Canada’s Sadovsky in medal contention at ISU Junior Grand Prix

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TALLIN, Estonia – Canada’s Roman Sadovsky heads in to Saturday’s men’s free skate with an opportunity to win Canada’s first medal this season in the ISU Junior Grand Prix figure skating circuit.

The 17-year-old from Vaughn, Ont., is in third spot after nearing his personal best score with 71.96 points. Vincent Zhou of the U.S. is first with 78.10 and Alexander Samarin of Russia second at 73.36.

Samuel Turcotte of Varennes, Que., is 11th.

The pairs free skate was held on Friday and Australians Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya and Harley Windsor took the gold medal.

Hannah Dawson of Johnstown, Ont., and Christian Reekie of Ottawa were ninth while Evelyn Walsh of London, Ont., and Trennt Michaud of Strathroy, Ont., were 11th.

In women’s competition, Russian skaters were 1-2 with Polina Tsurskaya taking the gold and Elizaveta Nugumanova the silver.

Emily Bausback of Vancouver was 13th.

In ice dancing after the short dance, Hannah Whitley of Barrie, Ont., and Elliott Graham of Angus, Ont., are fifth while Irina Galiyanova of Ajax, Ont., and Tommy Tang of Toronto are 12th.

Competition ends Saturday with the men’s free skate and the free dance.

Full results: ISU JGP Tallinn Cup 2016

Behind the Blades with Paul Poirier: Nebelhorn Trophy 2016

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My dearest Oberstdorf, where to begin?

It was my first week back to the charming alpine town in nearly 10 years (last time was for Junior Worlds in 2007); I was not disappointed. After many hours on the plane, a few in a van, there she was, as quaint as I remembered. We were lodged at the Hotel Mohren, across from the church. Oberstdorf can easily be navigated via landmarks: “turn right at the ice cream shop,” or perhaps “walk towards the ski jump and eventually you’ll end up at the rink.”

poirier-pic1In all we were a Canadian team of six ready to trek up the cow-dung-laden streets to the Eissportzentrum where we began our international season. Everyone was provided with two practices on Wednesday, and an ample time to get oriented. Our coach Carol, Piper and I completed our day by meeting the ISU committee to clarify details on our pattern dance (which is slowly coming along, name still TBD).

Competition days are rather boring. Besides the odd bit of skating we spend most of our time couped up in a room being nervous, napping, or going for a walk to avoid cabin fever.

The competition was a success for both Piper and I, and the Canadian team as a whole; we brought home the Nebelhorn Trophy for best overall team. Luckily, as we were the first to finish, Piper and I had the opportunity to enjoy the performances of our teammates stress-free.

poirier-pic2In way of celebration on Friday night, Carol and our dear friend Ingeborg brought us to a restaurant above the rink for some Bavarian käsespätzle (egg noodles with sharp cheese and fried onions). Piper and I also managed to hike the Nebelhorn (foghorn) mountain via cable car on Saturday to enjoy the view before hustling back down to skate in the gala.

After a full week of rich memories, it was already time to go home. To end I’ll share with you a few things I learned about Oberstdorf during my stay:

  1. There are approximately 19 cows in Oberstdorf. On Wednesday there was a big celebration as the cows were brought back into town from the mountains – alas, I was sleeping in!
  2. The cable car crosses into Austria and then crosses back into Germany.
  3. Oberstdorf continues its reign for having the #1 breakfast (because I must write about food).
  4. Oberstdorf is the only place I’ve been to where I can wear lederhosen in public and not get stared at – yes, I tried!

More to come!

Paul

Behind the Blades with Lubov Ilyushechkina: Nebelhorn Trophy 2016

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Hi everyone!

I’m excited to announce my first blog. Here I’d like to share with you some inside information about being a figure skater, sharing moments from our routine, memorable events and so forth.

Germany was the only country left, on the places I wanted to visit. Either a big city or a small town I was looking forward to complete my wish-to-visit-countries list.

Dylan and I stayed in a sophisticated european style hotel in the centre of Obersdorf. The impression of the town was positive, from the old-fashioned architectural buildings, friendly windows sprinkled by flowers to the winding streets paved by massive rocks. Men of all ages dressed up as cowboys as they followed the herd of cows from the mountain across the town. The enviroment was breathing by a charm and an antiquity brought through the time.

