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Athlete Spotlight: Nam Nguyen

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Nam Nguyen

Q: Who or what is your biggest motivation?
Nam: The feeling of satisfaction after completing something for myself.

Q: Who is your celebrity crush?
Nam: Anna Kendrick

Q: What would you like people to remember about you?
Nam: I touched Drake’s hand.

Q: What’s your pet peeve?
Nam: When drivers drive too slow in the left lane, which is meant for passing other cars.

Q: What fictional character would you like to meet in real life and why?
Nam: Harry Potter. I want him to teach me how to defeat a basilisk.

Nguyen triumphs at U.S. International Figure Skating Classic

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SALT LAKE CITY – Nam Nguyen of Ajax, Ont., overcame a self-described ‘’disastrous’’ warm-up to win the gold medal in men’s competition Friday at the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic.

Nguyen earned 213.52 points with Michael Brezina of the Czech Republic second at 208.27 and Jimmy Ma of the U.S. third at 206.10.

‘’My warm-up was disastrous,’’ said Nguyen, who couldn’t have asked for a better start after finishing last season with a 25th place at the world championships. ‘’But I was able to regroup afterwards and get the job done.’’

‘’The first two-thirds of the program was solid with my two quads and triple Axel. Then the legs got really heavy. I almost cried going into the last jump because I was hurting so much.’’

In pairs, Camille Ruest of Rimouski, Que., and Drew Wolfe of Calgary placed fifth. Americans were 1-2 led by Ashley Can and Timothy Leduc.

Canada is also in medal contention in ice dancing and women’s competition.

Two-time Olympian Gabrielle Daleman of Newmarket, Ont., produced a clean program and is third after the women’s short program with 63.28. Satoko Miyahara of Japan leads at 67.53 and Eunsoo Lim of South Korea is second at 64.85

Haley Sales of Burnaby, B.C., and Nikolas Wamsteeker of Langley, B.C. are third after the short dance with 54.11. Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue of the U.S., are first at 79.11 and their compatriots Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko are second at 68.61.

Full results: 2018 U.S. International Figure Skating Classic

Patrick Chan fourth as Canada ends ISU Four Continents with four medals

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GANGNEUNG, South Korea – Three-time world champion Patrick Chan of Toronto took fourth spot in the men’s event on Sunday to conclude the ISU Four Continents figure skating competition.

Nathan Chen of the U.S. won the gold medal with 307.46 points, Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan was second at 303.71 and his compatriot Shoma Uno was third at 288.05. Chan, fifth after the short program, followed at 267.98.

‘’I need to work on my snap off the ice and being more efficient,’’ said Chan, who opened with successful quad toe-triple and triple Axel but struggled the rest of the way.  ‘’I’m looking forward to going back home and working on that. Those are also things that I can work on both on and off the ice.’’

Nam Nguyen of Toronto produced a strong free skate to jump from 13th after the short to eighth overall for a season’s best 237.08. His program included three quads. He fell on the first one but the rest of the skate was clean.

‘’My free program went really well,’’ said Nguyen. ‘’Especially since my practices leading up were not as successful. It’s great to go out there and show everyone I can put out my technical content and push my component elements.”

Kevin Reynolds of Coquitlam, B.C., remained in 12th place. He produced a strong second half after a difficult first couple of minutes.

‘’It was a tough opening to recover from,’’ said Reynolds. ‘’With each mistake you lose your energy and focus. But I thought I did as well as I could in the second half considering it was a disappointing performance.’’

Canada, which featured its team for next month’s world championships in Helsinki, ends the competition with four medals.

Tessa Virtue of London, Ont., and Scott Moir of Ilderton, Ont., took gold in ice dancing; Meagan Duhamel of Lively, Ont., and Eric Radford of Balmertown, Ont., and Lubov Ilyushechkina and Dylan Moscovitch of Toronto won silver and bronze in pairs and Gabrielle Daleman of Newmarket, Ont., added a silver in women’s competition.

The competition was held at the venue for next year’s Olympic Winter Games.

