Event Information
https://skatecanada.ca/2024-canadian-national-skating-championships/
https://skatecanada.ca/2024-canadian-national-skating-championships/
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SportsTranscript
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00:00:30 Hello everyone and welcome to the freezer, Calgary,
00:00:47 Alberta on this bridge day between the junior and seniors at the National Skating Championship.
00:00:51 31 below zero.
00:00:53 >> We should call it the fridge day.
00:00:54 It is so cold.
00:00:55 >> It is freezing here, but Jodi, quickly.
00:00:58 >> But it's beautiful and thank you Calgary for having us.
00:01:00 We're loving being here.
00:01:01 >> The snow is nice and clean and white.
00:01:02 That was great.
00:01:03 Listen, Jodi, we've just finished the junior events, of course.
00:01:06 We're moving into the seniors.
00:01:08 Let's recap at least the champions.
00:01:10 >> Okay, so in junior men, Terry Yutow Jin moved from fourth to first.
00:01:14 Basically, you just had to have a clean skate would be great, but the cleanest skate.
00:01:19 And do all your things.
00:01:20 He looked strong a few misses, so he won.
00:01:23 >> He improved a lot by getting around all the jumps all the way.
00:01:26 He's always a great skater, but under rotated a lot of the jumps before.
00:01:29 Not now, got him clean, took the title.
00:01:31 >> And stood up on most of them.
00:01:33 >> Yeah.
00:01:33 >> All right, in the junior women, Lulu Lin was third after the short,
00:01:37 which to me was a surprise.
00:01:38 I think it surprised her.
00:01:39 She doesn't miss very often.
00:01:40 But she did pull up to first, a very strong skate, and she's young.
00:01:44 She's a very young girl, but man, so composed out there.
00:01:47 So she won the junior women.
00:01:51 Junior pairs, Ava and Jonathan, first after the short program.
00:01:56 Again, a strong free skate.
00:01:57 Not perfect, not clean, but enough to win and deservedly so.
00:02:01 >> And the top three in that event are so strong.
00:02:04 And of course, they represent Canada, the Junior Grand Prix Final in Beijing.
00:02:07 But a very bright future and more pair teams.
00:02:10 There's growth in pair skating in Canada, and that's good news for our future.
00:02:13 >> Right, that second group of pairs, so strong.
00:02:15 And yeah, really looking forward to seeing them develop.
00:02:19 And in dance, a bit of a surprise.
00:02:21 Leila Villion and Alexander Brandes from Ontario did move up to win the event.
00:02:28 We expected Chloe and Brandon because they're extremely strong and experienced.
00:02:31 A little challenge in the free dance, but nothing to take away from Alexander and Leila.
00:02:38 They skated fabulous.
00:02:39 >> Yeah.
00:02:40 >> Beautiful program.
00:02:41 >> It was a great event.
00:02:42 I mean, there was a lot of good skating in the ice dance here.
00:02:44 So that was a great, great spot as well.
00:02:46 But now we're moving on to Junior Synchro.
00:02:49 >> No, we are not moving on.
00:02:49 We still have Junior.
00:02:50 It's not the final, but it's the Junior Synchro short program.
00:02:53 And I would say as expected, Nexus and Laysa Prem are on top one, too.
00:02:58 But at their heels, so close is Nova.
00:03:01 And only two teams go to the Junior World Synchro Championships.
00:03:05 So it is going to be a battle out there today.
00:03:07 And there's nothing more exciting than watching synchro teams battling it out on the ice.
00:03:11 Not all at once, but --
00:03:13 >> And I was speaking, of course, with Lisa Carrier, who covers the synchronized with me.
00:03:17 And she was talking about the depth and the quality of the juniors is improving every year out.
00:03:21 That gap between juniors seems to still there, but it's starting to get a little bit tighter
00:03:25 because the juniors are getting so good.
00:03:27 >> We have a number of junior teams that could medal on the world podium easily.
00:03:30 >> Absolutely.
00:03:30 >> Yeah.
00:03:31 All right.
00:03:32 So --
00:03:33 >> Seniors.
00:03:33 >> Seniors.
00:03:34 Let's start with the women.
00:03:35 Because I think that one we have a clear expectation of champion, and Maddie Skies is.
00:03:41 >> Yeah. And she's going for a three-peat.
00:03:43 There are some challenges if she doesn't skate well.
00:03:46 >> She has to skate.
00:03:47 >> She's got to skate well.
00:03:48 But she has proven this year she's back on track.
00:03:50 >> Yes. Very much so.
00:03:51 And I think that's a theme of the event so far is you need to skate.
00:03:55 >> Yeah.
00:03:56 >> You need to skate.
00:03:57 But right on her heels, Fionn Landry, Sarah Maud Dupuis, Fiona Bombardier, and Kaya Ryder.
00:04:03 And I'd like to point out that Fiona's double duty this year, also competing in senior pairs.
00:04:07 >> Yeah. And Kaya Ryder's skating here at home.
00:04:10 She earned two spots for the junior world championships right here in March last year
00:04:14 at her home rink at the junior world championships.
00:04:17 She'll be in senior, and she'll be challenging for a medal.
00:04:20 >> Men.
00:04:20 >> Okay. Let's go.
00:04:22 >> Okay.
00:04:22 >> Who knows?
00:04:23 >> And to go with the theme, you're going to have to bring two programs.
