Pair Champions Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford Retire from Competitive Skating

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OTTAWA, ON: Two-time world pair champions and three-time Olympic medallists Meagan Duhamel, 32, Lively, Ont., and Eric Radford, 33, Balmertown, Ont., are retiring from competitive skating. Duhamel and Radford teamed up in 2010 and would go on to become one of Canada’s most accomplished pair teams.

“I am extremely thankful and grateful for the incredible journey that the sport of figure skating gave me. I’m thankful to my family, who were my first supporters and first fans; they instilled a work ethic in me that became the base of my success and they encouraged me to dream big. Thank you to all my coaches over the years at the Walden Skating Club: Lana, Becky and Nancy. Thank you to Lee Barkell and his team at the Mariposa School of Skating from 2000-2007 and to Bruno Marcotte, Richard Gauthier, Sylvie Fullum, Julie Marcotte and Ian Connolly, my team in Montreal since 2007, who took a chance on me and believed in me during times I couldn’t find faith,” said Duhamel.

Duhamel continued, “Most importantly, thank you to my skating partners: Ryan Arnold, Craig Buntin and Eric Radford. Ryan and Craig both gave me the fundamentals of pairs skating and the tools of how to work as a pair team so that I could eventually thrive with Eric. I cherish all the moments, both good and bad, with all three of my partners. Thanks to Eric for being the best partner anyone could ask for. One more big thank you goes to all the amazing fans of figure skating in Canada. It’s been a true pleasure to share my love of skating with you all. Thank you for supporting me over the years, I truly appreciate it. Although I’m leaving the competitive world of figure skating, I will never leave the sport completely. Figure skating was my first love and I want to spend the rest of my life with this sport, in many different capacities.”

“I could never have imagined that my skating career would be filled with so many incredible and unforgettable moments. From the outdoor rink in Balmertown to the Olympic podium, there were many people whose unwavering support made it all possible and gave the journey so much more meaning. Thank you to my parents and family for believing in me and my dream from day one, to my fiancé Luis for inspiring me and giving perspective to the most difficult times, to my friends for cheering for me no matter where I was in the world and to the team of coaches, Bruno, Julie, Ian, Richard and Sylvie that made Meagan and I the best pair team we could be.” said Radford.

“Finally, I want to thank Meagan. Her incredible drive and determination always pushed and inspired me to be my best and I’m so happy we got to share all those amazing moments together. I couldn’t feel prouder that we got to represent Canada around the world throughout our career. Your love of our sport and the support you show all the athletes have given me some of the best and most special moments in my career,” finished Radford.

Duhamel and Radford won their first of seven consecutive Canadian titles in 2012 and hold the record for most national titles won by a pair team. They competed at two Olympic Winter Games, winning three medals. At the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi they won silver in the team event and at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang they won bronze in their individual event and gold in the team event. Duhamel and Radford have won four medals at the ISU World Championships, winning back-to-back gold in 2015 and 2016.

“Meagan and Eric have been champions and innovators in pair skating. Their drive to push the sport forward by executing advanced elements has truly inspired a new generation of pair skating,” said Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada. “They have been staples on our national team for two quadrennials and their presence will be missed. Skate Canada thanks Meagan and Eric for their dedication to excellence and wishes them the best of luck with their future plans.”

At the 2018 Olympic Winter Games they became the first team to complete a quad throw salchow in Olympic competition. Over their career they won 14 medals on the ISU Grand Prix circuit and four medals at the ISU Grand Prix Final, winning the event in 2014. They also earned four medals at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, winning gold in 2013 and 2015.

“Meagan and Eric have been leaders worldwide in the pair discipline as they pushed the technical boundaries, which made them one of the best pairs in the world and an inspiration to future pair teams,” said Mike Slipchuk, High Performance Director, Skate Canada. “Their passion for the sport and accomplishments are evidence of their hard work and dedicated work ethic, always striving to be the best. We thank them for letting us enjoy this amazing journey with them.”

Duhamel and Radford are both currently living in Montreal, Que., and plan to stay involved in skating together through skating shows and seminars.

Duhamel is working on her lifestyle brand Lutz of Greens and has been involved with the Humane Society in the rescuing of dogs. She is finishing her studies in nutrition with a specialized certification in Sports and Fitness Nutrition and Vegetarian Nutrition and plans to develop a wellness program for figure skaters. Duhamel also plans to take the training to become a technical specialist.