Full results: ISU Four Continents Championships 2017

Canadian team headed to Japan for final stop on ISU Grand Prix circuit

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OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada will send five entries, for a total of seven skaters to the sixth and final stop of the 2016-2017 ISU Grand Prix circuit, the 2016 NHK Trophy. Canada will have one entry per discipline in ladies, pairs and ice dance, and two entries in the men’s discipline. The event takes place from November 25-27, 2016, at the Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena in Sapporo, Japan.

Nam Nguyen, 18, Toronto, Ont., is the first of two Canadian men entries. This will be his first time competing at this event. This season, Nguyen placed fifth at the 2016 U.S. International Figure Skating Classic and sixth at Skate America. He is coached by David Glynn in San Jose, CA, USA.

Elladj Baldé, 26, Montreal, Que., is the second Canadian men entry. Baldé has previously placed sixth at this event in 2014 and 11th in 2015. This season, he placed eighth at his first event, the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic, followed by a sixth place finish at his first ISU Grand Prix of the season, the Rostelecom Cup. Baldé trains in Montreal, Que., with his coach Bruno Marcotte.

Canadian champion Alaine Chartrand, 20, Prescott, Ont., is the Canadian entry in the ladies category. This will be her first time competing at this event. She started this season winning the silver medal at the 2016 Autumn Classic International, and earned a fifth place finish at the 2016 Skate Canada International. Chartrand is coached by Michelle Leigh and Brian Orser.

Two-time World Champions and Olympic silver medallists (team) Meagan Duhamel, 30, Lively, Ont., and Eric Radford, 31, Balmertown, Ont., are the Canadian pair entry. They are two-time defending champions at this event. Duhamel and Radford won their first two competitions this season, the Finlandia Trophy and Skate Canada International. The five-time consecutive Canadian champions are coached by Richard Gauthier, Bruno Marcotte, and Sylvie Fullum in Saint-Léonard, Que.

Olympic and World champions Tessa Virtue, 27, London, Ont., and Scott Moir, 29, Ilderton, Ont., are the Canadian entry in ice dance. They previously competed at this event in 2007 and won the silver medal. In their return to competition this season, they won the gold medal at both the 2016 Autumn Classic International and the 2016 Skate Canada International. Virtue and Moir are coached by Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon in Montreal, Que.

Mike Slipchuk, Skate Canada High Performance Director, will travel with the team as team leader. Dr. Ed Pilat of Winnipeg, Man., and physiotherapist Mike McMurray of Oak Bluff, Man., will be the Canadian medial staff onsite. Leanna Caron of Timmins, Ont., and Reaghan Fawcett-Fortin of Aurora, Ont., will be the Canadian officials at the event.

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

CANADIAN ENTRIES AT 2016 NHK TROPHY

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Men Nam Nguyen 18 Toronto, Ont. Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club David Glynn
Men Elladj Baldé 26 Montreal, Que. CPA Anjou Kinsmen Bruno Marcotte
Ladies Alaine Chartrand 20 Prescott, Ont. Nepean Skating Club Michelle Leigh / Brian Orser
Pairs Meagan Duhamel / Eric Radford 30/31 Lively, Ont. / Balmertown, Ont. CPA Saint-Léonard / CPA Saint-Léonard Richard Gauthier / Bruno Marcotte / Sylvie Fullum
Ice Dance Tessa Virtue / Scott Moir 27/29 London, Ont. / Ilderton, Ont. Ilderton SC / Ilderton SC Marie-France Dubreuil / Patrice Lauzon

Canadian skaters begin 2016 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating at Skate America

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OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada will send three entries, for a total of four skaters to Skate America, the first event on this season’s ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating. Canada will have one entry per category in men’s, ladies, and pair. The competition, which is the first of six ISU Grand Prix stops, will take place from October 21-23, 2016, at the Sears Centre Arena in Chicago, IL, USA.

Nam Nguyen, 18, Toronto, Ont., is the Canadian entry in men’s. He previously won bronze at this event in 2014. Last season, Nguyen placed fifth at Skate Canada International, seventh at the Rostelecom Cup, 27th at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships and fourth at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. This season, he placed fifth at the 2016 U.S. International Figure Skating Classic. He is coached by David Glynn in San Jose, CA, USA.