00:04:27 One is not going to cut it, and you're going to have to be performing those programs
00:04:31 because there's, you know, the world's your oyster.
00:04:34 It's there for the taking.
00:04:35 So I'd like to see them skate to win it.
00:04:39 >> I was watching the practice today, and a lot of them are really, really strong skaters.
00:04:43 But it's an inconsistent group.
00:04:44 We don't know what's going to happen.
00:04:46 Anyone can take this title.
00:04:48 >> All right.
00:04:48 Pairs. I think we have two clear top pair teams.
00:04:52 Brooke and Ben have had to withdraw.
00:04:54 And so that third spot for the podium and perhaps a world team championship
00:05:00 in Montreal is also on the line.
00:05:02 So that's going to be an exciting event.
00:05:03 And we've talked about our depth and improvement in pairs, too.
00:05:06 So lots of things could happen.
00:05:10 And of course, in the dance, we've had two withdrawals.
00:05:13 But we also have some very strong dance teams still, including Piper and Paul,
00:05:18 who are back to reclaim their Canadian title.
00:05:20 And some podium spots, some dancers may not have had, you know, a tough battle to get
00:05:26 on the podium for or up for grabs this year.
00:05:28 So --
00:05:28 >> Opportunity.
00:05:29 >> Lots of inspiration and opportunity that they're going
00:05:31 to have to really skate to earn those spots.
00:05:34 >> Okay.
00:05:34 Senior Synchro.
00:05:35 >> Senior Synchro.
00:05:36 Three teams.
00:05:37 Again, L'Esapreme, Nexus, and Nova.
00:05:39 And we've watched these three teams.
00:05:41 It used to be two, and Nova joined the fourth.
00:05:43 So -- and they've bounced up and down on who's first, second, third each year.
00:05:48 So looking forward to that event as well.
00:05:50 >> And of course, two-time world champions in synchronized skating, L'Esapreme.
00:05:55 I mean, that's amazing.
00:05:56 Canada leads the way, really, around the world right now.
00:05:59 In synchronized skating.
00:06:00 So you'll want to see that event.
00:06:02 >> Yeah. And I hear May's.
00:06:02 They're so quiet on the ice.
00:06:04 >> It's unbelievable.
00:06:04 >> There's 16 of them out there, and you can barely hear --
00:06:06 >> You can't hear the plates.
00:06:07 It's amazing.
00:06:08 Okay. I know you don't have any Calgary fun facts, but I do.
00:06:11 So did you know that the Caesar drink, you know, the tomato juice and the --
00:06:15 >> It's Clamato juice.
00:06:17 >> Okay, whatever.
00:06:17 And the vodka and the celery and all that was created at our host hotel in 1969
00:06:25 by the chef who was creating something special right there.
00:06:27 The Caesar was created right here in Calgary at the Western Hotel.
00:06:31 There you go.
00:06:32 >> Have you tried one?
00:06:33 >> No. I don't like them, actually.
00:06:35 >> Well, I do.
00:06:35 So I will try it and report back.
00:06:37 But I'll put it on your tab.
00:06:38 How's that?
00:06:38 >> Yeah, no problem.
00:06:39 Okay, the weather.
00:06:40 >> No. First of all, we're going to talk about our sponsors.
00:06:43 >> Oh, yeah.
00:06:43 >> Okay? We can't forget the sponsors.
00:06:45 They're valuable to us.
00:06:47 So Skate Canada sponsors the Chicken Farmers of Canada.
00:06:52 Canadaflowers.ca.
00:06:53 Thank you for our lovely flowers that dress the set.
00:06:56 And of course, Corporate Traveler, who gets us in and out of all these places that we visit.
00:07:01 >> In and out of trouble a lot.
00:07:02 >> Yeah, especially at this time of year.
00:07:04 Presenting sponsors, the Province of Alberta and Tourism Calgary.
00:07:09 Now, our audio and lighting sponsors, SW Video, who do a phenomenal job
00:07:14 of keeping us all connected on headsets and also so that we look nice.
00:07:18 And I got -- again, today I got a new piece of equipment where I can talk
00:07:21 to everybody all at once on the headset.
00:07:23 >> Oh, I'm going to have to talk to them about that one.
00:07:25 >> That one's going to be fun.
00:07:26 And then, of course, our event partners, Culligan Water, Charlene Bailey,
00:07:31 who does the flower retriever dresses, amongst many other dresses that she does,
00:07:36 and St. Francis Herb Farms.
00:07:38 >> Thank you to all of our sponsors.
00:07:39 >> Sponsors.
00:07:40 >> Now, the weather.
00:07:41 >> Now, the weather.
00:07:42 We're starting in Kelowna.
00:07:44 It's minus 13, feeling minus 19, cloudy, maybe it's a chance of sunshine, typical winter day.
00:07:51 Wellington, New Zealand, it's 24 degrees and sunny and clear, beautiful day down there.
00:07:57 And the reason I say that is because, Ted, you're from New Zealand.
00:08:01 >> And?
00:08:02 >> My daughter lives there.
00:08:02 So, hi, Frances and Rocky.
00:08:06 And then, of course, here in Calgary, minus 30, feeling minus 44.
00:08:10 >> It's going to go down to minus 50 this weekend with the wind chill, so it's cold.
00:08:15 >> And if you watched us earlier this week, I said minus 45 was a record setting temperature
00:08:19 in Calgary, so I'm not into setting records just so you know.
00:08:23 But if it happens, it happens.
