(May 14, 2007)

The Canadian ice dancing landscape has changed for the 2007-2008 competitive season.

Five-time Canadian Ice Dance Champions Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon have decided not to compete during the 2007-2008 season. The duo, from Montreal, will instead remain active in skating by performing in shows.

Dubreuil and Lauzon, two time world silver medallists, plan on returning to competition for the pre-Olympic and Olympic season.

“(Coach) Muriel feels that we are not finished with our career and that we should give the Olympics another try,” said Lauzon. “So on her advice, we’ll take a sabbatical and do shows, but we’ll plan on doing the pre-Olympic and Olympic season.”

The 2006-2007 competitive season was a good one for Dubreuil and Lauzon. In addition to capturing the silver medal at the 2007 world championships, they were crowned the ISU Four Continents Champions and won gold at both of their ISU Grand Prix assignments, the 2006 HomeSense Skate Canada International and the 2006 NHK Trophy. They also captured the silver medal at the ISU Grand Prix Final.

Skate Canada congratulates Marie-France and Patrice on their outstanding season, and wishes them the best in their season off from competition.