2024–25 Canadian Women: News and Updates

[puglover]

Just my opinion, but Schizas has needed alternative coaching for like three years now. Work had certainly been done on her skating skills and overall presentation, but she is still lagging behind. She’s tried different choreographers and this has helped to a degree, but something more is still needed for her to get to the next level. The short is a good step forward, but the long is more of the same. And what’s that saying? If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten…

She could very much benefit from the Tracy/Brian environment from my view. They are good finishers and packagers and she desperately needs that. She needs someone to pay attention to all of that day in and day out to really make a run at elevating the overall picture.

Of course none of that really matters without the jumps, and she’s also less consistent than she was earlier in her senior career. So there is that as well.

For Lia and Trennt, I think they too could benefit from other coaching. Who they would go to is a good question though. Would Bruno be able to take them on? He would be the logical choice. Getting them to move is another question. But they haven’t progressed technically, and are in most ways falling behind where they were in their first season. So, staying where they are is unlikely to change the course they are currently on.

They also need to work with someone new next year on the choreo, because what they have right now isn’t cutting it. I think they are far more capable skaters than what the programs they have are showing them to be. In a lot of ways, the work that needs done for them is much less than someone like Madeline Schizas. What they really need is a more skilled choreographer to play to their strengths and provide them with a solid piece of choreography.

But you can’t force people to leave if they don’t want to, and there are other factors at play I’m sure (school, financial etc).

I totally agree with all you said. Moving and big coaching changes are tough but I would be surprised if Trennt and maybe Madi will continue after this olympics, especially if nothing changes. If you try everything presumably you don't look back on it later in life with coulda/shoulda sentiments. I know it is easy for us to say......

 

[Aaron MB Fan]

Madi & Trennt both study at McMaster in Hamilton, so unfortunately, I would imagine entertaining coaching options in Toronto is not feasible as that commute daily would be very difficult to manage. I'm assuming this is a conscious choice to accept not the most ideal training conditions they may want in order to simultaneously progress other aspects of their lives (education, etc) - in other words, it's a trade off they are willing to make even if it limits their short-term skating career potential.

 

[puglover]

Madi & Trennt both study at McMaster in Hamilton, so unfortunately, I would imagine entertaining coaching options in Toronto is not feasible as that commute daily would be very difficult to manage. I'm assuming this is a conscious choice to accept not the most ideal training conditions they may want in order to simultaneously progress other aspects of their lives (education, etc) - in other words, it's a trade off they are willing to make even if it limits their short-term skating career potential.

Totally understandable. I guess from the point of view of someone who has lived most of her life, some things have such a short window never to be repeated. On the other hand, you spend so much of your life at your work/career. I know scholarships, etc. have limited acceptance time and it is unfair for us to think we know what they should do but it is hard to see them disappointed in their results.

I sometimes wonder if skaters pay any heed to the opinions and suggestions from the peanut gallery. For sure, some of what is said here and elsewhere is unhelpful and hurtful. However, sometimes "fans" can have different insight as they are not so close to the situation.

 

[Sylvia]

I sometimes wonder if skaters pay any heed to the opinions and suggestions from the peanut gallery. For sure, some of what is said here and elsewhere is unhelpful and hurtful. However, sometimes "fans" can have different insight as they are not so close to the situation.

IMO the majority of elite skaters (or their teams) can distinguish between fans' well-meaning, constructive suggestions vs. advice that's not useful to them IF they happen to see it but, for the most part, I would say no.

@puglover I've cross-posted your question in the Canadian Pairs thread, along with @Aaron MB Fan's reply (post #89): https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/2024–25-canadian-pairs-news-and-updates.111810/page-3#post-6701751

 

[puglover]

IMO the majority of elite skaters (or their teams) can distinguish between fans' well-meaning, constructive suggestions vs. advice that's not useful to them IF they happen to see it but, for the most part, I would say no.

@puglover I've cross-posted your question in the Canadian Pairs thread, along with @Aaron MB Fan's reply (post #89): https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/2024–25-canadian-pairs-news-and-updates.111810/page-3#post-6701751

Sorry for my use of the term peanut gallery. I was totally unaware it had any offensive connotation. I remember it from the "Howdy Doody" show.

