Posts

Quebec teams earn pair of national titles at Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships

Les Suprêmes looking to dethrone nine-time senior champion NEXXICE in Waterloo

WATERLOO, Ont. – Defending world champion NEXXICE will have some work to do if they are to win their tenth consecutive Canadian synchronized skating title.

Les Suprêmes of Quebec are in position to end the Burlington, Ont.-based powerhouse’s record run after scoring 74.23 in their senior short program Saturday at the 2016 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships. NEXXICE is in second spot (69.47) followed by Meraki of Central Ontario (59.98).

It was a golden sweep for Quebec teams as the first wave of medals were handed out Saturday in Waterloo.

In the Open division, Quebec’s NOVA claimed their sixth straight national title with a total score of 144.78, coming from behind to beat their provincial counterparts, Les Suprêmes (141.72). NEXXICE finished in third spot with 138.47 points.

Cassiopée, also hailing from Quebec, were golden in the Intermediate division with 102.21 points, edging out NEXXICE (101.25). Quebec’s Rythmiks Lanaudière placed third (98.36).

“We were really proud with what we did,” said Emilie Campbell-Renaud, who shares NOVA Open co-captain duties with Vicky Peloffy.

“It was a mental game after our first skate, we had a few stumbles, and we wanted to come back strong today. We just skated with our hearts and with passion and did what we wanted to do.”

In the junior short program, NEXXICE set the early pace with 62.63. Les Suprêmes (59.58) holds down second, followed by Les Pirouettes (54.32).

Les Suprêmes leads in the novice category heading into Sunday’s second free program, scoring 72.33 in their opening skate.

A pair of emotional Skate Canada Hall of Fame ceremonies also highlighted the opening two days of competition.

Les Suprêmes ends nine-year run for NEXXICE at Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships

WATERLOO, Ont. – NEXXICE’s nine-year winning streak at the Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships is over.

Quebec’s Les Suprêmes, who led the reigning world champions by almost five points following Saturday’s short program, scored 143.19 in their free program Sunday for a two-day total of 217.42. NEXXICE finished second with 212.59, and Central Ontario’s Meraki (171.23) earned bronze.

It is the third Canadian title for Les Suprêmes, and first since 2004.

Both Les Suprêmes and NEXXICE qualify for the 2016 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships being held April 8-9 in Budapest, Hungary. Last year at the world championships in Hamilton, Ont., NEXXICE claimed their second world crown while Les Suprêmes placed sixth.

“We’ve worked very hard for this,” said Les Suprêmes coach Pascal Denis. “NEXXICE is a team that was (at the top) for many years.

“We had two great skates. They skated well both days, so we’re very happy about that.”

“It feels amazing,” said Les Suprêmes co-captain Claudia Sforzin. “Our goal was to lay out two strong performances and focus on the things we can control. The result is just a bonus. It’s surreal.”

“We were both really happy with our performances,” added Laurie Desilets, the team’s other captain. “It’s just an incredible feeling.”

NEXXICE’s run of nine straight titles began in 2007 and two years later they became the first Canadian team to win the World Synchronized Skating Championships. On Saturday, that 2009 team was the first synchronized skating team inducted into the Skate Canada Hall of Fame.

A day later, their record run was halted.

“The short program was not good, and it put us at a considerable disadvantage,” admitted NEXXICE coach Shelley Simonton Barnett.

“It was disappointing. The free was much stronger. It’s a very difficult program that’s developing, and there’s still more we can do with it.”

In the junior category, NEXXICE scored 168.00 to turn the tables and end Les Suprêmes’ own two-year national championship streak. Les Suprêmes’ (161.11) was second followed by Les Pirouettes (154.95).

Les Suprêmes went home with Novice gold with a total of 114.05 points, edging   NEXXICE (111.89) and Les Pirouettes (102.52).

Quebec-based teams ended up taking home gold in four of the five events in Waterloo.

On Saturday, NOVA claimed their sixth straight national Open title while Cassiopée were crowned Intermediate champions.

Canada’s best synchronized skaters headed to Waterloo for 2016 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships

OTTAWA, ON: Synchronized skating teams from across Canada are travelling to Waterloo, Ont., for the 2016 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships, taking place from February 19-21, 2016, at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex.

The event will host approximately 800 skaters and coaches on 40 teams competing for national titles in the senior, junior, open, intermediate and novice categories. The top two senior teams will represent Canada at the 2016 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships being held in Budapest, Hungary from April 8-9, 2016.

“We are eagerly looking forward to seeing Canada’s top synchronized skating teams performing on our nation’s biggest stage in Waterloo at the Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships,” said Dan Thompson, CEO Skate Canada. “Canadians have always been innovators in synchronized skating, and we have no doubt that this event will once again show how this discipline is flourishing in our country.”

Skate Canada will also be celebrating many accomplishments in the synchronized skating community with two inductions to the Skate Canada Hall of Fame. On Friday, February 19, Cathy Dalton will be inducted to the Hall of Fame in the builder category, and on Saturday, February 20, history will be made as the 2009 NEXXICE senior team becomes the first synchronized skating team to be inducted into the Skate Canada Hall of Fame, entering in the athlete category.

Skate Canada is proud to host nearly 500 students from local area schools on Friday, February 19 from 9:15 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. The Skate Canada School Program allows local area schools to come and watch synchronized skating live for free. Students are encouraged to get creative by making handmade posters to cheer on the skaters.

The following schools will be taking part in the Skate Canada School Program:

  • Baden Public School
  • Westmount Public School
  • Our Lady of Lourdes
  • R. Kaufman Public School

Tickets are available for purchase through the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex box office, which is open Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Three-day passes can be purchased for $46.50 for adults or $24 for children, and individual day passes can be purchased for $20 for adults or $10 for children. Entry is free for children five years and younger.

Waterloo to host 2016 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships

OTTAWA, ON: Waterloo, Ontario will be the host of the 2016 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships. The event will take place from February 19-21, 2016 at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex.

“Skate Canada is pleased to bring this event to Waterloo. After hosting the successful 2015 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships just down the road in Hamilton we hope to build on the excitement this sport has to offer Canadians,” said Dan Thompson, Skate Canada CEO. “This event brings fantastic skating and electric crowds. We know that with Waterloo’s vast skating community and great hosting infrastructure this championship will be another success.”

“We are delighted to host the Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships in one of our premier sports facilities,” said City of Waterloo Mayor Dave Jaworsky. “This community embraces sports, fitness and recreation, and we hope the athletes, coaches and spectators have a great time here. Best of luck to all competitors!”

The 2016 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships will bring approximately 40 teams and over 800 skaters from across the country to Waterloo.

Teams will compete for national titles in the senior, junior, open, intermediate and novice categories. The top two senior teams will represent Canada at the 2016 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships.