Canadian Ladies 2017-18 season news & updates

[Erin]

This, and also Kaetlyn has home-country Worlds to look forward to in 2 years.

Although Buttle had home country Olympics to look forward to in 2 years when he walked away, and that didn't stop him. In his case, he didn't really enjoy competing and the World title opened up opportunities to do what he really wanted to do, which was tour. I guess time will tell if Kaetlyn ends up feeling the same way.

 

[coppertop1]

Oh yes. The dark days of the mid 90s. That was definitely the low point for Ladies Figure Skating in Canada. I remember when Chouinard returned in 1995-96, everyone was excited because she would put Canada back in the top ten. Then came Canadians and the Ladies event was a train wreck and she imploded. Jennifer Robinson was nowhere near ready to go to Worlds as Canadian Champion. That's actually a good example of where the BOW would have been a good idea. When Kaetlyn and Gabby were on the podium last season and secured three berths. I couldn't help but think back to 1997 when we didn't even a woman for 1998. We've rebuilt from the ground up.

Although Buttle had home country Olympics to look forward to in 2 years when he walked away and that didn't stop him. In his case, he didn't really enjoy competing and the World title opened up opportunities to do what he really wanted to do, which was tour. I guess time will tell if Kaetlyn ends up feeling the same way.

I wouldn't be entirely surprised if she did the same as Buttle and retire after 2020. I think at this time, she still enjoys competing.

 

[dramagrrl]

Although Buttle had home country Olympics to look forward to in 2 years when he walked away, and that didn't stop him. In his case, he didn't really enjoy competing and the World title opened up opportunities to do what he really wanted to do, which was tour. I guess time will tell if Kaetlyn ends up feeling the same way.

I don't think Kaetlyn is really in the same position as Jeff was. Jeff was a few years older, as someone mentioned above, and also was obviously in a place in his career where he had hit the wall of how much he was able to progress. Getting a consistent quad combo was clearly not going to happen, given his age and how long he had been trying, and he had just been beaten at Canadians by a teenager who was barely at the start of his senior career and was only going to get better from there. The Worlds win was seen as a fluke by many and when he announced his retirement a few months later, most skating fans thought he had made a wise decision to take the World title and retire at the top of his game before things started going downhill. Also, there were more touring opportunities available to him at the time - even though there was definitely not a "professional circuit" like back in the 90s, U.S. Stars on Ice was still a several-month long tour that conflicted with the competitive skating season and Jeff was able to tour with both U.S. and Canadian SOI in 2008-09.

It is true that many people probably also see Kaetlyn's win as a fluke of sorts, and it is also true that she might never win another World title given the continuing influx of young Russian and Japanese skaters with insane consistency and technical prowess. However, I don't think that Kaetlyn has hit the wall of how far she can progress as a skater. She is young enough that she can continue to work on adding technical difficulty and succeed. She has really only come into her own as an artistic skater in the past two or three seasons and can progress further in that direction, too. If she still enjoys training and competing and is looking at the next few seasons more as "competing against herself" (i.e., beating her own PBs and adding to both her technical and artistic skating skills) than about increasing her medal count, then I hope she continues.

 

[mag]

Wow, @dramagrrl a fluke eh? Seriously, neither Buttle nor Osmond’s wins were a fluke. Both earned their World titles fair and square. I really, really dislike when people throw around words like “fluke” just because the one the expected to win didn’t. That is what sport is all about.

 

[screech]

What I remember most about Jeff's 2008 win was that Brian Joubert had beaten him in PCS in the FP. And it was a very rare competition where Jeff's TES were the highest of the field.

I do see some similarities between Jeff and Kaetlyn. Both going into the Games as reigning world silver medallist, and only a year apart in age from when they won those titles.

Both battling with one skater to be the top ranked Canadian

Both serious injuries (Jeff had a stress fracture in his back). Both very dedicated to their long-time coach. Both joining SOI.

When Jeff retired, I don't think it was fully because he couldn't get the quad. He'd said he'd accomplished all he ever wanted in the sport. There was no motivation to compete. He also already had a promising career lined up as a choreographer (he'd been assisting David Wilson before he retired). Kaetlyn doesn't have a career lined up yet (that I know of), but I think she has a little more motivation than Jeff did. I don't think it will carry her through 2022, though.