 

[Sylvia]

Sorry for my use of the term peanut gallery. I was totally unaware it had any offensive connotation. I remember it from the "Howdy Doody" show.

I didn't take offense to your use of the term.

Schizas posted this video 3 days ago:

Madeline Schizas on Instagram: "Back at it 👀 Should I try for 10 next lol? - #figureskater #athlete #training #figureskating #iceskating #doubleaxel"

3,018 likes, 13 comments - maddieschizas on December 6, 2024: "Back at it 👀 Should I try for 10 next lol? - #figureskater #athlete #training #figureskating #iceskating #doubleaxel".

www.instagram.com

 

[puglover]

I didn't take offense to your use of the term.

Schizas posted this video 3 days ago:

Madeline Schizas on Instagram: "Back at it 👀 Should I try for 10 next lol? - #figureskater #athlete #training #figureskating #iceskating #doubleaxel"

3,018 likes, 13 comments - maddieschizas on December 6, 2024: "Back at it 👀 Should I try for 10 next lol? - #figureskater #athlete #training #figureskating #iceskating #doubleaxel".

www.instagram.com

The girl has my heart!

 

[danafan]

Skate Ontario published this article about Katherine Medland-Spence.

24-year-old Katherine Medland-Spence Finds Joy Again in Figure Skating - Skate Ontario

Skate Ontario is so proud to share this SkateOntaReporter story. SkateOntaReporters are a team of writers who serve as the on-the-ground eyes and ears of local figure skating in every corner of Ontario, working to uncover stories and to provide insights and information to fans across the...

skateontario.org

 

[manhn]

Totally understandable. I guess from the point of view of someone who has lived most of her life, some things have such a short window never to be repeated. On the other hand, you spend so much of your life at your work/career. I know scholarships, etc. have limited acceptance time and it is unfair for us to think we know what they should do but it is hard to see them disappointed in their results.

I sometimes wonder if skaters pay any heed to the opinions and suggestions from the peanut gallery. For sure, some of what is said here and elsewhere is unhelpful and hurtful. However, sometimes "fans" can have different insight as they are not so close to the situation.

It does help that they are pairs skaters where a "long-term" career is somewhat viable, significantly after university (unless they want to go the graduate school or medical school route). Say, if Deanna just kept on skating competitively through the present-day. Going back to school in your 40s is very difficult in a different way.

 

[danafan]

Robert Brodie article about Medland Spence

'It's still a crazy feeling'

Katherine Medland Spence's golden triumph in Poland was an international debut to truly celebrate. Now she's hungry to find out just how much higher she can soar.

open.substack.com

 

[danafan]

The entry lists for nationals are up and there are 19 junior women listed. It seems Ksenia Krouzkevitch was given an injury bye.

Only 18 senior women listed so no byes there.

 

[Sylvia]

Copying out the 2025 Canadian Nationals women's entries as of Dec. 10, 2024 (Skate Canada Challenge placements added):

Category: Senior Women
Name Section
Breken Brezden MB [Ch-7]
Marie-France D'Amour QC [Ch-12]
Sara-Maude Dupuis QC
Grace Johnson AB/NT/NU [Ch-11]
Fée-Ann Landry QC [Ch-4]
Julianne Lussier QC [Ch-13]
Katherine Medland Spence ON
Justine Miclette QC [Ch-10]
Marie-Maude Pomerleau QC [Ch-6]
Kaiya Ruiter AB/NT/NU
Marie-Raphaële Savoie QC [Ch-9]
Madeline Schizas ON
Hetty Shi ON [Ch-8]
Uliana Shiryaeva BC/YK [Ch-2]
Megan Woodley ON [Ch-5]
Amy Shao Ning Yang BC/YK [Ch-1]
Kara Yun ON [Ch-3]
Uma Zagele AB/NT/NU [Ch-14]
Number Entries: 18