Gabrielle Daleman, 18, Newmarket, Ont., will be the Canadian entry in ladies and will be competing at this event for the first time. Last season, she placed fifth at Skate Canada International, sixth at Trophée Éric Bompard, ninth at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships and won silver at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. Daleman won bronze at her first competition this season, the Nebelhorn Trophy. She is coached by Lee Barkell and Brian Orser in Toronto, Ont.

Julianne Séguin, 19, Longueuil, Que., and Charlie Bilodeau, 23, Trois-Pistoles, Que., will be the Canadian pair entry at the event. Last year, they won the bronze medal at this event. Séguin and Bilodeau also won bronze at Trophée Éric Bompard, placed fourth at the ISU Grand Prix Final and won the silver medal at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships last season. This season, they won gold at their first event, the 2016 Autumn Classic International. Séguin and Bilodeau are coached by Josée Picard in Chambly, Que.

Mike Slipchuk, Skate Canada High Performance Director, will be the Canadian team leader and physiotherapist Scott Fraser of Kingston, Ont., will be the Canadian medical staff onsite. André-Marc Allain of Gatineau, Que., and Cynthia Benson of Quispamsis, N.B., will be the Canadian officials at the event.

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

CANADIAN ENTRIES AT 2016 SKATE AMERICA

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Mens Nam Nguyen 18 Toronto, Ont. Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club David Glynn
Ladies Gabrielle Daleman 18 Newmarket, Ont. Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club Lee Barkell / Brian Orser
Pair Julianne Séguin / Charlie Bilodeau 19/23 Longueuil, Que. / Trois-Pistoles, Que. CPA Longueuil / CPA Chambly Josée Picard

Canadian skaters in Salt Lake City for U.S. International Figure Skating Classic

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OTTAWA, ON: Canada will have eight entries, for a total of 11 skaters at the 2016 U.S. International Figure Skating Classic, the second event on the International Skating Union’s (ISU) 2016 Challenger Series. Canada will have three entries in men’s, two entries per discipline in ladies and ice dance, and one entry in pair at the event which runs from September 14-18, 2016, in Salt Lake City, UT.

Nam Nguyen, 18, Toronto, Ont., is the first of three Canadian entries in men’s. This will be the 2015 Canadian Champion’s first time competing at this event. Last season, Nguyen placed fifth at Skate Canada International, seventh at the Rostelecom Cup, 27th at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships and fourth at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. He is coached by David Glynn in San Jose, CA, USA.

Elladj Baldé, 25, Montreal, Que., will be the second Canadian entry in the men’s category and will also be competing at this event for the first time. Last season, he won gold at the Nebelhorn Trophy, placed 11th at both the Cup of China and NHK Tophy, and placed seventh at the Canadian championships. Baldé trains in Montreal, Que., with coaches Bruno Marcotte and Manon Perron.

Mitchell Gordon, 20, Vancouver, B.C., will be the third entry in men’s for Canada. Last season, Gordon placed eighth at the 2015 Autumn Classic International and 13th at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. Gordon is coached by Joanne McLeod, Neil Wilson, Eileen Murphy and Keegan Murphy and represents the Connaught Skating Club.

Véronik Mallet, 22, Sept-Îles, Que., is one of two Canadian entries in the ladies division. Mallet finished ninth at this event in 2015. Last season, the representative of CPA Sept-Îles also placed 10th at Skate Canada International, 14th at the ISU Four Continents championships and fourth at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. Mallet is coached by Annie Barabé at CTC Varennes.

Kim Decelles, 18, Baie-Comeau, Que., is the second Canadian entry in the ladies discipline. Last season, she placed ninth at the ISU Junior Grand Prix in Croatia. The representative of CPA Baie-Comeau also placed 10th in the junior women’s category at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. She is coached by Yvan Desjardins and Violaine Émard at CPA Baie-Comeau.

Brittany Jones, 20, Toronto, Ont., and Joshua Reagan, 26, Toronto, Ont., will be the Canadian entry in pair. Jones and Reagan placed fourth at this event in 2014. Last season, they placed fourth at the 2015 Autumn Classic International and sixth at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. Jones and Reagan are coached by Bryce Davison and represent Hamilton SC.

