KMT: "Training has been going exceptionally well. It's been a really bizarre year, and training has been a little up and down. But now it's going fantastic. [We feel] really well prepared."
MT/M have been focused on repetitions and run-throughs to get more mileage on their programs. "Having a clear goal of Worlds the last month, or two months, has been awesome, and we are ready to lay it down in Sweden," said MM.
KMT: Uncertainty "was the hardest part of this season. It's really difficult to mentally prepare yourself when things continue to get canceled. We understand the cancellations, but that doesn't make it easier."
KMT says they did not expect that Worlds would take place. "Once it was an Olympic qualifier, we knew for sure we were going to do it," she added.
MT/M noted that they did not get to compete at the last Olympic-qualifier Worlds (2017, Helsinki) and said that this time, they really want to compete and help earn spots. "It's about paying it forward, for Canada and another team." --KMT
MT/M are looking forward to competing with Walsh/Michaud in Sweden, and hope that they will be able to compete together again at the Olympics next year, along with both their coaches (Bruno Marcotte, Allison Purkiss).
KMT says they are "pleasantly surprised at how excited they are" to compete at Worlds despite knowing that there are risks, with many countries/skaters coming together
"I'm super-excited to get out on competition ice again," MM said. "Before the pandemic, skating had become a little bit of a job for us, a little monotonous. The break rekindled the love of the sport. I haven't looked forward to a competition this much since I was a little kid."
KMT on safety concerns with Worlds: "It's something that's at the back of our minds, but we try not to let it come to the forefront." They know the risks, but are hoping for the best and focused on what they can control (their own safety protocols, such as masking, etc.).
MT/M said they do still wonder what would have happened if they'd been able to compete at 2020 Montreal Worlds, with the momentum they had last year.
They believe that if Montreal Worlds had happened, they would have had a real chance to make the podium or close to it.
MM said that many people in his hometown reached out to him after his grandmother's death from covid-19 this year. He was grateful for the support.
They will really miss having an audience at Worlds. "We are big feeders from the energy of the audience," MM said.
MT/M aren't sure where they will place at Worlds. "We don't know what to expect, because we don't have the data from this season." --KMT
MM said that normally by the end of the season, they know exactly what to expect in terms of scores, and can usually guess within 1 point after a performance. "This year, we have no idea." So, they don't have specific placement goals for Worlds.
After Worlds, MT/M need to complete a 2-week quarantine in Canada. Because of this, they decided to pass on doing World Team Trophy (assuming it happens). They would need to leave for WTT one day after finishing quarantine & it's just too tight.
"We always look forward to going to World Team Trophy," MM said. "But it's just not going to be feasible this year."
Instead, they will focus on starting preparations for the Olympic season. They have already chosen their music for next year & will begin choreography after Worlds.
