2025–26 Canadian Pairs: News and Updates

[clairecloutier]

Didn’t the Protopopov’s invent the forward outside death spiral? There have been others over the years as well that have done it. Shen/Zhao did one in 2000 (and maybe other times, but that’s the one I remember). I think every one of them ever done has been ugly . But yeah, they certainly didn’t invent it or even popularize it.

Yes, it was created by the Protopopovs, and has been done occasionally over the years, but was never commonly seen.

It's probably fair to say that Deanna/Max have played a role in increasing its exposure and prevalence.

 

[victorskid]

From Wikipedia:
Regarding the original death spiral:

The death spiral is a circular move in figure skating involving two partners in the discipline of pair skating, in which the male partner lowers the female partner while she arches backward towards the ice while gliding on one foot and as she holds his hand "while he rotates her in a circle with her head almost touching the ice surface". It was created by German professional skater Charlotte Oelschlägel and her husband Curt Neumann in the 1920s. Suzanne Morrow and Wallace Diestelmeyer from Canada were the first pair team to perform the death spiral one-handed (the man holding the woman in position with one hand), at the 1948 Olympic Games.

Regarding the Protopopovs:

Belousova and Protopopov contributed to the development of pair skating, including the creation of three death spirals: the backward inside (BiDs), the forward inside (FiDs), and the forward outside (FoDs), which they respectively dubbed the "Cosmic spiral", "Life spiral", and "Love spiral".

 

[victorskid]

Skate Canada's press release on Deanna & Max's win:

Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps Win Gold at the John Nicks Pairs Challenge International

NEW YORK, USA (Sept. 3, 2025) – Deanna Stellato-Dudek (Chicago, [...]

skatecanada.ca

 

[shutterbug]

Laurie Nealin's recap of Kemp/Elizarov's JGP results so far: Kemp and Elizarov strike gold in Turkey

Yet, Winnipeg figure skaters Ava Kemp and Yohnatan Elizarov overcame those challenges to pocket their second pairs gold medal on Friday in Turkey, one week after winning their first on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit in Latvia.

With two decisive wins, they qualified for the exclusive Junior Grand Prix Final in Nagoya, Japan in December which is limited to the top six couples in the world.

In Ankara, the duo recorded a higher total competition score (179.43) than the week prior in Riga and again outpaced the rest of the field by a considerable margin. Their performances were so strong, in fact, their total technical score of 94 would make them eligible to compete even at the 2025 senior World Championships and the Olympic Games.

However, according to ISU rules, Kemp and Elizarov must replicate those scores in senior international competition to be officially eligible for such events. There was no word on Friday from Skate Canada as to whether the couple will be offered that opportunity.

 

[shutterbug]

Rob Brodie interview with Kemp/Elizarov: 'We're excited for a little change'

“We are doing a domestic senior competition (Ontario Sectionals) and that’s in the middle of October, to kind of feel out how our senior long feels and the senior short, stuff like that,” said Elizarov. “And then if that goes well, I’m pretty sure we have a chance of going to a Challenger or a Senior B international. That’s kind of our goal and hopefully, we can get that based on our results in Barrie.”

Warsaw Cup, if that ends up happening, would fit right in with their plans to “flip back to junior for two weeks” before the Final. It’s an event in which they earned a silver medal back in 2023, but clearly they’d like to turn that colour to gold in Japan. Not that such baubles are front of mind for these two this season.

Rob also interviewed Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps earlier this month: A (backward) leap into history

Simply put, the move involves Stellato-Dudek placing her skate boot in his hands, and then Deschamps launches her upward and backward.

“Maxime and I have the opportunity to make a lot of history this year because of my age, because of his age, our combined age. And you know, the next youngest girl to me is 18 years younger. That was the next oldest girl compared to me in pairs,” explained the 42-year-old (!) Stellato-Dudek. “So I thought, how much more history can we make this year? They changed the rules of figure skating last year, (and) we’ve only ever seen this type of element being performed by men.

“It has never been done by a pair team, and it’s never been done by a dance team. So we’ll make history at the Olympics, doing it for the first time. And so we’re playing a game to see how much history we can make this year.”

 

[skylark]

Rob Brodie interview with Kemp/Elizarov: 'We're excited for a little change'

Rob also interviewed Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps earlier this month: A (backward) leap into history

So here's a quote from Deanna from Rob Brodie's interview:

"“Maxime and I have the opportunity to make a lot of history this year because of my age, because of his age, our combined age. And you know, the next youngest girl to me is 18 years younger. That was the next oldest girl compared to me in pairs,” explained the 42-year-old (!) Stellato-Dudek. “So I thought, how much more history can we make this year?""