Three-time Canadian bronze medallists Alexandra Paul, 24, Midhurst, Ont., and Mitchell Islam, 26, Barrie, Ont., are one of two Canadian entries in ice dance. In 2012, they won silver at this event. Last season, Paul and Islam won silver at the Nebelhorn Trophy, placed sixth at the 2015 Skate Canada International, and placed fourth at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. The representatives of Barrie SC train in Montreal, Que., with coaches Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon and Romain Haguenauer.

Canadian junior champions Mackenzie Bent, 19, Uxbridge, Ont., and Dmitre Razgulajevs, 19, Ajax, Ont., are the second Canadian entry in ice dance. In their first season competing together, the representatives of Uxbridge SC and Scarboro FSC won silver at the ISU Junior Grand Prix in the United States, placed sixth at the ISU Junior Grand Prix in Spain, and placed ninth at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships. They are coached by Carol Lane, Jon Lane, and Juris Razgulajevs at Ice Dance Elite at Scarboro FSC.

Paige Lawrence of Kennedy, Sask., will be the Canadian team leader at the event and physiotherapist Karen Seymour of Toronto, Ont., will be the Canadian medical staff onsite. Susan Morriss of Victoria, B.C., and Pam Chislett of Grand Prairie, Alta., will be the Canadian officials at the event.

For more information and full entries please visit www.isu.org.

CANADIAN ENTRIES AT 2016 U.S. INTERNATIONAL FIGURE SKATING CLASSIC

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Mens Nam Nguyen 18 Toronto, Ont. Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club David Glynn
Mens Elladj Baldé 25 Montreal, Que. CPA Anjou Kinsmen Bruno Marcotte / Manon Perron
Mens Mitchell Gordon 20 Vancouver, B.C. Connaught Skating Club Joanne McLeod / Neil Wilson / Eileen Murphy / Keegan Murphy
Ladies Véronik Mallet 22 Sept- Îles, Que. CPA Sept-Îles Annie Barabé / Maximin Coïa
Ladies Kim Decelles 18 Baie-Comeau, Que. CPA Baie Comeau Yvan Desjardins / Violaine Émard
Pair Brittany Jones / Joshua Reagan 20/26 Toronto, Ont. / Toronto, Ont. Hamilton SC / Hamilton SC Bryce Davison
Ice Dance Alexandra Paul / Mitchell Islam 24/26 Midhurst, Ont. / Barrie, Ont. Barrie SC / Barrie SC Marie-France Dubreuil / Patrice Lauzon / Romain Haguenauer
Ice Dance Mackenzie Bent / Dmitre Razgulajevs 19/19 Uxbridge, Ont. / Ajax, Ont. Uxbridge SC / Scarboro FSC Carol Lane / Jon Lane / Juris Razgulajevs

Skate Canada Announces 2016-2017 National Team

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OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada is pleased to announce the 2016-2017 National Team. The team is comprised of 28 senior members, which includes five men, five women, four pair teams and five ice dance teams.

To be named to the National Team a skater must finish in the top five in senior singles, pair and ice dance disciplines at the Canadian Tire National Skating Championships, or be added at the discretion of the Skate Canada. These skaters may be considered to represent Canada at international competitions.

Their appointment to the national team is effective from June 1, 2016 through to April 30, 2017. Skate Canada also announced the three teams that will make up the Skate Canada Synchronized Skating National Team.

MEN
Patrick Chan, 25, Toronto, Ont.
Liam Firus, 23, North Vancouver, B.C.
Kevin Reynolds, 25, Coquitlam, B.C.
Nam Nguyen, 18, Toronto, Ont.
Nicolas Nadeau, 18, Boisbriand, Que.

WOMEN
Alaine Chartrand, 20, Prescott, Ont.
Gabrielle Daleman, 18, Newmarket, Ont.
Kaetlyn Osmond, 20, Marystown, Nfld. & Sherwood Park, Alta.
Véronik Mallet, 22, Sept-Iles, Que.
Michelle Long, 24, Newmarket, Ont.

PAIR
Meagan Duhamel, 30, Lively, Ont. & Eric Radford, 31, Balmertown, Ont.
Julianne Séguin, 19, Longueuil, Que. & Charlie Bilodeau, 22, Trois-Pistoles, Que.
Lubov Ilyushechkina, 24, Moscow, Russia & Dylan Moscovitch, 31, Toronto, Ont.
Kirsten Moore-Towers, 24, St. Catharines, Ont. & Michael Marinaro, 24, Sarnia, Ont.

