Flashmobs and dance parties were a big hit at the 2015 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships. Here are our top 5 songs that get you out of your seat to get your dance on!
1. Fireball – Pitbull
TALLIN, Estonia – Mackenzie Bent of Uxbridge, Ont., and Garrett MacKeen of Oshawa, Ont., took fifth spot in ice dancing on Saturday at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships.
Anna Yanovskaya and Sergey Mozgov of Russia won the gold medal, Lorraine McNamara and Quinn Carpenter of the U.S. were second and Alexandra Nazarova and Maxim Nikitin of Ukraine third.
Bent and MacKeen were second after Thursday’s short dance and appeared in contention for a medal until with seconds left in their free dance, MacKeen slipped and fell on both knees causing a major point deduction. Their free dance was ranked eighth.
Madeline Edwards of Port Moody, B.C., and ZhaoKai Pang of Burnaby, B.C., remained sixth despite posting the fourth best free dance.
In men’s competition, Shoma Uno of Japan took the gold with Boyang Jin of China second and Sota Yamamoto of Japan third.
Roman Sadovsky of Vaughan, Ont., was 14th.
Canada ends the competition with one silver earned by Julianne Séguin of Longueuil, Que., and Charlie Bilodeau of Trois-Pistoles, Que., in pairs on Thursday.
Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/wjc2015/index.htm
TALLIN, Estonia – Roman Sadovsky of Vaughan, Ont., was 13th in the men’s short program on Friday to advance to free skate at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships.
Shoma Uno of Japan is in first place with Adian Pitkeev and Alexandre Petrov, both of Russia, second and third.
Sadovsky, 15 and already competing at his second world juniors, was 13th last year and stands 13th as well after the short program nearing his personal best with 66.36 points. This season he won a Junior Grand Prix event and was also fourth and fifth at two others. He was fourth in the senior men’s event at nationals in January.
Nicolas Nadeau of Boisbriand, Que., missed qualifying for the free skate by one spot placing 25th.
Competition ends Saturday with the men’s free skate and the free dance featuring Mackenzie Bent of Uxbridge, Ont., and Garrett MacKeen of Oshawa, Ont., who stand second after Thursday’s short dance.
Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/wjc2015/index.htm
TALLIN, Estonia – Canada’s Julianne Seguin and Charlie Bilodeau won the silver medal in pairs on Thursday at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships.
Xiaoyu Yu and Yang Jin of China successfully defended their world junior crown with 178.79 points. The Canadians followed with a personal best 176.32 and Lina Fedorova and Maxim Miroshkin of Russia were third at 154.33.
‘’We came out here and did what we had to do and it is a very satisfying performance,’’ said Séguin, from Longueuil, Que. ‘’We are proud of ourselves.’’
Séguin and Bilodeau will also compete at the world seniors-set for later this month in Shanghai. They’ve had a super season winning their three ISU Junior Grand Prix assignments including the Final in December and placing third in senior pairs at nationals in January.
In their skate to “In Your Eyes” and “Wallflower” by Peter Gabriel, Seguin and Bilodeau produced a side by side triple Salchow, double Axel-double toe combination, throw triple Salchow and toeloop as well as six level-four elements.
‘’This is a marvelous end to our junior season,’’ said Bilodeau from Trois-Pistoles, Que. ‘’The go out there at every event and deliver clean performances was a big thrill for us
Shalena Rau of Waterloo, Ont., and Sébastian Arcieri of Montreal were ninth and Mary Orr of Brantford, Ont., and Phelan Simpson of Lunenberg, N.S., 10th.
Canada appears on track for another medal in ice dancing. Mackenzie Bent of Uxbridge, Ont., and Garrett MacKeen of Oshawa, Ont., are in second spot after the short dance with 61.09 points, also a personal best. Anna Yanovskaya and Sergey Mozgov of Russia hold a slight lead at 62.22 and Lorraine McNamara and Quinn Carpenter of the U.S., are third at 59.10.
Bent and Mackeen’s smooth dance to “Vida Loca” and “Straight to Memphis” was highlighted by precise footwork and a straight line lift. The Canadians picked up a level four for the lift, the twizzles and both Samba sequences.