Radford’s future plans include pursuing music and eventually composing for film, as well as coaching and choreography in skating. He is also planning his wedding to Spanish ice dancer Luis Fenero.

Skating Legend Patrick Chan Retires from Competitive Competition

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TORONTO, ON: Olympic Champion Patrick Chan, 27, Toronto, Ont., announced his retirement from competitive skating today. Chan is the most decorated male figure skater in Canadian history with three Olympic medals, three world championship crowns and 10 Canadian titles.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to skate for Canada”, said Patrick Chan. “It has given me memorable experiences and has taught me lessons I will carry throughout life. I have fulfilled my dreams and aspirations in competitive skating and it is now time to move on to new challenges and opportunities. I hope to have inspired many young skaters that with hard work, perseverance and dedication anything is possible.”

Chan won his first Canadian title in 2008 and would go on to win nine more, establishing a Canadian men’s record with 10 in total. Over the course of his decorated career Chan would compete at three Olympic Games, winning silver in Sochi in both his individual and team event, capping off his career with a gold medal in the team event at the 2018 Games in PyeongChang.

“It has truly been an honour to have Patrick on our team and he will be greatly missed by the entire skating community. His beautiful lyrical skating matched with his outgoing and positive personality has made him a champion on and off the ice,” said Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada. “Patrick has left a tremendous mark on Canadian skating and we thank him for inspiring Canadians to embrace the joy of skating. Skate Canada would like to congratulate Patrick on a fabulous career and we wish him the best of luck with his future endeavors.”

During his senior career, Chan won five medals at the ISU World Championships, winning the title three times (2011, 2012, 2013). He picked up 15 medals on the ISU Grand Prix circuit and would go on to earn four medals at the ISU Grand Prix Final, winning gold twice (2011, 2012). He would also claim top spot at the ISU Four Continents Championships three times (2009, 2012, 2016).

“Patrick’s impact on the sport has been instrumental to the continued success of figure skating in Canada. His strong technical ability combined with his effortless skating made him one of the best the world has ever seen and has brought endless memories to skating fans worldwide,” said Mike Slipchuk, High Performance Director, Skate Canada. “Patrick’s achievements are a testament to his hard work, dedication, and humble personality, which enabled him to reach the highest accomplishments at the world and Olympic level. We wish Patrick every success in his new chapter and thank him for having us along for this incredible ride.”

For his work on the ice, Chan was awarded the prestigious Lou Marsh Award as Canada’s top athlete in 2011, as well as Sportsnet’s Canadian Athlete of the Year, QMI Agency Canadian Male Athlete of the Year and the Canadian Press’s Lionel Conacher Award for Canadian male athlete of the year.

Chan is currently residing in Vancouver, B.C., where he plans to stay involved in the skating community through seminars and performing in skating shows across Canada.

Olympic Medallist Dylan Moscovitch Retiring from Competitive Skating

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OTTAWA, ON: Olympic figure skater Dylan Moscovitch, 33, Toronto, Ont., announced today that he has retired from competitive figure skating. Moscovitch has been a staple in Canadian pair figure skating for over a decade. His competitive highlights include competing at six world championships, winning a national title and winning a silver medal in the team event at the 2014 Olympic Games.

“Skating was my first love and forever my passion. Representing Canada on both the world and Olympic stage has been an honour and a privilege. It has given me invaluable opportunities and experiences over the years, ones which have played a pivotal role in shaping me into the man that I am today. I look forward to taking the lessons learned and skills acquired into the chapters and adventures to come. I can’t thank my family, friends and fans enough for the endless support they’ve given me throughout the years, as well as the support received from COS, WOS, Skate Ontario, Skate Canada, Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee and both the provincial and federal governments,” expressed Moscovitch.

Moscovitch continued, “I’d also like to thank all of my coaches, trainers, choreographers, training mates and clubs from all over Ontario for guiding me and supporting my dream. I’d like to thank my partners Kyra, Kirsten and Luba for the priceless memories and experiences throughout my career and I wish Kirsten and Luba the best of luck in their respective careers in the years to come. I’d especially like to thank Kris and Kristy Wirtz and the late Paul Wirtz for the 10-plus years working together and for starting my career in pairs figure skating. As well, a huge thank you to Lee Barkell, Tracy Wilson, Bryce Davison, and everyone at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club for renewing my love for skating and taking my level of growth as both an athlete and a person beyond what I could have ever hoped. Most importantly, I will cherish the incredible people I’ve met and the lifelong friendships I’ve made throughout my career in this amazing sport. Thank you to all for sharing this journey with me.”