ICE DANCE
Kaitlyn Weaver, 27, Waterloo, Ont. & Andrew Poje, 29, Waterloo, Ont.
Piper Gilles, 24, Toronto, Ont. & Paul Poirier, 24, Unionville, Ont.
Élisabeth Paradis, 23, Loretteville, Que. & François-Xavier Ouellette, 23, Laval, Que.
Alexandra Paul, 24, Midhurst, Ont. & Mitchell Islam, 26, Barrie, Ont.
Tessa Virtue, 27, London, Ont. & Scott Moir, 28, Ilderton, Ont.

SYNCHRONIZED SKATING
Les Suprêmes, of CPA Saint-Léonard
NEXXICE, of the Burlington Skating Centre
Meraki, of the Leaside Skating Club

Nam Nguyen Makes Coaching Change

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OTTAWA, ON: 2015 Canadian Champion Nam Nguyen, 17, Toronto, Ont., has made a coaching and training location change. Nguyen will be relocating to San Jose, California, USA to train with coach David Glynn.

“After a difficult season of not achieving my goals I needed a fresh start,” said Nguyen. “I am thankful for all that Brian and Ernest have taught me over my years with them. I am looking forward to training in a new environment and to working towards my goals for next season with David in San Jose.”

Nguyen had trained with Brian Orser and Ernest Pryhitka at the Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club since 2012.

“After careful consideration and discussion with Nam’s parents, we believe a new start will be best for Nam. The move to David Glynn is a good fit,” said Brian Orser. “I wish Nam all the best and I am confident he will rise again.”

Nguyen will relocate to San Jose in May.

Team North America Ready to Compete at the 2016 KOSÉ Team Challenge Cup

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SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, USA: For the first time ever, skaters from Skate Canada and U.S. Figure Skating will come together to compete as Team North America at the inaugural KOSÉ Team Challenge Cup. The event will be held April 22-24 at the Spokane Arena in Spokane, Washington, USA.

Team North America will consist of four Canadian and six American entries for a total of 10 entries and 14 skaters in total.

TEAM NORTH AMERICA – 2016 KOSÉ TEAM CHALLENGE CUP

Discipline Name Hometown Training Town Country
Ladies Gabrielle Daleman Newmarket, Ontario Toronto, Ontario CAN
Ladies Gracie Gold Hermosa Beach, California El Segundo, California USA
Ladies Ashley Wagner Alexandria, Virginia Los Angeles, California USA
Men Jason Brown Highland Park, Illinois Monument, Colorado USA
Men Nam Nguyen Toronto, Ontario Toronto, Ontario CAN
Men Adam Rippon Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania Los Angeles, California USA
Pairs Meagan Duhamel / Eric Radford Lively, Ontario / Balmertown, Ontario Montreal, Quebec CAN
Pairs Alexa Scimeca / Chris Knierim Addison, Illinois / San Diego, California Colorado Springs, Colorado USA
Ice Dance Madison Chock / Evan Bates Redondo Beach, California / Ann Arbor, Michigan Novi, Michigan USA
Ice Dance Kaitlyn Weaver / Andrew Poje Kitchener, Ontario Bloomfield Hills, Michigan CAN

An ISU-sanctioned event, the Team Challenge Cup will feature 42 figure skaters competing in a continental team competition (Team Asia vs. Team Europe vs. Team North America). Each Team will consist of three ladies, three men, two pairs teams and two ice dance teams. ISU World Standings (as of Jan. 1, 2016) and the Captain’s Pick Fan Vote were used to determine Team Challenge Cup athletes.

Each team will have a Team Captain, a legend of the sport, who will not compete but help determine team strategy. Team North America will be captained by American Kristi Yamaguchi, the 1992 Olympic champion. Great Britain’s Christopher Dean, the 1984 Olympic ice dance champion with partner Jayne Torvill, will captain Team Europe and Japan’s Shizuka Arakawa, the 2006 Olympic champion, will captain Team Asia.