“The skate – we couldn’t have asked for much more”, Bent commented. “For us, this season was just a bunch of different stepping stones. Our first Junior Grand Prix Final, was also a big learning lesson and as well senior nationals which was a big part of this season.
Madeline Edwards of Port Moody, B.C., and ZhaoKai Pang of Burnaby, B.C., are sixth at 52.34.
Competition continues Friday with the women’s free skate and men’s short program. The free dance is Saturday.
Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/wjc2015/index.htm
TALLIN, Estonia – Canadians Julianne Séguin and Charlie Bilodeau are in second spot after Wednesday’s pairs short program at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships.
Defending champion Xiaoyu Yu and Yang Jin of China lead with 62.56 points, the Canadians follow at 61.32 – a personal best score – and Lina Fedorova and Maxim Miroshkin of Russia are third at 58.27. The Canadians are undefeated internationally this season winning their three Junior Grand Prix assignments including the Fiinal.
Performing to “The Grand Hotel Budapest” soundtrack, Seguin and Bilodeau landed a well synchronized side by side double Lutz, triple twist and also earned a level four for five elements.
“We reached 60 points and that was a nice goal to achieve”, said Seguin of Longueuil, Que., who joined forces with Bilodeau, from Trois-Pistoles, Que., last season. ‘We want to approach the free skate the same way and not worry about our opponents.’’
Shalena Rau of Waterloo, Ont., and Sébastian Arcieri of Montreal are eighth and Mary Orr of Brantford, Ont., and Phelan Simpson of Lunenberg, N.S., 11th.
In the women’s short program, Selena Zhao of Varennes, Que., and Kim Deguise-Léveillée of Sorel-Tracy, Que., did not crack the top-24 to advance to the free skate.
Competition continues Thursday featuring the pairs final.
Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/wjc2015/index.htm
OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada has selected two synchronized skating teams for the 2015 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Hamilton, Ont., from April 10-11, 2015 at the FirstOntario Centre.
Nexxice, from the Burlington Skating Club, and Les Suprêmes, from the CPA Saint-Léonard, earned their entries to the world championships winning gold and silver respectively at 2015 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships this past weekend in Quebec City, Que.
Representing the Burlington Skating Club, Nexxice senior earned the first Canadian entry to the 2015 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships winning their ninth consecutive Canadian title on Sunday. Nexxice is the only North American team to win the world championships, having won in 2009. The three-time consecutive world silver medallists are coached by Shelley Simonton Barnett and Anne Schelter.
Canadian silver medallists Les Suprêmes, will be the second entry. Representing CPA Saint-Léonard, they earned their fifth consecutive Canadian silver medal this past weekend in Quebec City. Les Suprêmes placed sixth at the 2014 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships. They are coached by Marilyn Langlois, assisted by Pascal Denis, Amélie Brochu, and Amanda Gaiotti.
This will be the 16th edition of the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships with Canada having won medals at 10 of those previous events. Twenty-five teams from 20 different countries are expected to participate in the event in Hamilton.
Tickets are available and can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.ca, by phone at 1-855-985-5000, or in person at the FirstOntario Centre box office.
Earlier this season, entries for the 2015 ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, from March 13-14, 2015, were determined at Skate Canada Central Ontario’s annual Winterfest competition. The 2015 Canadian gold medallists Les Suprêmes (junior) from CPA Saint-Léonard and 2015 Canadian silver medallists, Nexxice (junior), of the Burlington Skating Club earned the two entries for Canada.
OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada will send nine entries to the 2015 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships this week from March 2-8 in Tallinn, Estonia. The fourteen person Canadian team will compete in all four disciplines: men’s, ladies, pair and ice dance. Competition begins Wednesday with the ladies and pair short programs.
Roman Sadovsky, 15, Vaughan, Ont., placed fourth at the 2015 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships in senior men’s. He competed on the ISU Junior Grand Prix Circuit winning gold in Czech Republic and then placing fourth in Germany. He qualified for the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final, placing fifth. This will be his second trip to the world juniors; in 2014 he placed 13th. Sadovsky is coached by Tracey Wainman and Gregor Filipowski at the YSRA Winter Club.
