NextGen Skaters Travel to France to Kick Off the 2022-2023 Skating Season

OTTAWA, ON (August 22, 2022) – Six NextGen skaters will be representing Canada across three events at the first ISU Junior Grand Prix Series of the season, set to take place in Courchevel, France from August 24-27, 2022. Canadian entries include one participant in each of the men’s and women’s events, as well as two in ice dance.

David Li of Richmond, B.C., will be the sole athlete to represent Canada in the men’s discipline in his first year as a junior. The 15-year-old had a standout 2022 novice season, which included winning gold at the Egna Spring Trophy in Italy and bronze at the Skate Canada Challenge. He is currently coached by Keegan and Eileen Murphy in Vancouver, B.C.

In women’s, 18-year-old Lia Pereira of Milton, Ont., will be kicking off her season after finishing first at the 2022 Cranberry Cup International in Boston and 14th at the 2022 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships. She is coached by Nancy Lemaire and Derek Schmidt in Milton, Ont.

Chaima Ben Khelifa, 17, Laval, Que., and Everest Zhu, 19, Waterloo, Ont., will be competing in ice dance, with the duo looking to better last year’s performance that landed them in 8th place. They will be joined by current Canadian novice champions Layla Veillon, 16, London, Ont., and Alexander Brandys, 17, London, Ont. who will be competing in the same event. The teams are coached by Shawn Winter and Elise Hamel in Pierrefonds, Que. and Alma Moir, Scott Moir and Cara Moir in London, Ont. respectively.