00:08:24 >> I'm your host, Ted Barton, along with Lisa Carriere.
00:08:26 We're about to cover the junior free program in the synchronized skating.
00:08:31 Lisa, thank you for joining me from Montreal.
00:08:34 Exciting day coming up.
00:08:36 >> Pleasure to be here.
00:08:36 It's much warmer on my part of the country.
00:08:40 >> No kidding.
00:08:41 Minus 31 here, so it's really, really cold.
00:08:44 Let's get into synchronized skating.
00:08:45 We have three minutes to work with here.
00:08:47 The junior result, of course, Lisa, Premier in first, Nexus in second, Nova in third.
00:08:53 Tell us a little bit about what we're going to see, what elements we're going to see
00:08:56 in the free program for the juniors.
00:08:58 >> Yeah, for sure.
00:08:59 So, in the junior short program, short program, we have five elements.
00:09:03 In the free, we're going to see a little bit more.
00:09:04 It's a longer program, of course.
00:09:06 We'll be seeing the creative element, which will be a lift, which is something a little bit newer
00:09:12 in the junior division because typically we don't see lifts at the junior level,
00:09:15 but we will be seeing them tonight.
00:09:17 We'll see two intersections, so we won't see an angle, which we saw yesterday.
00:09:21 Instead, we'll see likely a whip and then either a box or triangle intersection.
00:09:26 We'll see a linear element, so a line, and no hold, where the steps count.
00:09:32 So, they have to have good quality edges, good skating skills.
00:09:35 We're going to be seeing synchronized spins, which can be either individual spins or pair spins.
00:09:40 We'll see a traveling element.
00:09:42 That's like the wheel or circle.
00:09:43 You'll see travel across the ice.
00:09:45 And finally, a move element, and those are your spirals, bielmans, upright extensions,
00:09:50 all that fun stuff at the junior level.
00:09:52 >> Now, briefly, we talked about, you talked about yesterday about the quality
00:09:55 of junior synchronized skating improving to a real large degree.
00:09:59 The gap is still big between junior and senior, but closing.
00:10:02 >> Absolutely.
00:10:03 There will always be a jump between junior and senior.
00:10:05 That's what keeps the sport so exciting, but it's amazing to see the quality
00:10:09 that we're seeing at the junior level here.
00:10:12 You know, when you go to a world championship, some of those top-level teams,
00:10:15 as Joni mentioned, they could be competing in the senior level.
00:10:18 They're just so strong.
00:10:19 Canada, of course, is right up there in the world rankings
00:10:22 at the junior level and senior level.
00:10:24 So, yeah, it's a really exciting and deep field in Canada.
00:10:27 >> Now, some of the rule changes throughout all the disciplines, in fact,
00:10:31 what's your favorite that's happened just recently in synchronized skating?
00:10:36 >> I think the coolest one is probably the entry variation going into the intersection.
00:10:41 So, you know, when you think of forecasting or telegraphing a jump in singles
00:10:46 where you can see it coming from a mile away, intersection elements used to be that way
00:10:50 in synchro where you'd see them come from all the way across the ice.
00:10:53 And now there's a new feature where the panel really wants
00:10:56 to see these intersection elements come out of nowhere.
00:10:59 So you'll see them doing complex patterns, complex movements,
00:11:02 and all of a sudden they're intersecting and you don't even see it coming.
00:11:05 >> Yeah, well, that's going to be exciting to see.
00:11:07 Of course, we have eight junior teams and three senior teams with Nexus,
00:11:11 Les Supremes, and Nova in the senior category.
00:11:14 We're going to go from the junior to the senior, and all that starts right now.
00:11:20 [ Music ]
00:11:49 [ Music ]
00:11:58 >> We would like to acknowledge the land we are gathered on here today,
00:12:01 the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Siksika, Kena, Bikani, Tsutina,
00:12:10 and the Etihanakota-Wisatabe Nations, comprised of the Chiniki,
00:12:16 Bearspa, and Wesley First Nations.
00:12:19 The city of Calgary is also home to the Otipimi Sawa Metis Nation and all people
00:12:26 who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of southern Alberta.
00:12:30 [ Background Sounds ]
00:12:56 [ Music ]
00:13:08 [ Music ]
00:13:37 [ Music ]
00:14:06 [ Music ]
00:14:16 [ Music ]
00:14:45 [ Music ]
00:14:49 [ Music ]
00:15:18 [ Silence ]
00:15:27 >> Welcome to Calgary, live inside the Winsport Arena.
00:15:30 I'm your host, Ed Barton, along with Lisa Carriera, joining me from Montreal.
00:15:35 Lisa, welcome to the broadcast again.
00:15:37 >> Thank you, Ted.
00:15:38 Looking forward to an exciting event ahead.
00:15:41 >> Yeah, so interesting with eight teams here.
00:15:43 We talked about this.
00:15:44 You see some of the growth.
00:15:45 We have a team from Alberta and a team from BC.
00:15:48 Yeah, they're quite far away, of course, from the other teams,
00:15:50 but there is some development happening across the country, coast to coast,
00:15:53 and that's a good thing for the discipline.
00:15:55 >> Definitely, and there's such a steep learning curve in the sport as a first-year team.
00:15:59 There's so much to learn, so much growth and development to happen,
00:16:03 and we're starting to see that pay off now in year three and four of some of these teams.
00:16:08 >> Well, up first is the Junior Free Program.
