Tag Archive for: Synchronized Skating

You Don’t Have to Be Perfect; You Just Have to Be Awesome

Photo by Elsa Garrison – International Skating Union/International Skating Union via Getty Images

In the spring of 2022, senior synchronized skating team Les Suprêmes struck gold at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in front of a home crowd in Hamilton, Ontario. This marked the third time in history that a Canadian team would stand on the top step of the podium since the event’s inception 22 years ago. The previous team to win gold was NEXXICE in 2015, seven years prior. So, how did they get here?

Believe it or not, COVID-19 helped catapult the team to this level of excellence. When talking with Marilyn Langlois, one of the three members of the coaching team along with Pascal Denis and Amélie Brochu, she attributes their success to the training constraints they had to adhere to during the pandemic.

Marilyn paints a picture of what their training was like: “The pandemic forced us to focus more on individual skating skills and we had to get creative with our trainings, using sticks to maintain distance which allowed for more room to skate and to skate bigger.”

This unique training environment created a strong base for the skaters and allowed them to put together a much stronger program. Heading into Worlds in 2022, Les Suprêmes were not well ranked internationally, a direct result of limited opportunities to compete internationally due to the Omicron outbreak in January 2022. A few months later in Hamilton, the hometown crowd shook the building each time Canadian synchronized skating teams took the ice. It felt more like a hockey game than traditional figure skating. It was a special moment for this Canadian team as they skated lights out and captured the gold medal on home soil.

The 2022-2023 season was slightly different for the reigning world champions due to the fact that synchronized skating was added to the

Photo by Elsa Garrison – International Skating Union/International Skating Union via Getty Images

2023 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships program for the first time alongside all other skating disciplines.

This was a special moment for the synchronized skating community and fans welcomed the discipline with open arms. Throughout the event, spectators were heard saying things like “I didn’t know synchronized skating was like this” or “It’s come so far technically from when I last watched.”

However, this change also meant that synchronized skating teams would be competing for their national title a month earlier than in the past. Historically, synchronized skating teams participated in their own National Championships which took place in February, with the ultimate objective of peaking at the World Championships in late March. Going into nationals as World Champions the previous year, Les Suprêmes were the strong favourite to win, but ended up placing third.

According to Marilyn Langlois, it wasn’t a bad skate and they were not planning to peak at nationals. To not perform at your best at the National Championships seems counterintuitive, but sports are a building game and each competition prepares you for the next. The team was focused on getting the technical elements, good GOEs and building mental strength so they could peak when it counted.

Photo by Elsa Garrison – International Skating Union/International Skating Union via Getty Images

Following nationals, Canada’s synchronized skating teams began their international season and the work to qualify for the World Championships. This is a time of “believing and trusting the process and being confident in the program you are building,” shared Marilyn.

At their first international competition of the 2023 season, the team was just looking to improve and build confidence. These competitions are good preparation for Worlds as athletes compete against other international competitors. The focus is on winning one element at a time. The coaching philosophy always being, ‘You do not have to be perfect; you just have to be awesome.’

Indeed, they were awesome and in turn accomplished something amazing: the team won medals at both of their international competitions leading up to the World Championships, finishing first at the 2023 Challenger Series Spring Cup and claiming bronze at the 2023 Leon Lurje Trophy. This momentum carried them into the 2023 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships, where they accomplished something incredibly awesome: back-to-back World Championship titles, a first for Canada.

Competing at this level of the sport requires strong mental skills, which is a main area of focus within the coaching team. They constantly tell their team that they just need to be awesome because perfection is impossible and regardless of the outcome of the season, “they are still going to be able to achieve something awesome by the end.” In addition to instilling this mindset within their team, they take proactive approaches to preserve athletes’ health. The coaching team regularly checks in individually with each athlete and Marilyn confirms that for their coaching team, “the health of the athlete, mentally, physically, comes before any performance.

For Les Suprêmes, winning in a healthy way is a mindset they would like to bring to the forefront of competitive sport. “Doing it in a healthy way is doable, it just takes a lot more communication and listening to the needs of your athletes, as well as, finding just the right balance between hard work and fun.”

Canada Wins Gold and Silver at French Cup Synchronized Skating Competition

ROUEN, France (February 4, 2023) – Canada’s Nova squad from Saint-Hubert, Que., won the gold medal in junior competition and a silver medal at the senior level on Saturday to conclude the 2023 French Cup synchronized skating event.

In the junior event, Nova won both the short and long programs totalling 181.25 points with team best scores in both skates. Fond du Lac Blades from the U.S. was second at 173.62 and Ice Steps from Finland third at 169.48.