The Team Challenge Cup will feature two days of competition, opening Friday night with the singles competition as the ladies and men compete in head-to-head matchups for more than $100,000 in prize money. Saturday’s Team Competition (all disciplines) will feature an aggregate scoring format to determine the 2016 Team Challenge Cup winner with a prize purse of nearly $500,000, for a total prize purse of $617,000 (US Dollars).

For more information, please visit 2016 KOSÉ Team Challenge Cup.

Patrick Chan stands third after short program at ISU Worlds

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BOSTON – Canada’s Patrick Chan is in third place after the men’s short program on Wednesday at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships.

Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan neared his world record score totalling 110.56 points to give himself a 12-point cushion heading into the free skate.  Defending champion Javier Fernandez of Spain is second at 98.52 and Chan follows at 94.84.

Chan, a three-time world champion from Toronto, opened with a perfect quad-triple toe combination but did fall on his triple Axel.

‘’I’m not disappointed at all,’’ said Chan, who sat out last season and hadn’t competed at the previous two worlds. ‘’It was a great achievement to do that quad-triple opening. I felt great going into the Axel but I just rushed it a little bit. I know what I did wrong.’’

At the ISU Four Continents Championships last month, Chan roared from fifth after the short to the gold.

‘’Third is a great spot going into the long program,’’ he said. ‘’The Four Continents is a great example of not being on top after the short and focusing on the long.’’

Seventeen-year-old Nam Nguyen of Toronto was 27th and did not qualify for the free skate set for Friday.

Logjam at top of ice dance standings

In ice dancing, less than six points separate the top-six after the short dance.

Defending champions Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France lead at 76.29, Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani of the U.S. are second at 74.70 and their compatriots Madison Chock and Evan Bates are third at 72.46.

Grand Prix Final champions Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Waterloo, Ont., are fourth at 71.83 and Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Toronto fifth with a personal best 70.70.

“We skated really well it was one of our best short dances this season,” said Weaver. “Where the disconnect was between that and our score I am not sure. But that’s not under our control and we gave it everything we had.”

Poje says the result won’t alter their free dance on Friday.

“We have a game plan for these worlds and that’s going out there and doing two solid performances.”

Gilles and Poirier tinkered with their Beatles-themed music after their fifth place finish at the ISU Four Continents last month.

“That was a big risk,” said Poirier. “It only gave us three and half weeks to get this program together. The choices we made all paid off and we got straight level fours. It’s been a roller coaster season and we’ve shown a lot of resiliency.”

Gilles said the previous short dance wasn’t connecting with the judges.

“We weren’t getting the levels we wanted all season,” she said. “We kept getting different feedback so we went back to music that was more fluid. We really want to end this season on a happy note.”

Elisabeth Paradis of Loretteville, Que., and François Xavier-Ouellette of Mascouche, Que., were 23rd. The top-20 from the short dance advanced to the free skate.

Competition continues Thursday with the free dance and women’s short program.

Full results: ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2016

MEET CANADA’S WORLD TEAM: MEN

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Patrick Chan

Patrick Chan

Call him skating’s version of the GR8 Eight. Making his comeback after a one-year- hiatus, Patrick didn’t miss a step, claiming his eighth Canadian championship in Halifax two months ago. Patrick joins Brian Orser with eight national titles, one behind Montgomery Wilson, and heads to Boston in search of his fourth world title. He was simply dominant in the free program at the Four Continents championship in February, roaring back from fifth spot to take gold, and marked his return to the competitive scene with a win at Skate Canada International in October.

DID YOU KNOW: In the summer of 2015, Patrick launched his own ice wine named, not surprisingly, “On Ice.” Looking to the future, the eight-time Canadian champion – who is fluent in English, French and Cantonese – plans to pursue a B.A. in Economics, Business and International Language.

FUN FACT: Prior to his comeback, Patrick took up skydiving after Joannie Rochette, an accomplished skydiver herself, talked him into it. “I was very scared,” says Patrick with a laugh. “I contemplated life, but it was worth it.”

Nam Nguyen

Nam Nguyen

OK, so his title defense at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships didn’t go as planned, as Nam ended up fourth. But don’t be surprised if the youngster bounces back in Boston. It’s only been a year since Nam was in ninth spot after the short program at the world figure skating championships before laying down a near-flawless free to rocket up to fifth.