The weather was very nice. You know that feeling when you wake up, open the window, slowly breath in the fresh morning air, raise your hands up and your lips start stretching in the joyful smile? That’s how four of my mornings had started except the last one, when we left before the sunrise. That definitely set the mood to enjoy every single day.

I’m already missing you, Obersdorf! @NebelhornTrophy2016 @lindamoscovitch thanks for the picture!

A photo posted by Lubov Ilyushechkina (@lubov_ilyushechkina) on

With all of this positive and relaxing enviroment, I did not feel nervous or worried. The practices went well – we were consistent with our elements, trusted our training and all our hard work. Our coach Lee Barkell, said: “Nothing more, nothing less. You dont need an extra effort.” Isn’t that great advice?

We went to do the run through with the feeling of lightness and enjoyment from the beginning to the end of each program. The goal was to make all the elements look like one action with the choreography, transitions and emotions. Training does not compare to the experience you’ll get from competition, considering the adrenaline rush and unexpected change of plans.  So we wanted to see how all the patterns, tricks and skating worked under the pressure. Here is a good thing, it didn’t change much. Each program felt like one motion with it’s own character. We were happy about our performance and received a lot of positive feedback about the elements, programs and outfits. Of course there is always more to improve. But this is the beginning of the season, and I’m sure that the next time you will see a better version of ourselves.

One more thing I want to mention that is very important to me is our award. We had our award ceremony after the long program and then we had a team award. In total with the overall score, #TeamCanada came first in this competition. I’m so proud to know I was  part of this great success! The country I love, won!

I was honored to go to the team award ceremony and to hold the Trophy. I was glowing of triumph while listening to “O, Canada.” And this is only the beginning.

I hope my little story lasted some tender emotions in your hearts like Obersdorf left in mine. Wish you only the best and positive emotions, just like Germany gave me.

Take care!
Always yours,

Lubov Ilyushechkina

Skate Canada sends skaters to Ondrej Nepela Trophy

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OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada will have three entries, for a total of four skaters at the 24th annual Ondrej Nepela Trophy, the fifth event on the 2016 ISU Challenger Series. Canada will have one entry per discipline in men’s, ladies and ice dance at the competition which runs from September 29-October 1, 2016, in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Olympic silver medallist (team) Kevin Reynolds, 26, Coquitlam, B.C., is the Canadian entry in the men’s discipline. Reynolds previously competed at this event in 2012 and placed fourth. Last season, Reynolds won the bronze medal at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships and placed 11th at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships. He is coached by Joanne McLeod in Burnaby, B.C.

Kelsey Wong, 18, Burnaby, B.C., will represent Canada in ladies. Last season, Wong placed tenth at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. She is coached by Joanne McLeod and Neil Wilson in Burnaby, B.C.

Canadian junior champions Mackenzie Bent, 19, Uxbridge, Ont., and Dmitre Razgulajevs, 19, Ajax, Ont., are the Canadian entry in ice dance. This will be their second ISU Challenger Series event, having placed 11th at the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic earlier this season. They are coached by Carol Lane, Jon Lane, and Juris Razgulajevs in Scarborough, Ont.

Joanne McLeod of Vancouver, B.C., will be the Canadian team leader. Physiotherapist Paige Larson of North Vancouver, B.C., will be the Canadian medical staff onsite. Patty Klein of Mt. Royal, Que., will be the sole Canadian official at the event.

For results and full entries please visit the official event website.

CANADIAN ENTRIES AT 24th ANNUAL ONDREJ NEPELA TROPHY

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Mens Kevin Reynolds 26 Coquitlam, B.C. Vancouver SC Joanne McLeod
Ladies Kelsey Wong 18 Burnaby, B.C. Champs International Skating Centre Joanne McLeod / Neil Wilson
Ice Dance Mackenzie Bent / Dmitre Razgulajevs 19/19 Uxbridge, Ont. / Ajax, Ont. Uxbridge SC / Scarboro FSC Carol Lane / Jon Lane / Juris Razgulajevs

Canadian skaters headed to Montreal for Skate Canada Autumn Classic International

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OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada will send 18 entries, for a total of 23 skaters to the third annual Skate Canada Autumn Classic International (#ACI16). Canada will have 10 entries at the senior level ISU Challenger Series event including two entries per discipline in men’s and pair and three entries per discipline in ladies and ice dance. The junior category of the event will feature eight Canadian entries including two in men’s and six in ladies. The event runs from September 28-October 1, 2016, at the Sportplexe Pierrefonds in Montreal, Que.

