Tag Archive for: 2015 Skate Canada International

Triple gold for Canada at Skate Canada International

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – Patrick Chan of Toronto, pairs skaters Meagan Duhamel of Lively, Ont., and Eric Radford of Balmertown, Ont., as well as ice dancers Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Waterloo, Ont., all won gold on Saturday at Skate Canada International.

In men’s competition, Chan landed a quad toe and triple Axel en route to the gold with 271.14 points in his return to competition after sitting out last season.  Yuzuru Hanyu and Daisuke Murakami of Japan were second and third at 259.54 and 252.25

‘’It was a high stress and challenging competition for me,’’ said Chan. ‘’I didn’t feel good in the warm –up and I was scared about going on. But I talked it through with my coach Kathy Johnso.  I went out there and skated because I enjoy it and hopefully I can be consistent throughout the season.’’

Nam Nguyen of Toronto was fifth and Keegan Messing of Sherwood Park, Alta., 11th.

In pairs, world champions Duhamel and Radford collected their second victory this season with 216.16 points. Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov of Russia followed at 191.19 and Kirsten Moore-Towers of St. Catharines, Ont., and Michael Marinaro of Sarnia, Ont., were third at 174.85.

“We were pretty nervous going out there today,” Radford said. “I don’t know if we can really put a finger on why. . .we were both feeling the same thing, a little out of our bodies, not as centred as we normally are.’’

Moore-Towers and Marinaro overcame a mistake on a lift.

‘’It was a big mistake but we didn’t let it snowball,’’ said Moore-Towers. ‘’A lot of the stuff we were working we really accomplished tonight. It was a huge step up from our previous competition.’’

Vanessa Grenier and Maxime Deschamps of Vaudreuil, Que., were seventh.

In ice dancing, Weaver and Poje prevailed at 173.69 with Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani of the U.S. second at 168.36 and Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev of Russia third at 161.11.

‘’We are definitely proud with how our free dance went today,’’ said Poje. ‘’We put pressure on ourselves to make sure we made improvements in both the short dance and free dance. We showed we are ready for the season and ready to push our limits.’’

Alexandra Paul and Mitchell Islam of Barrie, Ont., were sixth and Elisabeth Paradis of Loretteville, Que., and François-Xavier Ouellette of Laval, Que., eighth.

In women’s competition, Gabrielle Daleman of Newmarket, Ont., was fifth, Veronik Mallet of Sept-Iles, Que., 10th and Kaetlyn Osmond of Marystown, N.L. 11th.

Ashely Wagner of the U.S. took the gold.

Full results: 2015 Skate Canada International

Lethbridge, Alberta, set to host 2015 Skate Canada International

OTTAWA, ON: Canada’s top figure skaters will compete against many of the world’s best at the 2015 Skate Canada International this week in Lethbridge, Alta. The event, which takes place October 29-November 1, 2015, at the ENMAX Centre will feature 12 Canadian entries (three per category in men’s, ladies, pair and ice dance) for a total of 18 skaters.

Skate Canada International is the second of six competitions on the International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating circuit, which qualifies skaters for the ISU Grand Prix Final, taking place December 10-13 in Barcelona, Spain.

Three-time World Champion and double Olympic silver medallist (men’s and team) Patrick Chan, 24, Toronto, Ont., is one of three Canadian entries in men’s. The representative of the Granite Club has previously competed at this event six times, winning in 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2013. This event marks Chan’s return to competition after taking the 2014-2015 season off. He is coached by Kathy Johnson and trains at the Detroit Skating Club.

Canadian champion Nam Nguyen, 17, Toronto, Ont., is will also represent Canada in men’s. This will be his first time competing at this event. Nguyen began this season winning silver at the Skate Canada Autumn Classic International. Last season, he won bronze at Skate America, placed fourth at the Cup of China, 11th at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, and fifth at the World Championships. Nguyen is coached by Brian Orser and Ernest Pryhitka at the Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club.

Keegan Messing, 23, Girdwood, Alaska, USA, rounds out the Canadian entries in men’s. This will also be his first time competing at this event. Earlier this season, Messing placed fifth at the Ondrej Nepela Trophy. Last season, Messing placed fifth at the 2015 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. The representative of Sherwood Park FSC is coached by Ralph Burghart at in Anchorage, Alaska, USA.

Canadian champion Gabrielle Daleman, 17, Newmarket, Ont., is the first of three Canadian entries in ladies. Daleman will be competing at this event for the first time. Earlier this season, she placed fourth at the Ondrej Nepela Trophy. Last season she placed fifth at the Cup of China, sixth at the NHK Trophy, seventh at the Four Continents Championships, and 21st at the World Championships. Daleman is coached by Lee Barkell and Brian Orser at the Toronto Cricket, Skating & Curling Club.

