2023/24 Canadian Pairs: News & Updates

[Habs]

McIntosh and Mimar have withdrawn from Canadian nationals.

 

[Blossom on Ice]

Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud: “We aim for the podium at Nationals”​

Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud: “We aim for the podium at Nationals” - Blossom on Ice

The Canadian Figure Skating Championships are set to take place in Calgary, Canada, from January 8 to 14. Among the top contenders for the podium are Lia Pereira and Trent Michaud, who won the ISU GP Grand Prix de France 2023, and took silver at the ISU GP Skate America 2023. They also won the

www.blossomonice.com

 

[kwanfan1818]

Lubov Ilyushechkina and Zachary Daleman just finished skating Cinderella and the Prince in a production of
Popelka Kouzelný muzikál na ledě in the Czech Republic:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C1y3toWoArY/

Radna Novarikova did the choreography and casting:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C1CjCd_LMuv/

 

[Colonel Green]

Martina & Charly eke out silver at junior nationals over Jazmine & Kieran by 0.20 points. It will be interesting to see what the fed does with that second Junior Worlds spot (shame we can't transfer over one of our junior dance berths).

 

[dramagrrl]

Has a reason for McIntosh/Mimar's wd been released?

 

[almiranara]

Has a reason for McIntosh/Mimar's wd been released?

Brooke is still dealing with a foot injury https://rwbrodiewrites.substack.com/p/it-still-holds-that-magic-somehow

 

[shutterbug]

Today's article from Rob Brodie on Fiona Bombardier's participation in both pairs and singles this season: 'She has what it takes to make it'

“My dad did pairs and he really liked it, so I wanted to try it as well. I struggled a lot with the triple toe combo, and I know that’s a big element for international in senior ladies. So I decided, why not try pairs?” said the 19-year-old skater, who shares the same bright personality with her mom.

“She is going to have to make a choice, for sure. At the end of the day, to be a World contender doing both … no, it’s not sustainable,” admitted Marcotte. “But at the same time, I think she’s at the phase in her career that it is a good time to try.

ETA: Pairs skaters Pereira, Michaud continue to get 'stronger'

Purkiss, Pereira and Michaud will now be in Shanghai next week competing at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships. Following that event, Canada will name its three pairs entries for the 2024 World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal from March 18-24 and Purkiss is expecting her team to be named.

“I think they’re shooting for a podium spot at worlds,” said the coach, noting that the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano, Italy, is the ultimate goal.

 

[danafan]

Canada gets the pairs gold at Youth Olympics! I know this was a strange competition in pairs with the limited age requirement different from regular ISU junior events (only four countries even had teams eligible). But a win is a win! Annika Behnke and Kole Sauve will always be Youth Olympic champions!

 

[coppertop1]

Congratulations

 

[Aaron MB Fan]

Congrats to Canada’s Annika Behnke and Kole Sauve for being named Canada’s flag bearers at the YOG closing ceremonies! Great recognition for them in achievement of their Pairs Gold Medal and Canada’s first medal in an individual discipline at a YOG.

Canadian Olympic Team on Instagram: "Congratulations to Winter Youth Olympic Games gold medallists Annika Behnke & Kole Sauve (pairs figure skating) for being named #TeamCanada ‘s closing ceremony flag bearers 🇨🇦👠- Félicitations aux méda

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I have to say, I really enjoyed the free program of L & E, I never really watched them before I don’t think, that was quite nice

 

[honey]

The scuttlebutt on Twitter is that McIntosh and Mimar have split. Seems mostly based on some social media behaviour (unfollowing, untagging of each other etc).

Thoughts?

I think it’s too bad if true. I generally think they had a bit more potential than L/E, though there were limitations to the partnership for sure. Also just bummer that Canada is down another reasonably strong pair.

 

[puglover]

The scuttlebutt on Twitter is that McIntosh and Mimar have split. Seems mostly based on some social media behaviour (unfollowing, untagging of each other etc).

Thoughts?

I think it’s too bad if true. I generally think they had a bit more potential than L/E, though there were limitations to the partnership for sure. Also just bummer that Canada is down another reasonably strong pair.

This is unfortunate if true. Ted Barton seemed to feel that Mimar had really wanted to skate with McIntosh and went after that partnership. They are both quite tall and I loved their long lines. I also think Brooke has that never give in - take no prisoners- attack that seems to be a family trait, not easily taught, and is so valuable for athletes.

 

[skatingguy]

The scuttlebutt on Twitter is that McIntosh and Mimar have split. Seems mostly based on some social media behaviour (unfollowing, untagging of each other etc).

Thoughts?

I think it’s too bad if true. I generally think they had a bit more potential than L/E, though there were limitations to the partnership for sure. Also just bummer that Canada is down another reasonably strong pair.

This is unfortunate if true. Ted Barton seemed to feel that Mimar had really wanted to skate with McIntosh and went after that partnership. They are both quite tall and I loved their long lines. I also think Brooke has that never give in - take no prisoners- attack that seems to be a family trait, not easily taught, and is so valuable for athletes.

Mimar was also spotted working out with Fiona Bombardier.