Keegan Messing, 24, Girdwood, Alaska, USA, is one of two Canadian entries in men’s. Last season, Messing placed fifth at the Ondrej Nepela Trophy, 11th at Skate Canada International and sixth at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. The representative of Sherwood Park FSC is coached by Ralph Burghart in Anchorage, Alaska, USA.

Bennet Toman, 19, Brampton, Ont., is the second Canadian entry in men’s. Last season, he placed sixth at this event. Toman also placed eighth at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships and fourth at the 2016 Coupe de Printemps. He is coached by Robert O’Toole in Mississauga, Ont.

Canadian Champion Alaine Chartrand, 20, Prescott, Ont., is the first of three Canadian entries in the ladies category. Last year, Chartrand placed 12th at Skate America, sixth at the Rostelecom Cup, 11th at the ISU Four Continents Championships, and 17th at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships. The representative of the Nepean Skating Club is coached by Michelle Leigh and Brian Orser.

Michelle Long, 24, Newmarket, Ont., is the second Canadian entry in the ladies discipline. This will be her first international assignment. Last season, she placed fifth at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. Long is coached by Robert Burk and Danielle Rose in Richmond Hill, Ont.

Larkyn Austman, 18, Coquitlam, B.C., will also represent Canada in the ladies discipline. Last season, she finished sixth at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. She is coached by Zdenek Pazdirek in Coquitlam, B.C.

Canadian silver medallists in 2016, Julianne Séguin, 19, Longueuil, Que., and Charlie Bilodeau, 23, Trois-Pistoles, Que., are the first of two Canadian pair entries at the event. Last season, they placed fifth at the Nebelhorn Trophy, and won bronze at Skate America and Trophée Éric Bompard. Séguin and Bilodeau are coached by Josée Picard in Chambly, Que.

Camille Ruest, 22, Rimouski, Que., and Andrew Wolfe, 21, Calgary, Alta., will also represent Canada in pair. This will be their first international assignment together. Ruest and Wolfe are coached by Richard Gauthier and Bruno Marcotte in Montreal, Que.

Olympic and World champions Tessa Virtue, 27, London, Ont., and Scott Moir, 29, Ilderton, Ont., lead the Canadian entries in ice dance. Virtue and Moir return to competition after taking two seasons off following the 2014 Olympic Winter Games where they earned silver medals in ice dance and in the team event. Virtue and Moir are coached by Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon in Montreal, Que.

Carolane Soucisse, 21, Châteauguay, Que., and Shane Firus, 22, Barrie, Ont., will also represent Canada in ice dance. This will be their first international assignment together. Soucisse and Firus are coached by Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon in Montreal, Que.

Haley Sales, 19, Burnaby, B.C., and Nikolas Wamsteeker, 19, Langley, B.C., are the third Canadian ice dance entry at the event. Last season, they placed fourth in the junior category at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. Sales and Wamsteeker are coached by Megan Wing and Aaron Lowe in Burnaby, B.C.

Junior Entries

Canadian junior silver medallist Edrian Paul Celestino, 18, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que., is one of two Canadian representatives in the junior men’s category. Last season, he placed fourth at this event in the junior category. This season, he placed ninth at the ISU Junior Grand Prix in Russia. He is coached by Daniel Beland in Montreal, Que.

Iliya Kovler, 13, Richmond Hill, Ont., is the second Canadian entry in the junior men’s category. This will be his first international assignment. Kovler placed fourth in the novice category at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. He is coached by Andrei Berezintsev in Richmond Hill, Ont.

Canadian junior silver medallist in 2016, Alicia Pineault, 16, Varennes, Que., is one of six Canadian entries in the junior ladies category. Last year, she won the silver medal at this event. This season, she placed 10th at the ISU Junior Grand Prix in the Czech Republic. Pineault is coached by Stéphane Yvars in Boucherville, Que.

Amanda Tobin, 16, Burlington, Ont., will also represent Canada in junior ladies. This will be her first international assignment. Tobin placed fifth at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships in the junior category. She is coached by Leesa Velenosi, Raoul LeBlanc, and Kristy Bell in Burlington, Ont.

McKenna Colthorp, 15, Fort St. James, B.C., will represent Canada in the junior ladies category. Last year, she won the bronze medal at this event and placed seventh in the junior category at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. She is coached by Karen Mongrain and Jason Mongrain in Kelowna, B.C.

