Skating Community in Ottawa for the 2017 Ice Summit

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OTTAWA, ON: Canada’s skating delegates are on their way to the nation’s capital for the 2017 Ice Summit. The conference will take place from June 2-4, 2017 and will consist of a wide range of opportunities for members at all levels within Skate Canada.

This year will be particularly special as Canada celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary. Not only is it a milestone year for our country, but also for skating in Canada. This year, Skate Canada is celebrating 130 years as an organization.

The theme throughout the event is: Converge, Connect and Collaborate. The 2017 Ice Summit package offers a broad spectrum of informative and interactive workshops specifically targeting coaches, choreographers, officials, clubs and skating schools, and Skate Canada sections. With over 20 workshops attendees will be able to select the workshops most relevant to their skating career.

During the three-day event, participants will learn from skating’s best through a series of on and off ice seminars. The on-ice workshops feature top coaches and choreographers, including Brian Orser, Marilyn Langlois, and Yvan Desjardins. As part of Skate Canada’s commitment to safe sport and providing a safe environment the keynote speaker for this year’s summit is Sheldon Kennedy, the founder of Respect in Sport. He will share his personal experiences and prevention education to enhance safety for everyone in sport.

The annual Skate Canada Achievement Awards Gala and Banquet will take place on Friday evening. The gala celebrates the accomplishments of skaters, volunteers, officials and coaches who made significant contributions to progress the quality of skating in Canada.

The event will conclude on Sunday with the Annual General Meeting of the association. Members will again be able to participate remotely as the AGM and voting will be available via live stream.

World Champions Virtue and Moir headline 2017 Skate Canada International in Regina

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OTTAWA, ON: The International Skating Union (ISU) has announced the line-ups for the six 2017 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events. Canada will host the second stop on the circuit, the 2017 Skate Canada International in Regina, Saskatchewan, from October 26-29, 2017, at the Brandt Centre located at Evraz Place.

The line-up in Regina features Canadian favourites including Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford, Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje, Patrick Chan, and Kaetlyn Osmond. They will be joined by various current and former world medallists including Shoma Uno of Japan, Anna Pogorilaya of Russia, Ashley Wagner of the United States, and Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot of Germany.

Skate Canada International is the second competition in the annual ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. The other events take place in Russia (Rostelecom Cup), China (Cup of China), Japan (NHK Trophy), France (Internationaux de France) and the United States (Skate America).

Each skater/team can be assigned a maximum of two events. Skaters are awarded points based on their placements at their events. The top six from each discipline (men, women, pair and ice dance) qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final to be held in Nagoya, Japan from December 7-10, 2017.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW
All-Event ticket packages are on sale now! All-Event ticket packages include all competitions as well as practices. Fans can choose from four levels of All-Event ticket packages that are priced at $120, $160, $200, and $275, plus applicable surcharges.

Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.ca, or by phone at 1-855-985-5000 or in person at Brandt Centre Box Office. Groups of nine or more can purchase by calling the box office directly 1-306-781-9300.

SUPER FAN SECTION
The 2017 Skate Canada International will feature a special Super Fan Section! This section includes the first three rows of the arena, allowing fans to be closest to the action. All fans purchasing tickets in this section will receive a Canada toque, limited edition event pin, super fan name badge and a stylish tote. All-event ticket packages in the Super Fan Section, which includes the deluxe super fan kit, are priced at $275, plus applicable surcharges.

