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Canadian records for Gilles/Poirier and Daleman at Skate Canada Challenge

PIERREFONDS, Que. – Gabrielle Daleman of Newmarket, Ont., as well as ice dancers Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Toronto broke Canadian records in golden performances Sunday at the Skate Canada Challenge.

In ice dancing, Gilles and Poirier tabulated a national mark 196.58 points. Carolane Soucisse of Chateauguay, Que., and Shane Firus of Barrie, Ont., were second at 167.78 and Haley Sales of Burnaby, B.C., and Nicolas Wamsteeker of Langley, B.C., third at 147.72.

“We made a lot of improvements,” said Gilles. “We wanted to build our confidence going into nationals and it was mission accomplished. The Canadian record in just icing on the cake.”

The couple feel they have chance to make a big step this year.

“We have so much confidence,” said Poirier. “We are just really proud of the material we’ve been able to put together and we’ve prepared ourselves well for success this season. We’ve learned so much from the previous seasons that it’s just allowed us to present our best selves. The programs will just grow even more.”

In women’s competition, Daleman tabulated 208.85 for a national record with Sarah Tamura of Vancouver second at 166.45 and Alicia Pineault of Varennes, Que., third at 147.72.

“There’s still so much that be can be improved going into nationals and that’s a great feeling,” said Daleman. “I focused on this being the final stage before the Canadian championships to determine what’s good and what needs to be improved on.”

The competition attracted over 500 skaters from across Canada with competition also being held in the novice and pre-novice categories. Skate Canada Challenge is the sole qualifying event for novice, junior, and senior skaters to earn entries to the 2017 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships January 16-22 in Ottawa.

Full results: 2017 Skate Canada Challenge

Moore-Towers and Marinaro take gold at Skate Canada Challenge

PIERREFONDS, Que. – Kirsten Moore-Towers of St. Catharines, Ont., and Michael Marinaro of Sarnia, Ont., won the gold medal in pairs at the Skate Challenge figure skating competition.

Moore-Towers and Marinaro earned 193.50 points for their victory on Friday with Brittany Jones and Joshua Reagan of Oakville, Ont., second at 165.38 and Camille Ruest of Boucherville, Que., and Andrew Wolfe of Montreal third at 142.78.

‘’We need mileage at this point,’’ said Moore-Towers. ‘’The long was really only are fourth run-through this season so we’re picking that up and getting back into things as quickly as possible.’’

In men’s competition, Joseph Phan of Laval, Que., took top spot with 197.94, Bennet Toman of Brampton, Ont., was second at 192.81 and Mitchell Gordon of Vancouver third at 188.83.

‘’I didn’t skate to my expectations,’’ said Phan. ‘’I made some mistakes that I shouldn’t have.’’

In junior ice dancing, Marjore Lajoie and Zachary Lagha of Quebec were the victors with 153.86. Valerie Taillefer and Jason Chan of Quebec were second at 134.22 and Ashlynne Stairs and Lee Royer of B.C./Yukon third at 133.84.

“We felt comfortable and ready to compete,” said Lajoie. “We need to continue to work hard. Our transition parts and expression were better.”

In junior pairs, Evelyn Walsh and Trennt Michaud of Eastern Ontario won the gold medal with 151.90 points. Lori-Ann Matte and Thierry Ferland of Quebec were second at 147.16 and Olivia Boys-Eddy and Mackenzie Boys-Eddie of Central Ontario third at 125.16.

“It feels good, we skated well,’’ said Michaud. ‘’One of our main challenges this week was to do our triple twist in the short program for the first time in competition and we were glad to get that done. It’s big step towards hopefully competing at the junior worlds.’’

In junior women, it was a medal sweep by the B.C./Yukon division with Olivia Gran placing first, Emily Bausback second and Mckenna Colthorp third.

The competition has attracted over 500 skaters from across Canada with competition also being held in the novice and pre-novice categories. Skate Canada Challenge is the sole qualifying event for novice, junior, and senior skaters to earn entries to the 2017 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships January 16-22 in Ottawa.

Full results: 2017 Skate Canada Challenge

Canadian skaters headed to Montreal for 2017 Skate Canada Challenge

OTTAWA, ON: Over 500 skaters from across Canada are headed to Montreal, Que., for the 2017 Skate Canada Challenge. This year’s event will be taking place from November 30-December 4, 2016, at the Sportplexe Pierrefonds.

Skate Canada Challenge is the sole qualifying event for novice, junior, and senior skaters to earn entries to the 2017 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships taking place in Ottawa, Ont., from January 16-22, 2017. Skaters qualified for the 2017 Skate Canada Challenge by advancing through their local sectional championships.

The 2017 Skate Canada Challenge will also see the crowning of the 2017 Canadian Pre-Novice Champions in men, women, pairs, and ice dance.

Many national team members are entered in the senior competition including: 2016 Canadian silver medallist Liam Firus, 24, North Vancouver, B.C. (senior men), 2015 Canadian champion Nam Nguyen, 18, Toronto, Ont. (senior men), 2015 Canadian champion Gabrielle Daleman, 18, Newmarket, Ont. (senior women), Michelle Long, 24, Newmarket, Ont. (senior women), 2016 Canadian silver medallists Julianne Séguin, 20, Longueuil, Que., and Charlie Bilodeau, 23, Trois-Pistoles, Que. (senior pair), Kirsten Moore-Towers, 23, St. Catharines, Ont., and Michael Marinaro, 24, Sarnia, Ont. (senior pair), and Piper Gilles, 24, Toronto, Ont., and Paul Poirier, 25, Unionville, Ont. (senior ice dance).

Local Montreal skating clubs will have a large contingent at the event with a total of 28 entries across all categories and disciplines, including three senior entries, seven junior entries, eight novice entries and 10 pre-novice entries.

For schedule, entries and start orders please click here.

General admission tickets will be available for purchase at the Sportplexe Pierrefonds throughout the event. All-event tickets are $50, and day tickets will be available for purchase for $20. Admission is free for children ages 12 and under.

Media who have not already applied for accreditation are asked to contact Allan Gordon, Communications Coordinator. He will be the media contact at the event and can be reached onsite at 613.697.1354 or at [email protected].