It's kind of crazy to think that it's already been A DECADE since Jeff won Worlds, ending what was at the time a long drought in Canadian mens skating (11 years without a world title). Not even comparable to how long it was between ladies titles, but still a definite drought!

 

[Marco]

I am so happy for Kaetlyn to win this title, and with two of her most beautiful programs too. To me, she is much more of a complete package than others and it is great to see her finally put everything together and not let the exhaustion of Olympics get to her. Within the span of 1.5 months she has won an Olympic team gold, individual bronze and now a World title. She is the best! I hope she doesn't feel demotivated now that she has pretty much won it all. But if she does, I don't blame her.

Not the best from Gabby who appears to have some injury. But good for her to have pulled off a clean free at the Olympics team event and a clean short at Worlds. I am sure she will be back next season, and with new programs.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Not the best from Gabby who appears to have some injury. But good for her to have pulled off a clean free at the Olympics team event and a clean short at Worlds.

According to an ISU tweet, she sprained her ankle in the practice between the SP and the FS.

 

[dramagrrl]

Wow, @dramagrrl a fluke eh? Seriously, neither Buttle nor Osmond’s wins were a fluke. Both earned their World titles fair and square. I really, really dislike when people throw around words like “fluke” just because the one the expected to win didn’t. That is what sport is all about.

I said many people thought Jeff’s win was a fluke, which is true. If you could go back to 2008 and read threads here, you would see many posts saying exactly that. Same with Kaetlyn. Many posts here have said things like “She was lucky Zagitova had an off day” or are already saying she will never win another World title. I don’t share those opinions; I was just pointing them out because they did/do exist. I was/am a huge Buttle fan and Kaetlyn is by far my favourite ladies skater currently competing.

 

[Marco]

That's silly. Both Buttle and Osmond had won individual Olympic medals and World medals before they won their world titles. Hardly flukey.

 

[dramagrrl]

That's silly. Both Buttle and Osmond had won individual Olympic medals and World medals before they won their world titles. Hardly flukey.

Again, I’m not saying that I personally believe Jeff’s title was a fluke, but people who thought so did at least have some evidence to be a bit surprised at his win. He had had a weak season to that point - didn’t qualify to the GPF if IIRC, lost his Canadian title, and was second by over thirty points to Takahashi at 4CC. He looked like a skater in decline up until Worlds.

 

[Marco]

Again, I’m not saying that I personally believe Jeff’s title was a fluke, but people who thought so did at least have some evidence to be a bit surprised at his win. He had had a weak season to that point - didn’t qualify to the GPF if IIRC, lost his Canadian title, and was second by over thirty points to Takahashi at 4CC. He looked like a skater in decline up until Worlds.

I understand that you didn't necessarily feel that way - just saying how silly some of these people were when saying their wins were flukes. They were/ are great skaters in their own right and had world/ Olympic medals to back that up. So it's not like everyone screwed up and they just screwed up less. They actually delivered and earned those massive scores.

Fluke is when Steven Bradbury won that speed skating race.

 

[screech]

Again, I’m not saying that I personally believe Jeff’s title was a fluke, but people who thought so did at least have some evidence to be a bit surprised at his win. He had had a weak season to that point - didn’t qualify to the GPF if IIRC, lost his Canadian title, and was second by over thirty points to Takahashi at 4CC. He looked like a skater in decline up until Worlds.

And Worlds was the only competition in his senior career (that I recall) where he skated two perfectly clean programs. I think that was the first completely clean long program too (his FP at 2005 Canadians - my all time favourite performance of his - was close, but he turned out of one jump)

 

[Canadask8er]

I don't think anyone could have imagined what happened in the final group this past weekend. I told my wife "this is why I LOVE skating" because as much as you can predict what might happen (and usually you can be right by a few places) as Kurt Browning always says "ice is slippery" and some very unexpected things can happen!