Category: Junior Women
Name Section
Calissa Adlem BC/YK [Ch-4]
Sandrine Blais QC [Ch-5]
Lia Cho AB/NT/NU [Ch-1]
Laurence Gignac QC [Ch-11]
Sadie Henderson AB/NT/NU [Ch-7]
Natasha Hewitt ON [Ch-12]
Gabrielle Jugnauth BC/YK [Ch-6]
Kaydee Kallay AB/NT/NU [Ch-9]
Séléna Koster QC [Ch-17]
Ksenia Krouzkevitch ON [injury bye]
Konstantina Lock BC/YK [Ch-8]
Yaena Nam QC [Ch-15]
Brookelynn Pollock BC/YK [Ch-18]
Reese Rose ON [Ch-2]
Rebecca Schindel SK [Ch-14]
Eva Sicurella QC [Ch-16]
Kassidy Sinclair AB/NT/NU [Ch-10]
Kaylee Sun ON [Ch-13]
Mégane Vallières QC [Ch-3]
Number Entries: 19

 

[danafan]

Daleman had another fracture that required surgery, from her Instagram post a few minutes ago.

Gabrielle Daleman 🇨🇦 on Instagram: "Round 2… The surgery was a success! I know a lot of people are gonna ask what happened, so here’s a long story short. I had a fall that didn’t go my way, which ended up causing a fracture and if I wanted to contin

288 likes, 10 comments - gabby_daleman on December 21, 2024: "Round 2… The surgery was a success! I know a lot of people are gonna ask what happened, so here’s a long story short. I had a fall that didn’t go my way, which ended up causing a fracture and if I wanted to continue to skate, I...

www.instagram.com

She wants to compete again.

The surgery was a success! I know a lot of people are gonna ask what happened, so here’s a long story short. I had a fall that didn’t go my way, which ended up causing a fracture and if I wanted to continue to skate, I needed another surgery. Skating is my entire life. Always has been always will be. You can be damn sure I’m always gonna do everything I can to skate. So I’m gonna take this time to recover from surgery, get back stronger so I can compete again.

 

[Sylvia]

Katherine Medland Spence’s clip of her 2A+1Eu+3F:

Katherine Medland Spence on Instagram: "2A+1Eu+3F • • • • • #figureskating #skating #skatecanada #skateontario #richmondtrainingcentre #nepeanskatingclub #skatingwithkatherine #edeaskates #johnwilsonblades #double #axel #euler #triple #flip #combinat

710 likes, 4 comments - skatingwithkatherine on December 20, 2024: "2A+1Eu+3F • • • • • #figureskating #skating #skatecanada #skateontario #richmondtrainingcentre #nepeanskatingclub #skatingwithkatherine #edeaskates #johnwilsonblades #double #axel #euler #triple #flip #combination #three #jump...

www.instagram.com

 

[Sylvia]

Coach Paul Parkinson shared 2 clips of Xmas Eve jumps - Megan Woodley's Rippon 3Lz+3T and Lulu Lin's Rippon 3Lz (if ready perhaps she will petition to be considered for the Junior World team?):

Paul Bonifacio Parkinson on Instagram: "A little bit of Christmas Eve jumping! @coachandrewevans @coachlaurisa @skatetlss"

254 likes, 3 comments - coachpaulp on December 24, 2024: "A little bit of Christmas Eve jumping! @coachandrewevans @coachlaurisa @skatetlss".

www.instagram.com

 

[Sylvia]

Coach Andrew Evans' Instagram Live is showing Lulu Lin right now (TLSS Winter Simulation event; ETA - live feed cut out mid-skate; Megan Woodley skated earlier): https://www.instagram.com/coachandrewevans/live/

ETA: Ksenia K. also skated.

 

[danafan]

Medland-Spence posted "some of 2024’s unseen videos"

Katherine Medland Spence on Instagram: "some of 2024’s unseen videos • • • • • #figureskating #skating #skatecanada #skateontario #nepeanskatingclub #richmondtrainingcentre #skatingwithkatherine #edeaskates #johnwilsonblades #training #videos #triple

248 likes, 4 comments - skatingwithkatherine on December 31, 2024: "some of 2024’s unseen videos • • • • • #figureskating #skating #skatecanada #skateontario #nepeanskatingclub #richmondtrainingcentre #skatingwithkatherine #edeaskates #johnwilsonblades #training #videos #triple #jumps #jump...

www.instagram.com

Seems she can do just about any combination!

