Merlier, An-Kim Nguyen, Minh-Thu Tina Nguyen, Anne-Louise Normand, Geneviève Rougeau, Marina Rousseau, Laurra Olivia Sena, Claudia Sforzin and Yasuko Uchida.

‘’It was incredible, the crowd showed us so much love,’’ said Laura Désilets. ‘’We didn’t feel any added pressure being in Canada. We were really pleased with both our programs and we achieved our goals for this season.’’

This was the third time Canada has hosted the event in its 16 year history. Canada has now reached the podium in 11 of those 16 years.

Full results: 2015 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships

Burlington’s Nexxice first after short program at ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships

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HAMILTON – Crowd favorites Nexxice from nearby Burlington, Ont., brought the house down Friday night at the FirstOntario Centre producing the top short program at the 20-country ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships.

Approximately 6,700 fans attended the event.

Nexxice, Canada’s top-ranked entry at the event, earned 71.06 points and are ahead of Finland in second at 70.39 and Sweden in third at 69.94. Skating to “MUD” by The Road Hammers Nexxice earned two level fours and three level threes in their performance..

Skating for Nexxice are Shannon Aikman-Jones, Maria Albanese, Ellicia Beaudoin, Emma Bonafiglia, Kelly Britten, Courtney Broadhurst, Lee Chandler, Alessia Chiovitti, Carla Coveart, Samantha Defino, Courtney Gray, Yu Hanamoto, Renata Khuzina, Victoria Kwan, Kristen Loritz, Nichole Manahan, Kerrin Caitlin McKinnon, Victoria Smith, Kiersten Tietz and Gillian Tyler.

‘’It was just electric out there, the crowd was fantastic,’’ said team member Kristen Loritz. We felt the energy as we stepped on the ice and carried with us until the finishing pass. We practice with simulated crowd noise all week and that helped the girls relax.’’

Nexxice are the nine-time consecutive Canadian champions and the only North American team to win the world championships (2009). They’ve won silver at the last three worlds.

Canada’s second entry, les Suprêmes from St-Léonard, Que., are in seventh spot. Skating for Les Suprêmes are: Elodie Marie Acheron, Audrey Bédard, Jessica Bernardo, Lou-Ann Bezeau-Tremblay, Joannie Brazeau, Sara Irma Corona, Alexandra Del Vecchio, Laurie Désilets, Jacqueline Hampshire, Maria-Victoria Langon, Clémence Léa Marduel, Agathe Sigrid Merlier, An-Kim Nguyen, Minh-Thu Tina Nguyen, Anne-Louise Normand, Geneviève Rougeau, Marina Rousseau, Laurra Olivia Sena, Claudia Sforzin and Yasuko Uchida.

Les Suprêmes have been runners-up at the past five nationals and were sixth at worlds in 2014.

This is the third time Canada has hosted the event in its 16 year history, with Canada having won medals at 10 of those previous events.

Full results: 2015 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships

World’s best teams in Hamilton for the 2015 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships

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OTTAWA, ON: The top synchronized skating teams in the world will meet in Hamilton, Ont., this week for the 2015 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships from April 10-11, at the FirstOntario Centre. Twenty-five teams from 20 ISU member nations will be competing for the world title.

Canada will send two teams; Nexxice, from the Burlington Skating Centre, and Les Suprêmes, from the CPA Saint-Léonard, who earned their entries to the world championships winning gold and silver respectively at 2015 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships earlier this season.

Representing the Burlington Skating Centre, Nexxice senior is the first Canadian entry. The nine-time consecutive Canadian champions are the only North American team to win the world championships, having done so in 2009. The three-time consecutive world silver medallists are coached by Shelley Simonton Barnett and Anne Schelter.

Canadian silver medallists Les Suprêmes, will be the second Canadian entry. Representing CPA Saint-Léonard, they are five-time consecutive Canadian silver medallists. Last year, Les Suprêmes placed sixth at this event. They are coached by Marilyn Langlois and Pascal Denis.

This will mark the third time Canada has hosted the event in its 16 year history, with Canada having won medals at 10 of those previous events.

Tickets are available and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.ca, by phone at 1-855-985-5000, or in person at the FirstOntario Centre box office.

For results and full entries, please visit 2015synchroworlds.com or isu.org.