Great job Kaetlyn! I was there at her first worlds in London and to see where she has come since then is remarkable! A true Canadian legend! Sitting in the stands before one of Kaetlyn's programs at 2013 worlds, the music coordinator/producer played "This Girl is on Fire" by Alicia Keys while she was skating around waiting for the marks from the previous skater. This big smile came over her face and the crowd erupted!

Go Canada!! and Go Canadian women! FINALLY!

 

[4rkidz]

it was so exciting to be at a worlds again with Canadian women on the podium - I was so thrilled last year being in Helsinki when both Gabby and Kaetlyn made it but to be there last week when Kaetlyn won the gold medal and became world champion was even better. It was like she was in shock at the end when she realized and Mike came into the stands to get a Canadian flag for her and she was in a daze when she tripped - but I think that woke her up!

Was a shame about Gabby, but it has been a rough season for her so I hope she takes a break and regroups for next year because she certainly has the talent to be back on the podium! Worlds in Montreal is keeping these guys in the game I'm sure.. as for our third woman I really hope Skate Canada gives many of the ladies ample opportunity for high pressure international experience as that is what helped both Kaetlyn and Gabby make it.

I think Chartrand with the right mind set and resources will be a potential threat, she has such natural talent. Was nice that Larkyn had the opportunity to go to Worlds as she earned that right, however must admit I didn't see quite as much potential but then it's early days - lets see with more opportunities what everyone can do, what a lovely problem to have!

I think the Senior B's and summer/Autumn skates will be very important this year to develop our additional third person not only for in 2 years at worlds in Montreal but also for the next Olympics. Canadian women are looking strong!

 

[mag]

I would love to see SC use an expanded Summer Series to choose fall internationals. Give a list of big competitions both in Canada and US. Tell senior Skaters they need to compete at least once in the US and at least once outside their home section and then once in their home section. Add up the marks and the placements by some pre defined method and then tell the top five or whatever they will be sent out on the Challenger Series. No favours, no special consideration (other than Gabby and Kaetlyn.) Another option would be to insist on one US comp of the skaters choice and then have SC select two summer comps, one in central/eastern Canada and one in western Canada that all senior competitors must attend (could be different comps for each discipline.) That would give SC three scores of which two would be head to head competition. Give the top five or eight or whatever Challenger Series assignments.

I really think that pushing the skaters out of their comfort zones and making them go head to head in the summer would up the game and Nationals. It would also give lots of skaters the opportunity to earn minimum scores.

 

[Sylvia]

I believe (based on a facebook or instagram post) that Kaetlyn has already had her short program choreographed for next season, no?

From the most normal (least offensive ) Rosie DiManno article I've ever read? Kaetlyn Osmond still stunned by her world figure skating title

“It was exhausting coming home from the Olympics, three weeks away and being on the top of your game. Over three weeks, pushing yourself that hard. But I did have a goal to go to worlds post-Olympics. During those points of low energy, I tried to keep up my training as much as I could, just relied on the training I’d done all year. I did a clean long program at the Olympics and that was exactly a month ago. So I knew I could do it and had the ability to.”
After the Games, Osmond spent a weekend in Toronto, planning show programs with choreographer Jeffrey Buttle, then returned to her base in Edmonton. “I got home on the Monday and got back into training on the Thursday.”
The schedule doesn’t lighten up either. Osmond was flying directly to Japan for Stars on Ice, then a special show at the rink in hometown Marystown, Nfld., that has been named for her — plus a seminar for local skaters. Followed by the Canadian leg of Stars on Ice which will take her through to June.

After that, she will be developing new programs for the 2018-2019 campaign. Because it’s time to mothball the routines that have served her so well. “It was the second year of the short, so that’s the end of it. My long program, as much as I love it and it’s very upsetting for me to let it go, I’ve had my moments with it and I’m ready to see what else I can come up with.”
Osmond would like to hang in till Beijing in 2022 but is taking it year by year. She knows the sport is headed into uncharted territory; has seen the training video of female Russian sprouts tossing off quintuple-triples and quadruple jumps, which had once been inconceivable for women.
“Definitely I won’t be trying a triple Axel or a quad anytime soon. It’s never even been in my mind. It’s amazing to see. But I’m liking being healthy right now. Maybe in the future I’ll reconsider. But right now I’m very much OK with what I have.”