Moscovitch began his pair skating career with his sister, Kyra. They won the Canadian junior pair title in 2006 and would go on to skate together until 2008. In 2009 he teamed up with Kirsten Moore-Towers and went on to win the Canadian title in 2011. They would accumulate 11 international medals over their time together and earn three trips to the ISU Grand Prix Final. They capped off their partnership with an Olympic silver medal in the team event at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. He ended his pair skating career with Lubov Ilyushechkina. Their partnership began in the spring of 2014. In their four seasons together, they won three national medals and five international medals, including a bronze at the 2016 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships.

“Dylan has represented Canada with pride and has brought tremendous leadership to our national team on and off the ice. His presence will be missed,” said Mike Slipchuk, High Performance Director, Skate Canada. “Skate Canada thanks Dylan for all his contributions to pair skating in Canada and wish him the best of luck with his future aspirations.”

Looking to the future, Moscovitch plans to stay involved with skating through coaching, seminars and mentoring. Moscovitch will also continue with his motivational speaking work, in which he has become highly sought-after on the corporate speaking circuit over the past few years. In addition, he has signed with B&M Models and is planning on perusing an acting and commentary career.

His skating partner, Ilyushechkina will be evaluating her opportunities in the coming months.

Canada’s Beresford Clements wins silver at Egna Spring Trophy

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EGNA, Italy – Beresford Clements of Gibsons, B.C., overcame an injury-plagued season to win the silver medal on Sunday in the men’s junior event at the Egna Spring Trophy figure skating competition.

Gabriele Frangipani of Italy took the gold with 179.93 to edge the Canadian who earned 179.89. Nikolaj Memola of Italy was third at 124.15.

“I reached my goal by doing a clean free skate,” said Clements. “I got all my spins and just competed the way I trained. It was exciting to show off my abilities on the ice.”

This was Clements’ first career international assignment. He withdrew from an event earlier this season and didn’t qualify for the national championships.

“For this event I wanted to make sure I was fully healed,” said Clements. “I just trained really hard and focused on getting better. It was a slow process. It took about six months and required a lot of physio and days off.”

Matthew Markell of Prescott, Ont., second after the short program, withdrew from the free skate.

In junior women competition, Sarah-Maude Blanchard of Sherbrooke, Que., dropped from first to fourth overall with 139.46 points.

Full results: http://www.fisg.it/upload/result/4597/index.html.

Medal bonanza for Canadian novice skaters at Egna Spring Trophy

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EGNA, Italy – Canada swept the medals in novice women competition on Saturday to cap a productive day at the Egna Spring Trophy figure skating competition.

Sandrine Bouchard of Lévis, Que., won the gold in novice women Group 1 with 106.97 points. Mélaurie Boivin of Alma, Que., won the free skate to surge from fifth to second at 106.50 and Amelia Orzel of Woodbridge, Ont., was third at 105.29.

“It was a wonderful experience and we learned a lot,” said Bouchard. “It’s going to beneficial for us in our upcoming competitions. My Salchow today wasn’t on because I was feeling a bit nervous.”

Boivin picked up big points with a double Axel-triple toe combination.

“They are my two favorite jumps and I love doing combinations,” she said.

Orzel’s highlight was a triple Lutz and a triple toe combination.

“The Lutz is my first jump so I was a bit nervous going into it,” she said. “But it worked out and that gave me a lot of confidence for the rest of the program.”

Daria Carr of Kelowna, B.C., was fifth at 91.42.

Canada was 1-2 in novice men competition. Aleksa Rakic of Burnaby, B.C., won the gold medal with 129.62 points with Brian Chiem of Edmonton taking the silver with 117.16 and Maxim Knorr of Germany third at 110.70.

“I tried to replicate what I did in training,” said Rakic. “It was great to end that program on a high note. Now I’ll start preparing new programs with new elements with more jumps and more jumps in combination.”

Alec Guinzbourg of Kingston, Ont., second after the short program on Friday, withdrew.