 

[Sylvia]

Old Navy posted a clip today of Maddie’s 3F+3T:

Old Navy on Instagram: "already failing our new year’s resolution of not jumping to conclusions 🫨 #thanksitsoldnavy ⛸️ @maddieschizas"

421 likes, 0 comments - oldnavy on January 1, 2025: "already failing our new year’s resolution of not jumping to conclusions 🫨 #thanksitsoldnavy ⛸️ @maddieschizas".

www.instagram.com

Some of Kaiya’s “favourite skating memories of 2024”:

Kaiya Ruiter on Instagram: "Just a few of my favourite skating memories of 2024❤️❤️. Happy New Year’s Eve!! #skatecanada #skatealberta #calaltafsc #teamcricket #gangwon2024 #youtholympics #youtholympicgames #gpfigure #2024 #newyearseve #rinkofdreamso

418 likes, 2 comments - kaiyaruiter13 on December 31, 2024: "Just a few of my favourite skating memories of 2024❤️❤️. Happy New Year’s Eve!! #skatecanada #skatealberta #calaltafsc #teamcricket #gangwon2024 #youtholympics #youtholympicgames #gpfigure #2024 #newyearseve #rinkofdreamsottawa...

www.instagram.com

With her 3 sisters at last night’s Canada vs. USA World Juniors hockey preliminary round game in Ottawa:

Kaiya Ruiter on Instagram: "Fan Fest Dump!! Savouring the last day of 2024 almost as much as the greatest Canadian dessert: Maple Taffy😂🤤. #iihfworldjuniors2025 #fanfest #newyearseve #sisterbesties #mapletaffy #canadiangirls"

163 likes, 5 comments - kaiyaruiter13 on December 31, 2024: "Fan Fest Dump!! Savouring the last day of 2024 almost as much as the greatest Canadian dessert: Maple Taffy😂🤤. #iihfworldjuniors2025 #fanfest #newyearseve #sisterbesties #mapletaffy #canadiangirls".

www.instagram.com

 

[Winnipeg]

I hope KR does well next week.......I sense both she and Madi have sort of peaked and need to show more to take another step internationally.

 

[puglover]

I hope KR does well next week.......I sense both she and Madi have sort of peaked and need to show more to take another step internationally.

I really like them both as skaters and hope they can do more. Madi can score well when she skates clean but not really sure about these level 2 step sequences she has gotten at least lately. Being a non skater myself I am unsure how hard it would be to get that up at least to a 3. KR has grown up and from Covid on seems to have struggled with one thing or another. Hopefully this move to Tracy/Brian and the atmosphere there is helpful. With Russia knocking on the door, it is hard for me to believe that any of the current female skaters worldwide are going to be skating away with medals for long.

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

I hope that Tracy and Brian have a long term plan for KR and aren't only thinking about Milan 2026. I feel that Kaya has been stuck development-wise for a while now. MS seems a bit stuck development-wise too, but I'd guess her very busy school schedule has gotten in the way of her reaching the next level.

 

[honey]

I really like them both as skaters and hope they can do more. Madi can score well when she skates clean but not really sure about these level 2 step sequences she has gotten at least lately. Being a non skater myself I am unsure how hard it would be to get that up at least to a 3. KR has grown up and from Covid on seems to have struggled with one thing or another. Hopefully this move to Tracy/Brian and the atmosphere there is helpful. With Russia knocking on the door, it is hard for me to believe that any of the current female skaters worldwide are going to be skating away with medals for long.

For Schizas, better skating skills would make getting the higher levels on the step sequences easier…she lacks depth of edge and that’s likely the biggest issue on not getting the levels because the turns may not be getting credited. She’s also trying hard to get full body movement, but this is a weakness for her as well and I assume she likely loses a level for that as well most of the time.

This all goes back to some of the weak spots in her skating that needed to be addressed since she first came on the scene. She’s clearly spent time on these things, but it hasn’t really been enough yet. I don’t know if it’s more dedicated time that’s needed on skating skills or someone more adept at coaching a skater to improve these things that’s needed. She’s a better skater today than she was in 2020 or 2021 certainly, but she’s still a few steps behind in terms of basic skating that most of the competitive field right now.

I think she’s progressed fairly well on her spin positions in the last couple of years. I think she still struggles with the levels there a bit, but she’s probably getting better GOE now than she did previously on her spins because of the improvement. All these little things add up though and can make the difference between 12th and 10th easily.