Canadian silver medallist Liam Firus pulled out of worlds with an injury, so the 2014 world junior champion gets his chance to make up for his disappointment in Halifax.

Long before stealing the show at the 2011 Canadian junior championships in Victoria, B.C., Nam was on a fast-track to stardom. During the figure skating gala at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, men’s gold medallist Evan Lysacek introduced the then-11-year-old, who went on to dazzle the capacity crowd at Pacific Coliseum.

DID YOU KNOW: In Japan, Nam and reigning Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu – who both train under Brian Orser at Toronto’s Cricket Club – are known as the “Cricket Brothers.”

FUN FACT: Nam claims to be able to put 21 marshmallows in his mouth at once.

Canadian team prepared for 2016 ISU World Figure Skating Championships

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OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada will send 10 entries for a total of 16 skaters to the 2016 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Boston, MA, USA, from March 28 – April 3. Canada will have two entries per category in men’s and ladies and three entries per category in pair and ice dance.

Three-time World Champion and double Olympic silver medallist (men’s and team) Patrick Chan, 25, Toronto, Ont., is the first of two Canadian entries in men’s. Chan returns to the world championships for the first time since 2013, when he won gold. In his return to competition this season, the representative of the Granite Club won gold at Skate Canada International, placed fifth at Trophée Éric Bompard, fourth at the ISU Grand Prix Final, and won gold at the ISU Four Continents Championships. The eight time Canadian champion is coached by Kathy Johnson and trains at the Detroit Skating Club.

Nam Nguyen, 17, Toronto, Ont., will be the second Canadian entry in men’s. Last season, he placed fifth at this event, and in 2014, he placed 12th. This season, Nguyen placed fifth at Skate Canada International, seventh at the Rostelecom Cup and fourth at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. He is coached by Brian Orser and Ernest Pryhitka at the Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club.

Canadian Champion Alaine Chartrand, 19, Prescott, Ont., is one of two Canadian entries in the ladies category. Last year, Chartrand placed 11th at this event. This season, she placed 12th at Skate America, sixth at the Rostelecom Cup and 11th at the ISU Four Continents Championships. The representative of the Nepean Skating Club is coached by Michelle Leigh and Brian Orser.

Gabrielle Daleman, 18, Newmarket, Ont., will be the second Canadian entry in ladies. Daleman placed 21st at this event in 2015 and 13th in 2014. Earlier this season, she placed fifth at Skate Canada International, sixth at Trophée Éric Bompard at won silver at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. Daleman is coached by Lee Barkell and Brian Orser at the Toronto Cricket, Skating & Curling Club.

Defending World Champions and Olympic silver medallists (team) Meagan Duhamel, 30, Lively, Ont., and Eric Radford, 31, Balmertown, Ont., lead the Canadian entries in pairs. The representatives of CPA Saint-Léonard have previously competed at this event five times, winning medals the past three years. This season, they won gold at Skate Canada International and at the NHK Trophy, and won silver at the ISU Grand Prix Final. The five-time consecutive Canadian champions are coached by Richard Gauthier, Bruno Marcotte, and Sylvie Fullum.

Lubov Ilyushechkina, 24, Moscow, Russia, and Dylan Moscovitch, 31, Toronto, Ont., are the second Canadian pair entry at the event. Last year, they placed 13th at the World Championships. Earlier this season, the representatives of the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club placed seventh at the Cup of China, fifth at the NHK Trophy and fifth at the ISU Four Continents Championships. The two time Canadian medallists are coached by Lee Barkell, Bryce Davison and Tracy Wilson.

Kirsten Moore-Towers, 23, St. Catharines, Ont., and Michael Marinaro, 24, Sarnia, Ont., are the third Canadian entry in pair. This will be their first time competing at this event. Earlier this season, Moore-Towers and Marinaro won bronze at Skate Canada International, placed seventh at the Rostelecom Cup and placed fourth at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. The representatives of Kitchener-Waterloo SC and Point Edward SC are coached by Bruno Marcotte, Richard Gauthier, Sylvie Fullum, Julie Marcotte and Cynthia Lemaire at CPA Saint-Léonard.

