2021/2022 Canadian Ladies: News and Updates

[rhapsody]

Maddie is about as level headed of a competitor as they get - I think having parents that are totally outside of the skating world (in the past you might have seen her dad on Business News Network, her mom CBC News Network) has really helped in her overall development.

She did an interview with TSL last summer and she was one of my favorite interviewees they ever had. Incredibly intelligent, level headed, exceptionally well-spoken, and a great sense of humor. Doesn't surprise me that her parents have those types of jobs. She made it clear in her interview that her focus is education but that she's also trying to do her best while in her physical peak. It's nuts to think she didn't even have a 3Lz until just a few years ago and is now jumping 3Lz+3T like nothing.

 

[screech]

According to Elladj on CBC, apparently Mike Slipchuck told Maddie not to worry about placements and getting Canada into the final, but instead focus on meeting her goals for scores.
Of course it's all fine and good to say an 18 year old shouldn't be made to shoulder the pressure, but the reality is that sh's definitely feeling it.

 

[tony]

According to Elladj on CBC, apparently Mike Slipchuck told Maddie not to worry about placements and getting Canada into the final, but instead focus on meeting her goals for scores.
Of course it's all fine and good to say an 18 year old shouldn't be made to shoulder the pressure, but the reality is that sh's definitely feeling it.

Why would she though? Canada isn’t and wasn’t ever going to be in the medal picture this time in the team event unless strange things happened, so Schizas should have no pressure like this is an absolute must.

 

[Colonel Green]

Why would she though? Canada isn’t and wasn’t ever going to be in the medal picture this time in the team event unless strange things happened, so Schizas should have no pressure like this is an absolute must.

Because she wants to make the second phase of the competition.

 

[skatingguy]

Why would she though? Canada isn’t and wasn’t ever going to be in the medal picture this time in the team event unless strange things happened, so Schizas should have no pressure like this is an absolute must.

That's a very logical answer @tony, and not at all how the human brain works.

 

[TygerLily]

If I remember correctly, she was upset with herself for not keeping two spots for Canadian women in the Olympic season when it was amazing that she earned this spot for Canada. But because of that, I worry that she'll put too much pressure on herself here.

 

[danafan]

She skated clean with the skate of her life in the team short!

 

[The Accordion]

She skated clean with the skate of her life in the team short!

Soooooo incredible!!!!

 

[Colonel Green]

 

[skatingguy]

And now it's time for the battle for the medals.

 

[Lemonade20]

Go Maddy Go!!!!!

 

[coppertop1]

Maddie is unflappable. Pressure? What pressure?

 

[danafan]

Schizas had the highest placement for Canada in the team short. Did anyone have that on their score card?

 

[pointbleu]

Maddie

 

[screech]

It's nice to see that we have a skater who can handle the pressure! Wonderful skate from Maddie! I don't think anyone expected her to have the highest placement of all Canadians after the short program, but she was brilliant.

Do the competitors get small medals for the team event segments? (do they even do that at the Olympics like they do at ISU events?)

 

[Karen-W]

It's nice to see that we have a skater who can handle the pressure! Wonderful skate from Maddie! I don't think anyone expected her to have the highest placement of all Canadians after the short program, but she was brilliant.

Do the competitors get small medals for the team event segments? (do they even do that at the Olympics like they do at ISU events?)

No small medals at the Olympics.

 

[danafan]

TSN2 is replaying the short. I'm glad I can just watch it without the stress!

Video link (presumably Canada only): https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2000155715510

 

[coppertop1]

Skate Canada needs to send her a Thank You Card

 

[Aaron MB Fan]

Canada is so lucky and should be honoured to have a jewel in Maddie. Skate Canada built no real pipeline post Kaetlyn and Gabby with her challenges. Maddie really came out of nowhere and progressed so rapidly. We really don't deserve her, but I am so thankful for her!!!

 

[pointbleu]

Canada is so lucky and should be honoured to have a jewel in Maddie. Skate Canada built no real pipeline post Kaetlyn and Gabby with her challenges. Maddie really came out of nowhere and progressed so rapidly. We really don't deserve her, but I am so thankful for her!!!

I remember seeing her on novice at Minto Summer Skate and she sure was a talent way back then. I was one of the few wondering why she didn’t get a JGP assignment back then. It was obvious she had it all and that the lutz would be coming.

 

[fsfann]

How refreshing to watch a skater where you don't worry about the jumps. I never get nervous for her because she is so solid... So proud of the work she did out there tonight, but honestly...not a bit surprised!

 

[Colonel Green]

Watching her do four single Axels in the free at 2020 nationals I wouldn't have guessed she'd turn out to be such a clutch skater.

 

[danafan]

Her trajectory has been quite something. Similar rise to Osmond though Schizas is doing all the triples (sans axel) faster than Osmond did.

To think in the fall of 2019 she was in contention for the Youth Olympics but lost the spot to Catherine Carle. Look at her now.

 

[manhn]

It is interesting that even if Madeline skates similarly in the individual, it may not get the same national attention. It gives her confidence in the future when she faces another high stressed situation. And it elevates her status among judges. A same performance will probably now garner a score of 70+.

 

[sunblend]

Schizas had the highest placement for Canada in the team short. Did anyone have that on their score card?

I had that on my score card since she was the only one who was consistent at every intl event she was at this season. So no, I wasn't surprised that she nailed her program during the team short.

 

[Frau Muller]

I’m putting it out there now:

I wouldn’t be surprised if Schizas ends up being North America’s highest-placed woman in the individual event. Certainly, I see Schizas topping Bell and Chen; Alysa is a big unknown at this time. (Hope she’ll be arriving in Beijing strong.)

 

[Colonel Green]

I’m putting it out there now:

I wouldn’t be surprised if Schizas ends up being North America’s highest-placed woman in the individual event. Certainly, I see Schizas topping Bell and Chen; Alysa is a big unknown at this time. (Hope she’ll be arriving in Beijing strong.)

Maddie isn't as good a free skater as she has been in the short program -- though of course, there's no time like the present to improve!

 

[sunblend]

I’m putting it out there now:

I wouldn’t be surprised if Schizas ends up being North America’s highest-placed woman in the individual event. Certainly, I see Schizas topping Bell and Chen; Alysa is a big unknown at this time. (Hope she’ll be arriving in Beijing strong.)

I wouldn't be surprised either. She's the only one that has been this consistent at every intl competition.

 

[Sylvia]

TSN2 is replaying the short. I'm glad I can just watch it without the stress!

Video link (presumably Canada only): https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2000155715510

For those in the USA, here's NBC Sports' video of Maddie's TE SP : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj9d4byZUJM

2022 Olympics is her 7th senior international competition, starting with Challenge Cup in The Hague in Feb. 2020: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs_cr_00106351.htm

Digging out my January 2020 post from the 2019-20 Canadian Ladies news thread:

Schizas won the junior national silver medal last season and has only competed once internationally, getting her ISU Junior Worlds minimums at Volvo Open Cup in Latvia (5th place) this past November [2019] ...
I've been following her progress all season ever since she won the Skate Milwaukee junior ladies' event in July 2019 - here's her clean SP with 3T+3T, 3Lo & 2A from there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCXV5Fdr_fE

Schizas' old YT channel has three other videos posted - her 2018-19 Junior SP & LP and 2017-18 Novice SP: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX3CIbdNob_SZ1DW4aISNlg

 

[screech]

Well the CBC commentators were definitely right when they called Maddie the MVP of Team Canada. Another PB score. And I loved how her coach put her doubled lutz - 'just one rotation short'. But the rest of the program was well done!