Does Deanna mean that the next youngest (or oldest???) Canadian pairs girl to her is 18 years younger?

Because that would make the next oldest 24 years old. Or is she talking about all pairs girls, which is what it sounds like to me?And just counting some of the pairs girls who competed against her at John Nicks, here are four:

Katie McBeath is 31.
Emily Chan is 28.
Alisa Efimova is 26.
Chelsea Liu is 25.

Okay. It's like my nephew tells me he can't forget the price of a can of peas when he's grocery shopping, so he can't help looking for the best price. I can't NOT notice when people get their numbers wrong. But this bothers me. Deanna is factually inaccurate here. Or what point is she trying to make?

I'm sure someone will explain to me if I've misinterpreted her remark.

 

[honey]

So here's a quote from Deanna from Rob Brodie's interview:

"“Maxime and I have the opportunity to make a lot of history this year because of my age, because of his age, our combined age. And you know, the next youngest girl to me is 18 years younger. That was the next oldest girl compared to me in pairs,” explained the 42-year-old (!) Stellato-Dudek. “So I thought, how much more history can we make this year?""

Does Deanna mean that the next youngest (or oldest???) Canadian pairs girl to her is 18 years younger?

Because that would make the next oldest 24 years old. Or is she talking about all pairs girls, which is what it sounds like to me?And just counting some of the pairs girls who competed against her at John Nicks, here are four:

Katie McBeath is 31.
Emily Chan is 28.
Alisa Efimova is 26.
Chelsea Liu is 25.

Okay. It's like my nephew tells me he can't forget the price of a can of peas when he's grocery shopping, so he can't help looking for the best price. I can't NOT notice when people get their numbers wrong. But this bothers me. Deanna is factually inaccurate here. Or what point is she trying to make?

I'm sure someone will explain to me if I've misinterpreted her remark.

To me she was is clearly talking about the next oldest pair girl to her. I took it to mean of all pair girls, but likely talking about last season? Worlds maybe?

I am almost certain this interview was done at HPC, not after the John Nicks comp.

In any case, she still wouldn’t be correct that at worlds last season the next oldest pair girl to her was 18 years younger though. Close, but not 18 years. Of pairs that made the free skate, Efimova and Hase were the next oldest by my quick look at 25 years old in Boston, 16 years younger than Deanna.

ETA: never mind, CHTCHETININA is even older at 29. So yeah, not a clue what event she was talking about to get close to the 18 years old mark.


Her wording was clunky and her math off, but doesn’t the point still stand that she is really, really old compared to the next oldest pair girl? I think that’s all she was trying to get across?

 

[skylark]

Her wording was clunky and her math off, but doesn’t the point still stand that she is really, really old compared to the next oldest pair girl? I think that’s all she was trying to get across?

From reading the whole interview, it sounded to me like she was more interested in saying how many ways she and Maxime are making history (and as I said, I dislike numbers inaccuracy, so if she's gonna make a claim referencing the ages of other pairs women, she oughta get it right ) She started the subject of doing something new every year, by talking about convincing Max to do the assisted back flip. To tell the truth, I felt for Max; when he strongly didn't want to do it, it sounds to me like she bullied him into it, in stages. But what do I know.

I love many things she and Max do, and I greatly admire her lift positions and her overall posture; also I'm proud of Max for his part in the lifts too.

 

[victorskid]

Bombardier & Mimar have withdrawn from the Cup of China.

 

[Karen-W]

Pretty sure this does NOT take them off the GP Alternates list, however, they are pretty far down the list and with them obviously not competing in any of the pre-GP Challengers, there's no chance for them to move up and position themselves for another assignment elsewhere.

 

[fan]

Lift fail for Lia/Trennnnt in the Nebelhorn SP. I think Allison Purkiss is a great developmental coach for pairs, but doesn’t know how to take a pair to the top. I wish that these 2 would move to a top pairs coach. I know their lives are in Ontario, but if they actually want to be the best (which I think they actually can be) they need to get out of their mediocre coaching, programs, choreography and “look” rut. IMHO

 

[Janef]

Lift fail for Lia/Trennnnt in the Nebelhorn SP. I think Allison Purkiss is a great developmental coach for pairs, but doesn’t know how to take a pair to the top. I wish that these 2 would move to a top pairs coach. I know their lives are in Ontario, but if they actually want to be the best (which I think they actually can be) they need to get out of their mediocre coaching, programs, choreography and “look” rut. IMHO

Yes I agree with you. They always have some mistake which I have come to expect Usually the throw or side by side jump ,first time on a lift. It’s disappointing because if the right ingredients came together they could be so good. There is the Oakville camp? I loved the programs last year. Sing sing sing much better for an Olympic program. This one they chose very dull. Hope they can pull it together for long

 

[fan]

The challenge is that purkiss tries to do everything in-house. If they want to be world-class, they need world class choreo

 

[Janef]

They had Jean luc and Olivia last seaso? Who knows what goes on and what funds they receive it’s early still but I get what you are saying.