Two-time Canadian champion and Olympic silver medallist (team) Kaetlyn Osmond, 19, Marystown, Nfld., will also represent Canada in ladies. She previously competed at this event in 2012, winning gold. Earlier this season, she won gold at the Nebelhorn Trophy. Osmond is coached by Ravi Walia and represents the Ice Palace Figure Skating Club.

Canadian bronze medallist Véronik Mallet, 21, Sept-Îles, Que., is the final Canadian entry in the ladies division. This will be her third time competing at this event, having placed eighth in 2013 and 10th in 2014. Earlier this season, she placed ninth at the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic. Last season, the representative of CPA Sept-Îles placed 10th at Trophée Eric Bompard and finished 14th at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships. Mallet is coached by Annie Barabé at CTC Varennes.

World champions and Olympic silver medallists (team) Meagan Duhamel, 29, Lively, Ont., and Eric Radford, 30, Balmertown, Ont., lead the Canadian pair entries. The four-time Canadian champions have reached the podium four times at this event and are current defending champions. Duhamel and Radford began this season winning gold at the Skate Canada Autumn Classic International. Last season, they won gold at all of their events including the NHK Trophy, ISU Grand Prix Final, Four Continents Championships and World Championships. The representatives of Walden FSC and CPA Saint-Léonard are coached by Richard Gauthier, Bruno Marcotte, and Sylvie Fullum at CPA Saint-Léonard.

Kirsten Moore-Towers, 23, St. Catharines, Ont., and Michael Marinaro, 23, Sarnia, Ont., are the second Canadian entry in pair. Last season, the representatives of Kitchener-Waterloo SC and Point Edward SC placed sixth at this event. Moore-Towers and Marinaro won bronze at their first international assignment this season, the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic. Last season they placed seventh at Trophée Eric Bompard, ninth at the ISU Four Continents Championships, and fourth at the 2015 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. Moore-Towers and Marinaro are coached by Bruno Marcotte, Richard Gauthier, Sylvie Fullum, Julie Marcotte and Cynthia Lemaire in CPA Saint-Léonard.

Vanessa Grenier, 23, Johnville, Que., and Maxime Deschamps, 23, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Que., will also represent Canada in pair. Earlier this season, Grenier and Deschamps placed fourth at the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic. Last season, the representatives of CPA Sherbrooke and CPAR Vaudreuil placed fifth at the Nebelhorn Trophy, fifth at the Skate Canada Autumn Classic International, sixth at Skate America, and fifth at the 2015 Canadian Championships. They are coached by Richard Gauthier and Bruno Marcotte at CPA Saint-Léonard.

Canadian champions and two time world medallists Kaitlyn Weaver, 26, Toronto, Ont., and Andrew Poje, 28, Waterloo, Ont., are the first of three Canadian entries in ice dance. The current defending champions have reached the podium four times at this event. Earlier this season, they won gold at the Finlandia Trophy. Last season, they won gold at each of their events (Nebelhorn Trophy, Skate Canada International, NHK Trophy, ISU Grand Prix Final and Four Continents Championships) and won the bronze medal at the World Championships. Representing Sault FSC and Kitchener-Waterloo SC, they are coached by Angelika Krylova, Pasquale Camerlengo and Shae-Lynn Bourne in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Three time Canadian bronze medallists Alexandra Paul, 24, Midhurst, Ont., and Mitchell Islam, 25, Barrie, Ont., are the second Canadian entry in ice dance. This will be their third time competing at this event, having placed fourth in 2010 and fifth in 2013. Paul and Islam began this season winning silver at the Nebelhorn Trophy. Last season, they placed fifth at the Cup of China, sixth at Trophée Eric Bompard, sixth at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships and 13th at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships. The representatives of Barrie SC train in Montreal, Que., with coaches Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon and Romain Haguenauer.

Élisabeth Paradis, 23, Loretteville, Que., and François-Xavier Ouellette, 23, Laval, Que., are the third Canadian ice dance entry. Last season, they placed seventh at this event. This season, they won bronze at the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic. Paradis and Ouellette also placed fifth at the Nebelhorn Trophy, fourth at Skate America, and fifth at the 2015 Canadian Championships last season. The representatives of CPA Loretteville and CPA Les Lames D’Argent De Laval Inc., train in in Montreal, Que., with coaches Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon and Romain Haguenauer.