Ice Ignite from Ilderton, Ont., moved from seventh after the short to fifth overall with the fourth best free skate for 153.11.

‘’We wanted to improve on our score from the national championships (last month), said Nova Junior co-captain Jordan Campbell. ‘’We were proud with how we performed.’’

Nova remained second in the senior competition less than two points from top spot. Team Elite from the U.S. took the gold with 201.18, Nova scored 199.27 and Les Zoulous from France were third at 170.81.

 Last week, Nova, national silver medallists, were fifth at an event in Sweden.

‘’We came over here hoping to deliver solid performances in each of our programs,’’ said Nova captain Alyssa O’Leary. ‘’We got some great feedback that our short program was dynamic and our long really touched the audience.’’

Next on the synchro schedule is the 2023 Hevelius Cup in Gdansk, Poland from February 9-11.  Nova, Ice Ignite and NEXXICE from Burlington, Ont., will represent Canada at the junior competition.

Full results: https://www.ffsg.org/resultats/2022-2023/French_Cup_2023/index.htm

Canadian Synchro Teams Head to Three Different International Events in February

OTTAWA, ON. (January 30, 2023) – The international competition season continues for Canada’s synchronized skating teams after a solid start that saw NEXXICE Senior claim gold at the Mozart Cup and Les Suprêmes Senior and Junior win medals at the 2023 Leon Lurje Trophy. Throughout the month of February, senior and junior squads will travel to European destinations as they compete for a spot at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships® and the ISU Junior Synchronized Skating Championships® which are scheduled in March.

The 2023 French Cup will be taking place in Rouen, France from February 3-4, 2023, followed by the 2023 Hevelius Cup in Gdansk, Poland from February 9-11, 2023. The competition month will conclude at the Challenger Series Spring Cup, February 17-19, 2023, in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy.

This year’s national silver medalists Nova Senior, will be Canada’s lone senior entry at the 2023 French Cup. Over the weekend, the team placed 5th at the Leon Lurje Trophy which marked their first international competition since 2020.

Also attending the 2023 French Cup are junior teams Nova Junior and Ice Ignite. Nova Junior recently placed 4th at the 2023 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships followed closely by Ice Ignite, who placed 5th.

The following weekend, Canadian junior teams will head to Gdansk, Poland for the 2023 Hevelius Cup. Nova Junior and Ice Ignite will be joined by 2023 junior synchronized skating national champions NEXXICE Junior.

The last event of February will see 2022 ISU World Synchronized Skating Champions® Les Suprêmes Senior and 2023 national champions NEXXICE Senior on the hunt for podium finishes at the 2023 Challenger Series Spring Cup in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy. Both Les Suprêmes and NEXXICE junior teams will also attend the event.

Team Canada – 2023 French Cup 
Name | Coach | Training Location

Senior 
Nova | Dominic Barthe | Saint-Hubert, Que.

Junior 
Ice Ignite | Cara Moir & Sheri Moir | Ilderton, Ont.
Nova | Nadine Tougas | Saint-Hubert, Que.

Team Leader – Josée Bourdon
Judges – Susan Morriss & Sabrina Wong

Team Canada – 2023 Hevelius Cup 

Junior 
Ice Ignite | Cara Moir & Sheri Moir | Ilderton, Ont.
NEXXICE | Julia Mills Bolton & Trish Purdue Mills | Burlington, Ont.
Nova |  Dominic Barthe & Nadine Tougas | Saint-Hubert, Que.

Team Leader – Shae Zukiwsky
Judge – Marion Dyke
Technical Controller – Andrew Bosco

Team Canada – Challenger Series Spring Cup 

Senior 
Les Suprêmes | Pascal Denis & Marilyn Langlois | St. Leonard, Que.
NEXXICE | Jennifer Beauchamp-Crichton & Shelley Simonton-Barnett | Burlington, Ont.

Junior 
Les Suprêmes | Amélie Brochu & Pascal Denis | St. Leonard, Que.
NEXXICE | Julia Mills Bolton & Trish Purdue Mills |Burlington, Ont.

Team Leader – Mary Ellen McDonald
Judge – Andrew Bosco
Technical Specialist – Kathy Mackowski
Referee – Cynthia Alpein

Canadian Synchro Teams Kick Off Their International Season

OTTAWA, ON (January 16, 2023) – After showcasing their programs last week at the 2023 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships, Canadian junior and senior synchronized skating teams will begin their international competition season with two events in January. The 2023 Mozart Cup will be taking place in Salzburg, Austria from January 19-21, 2023, followed by the 2023 Leon Lurje Trophy in Gothenburg, Sweden from January 27-29, 2023. 