Nicolas Nadeau, 17, Boisbriand, Que., is the 2015 Canadian Junior Champion, having won the title earlier this year in Kingston, Ont. Nadeau placed fifth and 10th at his ISU Junior Grand Prix assignments in Japan and Croatia. Training at the École Excellence Rosemère he is coached by Yvan Desjardins.
Selena Zhao, 16, Varennes, Que., – Colorado Springs, USA., will be one of two entries in the ladies category. Zhao won the Canadian junior title in January and place 10th and ninth at her junior grand prix events this season in Slovenia and Germany. She is coached by Christy Krall and Damon Allen in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Kim DeGuise-Léveillée, 17, Sorel-Tracy, Que., competed in senior at the 2015 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships and placed fifth. Previously this season she placed eighth and 10th on the junior grand prix circuit in Czech Republic and Germany. DeGuise-Léveillée is coached by Josée Picard and Marc-André Craig in Chambly, Que.
Ice dancers Mackenzie Bent, 17, Uxbridge, Ont., and Garrett MacKeen, 20, Oshawa, Ont., will make their second trip to this event, having placed 12th is 2014. Bent and MacKeen won gold and silver on the junior grand prix circuit in Czech Republic and Estonia, which qualified them for the Final, where they placed fourth. They placed sixth at the national championships this year in senior. Training at Scarboro Ice Dance Elite, they are coached by Juris Razgulajevs and Carol Lane.
The 2014 world junior bronze medallists Madeline Edwards, 18, Port Moody, B.C., and ZhaoKai Pang, 19, Burnaby, B.C., will make their third trip to this event. Their season began at the first ISU Junior Grand Prix event in France with a silver medal performance and then a gold medal in Japan. They qualified for the Final were they placed fifth. At the 2015 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships they placed seventh in senior. They are coached by Megan Wing and Aaron Lowe at the Champs International Skating Centre.
In pair Julianne Séguin, 18, Longueuil, Que., and Charlie Bilodeau, 21, Trois-Pistoles, Que., will compete at the world junior championships for the first time. They have had a successful undefeated season internationally. They won gold at both their junior grand prix assignments in Czech Republic and Germany and then went on to win the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final title. They won the bronze medal in senior at the national championships in January. Séguin and Bilodeau are coached by Josée Picard in Chambly, Que.
Mary Orr, 18, Brantford, Ont., and Phelan Simpson, 19, Lunenburg, N.S., are the 2015 Canadian Junior Pair Champions. This will be their second trip to the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships; they placed sixth in 2014. On the junior grand prix circuit this season, they placed sixth and seventh in Estonia and Croatia. Orr and Simpson train at the Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club with coaches Kristy Wirtz and Kris Wirtz.
This will be the second international event for Shalena Rau, 15, Waterloo, Ont., and Sebastien Arcieri, 20, Montreal, Que.; they placed seventh at the junior grand prix event in Estonia earlier this season. In January, they won the silver medal at the 2015 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships in junior pair. They are coached by Kristy Wirtz and Kris Wirtz at the Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club.
Manon Perron of Boucherville, Que., and Scott Rachuk of Strathroy, Ont., will be the Canadian team leaders at the event. Dr. Bob Brock of Toronto, Ont., and physiotherapist Cathy Striowski of Toronto, Ont., will be the Canadian medical staff onsite. Nicole Leblanc-Richard of Dieppe, N.B., Jeff Lukasik of Calgary, Alta., and Debbie Islam of Barrie, Ont., are the Canadian officials at the event.
Skate Canada High Performance Director Mike Slipchuk will also be traveling with the team.
For results and full entries please visit www.isu.org.
