2026 Canadian Championships - Senior Rhythm Dance and Free Dance

[kwanfan1818]

They didn't mention a Canadian junior and senior champion, a two-time JGP gold medalist, a four-time GP medalist (one gold), and a 4C's bronze medalist by name. Poirier didn't earn all of that by himself.

 

[PRlady]

No one mentioned Avonlea when saying Kolesnik had been World Junior Champion or Tarah Kayne when listing Danny’s accomplishments. Samuelson didn’t get a mention when they talked about Bates’ 5th Olympics. I think that’s par for the course.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Kayne never went to the Olympics with O'Shea (
), nor did Kolesnik with Nguyen. I have seen and heard Samuelson mentioned by name when talking about this being Bates' fifth Olympics, the first with Samuelson and the rest with Chock. Counting Olympic appearances is the context in which Crone was referred to as "former partner."

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

I really don't think anyone was slighting the awesomely talented Vanessa Crone. If I'd written the press release, I might have put her name in parentheses, but the press release is already pretty long and I imagine Skate Canada wanted the focus to be on the current skaters named to the Olympic team. Plus there's always a chance that some inexperienced intern at a media outlet might see her name and mistakenly think she's a current Olympian. And a stupid AI summary could definitely do that.

 

[Winnipeg]

Loved GP LP!! Not sure about the drop to the floor step but someone up high must have thought it added to the creativity. My lack thereof likely just didn't get it.

Still, loved their program and hope they medal at Olys

WRT commentating, I always loved Weaver as a skater but her commentating left me a bit nauseous. Not as bad as Scott Hamilton used to be but still way up there in the "oh please take it down a notch category." I guess she was just excited.

 

[Skate Talker]

Okay - I didn't like Kaitlyn as a commentator. As I heard it, she provided almost exclusively feelings-type commentary and I wanted to hear more technical information. Ice Dance is the discipline I know the least about and therefore need the most help understanding. I want to know what the technical specialists and judges are looking for in each element, what the judges look for in each of the program components, etc., using examples in the competion and slow mo's. What should I be watching for to help explain the differences between skaters, etc.


BUT, as was pointed out, all of the skatecanada productions commentators were respectful of the skaters and I appreciate that a great deal.

 

[Alilou]

I finally got so sick of it I decided to do something about it. I sent a polite email to Skate Canada about Kaitlyn Weaver. I included an attachment with every negative remark from this competition and last October's SCI (anonymously of course) and said there have been no positive comments. I assured them that she is beloved as an ice dancer and well-liked as a person, but her commentary sucks. I said that Osmond, KMT, and Kevin are often praised. Also that we like Ted and Mark.

 

[Alilou]

I received this reply:

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your comments. I have shared with our events team.

Regards,
Simon Austin - Skate Canada
1.888.747.2372 | @skatecanada

 

[Alilou]

Today Skate Canada wanted me to give feedback about my experience - satisfied/not satisfied. It came from the same person - Simon Austin.

I clicked on satisfied and then commented that I was satisfied for now, but that I would like to hear from the events team (whatever that is). So we'll see what comes from that. I do not expect them to tell me the outcome so much as to acknowledge my concerns and say they're at least looking into it.

 

[puglover]

Today Skate Canada wanted me to give feedback about my experience - satisfied/not satisfied. It came from the same person - Simon Austin.

I clicked on satisfied and then commented that I was satisfied for now, but that I would like to hear from the events team (whatever that is). So we'll see what comes from that. I do not expect them to tell me the outcome so much as to acknowledge my concerns and say they're at least looking into it.

I have to admit I am pleasantly surprised that you heard from Skate Canada at all.

 

[Alilou]

I have to admit I am pleasantly surprised that you heard from Skate Canada at all.

I honestly had no idea what to expect, but I'm very glad I wrote. My email was polite and respectful, but at the same time I didn't try to sugar coat the situation. I told it like it is, like we all experience it. How will it ever change if no one tells them? So I just figured it was time. It's been several seasons now and IMO she gets worse.
So we'll see if I hear from the "events team" and if anything changes. I suspect she's under contract. I suggested that if she's not there must be many retired ice dancers in Canada, any one of whom could do a better job, and that if she is under contract perhaps she could be encouraged to learn from Mark or Ben Agosto.

 

[overedge]

Also that we like Ted and Mark.

I like Mark

I don't think someone who turned a blind eye for many years to Eteri's abuses, and to abusive behaviour at the rink he was responsible for, should be commentating.

 

[Alilou]

I like Mark

I don't think someone who turned a blind eye for many years to Eteri's abuses, and to abusive behaviour at the rink he was responsible for, should be commentating.

I agree, but OTOH he has done an enormous amount for the sport - access to the junior circuit would not exist without him. This does not in any way excuse his behaviour but he's a tougher nut to crack. The issue with Kaitlyn commentating is at least something I can try to change/fix.

 

[overedge]

@Alilou agreed about trying to change what you can change. IMO whatever good Ted has done isn't going to be outweighed by the damage he let happen for many years.