|
|
Post by Admin on Jan 10, 2021 21:28:31 GMT
2021 SKATE CANADA CHALLENGE JANUARY 8-10 AND JANUARY 15-17, 2021 (VIRTUAL COMPETITION) There were no judges to smile at, and no fans to cheer them on. It was very much like an every-day practice on their home rink — but completely different. Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier skated their ice dance programs weeks ago in front of a video crew, for the Skate Canada Challenge, which will be judged virtually over the next two weekends. If the dancers had difficulty wrapping their heads around competing in isolation, their bodies knew what to do. "On ice, it really felt like it was a competition," Gilles said. "The nerves came back, the random leg fatigue, the ankle cramps, all that stuff that you experience before you compete, it was no different than doing it in an arena in front of people. "Your body and your brain knows the pressures of the situation." COVID-19 has wiped out every event for Canada's figure skating team since last March, including the world championships last spring in Montreal and Skate Canada International in October.  |
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jan 11, 2021 6:16:24 GMT
2021 Skate Canada Challenge Junior Men Free Program 2021 Skate Canada Challenge: Junior Women Free Program Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro build their skating programs with large crowds in mind. Which made watching themselves win the pairs event of the Skate Canada Challenge, a unique virtual event of prerecorded programs, bittersweet. They were happy to be back competing in any fashion after an almost yearlong layoff but lamented the loss of fans. Of all the sports played out in front of empty arenas amid COVID-19, figure skating might be the most jarring -- like a symphony orchestra playing in an empty concert hall.  "The competitions are definitely driven by the audience, trying to bring them along with us," Marinaro said. "So having that aspect completely gone definitely changes things a lot. It's definitely a different experience." The two-time Canadian champions earned 135.18 points for their free skate to Damien Rice's "The Blower's Daughter," for a total score of 206.22. Lori-Ann Matte and Thierry Ferland, third after the short program, moved up to claim silver (172.42), while Deanna Stellato and Maxime Deschamps were third (170.65). The second wave of COVID-19 forced Skate Canada to hold the event virtually. Skaters performed their programs at their home rinks over the past few weeks, then submitted videos, which are being broadcast -- and judged in real time -- in an effort to simulate a live competition. No fans were permitted in the rinks for filming, only the skaters' coaches, a video crew and a Skate Canada official who made sure the rules were followed. Almost the entire Canadian team has been grounded since the global pandemic began. The world championships last March in Montreal were one of the first major international events scrapped due to COVID-19. Skate Canada International in October was also canceled. The virtual Challenge is a qualifying event for the Canadian championships, Feb. 8-14 in Vancouver. The event is intended to be live, but with COVID-19 cases on the rise across the country, there is a chance the championship will be held virtually. |
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jan 12, 2021 5:53:49 GMT
With growing concern for the health and safety of all participants involved in the 2021 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships and the 2021 Skate Canada Cup given the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic across Canada, Skate Canada has made the difficult decision to cancel these events. The championships were to occur from February 8-14, 2021 in Vancouver, B.C., at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre while the 2021 Skate Canada Cup was planned to be a virtual event in replacement of the pre-novice and novice competitions at the 2021 Skate Canada Challenge.
“We are deeply saddened for all athletes, coaches, and supporting individuals who are impacted by this decision and appreciate the incredible efforts to overcome ever-evolving training and access challenges to best prepare athletes for these events,” said Leanna Caron, President, Skate Canada.
2021 Skate Canada Challenge: Junior Women Short Program
The severe level of disruption to training of athletes caused by the pandemic and the evolving and unpredictable restrictions associated with travel and hosting events contributed to the decision. Despite diligence by all involved in securing opportunities for athletes to train, practice and compete this season, the risks associated with hosting the event were deemed too high.
“As we move into a new year, we continue to closely monitor and follow the guidance from the provincial and federal health authorities. Due to the continuous shift in requirements across the country, the inability of our athletes to train due to the closure of ice rinks and the number of participants that would be required to travel, it became clear that it would not be possible to host these events,” said Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada. “The health and safety of our community is our priority and we thank you all for taking the necessary precautions and doing what you can to limit the spread of COVID-19.”
2021 Skate Canada Challenge: Junior Men Short Program
Skate Canada would like to especially thank our title sponsor, Canadian Tire, for its continuous support and dedication to this event and our sport over the years. Additionally, we are appreciative for the effort and support provided by all our partners, including the local organizing committee – Skate Canada British Columbia-Yukon and event volunteers from across the country who have been part of preparations over the past several months for these events.
“We thank our athletes for continuing to inspire us and look forward to a brighter and prosperous 2021-2022 season,” said Armstrong.
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jan 15, 2021 23:58:42 GMT
|
|
