2020-21 Canadian Pairs News & Updates

[Colonel Green]

So what's up with Wolfe/Ruest and Chudak/Purich? Since neither are on the national team, wasn't it mandatory that they compete?

I think byes through sectionals were granted pretty extensively (particularly in the partnered disciplines, which aren’t packed anyway). It’s Challenge where they cracked down on that.

 

[Sylvia]

National Team "fluff"/games... how well do you know your partner?

Moore-Towers/Marinaro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DOnvMoZVs8

Walsh/Michaud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xj6JiVvnFQ

 

[Xsktrx]

Anyone know when we are likely to see either the entries and/or starting orders for Challenge?

 

[Colonel Green]

Anyone know when we are likely to see either the entries and/or starting orders for Challenge?

We’ll be lucky if they give us any order of skaters when they broadcast it.

 

[Xsktrx]

We’ll be lucky if they give us any order of skaters when they broadcast it.

Good point. Guess we’ll have to take what we get.

 

[Colonel Green]

Judging by the extent to which he features on her social media output, Justine is getting on a lot more with Zach than she ever did with Mark.

 

[LL22]

Quebec sectionals results (sans protocols):

• only two teams here. Even accounting for absences, Ontario is now clearly the pairs center of gravity in Canada;
• neither team particularly distinguishing themselves, from the looks of

There seem to be more pairs in Ontario than in Quebec right now, yes.
However, what do you mean by your second point? We haven’t even seen them skate... assuming no one will be skating cleanly right now, I just wanted to understand what you are trying to say here?

 

[Sylvia]

Kirsten M-T has posted 4 clips from their FS: https://www.instagram.com/p/CI9gjIKj-Pk/

 

[Xsktrx]

Kirsten M-T has posted 4 clips from their FS: https://www.instagram.com/p/CI9gjIKj-Pk/

 

[Xsktrx]

Interesting costumes...lol

Kirsten M-T has posted 4 clips from their FS: https://www.instagram.com/p/CI9gjIKj-Pk/

Unique costume choice...

 

[LL22]

I think KMT/MM have some of the best programs in the world. Especially, the last couple years. This looks to be another winner.

 

[shutterbug]

Kirsten M-T has posted 4 clips from their FS: https://www.instagram.com/p/CI9gjIKj-Pk/

MT/M discussed their FP music choice on the Holiday Wrap episode of That Figure Skating Show: https://youtu.be/nGtrvtGprnA?t=3073

 

[4rkidz]

Didnt Bryce & Jessica skate to the same music when they got Bronze at worlds 2008?
eta yes they did as mentioned in youtube above, neat it inspired them as young skaters. Good choice!

 

[Colonel Green]

A local newspaper article on Andrew/Adcock.

 

[Xsktrx]

A local newspaper article on Andrew/Adcock.

Should be an interesting pairing. I have always liked Adcock and wondered how good he could be with the right partner. I would expect their lifts, twist, spins and second mark will be strong. The question remains with Andrew re throws and jumps. If she can attain consistency in the thus far elusive triple throws and more than a double axel in the jumping department this could be a strong contender going forward.

 

[LL22]

Should be an interesting pairing. I have always liked Adcock and wondered how good he could be with the right partner. I would expect their lifts, twist, spins and second mark will be strong. The question remains with Andrew re throws and jumps. If she can attain consistency in the thus far elusive triple throws and more than a double axel in the jumping department this could be a strong contender going forward.

I don’t think he has Canadian citizenship. That only matters for the Olympics, but I imagine that is every athletes dream. I wonder if Skate Canada has any connection/pull to assist skaters in acquiring their citizenships. In the past year there have been so many skaters that want to compete for Canada and I would assume need some assistance. Mark Bidar, Deanna Stellato, Steven Adcock and before that Lubov. I know Mark is now retired, but he was really powerful and an asset as an athlete.
I’m sure even if they could help they would only do it for an Olympic worthy team, but still... I wonder...

 

[Xsktrx]

I don’t think he has Canadian citizenship. That only matters for the Olympics, but I imagine that is every athletes dream. I wonder if Skate Canada has any connection/pull to assist skaters in acquiring their citizenships. In the past year there have been so many skaters that want to compete for Canada and I would assume need some assistance. Mark Bidar, Deanna Stellato, Steven Adcock and before that Lubov. I know Mark is now retired, but he was really powerful and an asset as an athlete.
I’m sure even if they could help they would only do it for an Olympic worthy team, but still... I wonder...

Depending on how good Steven and Patricia are I wouldn’t rule out them representing Britain, Olympics aside if they feel the talent pool in Canada is strong enough that representing Canada for say Worlds and internationally is not in the cards. Of course I’m thinking beyond Covid and must admit I don’t know how good any pairs representing Britain are.

 

[Vase]

An Ontario lockdown will close the arenas once again, more struggle for these athletes.

 

[Xsktrx]

An Ontario lockdown will close the arenas once again, more struggle for these athletes.

I heard that under lockdown restrictions high performance skaters can still train thus the pairs in Brantford and Oakville may be exempt from arena closings or will the latest lockdown prevent all skaters from training? I may have heard wrong I must admit.