Canada fielded all three entries in novice pairs. Brooke McIntosh of Toronto and Brandon Toste of Mississauga, Ont., took gold with 94.48, Marine Pouliot of Lorraine, Que., and Alexandre Simard of Rivière-Ouelle, Que., were second at 92.58 and Camille Perrault of Orford, Que., and Bryan Pierro of St-Hubert, Que., were third at 86.61.

“It was amazing and a lot of fun,” said McIntosh. “The crowd was really supportive for us. That really motivated and inspired us.”

Leah Lee of Vancouver was sixth in novice women group 2.

The junior free skates are Sunday.

Full results: http://www.fisg.it/upload/result/4597/index.html.

Canadian teams fifth and eighth at ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships

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STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – Les Suprêmes from St-Léonard, Que., and Nexxice from Burlington, Ont., placed fifth and eighth at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships which concluded on Saturday.

Marigold Ice Unity from Finland climbed from third after Friday’s short program to win the gold medal with 209.02 points. Surprise from Sweden took the silver at 207.99 and Paradise from Russia was third at 200.97.

Les Suprêmes climbed from sixth to fifth with a 192.88 score.

The skaters for Les Suprêmes were Jessica Allaire, Rebecca Allaire, Julia Bernardo, Audrey-Anne Blouin, Joannie Brazeau, Kayla Grace Charky, Marie-Ève Comtois, Laurie Desilets, Molly Farber, Raphaelle Gauthier, Sora Hatano, Dana Malowany, Agathe Merlier, Christina Morin, Andreanne Paradis, Martha Maria Pietrasik, Alessia Polletta, Florence Poulin, Claudia Sforzin and Sofya Squalli.

“We are pleased and happy with our performances,” said Agathe Merlier, the team captain. “We executed two strong programs.”

“Our goal was to skate in unity, enjoy the moment and skate like we have in practice,” added Laurie Desilets.

Nexxice was seventh after the short but dropped a spot with 190.45.

The skaters for Nexxice were Nadine Banholzer, Payton Beckett, Marlyne Bernier, Kelly Britten, Abigail Chase, Emma Daigle, Laura Emery, Ariana Gould-Tasoojy, Celina Hevesi, Taylor Johnston, Emma Kim, Kaitlin Lees, Megan MacLellan, Caroline Marr, Emiko Marr, Courtney McNaughton, Morgan Stang, Alessandra Toso, Brooklyn Williamson and Emily Wright.

“We’re really feeling proud of ourselves,” said Kelly Britten. “We were very inspired by the arena as it was an excellent venue to skate. We really thought we brought our programs up and out. We skated for ourselves, had fun and really wanted to give a good show.”

Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1718/wcsys2018/.

Canadians dominating their events at Egna Spring Trophy

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EGNA, Italy – Canada’s junior and novice skaters produced strong results in Friday’s short programs at the Egna Spring Trophy figure skating competition.

In junior women, Sarah-Maude Blanchard of Sherbrooke, Que., tops the 22-entry field with 58.77 points. Hanna Harrel of the U.S. is second at 50.80 and Marina Piredda of Italy third at 48.30.

In junior men’s competition, Gabriel Frangipani of Italy is first with 72.98. Matthew Markell of Prescott, Ont., follows at 63.00 and Beresford Clements of Gibsons, B.C. is third at 62.06.

Canada stands 1-2-3 in novice men with Aleksa Rakic of Burnaby, B.C., first at 43.39, Alexei Guinzbourg of Kingston, Ont., second at 37.84 and Brian Chiem of Edmonton third at 37.72.

In novice women group 1, Canada has four in the top-five with Sandrine Bouchard of Levis, Que., first at 42.21, Amelia Orzel of Woodbridge, Ont., second at 37.87, Daria Carr of Kelowna, B.C. fourth at 34.02 and Mélaurie Boivin of Alma, Que., fifth at 33.93.

Leah Lee of Vancouver is sixth in novice women group 2.

Canada has the only three entries in novice pairs. Brooke McIntosh of Toronto and Brandon Toste of Mississauga, Ont., lead with 35.83, Marine Pouliot of Lorraine, Que., and Alexandre Simard of Rivière-Ouelle, Que., are second at 35.05 and Camille Perrault of Orford, Que., and Bryan Pierro of St-Hubert, Que., are third at 30.24.

The novice free skates are Saturday and the junior free skates are Sunday.

Full results: Egna Spring Trophy.