 

[Yyzskater]

This is unfortunate if true. Ted Barton seemed to feel that Mimar had really wanted to skate with McIntosh and went after that partnership. They are both quite tall and I loved their long lines. I also think Brooke has that never give in - take no prisoners- attack that seems to be a family trait, not easily taught, and is so valuable for athletes.

That really is too bad.

This is unfortunate if true. Ted Barton seemed to feel that Mimar had really wanted to skate with McIntosh and went after that partnership. They are both quite tall and I loved their long lines. I also think Brooke has that never give in - take no prisoners- attack that seems to be a family trait, not easily taught, and is so valuable for athletes.

Awww. This makes me sad. I hope it wasn't because they had a bit of a tough year. I hope Brooke finds a new partner, if that is what she wishes. I know it's a little tougher because she is taller than most pairs girls.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

The scuttlebutt on Twitter is that McIntosh and Mimar have split. Seems mostly based on some social media behaviour (unfollowing, untagging of each other etc).

Thoughts?

I think it’s too bad if true. I generally think they had a bit more potential than L/E, though there were limitations to the partnership for sure. Also just bummer that Canada is down another reasonably strong pair.

Wow, they had a really good season two years ago and I was a fan, this season she seemed a bit unrecognizable to me and did not do as good as the season before but I still am a fan

 

[dramagrrl]

I really hope the M/M breakup rumours are not true.

ETA: It does seem to be true. Benjamin has removed all photos with Brooke from his Instagram account and his IG bio no longer has their pairing/credits in it.

 

[Andora]

It's sad whenever a pair team breaks up, but I am really missing something when it comes to M&M. I didn't find them to be engaging, and their SP this year was awkward AF.

But if they can both find new partners, that would be lovely. I recall she lands jumps sometimes.

 

[skatingguy]

It's sad whenever a pair team breaks up, but I am really missing something when it comes to M&M. I didn't find them to be engaging, and their SP this year was awkward AF.

But if they can both find new partners, that would be lovely. I recall she lands jumps sometimes.

She is the more reliable jumper.

 

[Andora]

She is the more reliable jumper.

And now he possibly skates with the daughter of Josee Chouinard.

Obviously I joke, we have no idea what caused the split, Fiona isn't her mother, etc. etc...

 

[Colonel Green]

Fiona has a ton of charisma, which was an area where Brooke has always been lacking, but it's very much up in the air whether she can acquire the pairs technical ability that Brooke has.

Brooke, on the other hand, her #1 issue is going to be that she's very much on the tall side for pair girls. She needs a really tall partner.

 

[fan]

But Mimar was also lacking in charisma?

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

, which was an area where Brooke has always been lacking,

Very much

While, I really liked their aesthetic on the ice she did not have charisma. She always seem to be in the mood or the expression … the verge of complaining about something … kind of like Lea S

I am just built differently, even if I bombed or was nervous, I would be so excited to be there and away from my nagging family, and in a different country, and especially on TV ….I’d be hamming it up, even if I fell on all my jumps, I would be waving and pretending I just won an Oscar. I’d probably be hawking my merch while the camera was on me in the kiss and cry as well

 

[fsfann]

Sad to see this, but to be honest, they really seemed 'stalled' this year. Maybe a fresh start for both would be good..

 

[Colonel Green]

But Mimar was also lacking in charisma?

Yeah, but he's the male partner, so nobody cares. Having success despite being a block of wood is a long, proud tradition among men's pair skaters (and ice dancers).

 

[PeterG]

Yeah, but he's the male partner, so nobody cares. Having success despite being a block of wood is a long, proud tradition among men's pair skaters (and ice dancers).

Since early childhood, I have been a lover of wood blocks, so I find this post to be horrendously offensive.

 

[Habs]

I am intrigued by the idea of a Bombardier & Mimar partnership.
Fiona has charisma in spades and seems to be learning pairs skills quickly. Ben is a good - if sometimes inconsistent - partner.

Hopefully Brooke can find a partner and continue. I liked M&M fine and they were technically competent, but they always left me a little bit cold.

 

[danafan]

Mimar announced his partnership with Bombardier.

Benjamin on Instagram: "Happy to announce our new partnership!!! Excited for this new chapter!!!! Will be training at @skateoakville , coached by Bruno Marcotte and Andrew Evans!!! #skatecanada #skateontario #figureskating"

918 likes, 47 comments - benjamin_mimar on February 22, 2024: "Happy to announce our new partnership!!! Excited for this new chapter!!!! Will be training at @skateoakville , coached by Bruno Marcotte and Andrew Evans!!! #skatecanada #skateontario #figureskating".

www.instagram.com

 

[Habs]

Mimar announced his partnership with Bombardier.

Benjamin on Instagram: "Happy to announce our new partnership!!! Excited for this new chapter!!!! Will be training at @skateoakville , coached by Bruno Marcotte and Andrew Evans!!! #skatecanada #skateontario #figureskating"

918 likes, 47 comments - benjamin_mimar on February 22, 2024: "Happy to announce our new partnership!!! Excited for this new chapter!!!! Will be training at @skateoakville , coached by Bruno Marcotte and Andrew Evans!!! #skatecanada #skateontario #figureskating".

www.instagram.com

I love this.

 

[Jammers]

Bombardier must not be serious about competing in singles because there comes a time when you have to choose if you really want to challenge the top Canadian ladies and you can't do that competing in another discipline.