00:16:13 You talked a little bit in the opening about the elements.
00:16:16 As we take a look at the officials for this event,
00:16:19 we thank them for all their time and expertise,
00:16:21 and synchronized skating has so many difficult elements to assess,
00:16:25 and remember, you're not looking at one skater or just two.
00:16:28 You're looking at 16 and more.
00:16:30 So to keep your eyes on everyone, and that's why they have video replay, of course, very difficult.
00:16:35 We thank the officials for all that they do for this event,
00:16:38 and I'm sure you, as an expert in this discipline, can appreciate the difficulty of judging it.
00:16:44 >> Oh, absolutely.
00:16:45 Whenever it comes to preparing to compensate,
00:16:48 my first line of defense is reaching out to officials to get their insights and get their wisdom
00:16:53 because the rules are complicated, and there is such an interpretation component to understanding the rules.
00:17:00 So being able to speak to some of the judges and ISU technical specialists, hats off to you guys.
00:17:05 A little shout out to Kathy Hilton, Andrew Bosco for helping me out with the preparation here, and Sarah Susie too.
00:17:11 >> I like that, the first line of defense, you know.
00:17:14 No, it's great, and they're a great community, that's for sure.
00:17:17 So in the juniors, you were pretty impressed with the top groups for sure.
00:17:22 What is it that the junior category has improved so much that, you know, initiated that comment by you?
00:17:28 >> I think, for me, it's really looking at the complexity of their skating, their elements,
00:17:34 and the program themes.
00:17:36 You know, when you look at the junior world level, those top level teams, they don't look like junior teams,
00:17:41 they look like senior teams.
00:17:43 And especially in our top group of, you know, the top four teams in Canada at the junior level right now,
00:17:48 they look like they're ready for senior, which is so exciting for the future of the sport
00:17:52 because those are the athletes that will move into the senior division next.
00:17:55 >> Well, how did that happen?
00:17:56 Obviously, there's been, you know, great improvement here.
00:17:58 I mean, is that just because we are spending more time on skating skills, the basics?
00:18:03 >> Definitely spending the time on the skating skills, but also just, you know,
00:18:08 the number of skaters that are so committed to the sport.
00:18:10 Sometimes we have skaters that start with a club at the juvenile level, they move all the way up,
00:18:15 and they're just so committed to synchro on top of training in other disciplines.
00:18:18 But then we also have the injection of senior level ice dancers, junior level ice dancers, free skaters,
00:18:24 pair skaters that come in to join a synchro team, sometimes at the junior and senior level,
00:18:28 which is so exciting because their expertise benefits their teammates and helps their teammates to improve as well.
00:18:34 >> As we take a look at the first team on the ice from Alberta, Solstice Junior, as they prepare their warm-up,
00:18:41 just remind the audience a little bit about their warm-up.
00:18:44 >> Yeah, so because they are the first team on the ice, they have up to two minutes just to get into the ice,
00:18:49 get into their knees and ankles, and normally teams are doing this while the other team before them
00:18:54 is in the kiss and cry waiting for their mark.
00:18:56 So they're trying to really make it fair, and they're getting an opportunity to do a little stroking block
00:19:01 and take in their surroundings before they take their starting position.
00:19:05 >> It's pretty amazing, the short warm-up that they get compared to the six minutes that pair, singles and dance have.
00:19:10 You're going, "Is this really fair?"
00:19:13 But I suppose you've all figured it out, and this is a good pattern.
00:19:17 And you talked about the timing, so important.
00:19:19 They arrive at 333, at 344 they enter the building, at 335 they enter the dressing room.
00:19:24 So it's so scheduled.
00:19:26 >> Yes, a lot of planning goes into this being here and performing at their best.
00:19:31 I also want to just bring attention to the fact that the first two teams we're going to see tonight have 12 skaters on the team,
00:19:37 and some people might notice, "Oh, well, that's different because some teams have 16."
00:19:41 So at the junior and senior level, you can skate a minimum of 12 on the ice up to 16.
00:19:46 Some teams, obviously if you have enough skaters, you will choose 16,
00:19:50 but for these developing teams that may not have enough skaters, they will often choose to skate 12 instead.
00:19:55 And they can skate 13 or 14 too, but 12 is an easier number to work with for the elements.
00:19:59 >> Well, it looks like we're getting ready for our first team,
00:20:02 and they signal to the music players when they want that music to be started.
00:20:07 You'll see one skater probably raise their hand or do a turn.
00:20:10 Let me take the last few minutes here just to feel the ice, get their knees, of course, they're a little nervous.
00:20:18 >> They're going to try to get the team out. They have nice, clean ice. That's the good thing.
00:20:21 >> That could be a blessing and a curse, though.
00:20:23 >> Yeah, it can be. If you slip, you slide a little further, perhaps.
00:20:28 Our first team is Solstice Jr. from the Alberta Northwest Territory, Dunavik,
00:20:31 out of the Kalelo Figure Skating Club, Melissa Hill, the team manager,
00:20:34 and they're going to skate the free program to the Phantom of the Opera.
00:20:40 [ Music ]
00:20:59 >> That is not the correct music, and they will be changing the music to put on their correct music soon.
00:21:06 [ Cheering ]
00:21:10 >> That's a moment that can be very nerve-wracking for a team because they're in the zone,
00:21:14 they're in the element, and it sounds like they played the warm-up music, not the program.