Canadians need to play catch-up at ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships

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STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – Canadians teams are in sixth and seventh place after the short programs Friday at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships but stand less than three points from the podium.

Paradise from Russia is in first place with 76.05 points, Surprise from Sweden is second at 72.83 and Marigold Ice Unity from Finland third at 72.61.

Les Suprêmes from St-Léonard, Que., are in sixth place with 70.64 and Nexxice from Burlington, Ont., the defending bronze medallists, follow in seventh at 69.91 out of 25 entries.

The skaters for Les Suprêmes are Jessica Allaire, Rebecca Allaire, Julia Bernardo, Audrey-Anne Blouin, Joannie Brazeau, Kayla Grace Charky, Marie-Ève Comtois, Laurie Desilets, Molly Farber, Raphaelle Gauthier, Sora Hatano, Dana Malowany, Agathe Merlier, Christina Morin, Andreanne Paradis, Martha Maria Pietrasik, Alessia Polletta, Florence Poulin, Claudia Sforzin and Sofya Squalli.

The skaters for Nexxice are: Nadine Banholzer, Payton Beckett, Marlyne Bernier, Kelly Britten, Abigail Chase, Emma Daigle, Laura Emery, Ariana Gould-Tasoojy, Celina Hevesi, Taylor Johnston, Emma Kim, Kaitlin Lees, Megan MacLellan, Caroline Marr, Emiko Marr, Courtney McNaughton, Morgan Stang, Alessandra Toso, Brooklyn Williamson and Emily Wright.

The free skate is on Saturday.

Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1718/wcsys2018/.

Canadian figure skaters in Italy for Egna Spring Trophy

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OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada will have 14 entries, for a total of 17 skaters competing in Egna, Italy, for the 2018 Egna Spring Trophy. The international event takes place April 5-8, 2018, with competition for men, women and pairs at the novice, junior and senior levels. Canada will have entries in novice and junior, including two junior men, one junior woman, three novice men, five novice women and three novice pairs.

Canadian junior champion Matthew Markell, 18, Prescott, Ont., is the first of two junior Canadian men entries. Markell trains in Prescott, Ont., with coaches Allie Hann-McCurdy and Michael Coreno.

Beresford Clements, 16, Gibsons, B.C., is the second Canadian junior men entry. This season, Clements won the silver medal in junior at the Autumn Classic International. He is coached by Joanne McLeod and Neil Wilson in Burnaby, B.C.

Canadian junior silver medallist Sarah-Maude Blanchard, 17, Sherbrooke, Que., is the Canadian entry in junior women. She trains in Sherbrooke, Que., with coaches Marie-Christine Grenier and Odrée Grenier.

Canadian novice champion Alec Guinzbourg, 13, Kingston, Ont., is the first of three Canadian novice men entries. He trains in Richmond Hill, Ont., with coaches Andrei Berezintsev and Inga Zusev.

Canadian novice silver medallist Aleksa Rakic, 13, Burnaby, B.C., is the second Canadian novice men entry. Rakic trains in Burnaby, B.C., with coaches Joanne McLeod and Neil Wilson.

Canadian novice bronze medallist Brian Chiem, 16, Edmonton, Alta., rounds out the Canadian novice men entries. He trains in Edmonton, Alta., with coach Ravi Walia.

Canadian novice champion Amelia Orzel, 14, Woodbridge, Ont., is the first of five Canadian novice women entries. Orzel trains in Richmond Hill, Ont., with coach Eva Najarro.

Canadian novice silver medallist Daria Carr, 14, Kelowna, B.C., is the second Canadian novice women entry. She trains in Kelowna, B.C., with coaches Karen Mongrain and Jason Mongrain.

Canadian novice bronze medallist Sandrine Bouchard, 15, Lévis, Que., is the third Canadian novice women entry. Bourchard trains in Lévis, Que., with coaches Lise Bellemare and Martine Simard.

Leah Lee, 13, Vancouver, B.C., is the fourth Canadian novice women entry. Lee trains in Vancouver, B.C., with coach Jennifer Yibing Jiang.

Mélaurie Boivin, 14, Alma, Que., will also represent Canada in novice women. She trains in Chicoutimi, Que., with coach Marlène Picard.

Canadian novice champions Brooke McIntosh, 13, Toronto, Ont., and Brandon Toste, 15, Mississauga, Ont., are one of three Canadian novice pairs entries. They train in Mississauga, Ont., with coach Andrew Evans.