Canadian novice champion in 2016, Aurora Cotop, 14, Toronto, Ont., will represent Canada in junior ladies. This will be her first international assignment. Cotop is coached by Jonathan Mills and Myke Gillman in Thornhill, Ont.

Canadian novice silver medallist Olivia Gran, 13, Kelowna, B.C., will represent Canada in junior ladies. Earlier this season she placed ninth at her ISU Junior Grand Prix assignment in France. Gran is coached by Karen and Jason Mongrain in Kelowna, B.C.

Also representing Canada in junior ladies is Lissa Anne McGaghey, 16, Campbellton, N.B. This will be her first international assignment. Last season, she placed 11th in the novice women’s category at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. McGaghey is coached by Stéphane Yvars in Boucherville, Que.

Scott Rachuk of Strathroy, Ont., and Terra Findlay of Echo Bay, Ont., will be the Canadian team leaders onsite. Dr. Ed Pilat of Winnipeg, Man., and physiotherapist Josiane Roberge of Sillery, Que., will be the Canadian medical staff onsite. Karen Howard of Regina, Sask., Jérôme Poulin of Montreal, Que., Véronique Gosselin of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., and Nicole Leblanc-Richard of Dieppe, N.B., will be the Canadian officials at the event.

For more information and full entries please visit the Skate Canada website.

CANADIAN SENIOR ENTRIES AT 2016 SKATE CANADA AUTUMN CLASSIC INTERNATIONAL

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Mens Keegan Messing 24 Girdwood, Alaska, USA Sherwood Park FSC Ralph Burghart
Mens Bennet Toman 19 Brampton, Ont. CPAR Vaudreuil Robert O’Toole
Ladies Alaine Chartrand 20 Prescott, Ont. Nepean Skating Club Michelle Leigh / Brian Orser
Ladies Michelle Long 24 Newmarket, Ont. Richmond Hill FSC Robert Burk / Danielle Rose
Ladies Larkyn Austman 18 Coquitlam, B.C. Connaught SC Zdenek Pazdirek
Pair Julianne Séguin / Charlie Bilodeau 19/23 Longueuil, Que. / Trois-Pistoles, Que. CPA Longueuil / CPA Chambly Josée Picard
Pair Camille Ruest / Andrew Wolfe 22/21 Rimouski, Que. / Balmertown, Ont. CPA De Rimouski / Glencoe Club Richard Gauthier / Bruno Marcotte
Ice Dance Tessa Virtue / Scott Moir 27/29 London, Ont. / Ilderton, Ont. Ilderton SC / Ilderton SC Marie-France Dubreuil / Patrice Lauzon
Ice Dance Carolane Soucisse / Shane Firus 21/22 Châteauguay, Que. / Barrie, Ont. CPA Repentigny / CPA Ahuntsic Marie-France Dubreuil / Patrice Lauzon
Ice Dance Haley Sales / Nikolas Wamsteeker 18/18 Burnaby, B.C. / Langley, B.C. Kelowna SC / Champs International Skating Centre Megan Wing / Aaron Lowe

CANADIAN JUNIOR ENTRIES AT 2016 SKATE CANADA AUTUMN CLASSIC INTERNATIONAL

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Mens Edrian Paul Celestino 18 Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que. Saint Laurent FSC Daniel Beland
Mens Iliya Kovler 13 Richmond Hill, Ont. Richmond Hill FSC Andrei Berezintsev
Ladies Alicia Pineault 16 Varennes, Que. CPA Varennes Stéphane Yvars
Ladies Amanda Tobin 16 Burlington, Ont. Burlington SC Leesa Velenosi / Raoul LeBlanc / Kristy Bell
Ladies McKenna Colthorp 15 Fort St. James, B.C. Kelowna FSC Karen Mongrain / Jason Mongrain
Ladies Aurora Cotop 14 Toronto, Ont. Thornhill FSC Jonathan Mills / Myke Gillman
Ladies Olivia Gran 13 Kelowna, B.C. Kelowna FSC Karen Mongrain / Jason Mongrain
Ladies Lissa Anne McGaghey 16 Campbellton, N.B. Campbellton FSC Stéphane Yvars

Canadian skaters prepared for sixth stop on ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit

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OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada will send seven entries, for a total of eleven skaters to the sixth stop on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit, in Tallinn, Estonia. The event takes place from September 28-October 2, 2016, and will feature two Canadian entries per discipline in men’s, pair and ice dance, and one entry in ladies.