00:21:21 So they'll have a moment here to reset themselves as they work out the music.
00:21:26 >> 665, ladies and gentlemen, a Pavillon M.A. musical box in the --
00:21:36 >> Well, they've got the encouragement of their friends and family in this dance.
00:21:40 >> Here we go again.
00:21:42 [ Music ]
00:21:58 >> And their coaches are Andrea St. Cyr and Martha Pietraszak.
00:22:07 Once again, they'll skate the free program to the Phantom of the Opera.
00:22:13 >> So, a moment, sir.
00:22:15 A lot 665, ladies and gentlemen, a Pavillon M.A. musical box in the shape of a barrel organ.
00:22:22 [ Music ]
00:22:41 [ Cheering ]
00:22:56 [ Music ]
00:23:20 [ Music ]
00:23:30 [ Music ]
00:23:40 [ Music ]
00:24:00 [ Music ]
00:24:20 [ Music ]
00:24:40 [ Music ]
00:25:00 [ Music ]
00:25:10 [ Music ]
00:25:30 [ Music ]
00:25:50 [ Music ]
00:26:00 [ Applause ]
00:26:04 >> From the Alberta Northwest Territories, Junovic section, Solstice Jr., what a powerful piece of music.
00:26:10 No matter how many times you hear that, it gives you chills.
00:26:14 >> It does, and their hope was to portray passion, freedom, and intensity of those characters.
00:26:20 And I think I could definitely feel that through their performance tonight.
00:26:23 I know that wasn't the skate that they were hoping for, but they should still be proud of what they did.
00:26:30 >> Yeah, and this building, I know that you're in Montreal, and you don't hear it like we do here,
00:26:35 but the speakers were just shaking because it's such deep, powerful, passionate music.
00:26:41 It's always exciting to see, and I think it motivates the skaters as well.
00:26:45 What are your thoughts on the program as we take a look at the replays in just a moment?
00:26:49 >> Like I said, I think they did a great job, especially for a lot of these skaters.
00:26:53 It's their first time at the junior level, first time out at a national championship,
00:26:56 and on top of that, the pressure they had when the music didn't go right.
00:27:00 Sometimes that little glitch can actually help skaters to not feel as nervous, right?
00:27:06 It throws you off a little bit, and then you kind of laugh at it, and then you can actually skate better.
00:27:11 And other times, it can really throw you off your game.
00:27:13 So I think some of these skaters might have felt a little bit more nervous because of that glitch at the beginning that didn't go as planned.
00:27:19 We did see a few falls and little glitches here and there, but they still held it together and finished strong.
00:27:24 Here we are looking at the line element, oh, and into the synchronized spin.
00:27:28 So you're seeing they're attempting the difficult position there for a different feature.
00:27:32 Also, the change of position is another feature that adds difficulty to this element.
00:27:36 Here we're looking at the no-hold element where they're doing the series of turns.
00:27:40 Those turns, like I said earlier, they have to be done on correct edges in order to get the credit for the steps.
00:27:48 Good unison here with the arms, and you can see the change of formation there just quickly.
00:27:55 Judges are looking to see the spacing, the unison, the shape, of course, the speed and flow throughout.
00:28:01 Here we're seeing the group lift, the creative element.
00:28:04 So for this element to count, basically just everyone has to be involved in a lift for at least three seconds.
00:28:10 Unfortunate fall there at the end of the whip, which affected, of course, the unraveling of that line and the intersection itself.
00:28:16 See a skater fell out of the desk spiral.
00:28:20 Maybe more than one there in that pair element.
00:28:23 It's a tricky pair element to do. It takes miles and practice.
00:28:27 Here looking at their angle intersection, you want to see that those three corners of the triangle are all intersecting at the same time.
00:28:35 Final element here, their traveling element, which is a combination.
00:28:39 It can be a wheel or a circle.
00:28:43 And teams can get extra points if the judges deem that they travel more than half of the ice and they do so in a swift manner.
00:28:51 Lisa, just listening to it, it's like a geometry class or something.
00:28:55 It's just unbelievable. And to keep your eyes on so many skaters and the shapes, really remarkable.
00:29:01 Oh, it's a tough job for those officials.
00:29:03 They do a lot of studying, a lot of training, all, of course, as volunteers and hats off to those officials.
00:29:09 They're the reason that we're here. They're the reason we have a sport.
00:29:11 And the coaches, too. I mean, they've got to design these things, right? Not easy.
00:29:16 Yeah, it's pages and pages of technical homework before a coach or choreographer can even get started laying out these programs.
00:29:23 It's probably just like a puzzle in some ways.
00:29:25 How do I move all of these skaters in symmetry and different designs and emotion? I mean, it's complicated.
00:29:32 Definitely. And you're trying to pick, there's in many cases, say, five features you can choose from.
00:29:37 And to get the top level, you have to show four.
00:29:39 So it's, you know, which four do I choose and which four are going to highlight my team's strengths and work with their choreography?
00:29:45 And sometimes they'll kind of play around and maybe four is too many and you'll lose points because it's too complicated for the level of your team.
00:29:52 So there's a lot of thought and homework, like we said earlier, that goes into making these decisions for their skaters.
00:29:59 I was thinking while I was watching the skaters, while I was watching the program, not unlike managing a football team or a hockey team,
00:30:08 you have to see how each athlete on that team functions and what is their best position in the line, perhaps, where their strengths are.