| Discipline | Name | Age | Hometown | Club | Coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mens | Roman Sadovsky | 15 | Vaughan, Ont. | YRSA Winter Club | Tracey Wainman / Gregor Filipowski |
| Mens | Nicolas Nadeau | 17 | Boisbriand, Que. | CPA Boisbriand | Yvan Desjardins |
| Ladies | Selena Zhao | 16 | Varennes, Que. – Colorado Springs, USA | CPA Varennes | Christy Krall / Damon Allen |
| Ladies | Kim DeGuise-Léveillée | 17 | Sorel-Tracy, Que. | CPA Sorel-Tracy | Josée Picard / Marc-André Craig |
| Ice dance | Mackenzie Bent / Garrett MacKeen | 17/20 | Uxbridge, Ont. / Oshawa, Ont. | Uxbridge SC / Bowmanville FSC | Juris Razgulajevs / Carol Lane |
| Ice dance | Madeline Edwards / ZhaoKai Pang | 18/19 | Port Moody, B.C. / Burnaby, B.C. | Inlet SC / Inlet SC | Megan Wing / Aaron Lowe |
| Pairs | Julianne Séguin / Charlie Bilodeau | 18/21 | Longueuil, Que. / Trois-Pistoles, Que. | CPA Longueuil / CPA De Drummondville Inc. | Josée Picard |
| Pairs | Mary Orr / Phelan Simpson | 18/19 | Brantford, Ont. / Lunenburg, N.S. | Kitchener-Waterloo SC / Kitchener-Waterloo SC | Kristy Wirtz / Kris Wirtz |
| Pairs | Shalena Rau / Sébastian Arcieri | 15/20 | Waterloo, Ont. / Montreal, Que. | Kitchener-Waterloo SC / CPA St. Leonard | Kristy Wirtz / Kris Wirtz |
Three time zones away, you know Brian Orser was smiling.
Ten-year-old Stephen Gogolev, who trains under the two-time Olympic silver medallist at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling club, is making quite the name for himself this week at the Canada Winter Games.
Less than three months after claiming the pre-novice men’s national title, Gogolev added another gold medal to his rapidly-expanding trophy case Wednesday, winning pre-novice gold once again in front of a boisterous, standing-room only crowd in Prince George. The youngster was simply dominating, scoring 73.17 in his free program for a 114.04 total. Quebec’s Samuel Turcotte (93.51) took silver, while hometown favourite own Justin Hampole (91.88) went home with bronze.
“I came here to do my best, and I’m really happy to go home with a gold medal,” Gogolev told reporters. “This has been a great experience for me.”
The final two competitors to close out the novice men’s competition, Hampole and Gogolev gave the crowd their money’s worth, setting off back-to-back standing ovations that seemed to rattle the walls at the Kin 1 Arena.
Off the ice, Gogolev and Hampole have formed a friendship this week, spending time together away from the rink.
“We’re going to the Nerf gun competition together later (Wednesday),” laughed Hampole. “We’ve really had a chance to get to know each other at this competition. I’ve got to see him around the hotel and at the village, so it’s been pretty cool.”
In pre-novice ice dance, reigning Canadian champions Arianne Bonneau and Oliver Zhang of Quebec scored 40.66 in their free dance to secure gold with a 68.75 total. Ontario’s Han Na Kim and Corey Circelli were second at 58.80 while Saskatchewan’s Tori Shmon and Alexander Hopkins placed third.
“We feel really good because we realized all of our goals this year,” said Zhang. “We wanted to come to the Canada Games and win gold for Quebec, so this is special.”
Matthew Lai of B.C. claimed the gold medal in Special Olympics Men’s Level 2, with fellow British Columbian Eric Pahima second and Michael Sumner of Yukon third. In the Men’s Level 3 competition, Jack Fan (Ontario), Thomas Babcock (Ontario) and Emanuel Bou Lutfalah (Quebec) were first, second and third, respectively.
To close out Wednesday night, the reigning national champion duo of Hannah Dawson and Daniel Villeneuve captured gold in pre-novice pair before Canadian champion Sarah-Maude Blanchard of Quebec edged out B.C.’s Olivia Gran for pre-novice women’s gold.
“It was a season that I couldn’t have dreamed of – winning our nationals and then this, what an experience,” said Dawson.
“It was an amazing time for us, and the crowd couldn’t have been better,” added Villeneuve. “We will remember this for a long time.”
Novice and Special Olympics women’s competitors will perform their free programs Thursday. The schedule is below (all times PT):
Medal ceremonies for pre-novice, novice and Special Olympics figure skating are scheduled for Thursday night following competition.
Full Results: 2015 Canada Winter Games
Timing is indeed everything, and Ontario’s Alison Schumacher picked an ideal time to lay down her best short program of the season.
The 12-year-old, 4’4” sparkplug was lights-out Tuesday during the novice women’s short program at the 2015 Canada Winter Games, posting a personal best 38.97 to vault into top spot, just ahead of Canadian champion Rachel Pettitt of Yukon (pictured) at 38.89.