Canadian champions NEXXICE senior will be the sole Canadian entry at the 2023 Mozart Cup. Nexxice is a twelve-time Canadian champion and finished just off the podium at the 2022 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships.   

The 2023 Leon Lurje Trophy will see both Nova and Les Suprêmes compete at the senior level. Both teams recently competed at the 2023 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships where they finished in second and third place respectively.  

In the junior category, recent national championship medalists Les Suprêmes junior and Gold Ice junior will both be vying for a place on the podium. 

Team Canada – 2023 Mozart Cup 

Name | Coach | Training Location 

Senior  

Nexxice | Burlington, Ont. | Shelley Simonton-Barnett & Jennifer Beauchamp-Crichton | Burlington, Ont.  

Team Canada – 2023 Leon Lurje Trophy  

Senior  

Les Suprêmes | Amélie Brochu, Pascal Denis & Marilyn Langlois | St. Leonard, Que. 
Nova | Marie-France Sirois | St. Hubert, Que. 

Junior 

Les Suprêmes | Amélie Brochu, Pascal Denis & Marilyn Langlois | St. Leonard, Que.
Gold Ice | Jessica Brown, Jasmine Gagnon, Ashley Greenhalgh & Andrea Nesbitt | Brampton, Ont.  

Skate Canada Invites All Canadians to #SkateWithUs This Season

OTTAWA, ON: (September 8, 2022) – The skating season is officially upon us and Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast are invited to register for a skating program at their local Skate Canada club or skating school. With a wide range of programs being offered, skaters of all ages and abilities can learn various skills at their own pace. 

Skate Canada currently offers three programs: CanSkate for beginners of any age, STAR 1-5 as an introduction to figure skating and PowerSkate for the enhancement of skating skills for hockey and ringette players.  

As the best learn to skate program in the country, CanSkate is geared towards beginners of all ages including children, adults, newcomers and athletes with a disability (AWAD). Whether you are looking to improve basic skating skills for figure skating, hockey, ringette or speed skating, or wish to skate for recreation, CanSkate will help you reach your goals. Join the millions of Canadians, including world and Olympic figure skating champions, Olympic speed skaters, and National Hockey League stars, that have taken their first steps on the ice through the CanSkate program.   

Further skating opportunities include:  

  • Synchronized Skating – for those looking to develop skills and participate in skating as a team  
  • Adaptive Skating – options are available within all our programs for the development of skating skills. Contact your local club for details.  
  • Adult Skating – options are available by contacting your local skating club for details and availability.  

All Skate Canada member coaches hold National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) status, first aid and valid police clearance checks. Quality instruction is available at all 1,200 member clubs and skating schools across the country.  

To learn more about skating programs near you, please contact your nearest club using Skate Canada’s Find a Club feature. We are excited for you to #SkateWithUs this coming season! 

You may….Skate alone. Skate in pairs. Skate with a Team. Skate with hundreds. Skate for fun. Skate to win. Skate to travel. Skate to exercise. Skate to excel. Skate to relax. But you’ll always… #SkateWithUs. 

 

Gold Ice Junior Synchronized Skating Team Heads to Finland for 2022 Marie Lundmark Trophy

OTTAWA, ON:  Canada will have one team competing at the 2022 Marie Lundmark Trophy in Turku, Finland. The international synchronized skating competition takes place from January 20-23, 2022, at the Gatorade Centre. 

Gold Ice Junior will be the sole Canadian team at the 2022 Marie Lundmark Trophy. They are the defending champions of this event. They are coached by Jessica Brown, Ashley Greenhalgh, and Andrea Nesbitt. In 2018, Gold Ice Junior won the bronze medal at the Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships. 

For more information on the competition, please visit www.isu.org or the event page. 

Learn to Skate at Your Local Skate Canada Club

OTTAWA, ON: The 2019-2020 ice skating season is beginning in many communities across Canada and all Canadians have the opportunity to register for skating programs at your local Skate Canada club or skating school. Skating is an integral part of the Canadian experience, and with a diverse offering of programs, aspiring participants of all ages can learn at their own speed.

Skate Canada is pleased to offer CanSkate, presented by Canadian Tire, the number one learn-to-skate program in the country. CanSkate is accessible to all Canadians and has been implemented in member clubs and skating schools nationwide.

The CanSkate program is based on principles of Sport Canada’s Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD), and offers custom tools, professional coaching, a tested and proven curriculum, and delivery methods that guarantee strong basic skills and quicker skating development. The CanSkate program also teaches skills that prepare skaters for other popular Canadian ice sports such as hockey, ringette and speed skating, by working on the skaters’ balance, control and agility.