Roman Sadovsky, 17, Vaughan, Ont., is one of two Canadian entries in men’s. This season, he placed fifth at his ISU Junior Grand Prix assignment in Japan. Last season, Sadovsky won gold at the ISU Junior Grand Prix in Slovakia, bronze at the ISU Junior Grand Prix in Poland and placed sixth at the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final. Sadovsky is coached by Brian Orser and Lee Barkell.

Samuel Turcotte, 16, Varennes, Que., will also represent Canada in men’s. Earlier this season, he placed 11th at his first ISU Junior Grand Prix assignment in the Czech Republic. Turcotte is coached by Andree Beauchemin and represents CPA Varennes.

Emily Bausback, 14, Vancouver, B.C., will be the Canadian entry in ladies. This season, she placed 10th at her first ISU Junior Grand Prix assignment in Japan. Bausback is coached by Joanne McLeod at the Champs International Skating Centre.

Evelyn Walsh, 15, London, Ont., and Trennt Michaud, 20, Strathroy, Ont., are one of two Canadian entries in pair. This will be their first international assignment since teaming up this summer. Walsh and Michaud are coached by Alison Purkiss and Margaret Purdy at the London Competitive Skating Centre.

Hannah Dawson, 15, Johnstown, Ont., and Christian Reekie, 18, Ottawa, Ont., are the second Canadian entry in pair. This will also be their first international assignment since teaming up this summer. Dawson and Reekie are coached by Bruno Marcotte, Nicholas Young, Ian Connolly and Sylvie Fullum in Sainte-Julie, Que.

Hannah Whitley, 16, Barrie, Ont., and Elliott Graham, 18, Angus, Ont., are the first of two Canadian entries in ice dance. Earlier this season, they placed fifth at their ISU Junior Grand Prix assignment in the Czech Republic. Last season, they placed seventh at their international assignment in Latvia. Whitley and Graham are coached by David Islam and Kelly Johnson at the Mariposa School of Skating in Barrie, Ont.

Irina Galiyanova, 14, Ajax, Ont., and Tommy Tang, 17, Toronto, Ont., are the second Canadian ice dance entry. This will be their first ISU Junior Grand Prix assignment. Galiyanova and Tang are coached by Carol Lane, Jon Lane and Juris Razgulajevs in Toronto, Ont.

Paige Lawrence of Kennedy, Sask., and Greg Folk of Calgary, Alta., will be the Canadian team leaders at the event. Dr. Albert Schumacher of Tecumseh, Ont., and physiotherapist Pat Stanziano of Oakville, Ont., will be the Canadian medical staff onsite. Glenn Fortin of Aurora, Ont., and Pam Chislett of Grand Prairie, Alta., will be the Canadian officials at the event.

The ISU will be live streaming the competition via the ISU Junior Grand Prix YouTube channel. For results and full entries please visit www.isu.org.

CANADIAN ENTRIES AT ISU JGP #6 – Tallinn, Estonia

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Mens Roman Sadovsky 17 Vaughan, Ont. Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club Brian Orser / Lee Barkell
Mens Samuel Turcotte 16 Varennes, Que. CPA Varennes Andree Beauchemin
Ladies Emily Bausback 14 Vancouver, B.C. Champs International Skating Centre Joanne McLeod
Pair Evelyn Walsh / Trennt Michaud 15/20 London, Ont. / Strathroy, Ont. London SC / Prince Edward SC Alison Purkiss / Margaret Purdy
Pair Hannah Dawson / Christian Reekie 15/18 Johnstown, Ont. / Ottawa, Ont. Hawkesbury FSC / Gloucester SC Bruno Marcotte / Nicholas Young / Ian Connolly / Sylvie Fullum
Ice Dance Hannah Whitley / Elliott Graham 16/18 Barrie, Ont. / Angus, Ont. Barrie SC / Barrie SC David Islam / Kelly Johnson
Ice Dance Irina Galiyanova / Tommy Tang 14/17 Ajax, Ont. / Toronto, Ont. Scarboro FSC / Scarboro FSC Carol Lane / Jon Lane / Juris Razgulajevs

Skate Canada saddened by the passing of Olympic medallist Frances Dafoe

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OTTAWA, ON: Hall of Fame pair skater Frances Dafoe passed away at age 86 on Friday evening. Dafoe, a native of Toronto, was a pioneer in pair skating with her partner Norris Bowden. During their career they captured four Canadian titles from 1952-1955, two World titles in 1954 and 1955 and an Olympic silver medal in 1956. They became the first Canadian pair team ever to win a World title in 1954. They were also the Canadian Ice Dance Champions in 1952.