2017 SKATE CANADA INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES*

MEN
Brendan Kerry (AUS)
Jorik Hendrickx (BEL)
Patrick Chan (CAN)
Keegan Messing (CAN)
TBD (CAN)
Chafik Besseghier (FRA)
Takahito Mura (JPN)
Shoma Uno (JPN)
Jun Hwan Cha (KOR)
Maxim Kovtun (RUS)
Alexander Samarin (RUS)
Jason Brown (USA)

WOMEN
Alaine Chartrand (CAN)
Kaetlyn Osmond (CAN)
TBD (CAN)
Laurine Lecavelier (FRA)
Roberta Rodeghiero (ITA)
Marin Honda (JPN)
Rika Hongo (JPN)
Nahyun Kim (KOR)
Anna Pogorilaya (RUS)
Maria Sotskova (RUS)
Karen Chen (USA)
Ashley Wagner (USA)

PAIR
Meagan Duhamel / Eric Radford (CAN)
Lubov Ilyushechkina / Dylan Moscovitch (CAN)
TBD (CAN)
Cheng Peng / Yang Jin (CHN)
Vanessa James / Morgan Cipres (FRA)
Aliona Savchenko / Bruno Massot (GER)
Natalia Zabiiako / Alexander Enbert (RUS)
Haven Denney / Brandon Frazier (USA)

ICE DANCE
Carolane Soucisse / Shane Firus (CAN)
Tessa Virtue / Scott Moir (CAN)
Kaitlyn Weaver / Andrew Poje (CAN)
Kavita Lorenz / Joti Polizoakis (GER)
Natalia Kaliszek / Maksym Spodyriev (POL)
Alla Loboda / Pavel Drozd (RUS)
Olivia Smart / Adria Diaz (ESP)
Alisa Agafonova / Alper Ucar (TUR)
Kaitlin Hawayek / Jean-Luc Baker (USA)
Madison Hubbell / Zachary Donohue (USA)

CANADIAN ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE 2017 ISU GRAND PRIX OF FIGURE SKATING SERIES*

ROSTELECOM CUP — Moscow, Russia — October 20-22, 2017
MEN: Nam NguyenPAIR: Julianne Séguin / Charlie Bilodeau
ICE DANCE: Piper Gilles / Paul Poirier

SKATE CANADA INTERNATIONAL — Regina, Saskatchewan – October 26-29, 2017
MEN: Patrick Chan, Keegan Messing, TBD
WOMEN: Alaine Chartrand, Kaetlyn Osmond, TBD
PAIR: Meagan Duhamel / Eric Radford, Lubov Ilyushechkina / Dylan Moscovitch, TBD
ICE DANCE: Carolane Soucisse / Shane Firus, Tessa Virtue / Scott Moir, Kaitlyn Weaver / Andrew Poje

CUP OF CHINA — Beijing, China — November 3-5, 2017
MEN: Kevin Reynolds
WOMEN: Gabrielle Daleman
PAIR: Kirsten Moore-Towers / Michael Marinaro

NHK TROPHY — Osaka, Japan — November 10-12, 2017
MEN: Patrick Chan
WOMEN: Alaine Chartrand
PAIR: Julianne Séguin / Charlie Bilodeau
ICE DANCE: Tessa Virtue / Scott Moir

INTERNATIONAUX DE FRANCE — Grenoble, France — November 17-19, 2017
WOMEN: Kaetlyn Osmond
PAIR: Lubov Ilyushechkina / Dylan Moscovitch
ICE DANCE: Kaitlyn Weaver / Andrew Poje

SKATE AMERICA – Lake Placid, United States – November 24-26, 2017
MEN: Kevin Reynolds
WOMEN: Gabrielle Daleman
PAIR: Meagan Duhamel / Eric Radford, Kirsten Moore-Towers / Michael Marinaro
ICE DANCE: Piper Gilles / Paul Poirier

For full entries at the five other ISU Grand Prix events please visit www.isu.org.

*Entries are subject to change

Fourteen Canadians to compete at the 2017 ISU Adult Competition in Germany

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OTTAWA, ON: Fourteen Canadians will compete at the International Adult Figure Skating Competition held in Oberstdorf, Germany from May 22-27, 2017.

This is the 13th consecutive year for this prestigious adult figure skating competition. Canada has been well represented since the competition began in 2005. This year there will be a record numbers in all categories: 36 International Skating Union (ISU) Members, 560 competitors and more than 700 performances in total.