Learning to skate is a natural part of Canadian life. From early steps on the ice, holding onto a parent’s hand, to skating at a family activity, or moving on to other ice sports, skating is an enriching, active experience. Skate Canada offers three  programs, from CanSkate for beginners of any age to, STAR 1-5 as an introduction of figure skating and CanPowerSkate for the enhancement of skating skills for hockey and ringette.

Skating opportunities include:

  • Synchronized Skating – for those looking to develop skills and participate in skating as a team
  • Adaptive Skating – options are available within all of our programs for the development of skating skills. Contact your local club for details.
  • Adult Skating – options are available through programs. Contact your local skating club for details and availability.

All Skate Canada member coaches hold National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) status, first aid and valid police clearance checks. Quality instruction is available at all 1,200 member clubs and skating schools across the country.

To learn more about skating programs near you, please contact your nearest club using Skate Canada’s Find a Club and let’s get skating Canada!

Les Suprêmes champions at 2016 ISU Junior World Challenge Cup

ZAGREB, Croatia – Les Suprêmes from St-Leonard, Que., won the gold medal Saturday at the 2016 ISU Junior World Challenge Cup synchronized skating competition.

The Canadians earned 179.44 points placing first in both the short and long programs. Finland took the silver at 172.91 and Russia was third at 169.93.

The Supremes skaters were Jessica Allaire, Alessia Arsenault, Amélie Béland, Julia Bernardo, Rachel Maria Cecere, Alisia Cirella, Emily Degni, Béatrice Coté Gomes De Oliveira, Marie-Ève Deschesnes, Gabrielle Gauthier-Roy, Marie-Michèle Gauthier-Roy, Kathleen Grandchamps, Alessia Hart-Lewis, Jessisa Giovanna Iacono, Nadia Lemay, Christina Morin, Alexia Nadai-Plante, Andréanne Paradis, Alessia Malissa Polletta and Florence Poulin.

Canadian junior silver medallists, Les Suprêmes qualified for the event by winning Skate Canada Central Ontario’s annual Winterfest competition. They have previously competed at this event in 2014, winning silver, and in 2012, winning bronze. Last year, they won the bronze medal at the 2015 ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships. This season, they won gold at the 2016 French Cup. Les Suprêmes junior are coached by Marilyn Langlois, assisted by Pascal Denis, Amélie Brochu, and Kassandra Patenaude.

NEXXICE from Burlington, Ont., were eighth at 149.47 out of 20 entries. The NEXXICE skaters were Madina Asrorova, Alyssa Finocchi, Alycia Giro, Taylor Johnston, Anna Ljungberg, Caroline Marr, Emiko Marr, Shayna McFadden, Jessica Morgan, Scarlet Panning-Stinson, Angie Qi, Jeian Simbahon, Samantha Smith, Nicole Suszek, Alessandra Toso, Nadejda Vladco, Kayla Walker, Brooklyn Williamson, Emily Wright and Olivia Xie.

Canadian champions NEXXICE junior won silver at Skate Canada Central Ontario’s Winterfest. NEXXICE junior previously competed at this event in 2012, placing sixth. Last year, the representatives of the Burlington Skating Centre placed fifth at the 2015 ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships. This season, NEXXICE junior won silver at the 2016 Neuchâtel Trophy. NEXXICE junior are coached by Trish Perdue-Mills.

Full Results: 2016 ISU Junior World Challenge Cup.

Les Suprêmes lead 2016 ISU Junior World Challenge Cup

ZAGREB, Croatia – Les Suprêmes from St-Leonard, Que., are in first place after Friday’s short program at the 2016 ISU Junior World Challenge Cup synchronized skating competition.

The first of two Canadian entries leads with 63.71 points with Russia second at 62.02 and Finland third at 61.11.

The Les Suprêmes skaters are Jessica Allaire, Alessia Arsenault, Amélie Béland, Julia Bernardo, Rachel Maria Cecere, Alisia Cirella, Emily Degni, Béatrice Coté Gomes De Oliveira, Marie-Ève Deschesnes, Gabrielle Gauthier-Roy, Marie-Michèle Gauthier-Roy, Kathleen Grandchamps, Alessia Hart-Lewis, Jessisa Giovanna Iacono, Nadia Lemay, Christina Morin, Alexia Nadai-Plante, Andréanne Paradis, Alessia Malissa Polletta and Florence Poulin.