 

[miffy]

Depending on how good Steven and Patricia are I wouldn’t rule out them representing Britain, Olympics aside if they feel the talent pool in Canada is strong enough that representing Canada for say Worlds and internationally is not in the cards. Of course I’m thinking beyond ********* and must admit I don’t know how good any pairs representing Britain are.

Well... aside from Zoe and Chris who I am not sure are continuing, GB have a couple of new senior pairs who have yet to compete: Lydia Smart and Harry Mattick, and Anastasia Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby. They are all new or fairly new to pairs.

Interestingly, Anastasia actually trained with Steven Adcock in Canada initially before teaming up with Luke when he moved back to the UK from Switzerland (where he trained with Lambiel).

I’m looking forward to seeing videos (hopefully!) of Steven and Patricia.

 

[LL22]

Depending on how good Steven and Patricia are I wouldn’t rule out them representing Britain, Olympics aside if they feel the talent pool in Canada is strong enough that representing Canada for say Worlds and internationally is not in the cards. Of course I’m thinking beyond ********* and must admit I don’t know how good any pairs representing Britain are.

Very true! They may have more opportunities representing GB as well!

 

[Xsktrx]

Very true! They may have more opportunities representing GB as well!

I believe Piper Gilles paired with Paul Poirier (dance) in 2011 and she was fast tracked for Canadian citizenship by 2013. Maybe the same could happen for Steven or if representing Britain was a better option and they had a fast track system their they could grant Patricia British citizenship. Of course we have to see how good they are relative to other pairs in Canada and respectively Britain.

 

[Colonel Green]

When Adcock split with his previous partner I was actually expecting him to turn up (if he turned up) skating for Great Britain next, since I figured that made more sense from an assignments perspective.

 

[Xsktrx]

When Adcock split with his previous partner I was actually expecting him to turn up (if he turned up) skating for Great Britain next, since I figured that made more sense from an assignments perspective.

Makes sense. Unless Patricia gets some consistency with triple jumps and throws they have a few pairs between them and Sr. assignments. Obviously MTM, Evelyn and Trent for starters and 2 or 3 other Sr Pairs have triples in varying degrees.

 

[miffy]

There is no fast track for British citizenship. You have to live here for 5 years if not married to a citizen, 3 years if married to a citizen. Even if they were actual medal hopefuls it wouldn’t happen. Unless she has a British grandparent or something!

While I don’t know for certain I imagine Anastasia and Steven would have skated for GB if they had gone on to compete together. They looked good from the clips that were posted, but hopefully both their new partnerships will do well

 

[Xsktrx]

There is no fast track for British citizenship. You have to live here for 5 years if not married to a citizen, 3 years if married to a citizen. Even if they were actual medal hopefuls it wouldn’t happen. Unless she has a British grandparent or something!

While I don’t know for certain I imagine Anastasia and Steven would have skated for GB if they had gone on to compete together. They looked good from the clips that were posted, but hopefully both their new partnerships will do well

Giving you only need citizenship for the Olympics, they could represent Britain at worlds and senior Grand Prix events if they were good enough compared to the other British Pairs so the citizenship issue wouldn’t stand in their way if they found that in Canada they weren’t likely to get senior assignments.

 

[miffy]

Giving you only need citizenship for the Olympics, they could represent Britain at worlds and senior Grand Prix events if they were good enough compared to the other British Pairs so the citizenship issue wouldn’t stand in their way if they found that in Canada they weren’t likely to get senior assignments.

Absolutely someone mentioned fast tracking so I thought I would just say there was no chance. After years of having next to no pairs it would be great to have one more if they did come to GB!
Ana and Luke are both strong jumpers (I am sure Ana had lutz and flip when she did singles, as did Luke) and their throws look promising too. They obviously don’t have competitive pairs experience like Patricia and Steven both do of course

 

[mackiecat]

An Ontario lockdown will close the arenas once again, more struggle for these athletes.

Jr and Sr skaters training for Nationals ( plus foreign skaters) can still train ( as long as their rink stays open)

 

[Xsktrx]

So what's up with Wolfe/Ruest and Chudak/Purich? Since neither are on the national team, wasn't it mandatory that they compete?

Unconfirmed source says Ruest/Wolfe out for the season due to her being injured again. If true it’s very unfortunate they are out for a second straight season. Anyone know if that’s the case and if so what is her injury?

 

[Sylvia]

I posted this non-skating news in the U.S. Pairs thread last night... Francis Boudreau-Audet and retired U.S. pair skater Cailtlin Fields are engaged - he posted 3 scenic proposal photos yesterday: https://www.instagram.com/p/CJe71voJuOM/
His IG profile notes he is a mechanical engineering student at Polytechnique Montréal.

Kirsten M-T has cool Instagram story clips of her and Michael performing at the Nathan Phillips Square outdoor rink in Toronto as the clock struck midnight - this was being filmed for IllumiNATION, a virtual show that will premiere on Thursday, December 17:

IllumiNATION — A virtual celebration of lights across Canada - Canada.ca

Be dazzled by Illumination, a virtual celebration of lights across Canada. The virtual show takes you on a magical journey across Canada and features talented Canadians and numerous artistic performances.

www.canada.ca

Kirsten & Mike start skating at this point in the video (both also have voice-overs): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AngnVNxlPYM&t=51m15s
ETA that I just found their specific video (they start skating before the 1-min. mark): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoVJO-li3-w