“We are delighted to see such a dedicated and talented group of adult skaters heading to Oberstdorf for this respected event. Staying healthy and active is a value that we hold dear, and to see our adult skaters continuously bring medals back from this event year after year shows their commitment to a healthy lifestyle and their passion for skating for life,” said Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada.

Over the six-day competition, skaters (who must be between the ages of 28 – 78) will compete in the following categories:

• Free Skating
• Artistic Free Skating
• Pairs Free Skating
• Pairs Artistic Free Skating
• Ice Dance – Pattern Dance
• Ice Dance – Short Dance
• Ice Dance – Free Dance
• Synchronized Skating

This year, the following skaters will be representing Canada in the free skating and the artistic free skating categories in Obertsdorf:

Gary Beacom
Sandra Blitz
Joan Cheng
Sara Davidson
Takashi Ikeno
Angela Justason
Linda Maundrell
Amylie Noel
Jennifer Powell
Carol Snow
Michelle Swan
Monica Tanse
Natasha Taylor
Angie Zurita

Last year, the ISU added a second competition for adults and, once again, Vancouver will be home to the next ISU Adult Figure Skating Competition being held at the Minoru Arena from August 21-26, 2017.

For further information please visit www.isu.org or the ISU Adult Working Group website www.adultskating.org.

Media Inquiries:
Diana Barkley
ISU Adult Working Group
[email protected]

LGBTQI2S Sport Inclusion Task Force and Skate Canada Announce a Pilot Project to Make Sport More Welcoming to Sexual and Gender-Diverse People

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OTTAWA, ON: On this International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia , the LGBTQI2S (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Two-Spirit) Sport Inclusion Task Force (SITF) and Skate Canada are excited to announce a partnership on a pilot project to make sport more welcoming to sexual and gender-diverse people.

The pilot builds on the results of SITF’s environmental scan conducted by SITF members Dr. William Bridel at the University of Calgary and Tristan Vogel from the University of Waterloo, that assessed existing policies, resources and work done relating to LGBTQI2S inclusion by national sport organizations across Canada. The SITF subsequently identified as a priority the development of an LGBTQI2S sport inclusion tool kit that sport organizations could use to make their sport more welcoming to sexual and gender minorities. Additionally, SITF sought out National Sports Organizations (NSO) that the SITF could work with on testing and refining the tool kit, as well as working with each NSO to develop an action plan for LGBTQI2S inclusion in their organization.

A key part of the initial work being done with Skate Canada is building awareness and understanding amongst staff of LGBTQI2S issues in their sport, and what role each person within the organization can play.

Today Skate Canada staff will be attending a one-day training session delivered by Jennifer Birch-Jones, the LGBTQI2S Sport Inclusion Lead for the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport (CAAWS). A critical aspect to the training will be the opportunity for staff to hear first-hand the lived experiences of LGBTQI2S athletes. Rosie Cossar, an Olympian and Manager of the Canadian Olympic Committee’s #OneTeam initiative, will share her experiences and insights with the staff about being LGBTQ-identified in a judged artistic sport.

Quote from SITF: “We are very excited to be partnering with Skate Canada on this important work. As a leader in the Canadian sport community, we recognize the value that Skate Canada will bring to helping the SITF refine the tools we are developing to help all sport organizations create welcoming and safe places for those who identify as LGBTQI2S in their sport.” – Christine Hsu, SITF, Egale Canada

Quote from Skate Canada: “Skate Canada is proud to be a part of the LGBTQI2S Sport Inclusion Task Force and to pilot this important program. Working with SITF to develop training to make our sport even more welcoming to the LGBTQI2S community helps advance our vison of inspiring all Canadians to embrace the joy of skating.” – Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada

About the SITF: The LGBTQI2S Sport Inclusion Task Force (SITF) is a flexible, informal coalition working to end LGBTQI2S bias in sport through education for and promotion of LGBTQI2S inclusion in Canadian sport. For further information about the SITF, please contact Christine Hsu at Egale Canada at [email protected].