 

[puglover]

For Schizas, better skating skills would make getting the higher levels on the step sequences easier…she lacks depth of edge and that's likely the biggest issue on not getting the levels because the turns may not be getting credited. She's also trying hard to get full body movement, but this is a weakness for her as well and I assume she likely loses a level for that as well most of the time.

This all goes back to some of the weak spots in her skating that needed to be addressed since she first came on the scene. She's clearly spent time on these things, but it hasn't really been enough yet. I don't know if it's more dedicated time that's needed on skating skills or someone more adept at coaching a skater to improve these things that's needed. She's a better skater today than she was in 2020 or 2021 certainly, but she's still a few steps behind in terms of basic skating that most of the competitive field right now.

I think she's progressed fairly well on her spin positions in the last couple of years. I think she still struggles with the levels there a bit, but she's probably getting better GOE now than she did previously on her spins because of the improvement. All these little things add up though and can make the difference between 12th and 10th easily.

Thank you for your detailed analysis of what is lacking in her skating. It is always a crap shoot to start to believe in younger skaters as so much can happen but I was encouraged by what I saw at Challenge. The age restrictions will help but I hope they get sufficient time to develop as the current skaters fight it out for Canada. It is only going to get harder.

 

[zigzig]

Coach Paul Parkinson shared 2 clips of Xmas Eve jumps - Megan Woodley's Rippon 3Lz+3T and Lulu Lin's Rippon 3Lz (if ready perhaps she will petition to be considered for the Junior World team?):

Paul Bonifacio Parkinson on Instagram: "A little bit of Christmas Eve jumping! @coachandrewevans @coachlaurisa @skatetlss"

254 likes, 3 comments - coachpaulp on December 24, 2024: "A little bit of Christmas Eve jumping! @coachandrewevans @coachlaurisa @skatetlss".

www.instagram.com

Megan's 3+3 is gorg!

 

[Sylvia]

Two articles in French in Le Journal de Montreal by Benoit Rioux (before the Junior Women's SP tomorrow afternoon in Laval):

"12-year-old phenomenon" Lia Cho: https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2025/01/13/lia-cho-phenomene-de-12-ans-sapprete-a-eblouir-laval
Google translated excerpts:

"I haven't seen her skate in person yet, but I've watched her in several videos and she's really an exceptional little girl, a true figure skating prodigy," says [Sara-Maude] Dupuis, "who will be competing in the senior category in Laval. It's crazy, because she's breaking Canadian records in the junior category at the age of 12. Her scores would be very competitive at the senior level, while she's still too young to compete in the junior category at the international level."
You do indeed have to be 13 to participate in international events, an anniversary that Cho will finally celebrate next August. From then on, the entire planet will have the opportunity to discover her.

(The journalist was not aware that Lia has to turn 13 by July 1st in order to make her Junior international debut; she will be age-eligible in 2026-27.)

Among her most recent accomplishments, Cho shattered Ruiter's previous national junior record with an overall score of 186.5 at the Skate Canada Challenge in Winnipeg in the fall. For comparison, Ruiter was 15 in 2021, when she posted a commendable 179.92.

Quebec figure skater Mégane Vallières, 16, who was 3rd in Challenge and coached in Yvan Desjardins' group: https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2...-megane-vallieres-reve-dun-podium-a-la-maison

 

[honey]

New free skate coming this weekend for Schizas to Butterfly Lovers that she intends to keep for next season as well.

Not sure why we’re having her coach choreograph a free skate at this point, but it’s not like what others have given her for free skates has been out of this world. So, why not I guess?

https://x.com/inthelopodcast/status/1880275340398100663?s=46&t=8Xvbdp66KnY7Eq2TqnBQHw

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

New free skate coming this weekend for Schizas to Butterfly Lovers that she intends to keep for next season as well.

Not sure why we’re having her coach choreograph a free skate at this point, but it’s not like what others have given her for free skates has been out of this world. So, why not I guess?

https://x.com/inthelopodcast/status/1880275340398100663?s=46&t=8Xvbdp66KnY7Eq2TqnBQHw

Interesting. Butterfly Lovers was Lu Chen's 1998 free, yes? While Schizas's coach is likely not a choreographic genius, maybe she does know what works best for Maddie? So if the program helps her skate cleanly, I guess that's better than it being a masterpiece that she can't live up to.