Cynthia Ullmark, of Canmore, Alta., and Carolyn Allwright of Kitchener, Ont., will be the Canadian team leaders at the event. Dr. Erika Persson of Edmonton, Alta., and physiotherapist Agnes Makowski of Toronto, Ont., will be the Canadian medical staff. Andrea Derby of Windsor, Ont., Beth Crane of Burnaby, B.C., Cynthia Benson of Quispamsis, N.B., and Leslie Keen of Vancouver, B.C., will be the Canadian officials at the event.

For results and full entries please visit 2015 Skate Canada International.

CANADIAN ENTRIES AT 2015 SKATE CANADA INTERNATIONAL

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Mens Patrick Chan 24 Toronto, Ont. Granite Club Kathy Johnson
Mens Nam Nguyen 17 Toronto, Ont. Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club Brian Orser / Ernest Pryhitka
Mens Keegan Messing 23 Girdwood, Alaska, USA Sherwood Park FSC Ralph Burghart
Ladies Gabrielle Daleman 17 Newmarket, Ont. Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club Lee Barkell / Brian Orser
Ladies Kaetlyn Osmond 19 Marystown, Nfld. & Sherwood Park, Alberta Ice Palace FSC Ravi Walia
Ladies Véronik Mallet 21 Sept-Îles, Que. CPA Sept-Îles Annie Barabé / Maximin Coïa
Pair Meagan Duhamel / Eric Radford 29/30 Lively, Ont. / Balmertown, Ont. Walden FSC / CPA Saint-Léonard Richard Gauthier / Bruno Marcotte / Sylvie Fullum
Pair Kirsten Moore-Towers / Michael Marinaro 23/23 St. Catharines, Ont. / Sarnia, Ont. Kitchener-Waterloo SC / Point Edward SC Inc. Bruno Marcotte / Richard Gauthier / Sylvie Fullum / Julie Marcotte / Cynthia Lemaire
Pair Vanessa Grenier / Maxime Deschamps 23/23 Johnville,. Que./ Vaudreuil-Dorion, Que. CPA Sherbrooke / CPAR Vaudreuil Richard Gauthier / Bruno Marcotte
Ice Dance Kaitlyn Weaver / Andrew Poje 26/28 Toronto, Ont. / Waterloo, Ont. Sault FSC / Kitchener-Waterloo SC Angelika Krylova / Pasquale Camerlengo / Shae-Lynn Bourne
Ice Dance Alexandra Paul / Mitchell Islam 24/25 Midhurst, Ont. / Barrie, Ont. Barrie SC / Barrie SC Marie-France Dubreuil / Patrice Lauzon / Romain Haguenauer
Ice Dance Élisabeth Paradis / François-Xavier Ouellette 23/23 Loretteville, Que. / Laval, Que. CPA Loretteville / CPA Les Lames d’Argent de Laval Inc. Marie-France Dubreuil / Patrice Lauzon / Romain Haguenauer

Skate Canada International Primer, Part II

SCI 101

Skate Canada International is the second stop in the International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. The series also includes events in China, France, Russia, Japan and the U.S. During the series, points are awarded in the four disciplines (men’s, ladies, ice dance and pair) based on event results.

The Grand Prix Series culminates in December 2015, when the top six Series finishers in each discipline square off in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Barcelona, Spain.

Nearing the halfway point between the 2014 and 2018 Olympic Winter Games, the 2015 edition of SCI also will allow fans a sneak peek at potential Olympic contenders for the 2018 Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.

TICKETS

Get your tickets today to witness this world-class international showdown in Lethbridge. Visit enmaxcentre.ca or call 403-329-7328.

TV SCHEDULE

SCI will be broadcast in Canada by TSN, CTV and RDS, the event’s official broadcast partners.

Skate Canada International Primer, Part I

SCI 101

What, exactly, is Skate Canada International?

Skate Canada International is the second stop in the International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. The series also includes events in China, France, Russia, Japan and the U.S. During the series, points are awarded in the four disciplines (men’s, ladies, ice dance and pair) based on event results.

The Grand Prix Series culminates in December 2015, when the top six Series finishers in each discipline square off in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Barcelona, Spain.

Nearing the halfway point between the 2014 and 2018 Olympic Winter Games, the 2015 edition of SCI also will allow fans a sneak peek at potential Olympic contenders for the 2018 Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.

TICKETS

Get your tickets today to witness this world-class international showdown in Lethbridge. Visit enmaxcentre.ca or call 403-329-7328.

TV SCHEDULE

SCI will be broadcast in Canada by TSN, CTV and RDS, the event’s official broadcast partners.