“I really wanted to skate my personal best here, and I was able to do that, so I’m pretty excited going into the free program (Thursday),” says Schumacher, who trains alongside Canadian national team member Elladj Baldé in Detroit.
Novice and Special Olympics competitors took centre stage Tuesday during the second full day of figure skating competition at these Games.
In novice pair, the sibling tandem of Olivia and Mackenzie Boys-Eddy, reigning national silver medallists, lead after the short program at 34.88, just in front of Quebec’s Lori-Ann Matte and Thierry Ferland (33.13).
“We are so proud to represent Team Ontario, and we just want to do our best to bring the points to the team,” says Mackenzie.
“It’s probably the biggest crowd we’ve ever performed in front of, and the cheering was so loud,” adds Olivia.
“Our ultimate goal is the 2022 Olympics, so we think this event is a big step towards that goal.”
Fresh off a silver medal performance at the Canadian championships last month, Quebec’s Gabriel Farand holds down top spot after scoring 40.58 in the novice men’s short program. Closing out competition Tuesday was the novice pattern dance, which sees Canadian champions Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha of Quebec in the gold medal position heading into Thursday’s free dance.
In the Special Olympics competition, Stephanie Divin of the host B.C. team leads after the Special Olympics Women Level 2 Elements, while Alberta’s Meg Ohsada is in top spot following Women’s Level 3 Elements.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
There is some serious talent in the Boys-Eddy family, and it isn’t confined to the rink.
Olivia and Mackenzie Boys-Eddy of Team Ontario lead the pack following Tuesday’s novice pair short program, but they’re making headlines off the ice, as well.
An avid musician, 16-year-old Mackenzie recorded and performed their short program music, a cover of Percy Mayfield’s classic “Hit the Road, Jack.”
“I learned to play the piano was I was really young and learned that song when I was 10 or 11,” recalls Mackenzie. “I’ve played it for so many years and it is such a fun song, so I decided to record my own version of it and produce it with a string section and a horn section.”
Not to be outdone by her big brother, Olivia seems to have a little show business in her as well. The 12-year-old served as a skating stunt double in the Ryan Reynolds movie “The Captive.”
“It was just an amazing experience,” says Olivia, who stands 4’7”. “I’ve never done anything like that before. They were looking for someone who could do a death spiral, was small, had blue eyes and blonde hair.
“I guess that was me,” she adds with a laugh.
FOLLOWING IN GRANDFATHER’S FOOTSTEPS?
Special Olympian Stephanie Divin comes from champion bloodlines, and she may end up leaving Prince George with a medal of her own.
Her grandfather, Karol Divin, represented then-Czechoslovakia in three Olympic Winter Games (1956, 1960, 1964), winning a silver medal in 1960. For those keeping score, Canada’s Donald Jackson, the 1962 world champion, shared the same podium as Divin after claiming bronze.
“That is pretty exciting to have a grandfather who is famous,” says Stephanie. “I would like to skate my best here and enjoy my memories.”
So far, so good. Stephanie Divin is in top spot after the Special Olympics Women’s Stage 2 Elements.
UP NEXT:
The first wave of figure skating medals will be decided Wednesday with free programs in pre-novice men’s (10:15 am PT), ice dance (11:50 am), pair (4:50 pm) and women’s (5:35 pm) disciplines. The Special Olympics Men Free Programs (Levels 2 and 3) will be staged Wednesday beginning at 12:50 pm. Medal ceremonies for pre-novice, novice and Special Olympics will be handed out Thursday night.
Click here to view start orders and results
OTTAWA, ON: Synchronized skating teams from across Canada are en route to Quebec City, Quebec, for the 2015 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships, taking place from February 27-March 1, 2015, at the Pavilion de la Jeunesse.
The event will host approximately 800 skaters and coaches on 40 teams competing for national titles in the senior, junior, open, intermediate and novice categories. The top two senior teams will represent Canada at the 2015 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships being held in in Hamilton, Ontario, from April 10-11, 2015.
“The Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships never fail to amaze as athletes come together to deliver skill and strength with precise coordination. Quebec City is prepared and excited to host these incredible teams, coaches, officials, and fans,” said Dan Thompson, CEO Skate Canada. “With Canada as host of the 2015 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships, there will surely be added excitement in the air as teams battle to represent our country on the world stage.”