 

[honey]

Interesting. Butterfly Lovers was Lu Chen's 1998 free, yes? While Schizas's coach is likely not a choreographic genius, maybe she does know what works best for Maddie? So if the program helps her skate cleanly, I guess that's better than it being a masterpiece that she can't live up to.

There was another post from Golden Skate that was posted a couple minutes ago that mentions Allison Purkiss as well, so a choreographer was likely involved.

And yes that was Lu Chen’s 1998 free. Karen Chen also used in in 2021 and 2022. It’s beautiful music and a lot to skate up to.

 

[victorskid]

There was another post from Golden Skate that was posted a couple minutes ago that mentions Allison Purkiss as well, so a choreographer was likely involved.

And yes that was Lu Chen’s 1998 free. Karen Chen also used in in 2021 and 2022. It’s beautiful music and a lot to skate up to.

Rob Brodie has an article about it.

#SCNats25: 'It's just makes me feel better'

It's a piece of music that Maddie Schizas was saving for the Olympic season. But she's decided the Canadian Championships are the right place to unveil a new free program.

t.co

 

[Sylvia]

Article on Lia Cho, the new Junior champion, by Canadian Press Sports' Daniel Rainbird (Jan. 17, 2025):

12-year-old skater Lia Cho breaks own Canadian junior women's record at nationals

Lia Cho took a deep breath to calm her nerves before skating out to the biggest crowd of her young life.

www.ctvnews.ca

Excerpt from the end:

[Coach Scott] Davis said he’s never seen a 12-year-old skater like her.
“It’s pretty remarkable,” he said. “Not only the daily training that she does, but when she gets in a situation like this, you can see that she really enjoys it, loves it, and turns on the performance aspect, which is quite amazing.”
If she’s already that good at 12, what’s next? Davis said Cho is working on a triple axel, “which is pretty close,” and believes a quad jump or two could be in the cards.
“But we want to make it fun for her and keep her healthy, most importantly, because yeah, she’s pretty young,” he said.
Cho won’t be able to test herself internationally for quite some time because she’s only eligible for the world junior championships in 2027.
Davis said she’s staying motivated by measuring herself up against her future competition.
“She’s pretty special in that she knows what the other girls in the world are doing, and she watches lots of YouTube videos and sees others doing triple axels and quads,” he said.
“So she’s pushing herself technically, because she knows what the other kids are doing.”

Lia Cho [VPN required outside of Canada to watch her free program]
- https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6616637
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nqSBsUbkXE

Lia is the final skater at 3:01:16 in the Barton/Osmond replay: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9cjc70
All of her Romeo & Juliet FP music is from the Nino Rota film soundtrack; choreo. by Garrett Gosselin.

ETA - reposting here from the Junior Women's PBP thread in the 2025 Canadians subforum in Kiss & Cry (the 2024 Canadian Novice Women's podium made up the 2025 Junior podium today, with Ksenia & Sandrine swapping placements from last year):

Excerpt from Skate Canada's "Women’s Top Moments from the 2023/2024 Season" article:

One of the most remarkable Canadian athletes this season was none other than Lia Cho, a novice skater from Alberta. At Skate Canada Challenge – Pre-Novice/Novice, Cho took home the gold medal and set a new Canadian novice record with a total score of 153.81. Cho then went on to rewrite the history books yet again at the 2024 Novice Canadian Championships, where she captured first place and broke her own record with a score of 166.56 – 33 points ahead of the nearest competition.

The year finished just as good as it started for our female athletes, with three Canadian novice skaters sweeping the podium at the Triglav Trophy in Slovenia. Lia Cho continued to dominate the women’s discipline, claiming the gold medal with a notable lead. She was followed by Ksenia Krouzkevitch of Ontario, and Sandrine Blais of Quebec who took home the silver and bronze medals respectively. It was an especially remarkable result considering that it was the skaters’ first international competition!"

Triglav Trophy Adv. Novice Girls final results (April 2024): https://www.isuresults.com/results/season2324/tt2024/CAT006RS.htm