ETA an article by Brian Smiley in the Brantford Expositor: Osmond is 'perfection'

Former figure skater Lance Vipond has a new title to attach to his resume - world champion choreographer.
Vipond, a Brantford native, recently celebrated after his choreography of Kaetlyn Osmond's short program helped her win Canada's first women's singles world figure skating title in 45 years.
"I haven't really processed it," said Vipond. "I suppose it puts me up a little bit more into a different echelon in terms of elite choreographers in the world.
"But I don't think about that stuff too much. I like to just go and do my work."
Vipond has been a big part of Osmond's success.
Since coming together more than a decade ago, the 45-year-old Vipond and 22-year-old Osmond have shared a few ups and downs.
Following the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, where she finished 13th, Osmond broke her leg, forcing her to sit out that season. Up until Sochi, Vipond had choreographed Osmond's short and long programs. But, following the Olympics, the skater moved in a different direction with her long program, eventually settling on former world champion and Olympic bronze medallist Jeffrey Buttle to take care of that portion of her skate.
"I think it has been a great idea," said Vipond. "Jeff has given her two incredible long programs over the past two years."

"She's changed so much over the last two years in terms of her maturity, the way that she trains and the way that she looks after herself," he said
"She's become like a machine. She's a total professional in the way she approaches her training every day."
...
After the [Milan Worlds] short program, Osmond was fourth but she took advantage of some sloppy skating by the leaders in the long program to vault herself into the winner's circle. She is Canada's first women's singles world championship since Karen Magnussen accomplished the feat in 1973.
"I know for Canadian figure skating it's a huge deal," said Vipond, who praised Osmond's coach, Ravi Walla. "The women were always the punchline in skating for so many decades."

Osmond will skate in Marystown (Newfoundland) on April 11: http://www.cbncompass.ca/sports/oth...d-adds-world-champion-to-growing-rsum-196706/
ETA #2:

Beverley Smith article about Kaetlyn's win.
Karen Magnusssen Passes the Torch
https://bevsmithwrites.wordpress.com/2018/03/24/karen-magnussen-passes-the-torch/

 

[honey]

Speaking of Chartrand, a photo on her Instagram yesterday was tagged at a restaurant in Vancouver. Does anyone know if she has moved to McLeod full time?

 

[4rkidz]

Speaking of Chartrand, a photo on her Instagram yesterday was tagged at a restaurant in Vancouver. Does anyone know if she has moved to McLeod full time?

Might be a good move she responded well to her at the last competition. Sometimes talent isn’t enough for a skater.

 

[fsfann]

Speaking of Chartrand, a photo on her Instagram yesterday was tagged at a restaurant in Vancouver. Does anyone know if she has moved to McLeod full time?

Oh dear god. Please tell me she is not going with her. She already struggles with URs and Joanne's skaters tend to be a bit of a head case for the most part. Anyone But Joanne in my mind.

 

[Osmond4gold]

Speaking of Chartrand, a photo on her Instagram yesterday was tagged at a restaurant in Vancouver. Does anyone know if she has moved to McLeod full time?

If true I would say, Austman4Bronze!

 

[mag]

Oh dear god. Please tell me she is not going with her. She already struggles with URs and Joanne's skaters tend to be a bit of a head case for the most part. Anyone But Joanne in my mind.

I don’t know. I have never been a huge fan of McLeod, but maybe this is what Chartrand needs. McLeod seems to have a warm relationship with her skaters and also seems to respect hard workers. I get the impression Chartrand is an extremely hard worker. Who know, maybe it will work out? Stranger things have happened.

 

[ichiro]

Ugh worse case scenario for Chartrand, time for horribly choreographed programs, UR and decreased skating skills. Then again....she did help Annie B once to tame her skating for that one season.

Why aren't more people flocking to Ravi? Look at all the great work he's done with Kaetlyn.

 

[Erin]

Well, the one positive is it might get Chartrand away from the influences of her family if the stories posted on here are true. But I feel like there are other, better options for that. Like working with Christy Krall full time. Or Ravi, as noted.

Why aren't more people flocking to Ravi? Look at all the great work he's done with Kaetlyn.