00:30:18 Absolutely. And, you know, we'll see more and more nowadays in Synchro where skaters are being highlighted.
00:30:24 So if there is a strong free skater on the team, maybe they'll be highlighted doing an axle or, you know, a pair team doing some pair lifts.
00:30:30 So, like you said, it's really important that these coaches know their skaters and then they can, you know,
00:30:35 incorporate those highlights to strengthen their team and get some extra points.
00:30:39 Have we seen a double axle or triple performed? Is that even legal?
00:30:43 It is, but we haven't seen it yet. There are some teams that have done team axles at the beginning of their programs,
00:30:50 but I don't believe we've seen a full team do doubles.
00:30:53 Can it only be one skater at a time being highlighted or could you have like two?
00:30:57 No, it can be multiple skaters.
00:30:59 Wow. So you could have two or three skaters doing like a double axle, double loop or whatever the case.
00:31:05 That's, you know, that's why we need more crossover skaters.
00:31:08 OK, here we go. Here's the score. 55.76 for Solstice Jr.
00:31:14 They are the first team out with a total competition score of 91.44.
00:31:19 Maybe not the skate they wanted to have, but they're here at Nationals.
00:31:22 It's great to see the development crossing the country.
00:31:25 And they're blazing the trail for those future Western skaters. Good job.
00:31:32 The next team on the ice is the Lower Mainland Junior team, of course, starting to grow.
00:31:38 Synchronized skating on the West Coast as well.
00:31:41 It is predominantly Quebec and Ontario with so many skaters and so many teams.
00:31:48 And there's a lot of teams across the country, but at the competitive level, not so much in the past.
00:31:53 More coming now as we see them take to the ice.
00:31:57 They're coached by Dennelly Harrison and managed by Jenny Mill. Skating to the Queen's Gamut.
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00:35:48 From the British Columbia Yukon section, Lower Mainland Juniors skating to Queen's Gamut.
00:35:55 I think they're going to be pretty happy with that performance.
00:35:58 That was a strong performance. I love that show on Netflix. I don't know if you've seen it.
00:36:03 I love that show and I loved the character that they portrayed through their performance.
00:36:07 You see some hugs there. They look happy.
00:36:11 Yeah, and just as I mentioned yesterday, Pascal Denis, the coach of Les Supremes,
00:36:17 world champions two years in a row. We've had him out to work with the coaches and work with the community
00:36:24 and start to develop a mindset, if you will, around training and learning how to synchronize skate at a higher level,
00:36:32 at a higher quality. We've got lots of teams, but we need, you know, how many more hours is there?
00:36:37 What type of training do you have to do? He's been a great help to help this team.
00:36:40 Absolutely, and it really helps to have someone like Pascal, a world champion coach, visit these developing grassroots teams.
00:36:47 You know, like you said, Ted, the importance of training skating skills, that's not always the fun part of training synchro, right?
00:36:53 We love training the elements and doing this stuff where we're holding on together.
00:36:56 And there's certainly been more and more of a shift focusing on those skating skills individually
00:37:01 because the stronger individual skaters are, of course, the stronger the team will be.
00:37:08 Team getting right into character there, their first element for points that they did was their move element.
00:37:14 Now for the move element, they can do up to four different moves.
00:37:17 And if they want to get the highest level, they have to be high level, like level four difficult field moves.
00:37:23 So that's where the spiral has to be at 135 degrees or above.
00:37:26 Billmans, of course, are a high level of difficulty as well.
00:37:30 Here, looking at the turns on the way, they're doing them on the diagonal axis.
00:37:34 They have to do a series of three difficult turns on one foot without changing edges in between those turns.
00:37:41 And every turn has to count. It looks like they lost points on those steps, getting a step one called.
00:37:49 Of course, the technical panel may review that and may award higher points,
00:37:52 but they were going for a higher step than it looks like they got called.
00:37:58 That's the spin element there. They are all attempting a difficult position and the change of position.
00:38:03 Those are two features for extra points. It looks like they were awarded a synchronized spin level two.
00:38:08 The maximum they can be awarded is a level four.
00:38:13 Their next element was the triangle intersection. Like I mentioned before,
00:38:16 you want to see that the corners of that intersection are all going through at the same time.
00:38:20 You want to see the shape both before the element and after.
00:38:25 The next element was their line element. You see they do a jump there.
00:38:28 So if half the team does a single jump, at least half the team, that could be a feature as well.
00:38:37 See their creative lift here.
00:38:40 So with the top teams, you're going to see a little bit more intricacy in these lifts.
00:38:44 And you're also going to see that they go up at the same time and down at the same time.
00:38:47 Of course, that's what the judging panel is looking for, that unison.
00:38:51 Here, looking at their whip intersection, they chose to do hands overhead and one foot.
00:38:55 So that's two difficult features for the point of intersection.
00:38:59 If they got credit for both, they would get a point of intersection four.
00:39:04 Final element here, their traveling element with the lines intersecting for a difficult feature.
00:39:12 I love this new element as well, the traveling element, how they can change from wheels to circles.
00:39:17 It used to be one or the other, but I love that the ISU is giving the teams the freedom
00:39:22 to choose what they like to do there to show the music the best.
00:39:25 Well, let's take a look at the scores for their free program, Lower Main Line Junior.
00:39:30 It is a 69.94. That is first in the free program.
00:39:35 The total competition score of 105.91 as they take the lead.
00:39:42 Well done.
00:39:44 They're smiling. Yes.