Two-time world medallists Kaitlyn Weaver, 26, Toronto, Ont., and Andrew Poje, 29, Waterloo, Ont., are the first of three Canadian entries in ice dance. This will be their eighth time competing at this event; last year, they won the bronze medal. This season, the representatives of Sault FSC and Kitchener-Waterloo SC won gold at Skate Canada International, Rostelecom Cup and the ISU Grand Prix Final, and won bronze at the ISU Four Continents Championships. Weaver and Poje also won their second consecutive Canadian title. They are coached by Angelika Krylova, Pasquale Camerlengo and Shae-Lynn Bourne in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Canadian silver medallists Piper Gilles, 24, Toronto, Ont., and Paul Poirier, 24, Unionville, Ont., will be the second Canadian entry in ice dance. This will be their fourth time competing at this event, at which they placed sixth in 2015. This season, they won bronze at Skate America, silver at Trophée Éric Bompard and placed fifth at the ISU Four Continents Championships. The representatives of Scarboro FSC also won their second consecutive Canadian silver medal. Gilles and Poirier are coached by Carol Lane and Juris Razgulajevs at Ice Dance Elite in Scarborough, Ont.

Canadian bronze medallists Élisabeth Paradis, 23, Loretteville, Que., and François-Xavier Ouellette, 24, Laval, Que., are the final Canadian entry in ice dance. This will be their first time competing at this event. Earlier this season, the representatives of CPA Loretteville and CPA Les Lames D’Argent De Laval Inc. placed eighth at Skate Canada International, sixth at the ISU Four Continents Championships and won their first Canadian medal (bronze) at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. They are coached by Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon and Romain Haguenauer.

Skate Canada High Performance Director Mike Slipchuk will be the team leader along with Cynthia Ullmark of Canmore, Alta. Dr. Bob Brock of Toronto, Ont., and physiotherapist Agnes Makowski, also of Toronto, Ont., will be the Canadian medical staff onsite. Andrea Derby of Windsor, Ont., Jean Senft of West Vancouver, B.C., and Benoit Lavoie of Baie St-Paul, Que., will be the Canadian officials at the event.

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

CANADIAN ENTRIES AT 2016 ISU WORLD FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Mens Patrick Chan 25 Toronto, Ont. Granite Club Kathy Johnson
Mens Nam Nguyen 17 Toronto, Ont. Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club Brian Orser / Ernest Pryhitka
Ladies Alaine Chartrand 19 Prescott, Ont. Nepean Skating Club Michelle Leigh / Brian Orser
Ladies Gabrielle Daleman 18 Newmarket, Ont. Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club Lee Barkell / Brian Orser
Pair Meagan Duhamel / Eric Radford 30/31 Lively, Ont. / Balmertown, Ont. CPA Saint-Léonard / CPA Saint-Léonard Richard Gauthier / Bruno Marcotte / Sylvie Fullum
Pair Lubov Ilyushechkina / Dylan Moscovitch 24/31 Moscow, Russia / Toronto, Ont. Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club / Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club Lee Barkell / Bryce Davison / Tracy Wilson
Pair Kirsten Moore-Towers / Michael Marinaro 23/24 St. Catharines, Ont. / Sarnia, Ont. Kitchener-Waterloo SC / Point Edward SC Inc. Bruno Marcotte / Richard Gauthier / Sylvie Fullum / Julie Marcotte / Cynthia Lemaire
Ice Dance Kaitlyn Weaver / Andrew Poje 26/29 Toronto, Ont. / Waterloo, Ont. Sault FSC / Kitchener-Waterloo SC Angelika Krylova / Pasquale Camerlengo / Shae-Lynn Bourne
Ice Dance Piper Gilles / Paul Poirier 24/24 Toronto, Ont. / Unionville, Ont. Scarboro FSC / Scarboro FSC Carol Lane / Juris Razgulajevs
Ice Dance Élisabeth Paradis / François-Xavier Ouellette 23/24 Loretteville, Que. / Laval, Que. CPA Loretteville / CPA Les Lames d’Argent de Laval Inc. Marie-France Dubreuil / Patrice Lauzon / Romain Haguenauer