Skate Canada International Single Event Tickets on Sale Tomorrow

OTTAWA, ON: Single event tickets for the 2015 Skate Canada International in Lethbridge, Alta., will go on sale Thursday, September 10 at 10:00 a.m. (MT). The event will take place from October 29 – November 1, 2015 at the ENMAX Centre.

TICKETS

Single tickets range from $15-$55, plus applicable surcharges. Children 12 and under are free to attend on Thursday for the practice sessions. Family four-packs are also available and range in cost from $125-$200, plus applicable surcharges. All-event ticket packages are still available, packages range from $150-$180, plus applicable surcharges.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.enmaxcentre.ca, by phone at 403.329.7328, or in person at the ENMAX Centre Box Office. Group discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more by calling 403.320.4225.

WHO TO WATCH

Fans in Lethbridge are in for an exciting event as Canadian favourites like Patrick Chan, Meagan Duhamel, Eric Radford, Kaitlyn Weaver, Andrew Poje, Nam Nguyen, Gabrielle Daleman and Kaetlyn Osmond highlight the fields. They will be joined by a number of world-class skaters including Yuzuru Hanyu, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev.

EVENT INFO

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

Skaters are awarded points based on their placements in the series’ events. The top-six men and ladies and the top-six pair and ice dance teams qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final to be held in Barcelona, Spain from December 10-13, 2015.

Jeremy Ten named as the Athlete Ambassador for Skate Canada International in Lethbridge

OTTAWA, ON: Three-time Canadian medallist Jeremy Ten, 26, Vancouver, B.C., will return to the rink but in a new role. Ten will act as the Athlete Ambassador for the 2015 Skate Canada International taking place in Lethbridge, Alta., from October 29 – November 1, 2015 at the ENMAX Centre.

Over the course of the four-day event Ten will handle speaking engagements, media interviews, making appearances on behalf of the competing athletes, choreographing the gala group numbers and making time for his fans. He will also act as a guest judge at the Flower Retriever Auditions in Lethbridge on September 10, 2015 at the ENMAX Centre. Ten will be available for interviews during his visit.

“I am so honored and grateful to be attending the 2015 Skate Canada International as the Athlete Ambassador in Lethbridge, Alberta. Skate Canada was always one of my favorite competitions to compete in on the Grand Prix circuit thanks to the amazing volunteers, the incredibly supportive Canadian crowd, and the fans from all over the world that make our sport so great,” said Ten. “I look forward to meeting and interacting with the fans, engaging the community, and cheering on my former team mates as they take on some of skating’s best.”

“The role of Athlete Ambassador at our events is a great way for our alumni to stay connected to the sport and it also allows fans to interact with some of their favourite skaters. We are thrilled to have Jeremy in this role,” said Dan Thompson, Skate Canada CEO. “Having skated at this event three times previously in his career Jeremy has a vast knowledge of what it takes to compete at this level. We look forward to welcoming him to Lethbridge.” Ten has competed internationally for Canada for 11 years. He is a three-time national team member, two-time world team member in 2009 and 2015, and is also a two-time Canadian junior medallist, winning the junior Canadian title in 2007. He has competed at Skate Canada International three times in his career (2009, 2010, 2011).

Since his retirement in June 2015 he has taken his very first steps into independent adulthood and moved into his very own apartment, has been assisting and directing skating seminars and workshops, guest coaching at various skating clubs in B.C. and Alberta, choreographing, and working on his NCCP Level 3 coaching certification; all while maintaining two part-time jobs. Ten is also a recent graduate of Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences and minor in Kinesiology.

TICKETS

All-event ticket packages are on sale now! Ticket packages range from $150-$180, plus applicable surcharges.

Single event tickets will go on sale on Thursday, September 10 at 10:00 a.m. (MT). Single tickets range from $15-$55, plus applicable surcharges. Children 12 and under are free to attend on Thursday for the practice sessions. Family four-packs are also available and range in cost from $125-$200, plus applicable surcharges.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.enmaxcentre.ca, by phone at 403.329.7328, or in person at the ENMAX Centre Box Office. Group discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more by calling 403.320.4225.

WHO TO WATCH

Fans in Lethbridge are in for an exciting event as Canadian favourites like Patrick Chan, Meagan Duhamel, Eric Radford, Kaitlyn Weaver, Andrew Poje, Nam Nguyen, Gabrielle Daleman and Kaetlyn Osmond highlight the fields. They will be joined by a number of world-class skaters including Yuzuru Hanyu, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev.

EVENT INFO

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

Skaters are awarded points based on their placements in the series’ events. The top-six men and ladies and the top-six pair and ice dance teams qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final to be held in Barcelona, Spain from December 10-13, 2015.