 

[almiranara]

They had Jean luc and Olivia last seaso? Who knows what goes on and what funds they receive it’s early still but I get what you are saying.

their SP this season is IAMO choreo (Scott, Madi, Adria) and their FS is Jean-Luc and Olivia. i think it's the music choice that's the problem

 

[karmena]

Lift fail for Lia/Trennnnt in the Nebelhorn SP. I think Allison Purkiss is a great developmental coach for pairs, but doesn’t know how to take a pair to the top. I wish that these 2 would move to a top pairs coach. I know their lives are in Ontario, but if they actually want to be the best (which I think they actually can be) they need to get out of their mediocre coaching, programs, choreography and “look” rut. IMHO

INHO it is already too late, at least for Trennt. They needed to do this a long time ago. Perhaps they would have done this IF they would have felt that they need to. I am in impression that they, especially Trennt, believes that their coaching is great even though the results speaks other story.

 

[honey]

I also find this song choice to be dull. The choreo had some nice moments, but the song was putting me to sleep. Surely there is something better out there? I know music rights limit the choices now, but there has to be something with better music available if they want to do this soft romantic style.

I didn’t love last season’s short, but I’d be tempted to go back to it as it’s better than this.

And I think it’s good that they have sought outside choreographers, but I do wish they could have tried someone different this year. I think none of their programs in the last two seasons have been exactly right for them. There are always good moments in them, and they have shown improvement as the season goes on in the delivery but I’m always left wanting more.

I think a David Wilson type would have been a good fit for them. He is often good with a more contemporary style as they have and seems to have a knack for teasing out personality onto the ice.

But I guess what’s done is done and all things considered, their score wouldn’t have been too bad yesterday without the lift issue. Getting their throws under control will be key for them this season and she was able to do that in the short.

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

INHO it is already too late, at least for Trennt. They needed to do this a long time ago. Perhaps they would have done this IF they would have felt that they need to. I am in impression that they, especially Trennt, believes that their coaching is great even though the results speaks other story.

They should have made a coaching switch after Montreal Worlds when it was becoming clear that the international pairs field was becoming much deeper.

 

[honey]

Rough day for Lia and Trennt again today.

On the good side, the twist was excellent. Maybe the best one they have ever done? Level 4 with + 1.5 GOE. Really good.

And now for the rest of the skate…

Throws continue to be an issue. If they don’t get that sorted out, the rest doesn’t much matter. This has been an on going issue since their second season and I do wonder if it’s ever going to become more consistent.

I think the music edit could be tinkered with. There are also some nice moments of choreo in this program, but the climax at the end is being somewhat wasted on a less impactful part of the music and a death spiral. I’d also love to see a longer held spread eagle in their choreo sequence. They both do it well and they could really make that a highlight. But again, I’m left wanting more from the overall picture of this program.

Also I feel bad for saying this as I’m sure they were expensive, but the costumes have to go. He looks like he’s gonna skate to Les Mis, not The Mission and hers is just a lot going on. Generally that much color blocking on such a small person is a bad idea. Kids I promise you, the is not how you want to look back on yourselves at the Olympics 30 years from now. Simple, classic and clean lines is all that is needed. Start a go fund me if you need to and I’ll chip in, but please change these.

 

[dramagrrl]

INHO it is already too late, at least for Trennt. They needed to do this a long time ago. Perhaps they would have done this IF they would have felt that they need to. I am in impression that they, especially Trennt, believes that their coaching is great even though the results speaks other story.

To me, this is starting to seem very much like Paul Poirier breaking up with Vanessa Crone in hopes of moving up in the World faster and yet being absolutely unwilling to leave Scarborough for other coaching, and then taking four full seasons to place higher at Worlds with Piper than his best result with Vanessa (7th in 2009-10). Even after that, it took them several more seasons to break the top five. Yes, most people thought it was the right decision at the time and in the long run, it has brought him success, but if he hadn't been determined to stick around for so long, who knows? The vast majority of fans think that leaving his partnership with Evelyn and teaming up with Lia was the best choice for Trennt (due to the lack of size difference, etc.), but if you look at results, Trennt and Lia have still only managed to equal Trennt's best results with Evelyn (bronze at 4CC, 6th at Worlds) and seem to be on a downward trajectory instead of upwards, much like the middle of Paul and Piper's career, when they placed between 6th and 8th at Worlds for six consecutive seasons. Pairs is not as age-friendly as ice dancing, where many top teams can stay in for three or even more Olympic cycles. You can't hope to just move up through attrition, and time does not usually bring improvement in the same way it does in dance.