Tickets are still available and can be purchased online or at the door at the Pavilion de la Jeunesse. Two-day passes can be purchased for $35 for adults or $25 for children, and individual day passes can be purchased for $20 for adults or $15 for children.
The competition will be streamed live for fans to watch the events from home.
Media looking to attend the event are asked to contact Allan Gordon, Communications Coordinator, by phone at 613.747.1007 ext. 2564 or by email at [email protected] and during the event at 613.697.1354.
PRINCE GEORGE, BC – Reigning national pre-novice champions made a pretty loud statement Monday as the curtain lifted on the figure skating competition at the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
Less than three months after claiming the Canadian pre-novice crown at Skate Canada Challenge, 10-year-old rising star Stephen Gogolev of Ontario, who trains under the watchful eye of two-time Olympic silver medallist Brian Orser, scored 40.87 to lead after the pre-novice men’s short program.
“I am pretty happy with my performance,” said Gogolev. “I am just here to do my best and improve. These Games will be good for my experience.”
Gogolev’s dazzling performance brought the crowd to its feet at a jam-packed Kin 1 Arena, but it turned out to be the second-loudest cheer of the event. About an hour later, the overflow crowd had the rafters shaking for Prince George’s own Justin Hampole, who scored 36.08 to settle into second spot.
Beres Clements, another B.C. athlete, sits third with 33.97 points.
In ice dance, reigning Canadian pre-novice champions Arianne Bonneau and Oliver Zhang of Quebec set the pace heading into the free dance with 28.09 points. Team Ontario’s Han Na Kim and Corey Circelli are second at 22.48.
Hannah Dawson and Daniel Villeneuve of Ontario, also 2015 national champions, are in top spot after the pre-novice pair short program. In pre-novice women, B.C.’s Olivia Gran scored 41.37 to hold down a slight edge on Canadian champion Sarah-Maude Blanchard of Quebec (39.02).
Eric Pahima of B.C. leads after the Special Olympics Men Level 2 Elements, while Ontario’s Thomas Babcock is the frontrunner after the Men’s Level 3 Elements. In the Special Olympics Solo Women Dance, Nadia Bouillon of Ontario is in top spot after the Elements competition.
QUICK LEARNER
Seven years ago, ice was foreign to Quebec figure skater Nelson Sanchez-Leemet.
In fact, he had never seen it before.
Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, the 16-year-old saw a sheet for ice for the first time when his mother took him to a skating show shortly after the family moved to Canada when he was nine. Not long after, Sanchez-Leemet’s mother bought him a pair of hockey skates and enrolled him in CanSkate lessons. After trying the skates for a week, Sanchez Leemet switched to his mother’s figure skates, trained in them for six months and never looked back.
“I went to that skating show, and that was all I needed to see,” says Sanchez-Leemet.
“That’s what I wanted to do – skate. Just like any other Canadian kid.”
After placing fourth in the pre-novice national championships in December, Sanchez-Leemet and partner Samantha Couillard are currently in the silver medal position heading into Wednesday’s free program.
“I love skating with him – he is so determined, so focused, and he just wants to get better,” says Couillard.
DID YOU KNOW…
Team Ontario’s Hannah Dawson, who teamed with partner Daniel Villeneuve to lead the pre-novice pair competition, recorded one of those popular “I Believe” commercials with Canadian figure skating legend Donald Jackson leading up to the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.
In fact, the 1962 world champion hand-picked Dawson for the role.
“That was quite a big thrill for me,” says Dawson. “It was a lot of fun, and something I will never forget.”
THEY SAID IT…..
“I was pretty scared when I first got out there. That crowd was pretty loud.” – Stephen Gogolev discussing how he felt prior to his short program Monday.
UP NEXT:
Novice and Special Olympics athletes take over the Kin I area Tuesday as figure skating competition continues. The novice men, women and pair short programs are scheduled, along with the novice pattern dance. The Special Olympics Women’s Elements (Levels 2 and 3) will also be staged. Competition gets underway at 10:45 a.m. PT (1:45 p.m. ET)
Click here to view start orders and results