It was posted in one of the articles about Kaetlyn that skaters are flocking to Ravi and he has had to implement a screening program because he doesn't have time to take on everyone. But he must mostly have skaters at lower levels and not top skaters relocating to him, which is why we haven't heard more about it until now. We might see more of him as his skaters rise through the ranks? Or perhaps it's just a matter of Kaetlyn and Ravi being the perfect match together and without a skater with her immense talent, he's still a good coach but may not have another World champ/Olympic medalist. I guess time will tell.

 

[mag]

Why aren't more people flocking to Ravi? Look at all the great work he's done with Kaetlyn.

Chartrand is unlikely to go to Kaetlyn’s coach. I thought it was pretty nervy of Austman to go to Krall a month before Nationals when Chartrand was already there, but whatever. I still think Chartrand should have gone to Delmaestro and Champagne. Ronald Lam had gorgeous jumps and their skaters have nice choreography. I don’t think they have any senior skaters left so she would have got lots is attention.

So the real question is which Section will Chartrand represent?

 

[kwanfan1818]

I thought this year was not the first time Austman went to Krall, and, in any case, Krall could have said no if she felt protective -- the opposite of the Tutberidze way -- or have asked Chartrand whether it would bother her.

 

[binbinwinwin]

Ravi is not a quick results type of coach, his work with Kaetlyn was a result of many years of hard work and collaboration, he didn't wear her out and helped her slowly back onto the ice, building up her confidence. Maybe he's been considered by other skaters but they want to see results right away.

 

[Sylvia]

Canadian ladies assigned to 2018 Egna Spring Trophy (April 5-8 in Italy):

Junior:
Sarah-Maude BLANCHARD [J2 at Nationals]

Adv. Novice Girls, 1st group:
Melaurie BOLVIN [N7]
Sandrine BOUCHARD [N3]
Daria CARR [N2]
Amelia ORZEL [N1]

Adv. Novice Girls, 2nd group:
Leah LEE [N4]

 

[Sylvia]

Canadian ladies assigned to 2018 Egna Spring Trophy (April 5-8 in Italy):

Junior:
Sarah-Maude BLANCHARD [J2 at Nationals]

Adv. Novice Girls, 1st group:
Melaurie BOIVIN [N7] (ETA corrected spelling of her last name)
Sandrine BOUCHARD [N3]
Daria CARR [N2]
Amelia ORZEL [N1]

Adv. Novice Girls, 2nd group:
Leah LEE [N4]

Skate Canada's press release for Egna Spring Trophy: https://skatecanada.ca/2018/04/canadian-figure-skaters-in-italy-for-egna-spring-trophy/

Really great to see so many Novices getting international experience. Very happy for Leah Lee. She is a really lovely skater!

This competition is being live streamed -- go to the thread in Kiss & Cry for the starting orders, etc.: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...april-5-8-egna-neumarkt-bolzano-italy.103674/

 

[Sylvia]

Egna Spring Trophy results for the Canadian women:

Junior Ladies:
4th Sarah-Maude BLANCHARD CAN 139.46 1 (58.77) 4 (80.69)
SP video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHr4ZBAyKF8
https://skatecanada.ca/2018/04/canadians-dominating-their-events-at-egna-spring-trophy/

Advanced Novice Girls - 1° group:
Gold - Sandrine BOUCHARD CAN 106.97 1 (42.21) 3 (64.76)
Silver - Melaurie BOIVIN CAN 105.60 5 (33.93) 1 (71.67)
Bronze - Amelia ORZEL CAN 105.29 2 (37.87) 2 (67.42)
5th Daria CARR CAN 91.42 4 (34.02) 5 (57.40)

Advanced Novice Girls - 2° group:
6th Leah LEE CAN 92.70 6 (33.93) 7 (58.77)

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.”

https://skatecanada.ca/2018/04/medal-bonanza-for-canadian-novice-skaters-at-egna-spring-trophy/

 

[Sylvia]

Emily Bausback shared this group photo (it looks like Skate Canada's NextGen Camp is taking place in Toronto this week): https://www.instagram.com/p/BikAzelFSFa/