About Skate Canada: Skate Canada is the nation’s governing body for competitive figure skating and is dedicated to creating a nation of skaters, both recreationally and competitively. One hundred thirty years old, Skate Canada is the world’s oldest skating organization and Canada’s preeminent leader in skating instruction and education. Over 170,000 Canadians participate in Skate Canada educational programs each year, including our flagship CanSkate program that teaches beginners of every age the basic skills of skating and fundamental movements.
As one of Canada’s most successful sport governing bodies, Skate Canada athletes have won 25 Olympic medals and 36 world championship titles. Today’s Canadian world and Olympic medallists all began at one of our 1,200 local Skate Canada clubs or skating schools. Through our programs, more than 5,500 certified professional coaches encourage Canadians of all ages to skate together as a family, pursue competitive ice sports and enjoy an active lifestyle.

Next Gen Award Celebrates Canadian Legend Toller Cranston

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TORONTO, ON: Today, Skate Canada and the Canadian Olympic Foundation announced a unique athlete award to honour one of figure skating’s greatest artists. Named after the late skater who helped revolutionize the sport, the Toller Cranston Memorial Fund Athlete Award was created to celebrate young skaters who display exceptional artistry on ice at the Canadian Tire National Skating Championships in the novice and junior categories.

As an Olympic medallist, Cranston was world renowned for innovation and artistry. In a sport that has evolved to favour technical difficulty and feats of athleticism, Cranston was known for his freedom of expression and dramatic showmanship on the ice.

Off the ice, Cranston was a world-renowned artist. His paintings—colourful, flamboyant and intricate—are sought by collectors all over the world. He viewed painting as an extension of skating and the subject matter of his paintings often revolved around skating and skaters.

Established shortly after his death in 2015, the Toller Cranston Memorial Fund was set up as a way to show appreciation for the artistry he brought to the world of figure skating and to financially assist young skaters who possess the same artistic values and style as he did.

“Toller had a vision for skating that was before his time. He brought art to the ice and changed the dynamic of the sport. We can see his influence in the balance of artistry and athleticism in our Canadian team,” said Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada. “Skate Canada commends the Canadian Olympic Foundation for keeping Toller’s legacy alive through this memorial fund and for inspiring a younger generation of skaters to value the art of figure skating.”

On June 25th, 2015, friends and family of the skating community gathered at the Art Gallery of Toronto to honour Toller’s memory and launch the Toller Cranston Memorial Fund. On this evening, funds were raised through individual donors and donations continue to be made in Toller’s name through the Canadian Olympic Foundation. Among the speakers was his sister Phillippa Baran.

“My brother Toller always believed that figure skating had unlimited potential for artistic vision and freedom of expression,” said Baran.

“By committing himself to constant innovation he redefined the sport and he became an inspiration to other skaters to explore their own capacity and potential. Toller would be honoured and humbled to know that the artistry of young skaters is being recognized through this Award.”

This year, 14 skaters were selected to receive the award. Each winner will also receive a free pair of industry-leading boots and blades courtesy of Jackson Ultima Skates. The awards were presented by former competitors, family and friends of Toller’s from coast to coast at various Skate Canada awards banquets.

Skate Canada and the Canadian Olympic Foundation are proud to announce the Toller Cranston Memorial Fund Athlete Award winners for 2017:

Brandon Day, Junior Men, Quebec
Bruce Waddell, Junior Men, Ontario
Corey Circelli, Novice Men, Ontario
Dawson Nodwell, Novice Men, Alberta
Triena Robinson, Junior Women, Alberta
Katrine Denis, Novice Women, Quebec
Natalie Walker, Novice Women, Ontario
Evelyn Walsh & Trennt Michaud, Junior Pair, Ontario
Marjorie Lajoie & Zachary Lagha, Junior Dance, Quebec
Katerina Kasatkin & Corey Circelli, Novice Dance, Ontario