2015 Skate Canada International tickets on sale now!

OTTAWA, ON: All-event tickets for the 2015 Skate Canada International are on sale now. Next year’s event takes place in Lethbridge, Alberta at the ENMAX Centre from October 30 – November 1, 2015.

“Coming off the excitement of last weekend’s Skate Canada International in Kelowna where Canadian skaters captured two gold and one silver, we are looking forward to welcoming the world’s best skaters to Lethbridge in 2015, and for continued success by our Canadians athletes” said Skate Canada CEO Dan Thompson.

All-event ticket packages for the 2015 Skate Canada International in Lethbridge, Alta., cost $150-$180, plus applicable surcharges. Tickets can be purchased online at www.enmaxcentre.ca, by phone at 403.329.7328, or in person at the ENMAX Centre Box Office.

The southern Alberta city will celebrate the silver anniversary of hosting the event in 1990 when Canadian skaters, led by Kurt Browning, swept the four titles.

Skate Canada International is the second competition in the annual ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating® series. The other events take place in the United States (Skate America), China (Cup of China), France (Trophée Eric Bompard), Russia (Rostelecom Cup) and Japan (NHK Trophy). The list of Canadian and international competitors for the event will be announced in late spring of 2015 when all six of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating® event assignments are determined.

Lethbridge, Alberta to host 2015 Skate Canada International

OTTAWA, ON: The city of Lethbridge, Alberta will celebrate a silver anniversary with Skate Canada in 2015. The southern Alberta city has been chosen as the site of the 2015 Skate Canada International (SCI), and it last held the same event in 1990. The competition will be held at ENMAX Centre from October 30 – November 1, 2015.

The announcement was made at a press conference today in Lethbridge via a video message from the 1990 Skate Canada International men’s champion, Kurt Browning. The four-time world champion reminisced on competing in his home province, and remarked “that the best skaters in the world are going to be coming to Lethbridge where the best audiences are waiting to receive them.”

“We are thrilled that Skate Canada has chosen our city as the location for this world-class competition,” said Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman. “We look forward to welcoming the competitors, coaches, officials, support staff and spectators. They will have an excellent experience in Lethbridge.”

More than 200 volunteers will be asked to help out before and during the four-day event, which is estimated to have a $5.5 million local economic impact. “Sports events such as Skate Canada International help inspire young athletes – they can meet people who share their passion, and they can be involved as volunteers, right here in their own community,” said Spearman.

“We had a tremendous amount of community interest in hosting the Skate Canada International event in Lethbridge during the bid process,” said Susan Eymann, Executive Director, Lethbridge Sport Council. “That commitment now turns into action as we work with Lethbridge and area skating clubs, our colleagues at the ENMAX Centre, the City of Lethbridge and the Lethbridge Lodging Association to provide an excellent experience for our visitors.”

Eymann said the Lethbridge Sport Council will be working with a number of organizations to support volunteer recruitment and other activities that add value and fun to the spectacular community event.  “We’ve got an enthusiastic team assembled and they are ready to work with Skate Canada to make this a memorable event for everyone.”

“We like to stage this event in various locations across the country to help inspire all Canadians to embrace the joy of skating. Skate Canada is pleased to bring this highly renowned international sporting event to Lethbridge. The competition will be strong, as it occurs almost halfway between the 2014 and 2018 Olympic Winter Games,” said Dan Thompson, CEO, Skate Canada. “We are excited about engaging with the local business community in Lethbridge because of the enthusiasm already evident in the city. Combined with the dedicated team of volunteers from Skate Canada Alberta/Nunavut/NWT and throughout the region, everyone involved will receive a warm Alberta welcome and the event will be a definite success.”

The top figure skaters in the world will be featured in head-to-head competition in four disciplines, men, ladies, pair and ice dance. Skate Canada International is the second competition in the annual International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating® series. The other events take place in the United States (Skate America), China (Cup of China), France (Trophée Eric Bompard), Russia (Rostelecom Cup) and Japan (NHK Trophy). Skaters are awarded points based on their placements in the series’ events. The top-six men and ladies and the top-six pair and ice dance teams qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in December 2015.

Competitors for Skate Canada International, and all of the ISU Grand Prix events, will be announced following the ISU Grand Prix Commission meetings in the spring of 2015.

All-event tickets will go on sale Friday, November 7 at 10:00 a.m. (MST). Tickets may be purchased online at www.enmaxcentre.ca, by phone at 403.329.7328 or in person at the ENMAX Centre box office. Single-event tickets are expected to go on sale in the fall of 2015.