00:39:46 And you know, it's still early in the season.
00:39:48 They're still going to compete and continue to grow from here.
00:39:50 That's a really good point. Synchronized skating.
00:39:53 This is the first big competition of the year. Their season starts now.
00:39:57 Yes.
00:40:01 Our next team from Ontario, Gold Ice, team manager Amy Shoemaker.
00:40:07 And the coaches are Jessica Brown and Ashley Greenhaugh.
00:40:14 As they get set to start the program here at the Nationals.
00:40:18 They'll skate to Constellations.
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00:44:09 From Ontario, Gold Ice.
00:44:12 I love this vehicle for this team.
00:44:15 They tend to skate in the past to very powerful pieces of music.
00:44:19 This was softer and more lyrical.
00:44:21 I think it really allowed them to grow as skaters.
00:44:24 I thought that was a beautiful program for them.
00:44:26 [Applause]
00:44:29 Ted, I also thought they looked calm compared to yesterday
00:44:34 where maybe they looked like they were fighting for something.
00:44:37 Today they looked like they were into their knees and ankles.
00:44:41 They were comfortable in their surroundings and they were just --
00:44:45 they looked comfortable. I don't know how else to say it.
00:44:47 You know, it must be interesting the dynamics of a team of skaters,
00:44:51 16 or more skaters on the ice.
00:44:53 A few may be really nervous, the other ones calm them down.
00:44:57 Does it become sort of infectious to the team or those leaders that say,
00:45:01 "No, calm everybody down," or are those people that get super nervous
00:45:04 and make the rest nervous? How do you manage that?
00:45:07 So, yeah, I mean, with more and more miles as teams go on,
00:45:11 they start to understand what their teammates need
00:45:14 and who tends to be a little bit more agitated and nervous
00:45:19 and needs to be calmed down.
00:45:21 And that just comes with practice and time, not only in the sport,
00:45:24 but with the same teammates.
00:45:26 A lot of these skaters -- I think there's eight on this team
00:45:28 that have been on the team since the juvenile level,
00:45:30 so they've certainly trained together a long time.
00:45:33 But normally that's a benefit of synchronized skating
00:45:35 is the teammates work together to get everyone where they need to be to compete.
00:45:39 Good point.
00:45:41 Really beautiful opening here.
00:45:43 I love the changes and the dynamics in their lifts
00:45:46 with different positions, different patterns.
00:45:50 I thought that was nicely done.
00:45:52 Here you're looking at the set up into their move element.
00:45:57 And this is also a new feature this year where you'll see some skaters
00:46:00 that start a spiral on one foot and without really moving their upper body,
00:46:04 they'll switch feet, and that is for a feature.
00:46:08 Something new.
00:46:10 Looking at the line element here.
00:46:12 This is where I just thought their unison looked so great.
00:46:14 Their holds looked so strong.
00:46:16 They're releasing holds, and they grab right on, right away.
00:46:21 They just look so strong here skating together.
00:46:25 That was their change of position within the line for a difficult feature.
00:46:29 And then you see the loop jump there for a feature, of course.
00:46:32 You're looking for half of the team to do it.
00:46:35 If there is a skater that doesn't do it, it doesn't affect the level.
00:46:38 They need to see that there's multiple skaters not doing the right move
00:46:42 to lose a call.
00:46:44 Normally it's a quarter of a team.
00:46:46 What do you consider the most difficult element in a free program like this?
00:46:51 That's really hard to say because with the rules changing,
00:46:54 I think the difficulty changes as well.
00:46:57 I used to always say the angle intersection, which of course is not in this program.
00:47:03 Maybe the synchronized spin element because a lot of skaters,
00:47:07 if they're not training as individual skaters,
00:47:10 a lot of skaters struggle to have a strong spin positioning.
00:47:16 Of course, the whip is tricky too, but it's all hard.
00:47:20 Okay, they're all difficult. They're all hard.
00:47:23 They're all hard.
00:47:26 Here looking at the traveling element, going right into their box intersection,
00:47:32 looking for four corners to intersect at the same time.
00:47:37 That's a tricky one too.
00:47:39 This year the judges are looking to see, or the technical panel I should say,
00:47:43 they're looking to see that of the two rotations that they do to get through the box,
00:47:47 one is done on one foot.
00:47:49 That would be for a difficult feature.
00:47:51 A lot of teams are attempting that this year or the arms overhead.
00:47:58 Lots of smiles there. They will be competing at Hevelius Cup.
00:48:01 I believe it's next week in Poland.
00:48:03 Later this season, Steel City Trophy in the UK.
00:48:06 It's a busy group of young individuals.
00:48:08 Big break from school.
00:48:10 Two weeks in a row almost.
00:48:12 But exciting.
00:48:14 Hey, we love synchro.
00:48:17 And traveling the world for our sport.
00:48:20 With a team, with a real family really in many ways.
00:48:23 It's exciting.
00:48:25 And to represent your country.
00:48:27 Yes, this team trains three days a week, 12 to 15 hours a week.
00:48:31 Now that's of course not including when they travel,
00:48:33 because then it's seven days a week.
00:48:35 But the regular training is three days a week.
00:48:40 And you'll see some of the top junior teams training four times a week,
00:48:43 sometimes even five as they prepare for a competition.
00:48:46 You really need that time on the ice to work as a team.
00:48:49 First of all, your own individual skating skills and synchro skills,
00:48:52 and then to work as a team.