 

[Karen-W]

To me, this is starting to seem very much like Paul Poirier breaking up with Vanessa Crone in hopes of moving up in the World faster and yet being absolutely unwilling to leave Scarborough for other coaching, and then taking four full seasons to place higher at Worlds with Piper than his best result with Vanessa (7th in 2009-10). Even after that, it took them several more seasons to break the top five. Yes, most people thought it was the right decision at the time and in the long run, it has brought him success, but if he hadn't been determined to stick around for so long, who knows? The vast majority of fans think that leaving his partnership with Evelyn and teaming up with Lia was the best choice for Trennt (due to the lack of size difference, etc.), but if you look at results, Trennt and Lia have still only managed to equal Trennt's best results with Evelyn (bronze at 4CC, 6th at Worlds) and seem to be on a downward trajectory instead of upwards, much like the middle of Paul and Piper's career, when they placed between 6th and 8th at Worlds for six consecutive seasons. Pairs is not as age-friendly as ice dancing, where many top teams can stay in for three or even more Olympic cycles. You can't hope to just move up through attrition, and time does not usually bring improvement in the same way it does in dance.

Just to correct the record - Evelyn decided she was done because she wanted to focus on university rather than try for another 4 years - this came on right after the disappointment of not making the 2022 Olympic team because of James/Radford.

 

[dramagrrl]

Just to correct the record - Evelyn decided she was done because she wanted to focus on university rather than try for another 4 years - this came on right after the disappointment of not making the 2022 Olympic team because of James/Radford.

I know that was the way their split was officially presented, but I also know that there were rumours as soon as a few weeks after 2022 Worlds that Trennt was trying out with new partners before Evelyn had decided what she wanted to do, and also people who posted that they (Evelyn and Trennt) had already had programs choreographed for the new season before the split was announced very late in the summer. There could very well be posters here who know the two personally and could confirm either way.

 

[puglover]

I think Lia has star quality and she is still fairly young (21) compared to Trennt's age (29). I like them together but would not be surprised if he finishes out his career after the Olympics and she goes on with another partner.

As far as changing coaches and training locations, it is easy for us to suggest it when a skater or skaters stop progressing at a previous rate but it means completely putting a detonator to their lives. Where would they even go? I respect skaters personal choices to stay the course where they are and whether they will later regret that decision or not - whose to say. Skating isn't everything.

 

[Stephanie]

Marcotte is not that far away in Oakville. I think Bryce Davison is coaching in Hamilton.

 

[Janef]

I think Lia has star quality and she is still fairly young (21) compared to Trennt's age (29). I like them together but would not be surprised if he finishes out his career after the Olympics and she goes on with another partner.

As far as changing coaches and training locations, it is easy for us to suggest it when a skater or skaters stop progressing at a previous rate but it means completely putting a detonator to their lives. Where would they even go? I respect skaters personal choices to stay the course where they are and whether they will later regret that decision or not - whose to say. Skating isn't everything.

maybe all they need is someone to help with the throws that is different from what they have. If she could get those down consistently this years music choices will look better! Alexa K was amazing at those. I can’t remember her missing very many. Always so big and landed well.

 

[eusebius]

Marcotte is not that far away in Oakville. I think Bryce Davison is coaching in Hamilton.

Yes Bryce is here and it would be cool to have an international level pair training at HSC But of course Oakville is home to Miura/Kihara and other great pairs so that might be a better choice for them.

 

[puglover]

maybe all they need is someone to help with the throws that is different from what they have. If she could get those down consistently this years music choices will look better! Alexa K was amazing at those. I can’t remember her missing very many. Always so big and landed well.

I have personally no idea how to help with throws but as it is the woman who falls/steps out it looks like it is always her problem. A pair who were remarkably consistent with their throws was Sale and Pelletier and when asked about it Jamie said something like "David throws me exactly the same every time". Alexa K did well with two very different partners so she is gifted. I have also heard that some countries have pairs that practice their throws repeatedly where other coaches are concerned about the long term impact on the woman's health and so they restrict them. Anyway, just the start of the season and best wishes for a successful one for Lia and Trennt! As Canadian pairs have had struggles with the twist - wonderful to see them get such a good call on theirs.