Dafoe has a long list of honours, including becoming a member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1955, entering the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 1958, receiving the Order of Canada in 1991 and being inducted into the Skate Canada Hall of Fame in 1993.

After her competitive career Dafoe remained actively involved in skating. She was an Olympic judge and a successful costume designer. She was a graduate of the famed Parsons School of Design in New York City and went on to design thousands of costumes. She worked for CBC for close to 40 years designing costumes for various shows. She also designed the costumes for the closing ceremonies at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games.

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

Junior ice dancers Ashlynne Stairs and Lee Royer place fifth in Slovenia

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LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA: The final day of competition at the ISU Junior Grand Prix event in Ljubljana, Slovenia finished with the women’s and the ice dance events.

Ice dancers Ashlynne Stairs, 16, Calgary, Alta. and Lee Royer, 18, St. Albert, Alta finished in fifth scoring 73.62 in the free for an overall score of 124.14

“Our performances this week were definitely a lot better than our last competition. It felt a lot stronger and we got our components higher,” said Stairs.

Americans Lorraine McNamara and Quinn Carpenter took home the gold with 148.62 points, Russians Sofia Polishchuk and Alexander Vakhnov won the silver with 144.76 points, and Anastasia Skoptcova and Kirill Aleshin also of Russia took bronze with 143.78 points.

Sarah Tamura, 15, Burnaby, B.C., finished in eighth place after scoring 89.99 in the free program for an overall score of 141.41.

“I fought through this program today, definitely was not my best but I know what to work on for my next junior grand prix in two weeks. It’s a start but I have a lot of things to work on. I am proud that I fought through it and didn’t give up,” said Tamura.

Rika Kihira of Japan took gold with 194.24 points, Marin Honda also of Japan won silver with 178.75 points and Alina Zagitova of Russia won bronze with 177.38 points.

On Friday, Joseph Phan, 15, Laval, Que., finished in fifth place in the men’s category.

Canada does not have an entry in pairs at this event.

Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1617/jgpslo2016/

Silver for Lubov Ilyushechkina and Dylan Moscovitch at Nebelhorn Trophy

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OBERSTDORF, GERMANY: Lubov Ilyushechkina, 24, Moscow, Russia, and Dylan Moscovitch, 31, Toronto, Ont., won the silver medal in pair at the Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf, Germany. The team scored 118.42 in the free for an overall score of 184.40.

“We felt pretty good about our program. We are very happy with how it went. It went from the beginning to the end with one smooth motion and we kept the chemistry and togetherness throughout the whole performance,” said Ilyushechkina.

Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot of Germany won gold with 203.04 points and their teammates Mari Vartmann and Ruben Blommaert won the bronze with 162.38 points.

In women’s, Gabrielle Daleman, 18, Newmarket, Ont., won the bronze medal after scoring 60.15 in the short and 115.25 in the free for a total of 175.40.

“I am very happy with how it went. No matter what happened it was my third full long I’ve done since I have been back, due to injuries this summer. I didn’t give up the program one bit, I kept the story and the skating going. It went much better than I could have imaged and I am happy to start off my season like this,” said Daleman.

Mai Mihara of Japan won gold with 189.03 points and Russia’s Elizaveta Tuktamysheva claimed the silver with 185.93 points.

On Friday, Piper Gilles, 24, Toronto, Ont., and Paul Poirier, 24, Unionville, Ont., won the bronze medal in ice dance and Liam Firus, 24, North Vancouver, B.C., placed fifth in men’s.

Team Canada won the Fritz Geiger Memorial Trophy, which is presented to the country with the highest placements across all disciplines. The US was second and Russia third.

Full results: http://www.deu-event.de/results/Nebelhorn_2016/index.html

Top-five finish for Joseph Phan at ISU Junior Grand Prix in Slovenia

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LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA: Joseph Phan, 15, Laval, Que., finished in fifth place at the ISU Junior Grand Prix event in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The event was the fifth stop on the circuit. Phan was third after the short with 70.33 points. He scored 127.39 points in the free program for a total of 197.72.