Canadian novice silver medallists Marine Pouliot, 13, Lorraine, Que., and Alexandre Simard, 17, Rivière-Ouelle, Que., will also represent Canada in novice pairs. Pouliot and Simard train in Rosmère, Que., under coaches Yvan Desjardins and Violaine Émard.

Canadian novice bronze medallists Camille Perreault, 13, Orford, Que., and Bryan Pierro, 17, St-Hubert, Que., are the final Canadian novice pairs entry. They train in Chambly, Que., with coach Marc-André Craig.

André Bourgeois, Skate Canada NextGen Director, and Manon Perron of Boucherville, Que., are the Canadian team leaders at the event. André-Marc Allain of Gatineau, Que., is the sole Canadian official at the event.

For results, full entries and more information please visit isu.org.

CANADIAN ENTRIES AT 2018 EGNA SPRING TROPHY

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Junior Men Matthew Markell 18 Prescott, Ont. Prescott FSC Allie Hann-McCurdy / Michael Coreno
Junior Men Beresford Clements 16 Gibsons, B.C. Champs International SC Joanne McLeod / Neil Wilson
Junior Women Sarah-Maude Blanchard 17 Sherbrooke, Que. CPA Sherbrooke Marie-Christine Grenier / Odrée Grenier
Novice Men Alec Guinzbourg 13 Kingston, Ont. Richmond Training Centre Andrei Berezintsev / Inga Zusev
Novice Men Aleksa Rakic 13 Burnaby, B.C. Champs International SC Joanne McLeod / Neil Wilson
Novice Men Brian Chiem 16 Edmonton, Alta. Ice Palace FSC Ravi Walia
Novice Women Amelia Orzel 14 Woodbridge, Ont. York Region Skating Academy WC Eva Najarro
Novice Women Daria Carr 14 Kelowna, B.C. Kelowna FSC Karen Mongrain / Jason Mongrain
Novice Women Sandrine Bouchard 15 Lévis, Que. CPA St-Romuald/St-Jean Lise Bellemare / Martine Simard
Novice Women Leah Lee 13 Vancouver, B.C. Sunset FSC Jennifer Yibing Jiang
Novice Women Mélaurie Boivin 14 Alma, Que. CPA Chicoutimi Marlène Picard
Novice Pairs Brooke McIntosh / Brandon Toste 13/15 Toronto, Ont. / Mississauga, Ont. Canadian Ice Academy / Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club Andrew Evans
Novice Pairs Marine Pouliot / Alexandre Simard 13/17 Lorraine, Que. / Rivière-Ouelle, Que. CPA Lorraine / CPA La Pocatière Yvan Desjardins / Violaine Émard
Novice Pairs Camille Perreault / Bryan Pierro 13/17 Orford, Que. / St-Hubert, Que. CPA Magog / CPA St-Hubert / Centre Jeunesse Performance Plus Marc-André Craig

Canadian synchronized skating teams headed to Sweden for 2018 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships

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OTTAWA, ON: Canada will have two teams competing at the 2018 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships this week from April 6-7 in Stockholm, Sweden. Twenty-five teams from 20 countries across the globe will be competing for the world title.

Nexxice, from the Burlington Skating Centre, and Les Suprêmes, from CPA Saint-Léonard, earned their entries to the world championships winning gold and silver respectively at the 2018 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships earlier this year in Oshawa, Ont.

Nexxice, the 2017 world bronze medallists, will be the first Canadian entry at the event. This season, they placed fifth at the 2018 French Cup and won gold at the 2018 Trophy D’Ecosse. The two-time consecutive Canadian champions are coached by Shelley Simonton Barnett and Anne Schelter.

Les Suprêmes will be the second Canadian entry. Last year, they placed eighth at this event. This season, they placed fourth at the 2017 Shanghai Trophy and won gold at the 2018 Mozart Cup. The Canadian silver medallists are coached by Marilyn Langlois, Pascal Denis and Amélie Brochu.

Karen Robertson of Chelsea, Que., will be the Canadian team leader at the event. Dr. Albert Schumacher of Tecumseh, Ont., and physiotherapist Karen Seymour, of Toronto, Ont., will be the Canadian medical staff onsite.

Mike Slipchuk, Skate Canada High Performance Director, will also be traveling with the team.

For results and full entries, please visit the official event website or isu.org.