Canadian junior silver medallists, Les Suprêmes qualified for the event by winning Skate Canada Central Ontario’s annual Winterfest competition. They have previously competed at this event in 2014, winning silver, and in 2012, winning bronze. Last year, they won the bronze medal at the 2015 ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships. This season, they won gold at the 2016 French Cup. Les Suprêmes junior are coached by Marilyn Langlois, assisted by Pascal Denis, Amélie Brochu, and Kassandra Patenaude.

NEXXICE from Burlington, Ont., are in seventh spot at 54.25. The NEXXICE skaters are Madina Asrorova, Alyssa Finocchi, Alycia Giro, Taylor Johnston, Anna Ljungberg, Caroline Marr, Emiko Marr, Shayna McFadden, Jessica Morgan, Scarlet Panning-Stinson, Angie Qi, Jeian Simbahon, Samantha Smith, Nicole Suszek, Alessandra Toso, Nadejda Vladco, Kayla Walker, Brooklyn Williamson, Emily Wright and Olivia Xie.

Canadian champions NEXXICE junior won silver at Skate Canada Central Ontario’s Winterfest. NEXXICE junior previously competed at this event in 2012, placing sixth. Last year, the representatives of the Burlington Skating Centre placed fifth at the 2015 ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships. This season, NEXXICE junior won silver at the 2016 Neuchâtel Trophy. NEXXICE junior are coached by Trish Perdue-Mills.

Competition ends Saturday.

Information: 2016 ISU Junior World Challenge Cup

Junior Synchronized Skating Teams Set to Represent Canada at 2016 ISU Junior World Challenge Cup

OTTAWA, ON: Canada will have two junior synchronized skating teams competing at the 2016 ISU Junior World Challenge Cup in Zagreb, Croatia, from March 10-12. Les Suprêmes junior from Quebec and NEXXICE junior, from Western Ontario, will represent Canada at the event. Zagreb will host 20 of the top junior synchronized skating teams from 15 countries. The event runs in conjunction with the Zagreb Snowflakes Trophy synchronized skating competition which features novice and senior events.

Canadian junior silver medallists, Les Suprêmes are the first Canadian entry. Les Suprêmes qualified as the first Canadian entry by winning Skate Canada Central Ontario’s annual Winterfest competition. They have previously competed at this event in 2014, winning silver, and in 2012, winning bronze. Last year, they won the bronze medal at the 2015 ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships. This season, the representatives of CPA Saint-Léonard won gold at the 2016 French Cup. Les Suprêmes junior are coached by Marilyn Langlois, assisted by Pascal Denis, Amélie Brochu, and Kassandra Patenaude.

Nexxice Junior

NEXXICE Junior

Canadian champions NEXXICE junior are the second Canadian entry, having won silver at Skate Canada Central Ontario’s Winterfest. NEXXICE junior previously competed at this event in 2012, placing sixth. Last year, the representatives of the Burlington Skating Centre placed fifth at the 2015 ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships. This season, NEXXICE junior won silver at the 2016 Neuchâtel Trophy. NEXXICE junior are coached by Trish Perdue-Mills.

Susan Morriss, of Victoria, B.C., will be the Canadian team manager at the event. Dr. Ed Pilat of Winnipeg, Man., will be the Canadian team doctor and Sylvia Ciurysek of Berwyn, Alta., will be the team physiotherapist.

For more information please visit 2016 ISU Junior World Challenge Cup.

Canada’s Nexxice fourth at ISU Shanghai Trophy

SHANGHAI – Nexxice from Burlington, Ont., gained a spot in the standings with its free skate but just fell short of the podium in a fourth place finish at the ISU Shanghai Trophy synchronized skating competition.

Paradise from Russia held on for gold with 205.33 points, Haydenettes from the U.S. were second at 201.01 and Team Surprise from Sweden took bronze at 200.37. The Canadians followed at 191.11 climbing from fifth after Friday’s short program.

The Nexxice skaters were Shannon Aikman-Jones, Cassandra Ablack, Ellicia Beaudoin, Kelly Britten, Sarah Burns, Anna Cappuccitti, Lee Chandler, Alessia Chiovitti, Samantha Defino, Courtney Gray, Celina Hevesi, Renata Khuzina, Victoria Kwan, Lauren Malott, Courtney McNaughton, Lisa Miadovnik, Rachel Ng, Kiersten Tietz, Jillian Tyler and Lauren Varley.

Representing the Burlington Skating Centre, Nexxice won the silver medal at the recent national championships.

They are the defending world champions, and have previously won the world championships in 2009, won silver from 2012-2014, and won bronze in 2007 and 2008. Nine-time consecutive Canadian champions (from 2007-2015), they are coached by Shelley Simonton Barnett and Anne Schelter.

Full results: ISU Shanghai Trophy 2016