“I gained a lot of experience at this competition. During my short program, I skated my all and I placed top three and I am really proud of that. During my practices I was feeling the ice and practicing well,” said Phan.

Alexei Krasnozhon of the US won gold with 211.18 points, Ilia Skirda of Russia took silver with 208.28 points and Japan’s Kazuki Tomono earned the bronze with 202.57 points.

Ice dancers Ashlynne Stairs, 16, Calgary, Alta. and Lee Royer, 18, St. Albert, Alta., are in fifth place after the short dance with 50.52 points.

Americans Lorraine McNamara and Quinn Carpenter are first with 62.60 points, Russians Anastasia Skoptcova and Kirill Aleshin are in second with 56.80 points and            Sofia Polishchuk and Alexander Vakhnov, also of Russia, are in third with 55.60 points. Ice dance will conclude tomorrow with the free dance.

On Thursday, Sarah Tamura, 15, Burnaby, B.C., skated her short program, she is in eighth place with 51.42 points.

Alina Zagitova of Russia is first with 68.09 points, Rika Kihira of Japan is second with 65.93 points and Alisa Lozko of Russia is third with 59.78 points. The ladies will skate their free program tomorrow.

Canada does not have an entry in pair at this event.

Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1617/jgpslo2016/.

Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier win Bronze at Nebelhorn Trophy

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OBERSTDORF, GERMANY: Ice dancers Piper Gilles, 24, Toronto, Ont., and Paul Poirier, 24, Unionville, Ont., started off the 2016-2017 season with a bronze medal win at the Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf, Germany. The team skated two strong programs, scoring 70.32 points in the short dance and 106.52 points in the free dance for a total of 176.84 points.

“We can look back on this competition and really say mission accomplished. Our goal for this season is to close the gap between us and the teams that are getting on the world podium. To be within two points of two past world medalists is a really big step up for us. We are already matching, if not beating our scores from the end of last season and it’s only September,” said Poirier.

Italians Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte took the gold with 180.50 points and Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates scored 179.18 for the silver medal.

In men’s, Liam Firus, 24, North Vancouver, B.C., finished in fifth place. He scored 74.57 points in the short and 135.52 points in the free for a total of 210.09.

Alexander Petrov of Russia won the gold with 232.21 points, the silver went to Jorik Hendrickx of Belgium with 223.04 points and American Grant Hochstein took bronze with 217.25 points.

In the women’s discipline, Gabrielle Daleman, 18, Newmarket, Ont., sits in third with 60.15 points after the short program.

“I’m very happy with how it went. It was not only my fist competition of the season but my first international of the season and my goal was to get the Lutz toe, which I did. I was really happy with that,” said Daleman.

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia is in first after the short with 65.20 points and Mai Mihara of Japan is in second with 63.11 points.

In pair, Lubov Ilyushechkina, 24, Moscow, Russia, and Dylan Moscovitch, 31, Toronto, Ont., competed their short program on Thursday and are in second place going into the free with 65.98 points.

“Very happy for our first time out for the season. It’s a new program, a challenging one, it’s been a lot of work just to get it to this point. We are very pleased on how we came out the first time around,” said Moscovitch.

The German team of Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot are in first with 74.24 points and Mari Vartmann and Ruben Blommaert, also of Germany, are in third with 57.74 points.

The pair and women’s competitions will conclude tomorrow with the free programs.

Full results: http://www.deu-event.de/results/Nebelhorn_2016/index.html.

 

Week in Skating Photos: “Thanks Coach”

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Last week we celebrated national coaches week and Dylan’s birthday.
We wish you all the best!

 

 

Coaches can inspire a whole team,

 

Teach us valuable lessons and remind us to always have fun.

 

They are someone we look up to.

 

They watch us grow from a CanSkater

 

And guide us into our career.

 

While keeping us on our toes.

The start of Harper’s skating career #harperface #canskate #skatecanada #3yearsold #hockeygirl

A photo posted by Britt West (@glitterandsweatpants) on

 

Because of coaches, we don’t give up – we continue to push harder,

 

Especially if we are scared to fall. (video)

 

Thank you for believing in us. We are grateful to have inspiring and encouraging coaches throughout our skating journeys.

 

Have you seen last week’s Week in Skating Photos: What to Bring to CanSkate blog? Tag #SkateCanada and #CanSkate to be featured in our next blog.

Follow Skate Canada on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more pics all week long!