00:48:54 It's so difficult because synchronized skating, you know,
00:48:57 is you have your own club, synchronized skating clubs perhaps.
00:49:00 But a normal skating club with other disciplines,
00:49:02 it's hard to get that discipline in.
00:49:04 Let's take a look at the scores.
00:49:05 95.14.
00:49:08 And that'll put Gold Ice into first place.
00:49:11 It looks like they were a little disappointed with that score.
00:49:16 If they were looking at last year's score, it is a lower score overall.
00:49:21 And sometimes that's kind of our landmark for what we're aiming for as a team,
00:49:25 previous seasons, even though the elements change.
00:49:30 Our next team on the ice, from Quebec,
00:49:33 Gold Ice, Cyprien Laval, team manager Sabrina Sterp,
00:49:39 and the coaches are Vanessa D'Amico and Francois-Xavier Ouellet.
00:49:45 Their program is starting with the first breath after surviving an apocalypse
00:49:50 and adapting to a completely new way of life.
00:49:53 And they're going to skate to the music "Invasion."
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00:53:42 From Quebec, Gold Ice.
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01:06:08 Okay, we're back. Lisa.
01:06:13 Looking at Ilderton. This is an interesting one because I remember being at the National Championships
01:06:20 with Synchro Incorporated last year for the first time and a lot of single skaters when they saw this program
01:06:25 they were like, "Wow, that's amazing." It's more of a lyrical take on skating and on Synchro
01:06:32 and this team chose to keep the program again this season so you get to see it again with of course
01:06:37 new elements and new variations.
01:06:39 I remember Caitlin Osmond, world champion, sitting there with her jaw on the ground, could not believe the beauty
01:06:45 of the sport, the difficulty of the sport, how majestic it was and all the singles people that don't get to see
01:06:52 a lot of Synchro skating. This is what's been so healthy for the growth of Synchronized and the respect
01:06:58 of Synchronized skating in our community. So we thank Skate Canada for including it at the National Championships
01:07:03 and we thank the Synchro community for doing such a remarkable job.
01:07:07 I'd say it's a double win because not only does Synchronized Skating appreciate the opportunity to skate
01:07:14 in front of these audiences but they also get to draw inspiration from their fellow junior and senior level
01:07:19 athletes in the other disciplines. Getting to see them in person at events, that's something that we normally
01:07:24 don't get to do unless we're paying a spectator so it's really nice to all be together competing under one roof.
01:07:29 It really is.
01:07:31 And really, we've added a bit of difficulty with the Synchronized community in the fact that they're
01:07:39 earlier. And you mentioned this the other day that they have to start their season at a high level earlier
01:07:45 which has actually helped them prepare for the rest of the season because now they're at this National
01:07:49 which is earlier in the season than their old one.
01:07:51 Yep, and there's been chatter amongst the Synchro world that if it gets into the Olympics, which is the
01:07:57 ultimate goal, then we'll have to be ready earlier. So this is hopefully getting us on track for that dream.
01:08:03 Ice Ignite for the Illidan Skating Club and they will skate the free program to end this shirt.
01:08:31 Just a bit of a hold up, the tech panel lost the video feed. They just need to check that out because
01:08:38 you don't want to have a... the teams have all had reviews but the tech panel, they can look at the replays
01:08:44 after, that's why sometimes it takes a little while. And so you couldn't have a team skate without that.
01:08:49 That would be sort of an imbalance if you will. So they're just looking for that, perhaps that one cable
01:08:56 that is unplugged. Who knows why.
01:08:59 So while we have this extra time, I think we should talk about the fact that Junior Ice Dance Champion
01:09:05 Leila Vailom, she's a member of this team.
01:09:09 Oh wow, is she on the team?
01:09:10 Isn't that incredible?
01:09:11 She's skating?
01:09:12 She's on the team, yeah.
01:09:13 Oh, which one?
01:09:14 Well, she's blonde.
01:09:16 There's a lot of really, really strong skaters on the team.
01:09:21 That is fantastic.
01:09:22 Charlie Anderson is a Senior Ice Dancer competing at Nationals also on this team.
01:09:26 So you're seeing the crossover effect and I would say a large part of that is the fact that they're based in
01:09:30 Elderton, they have Scott Moyer, Sherry, Alma, Kara, they're all the Moyer family that not only work in
01:09:35 Zyggrup but in Ice Dance and that helps to again bridge the gap between the disciplines.
01:09:39 Yeah, it was so great to see Olympic... two-time Olympic Champion Scott Moyer working with his family
01:09:44 members on this team or with this team.
01:09:49 So they're just now trying to continue to resolve the issue and the team, interesting enough, as you mentioned,
01:09:57 maybe this unsettles them or maybe it settles them.
01:10:00 Yeah, sometimes you need a little something just to, you know, you can take things so seriously, right?
01:10:06 You put in so much time and effort into practicing and preparing for this moment and sometimes that is too much
01:10:11 pressure to perform your best and something like this happens and you're like, oh, okay, we got this.
01:10:16 It throws you off your game just enough to break that tension and help you perform your best.
01:10:20 So it can have varying effects depending on the kind of skater you are.
01:10:24 Yeah, and you have to be prepared for that.
01:10:27 I mean, we have issues happen sometimes.
01:10:30 I've been in a championship where the tile off the roof fell on the ice in the middle of the performance.
01:10:34 I've seen... and even yesterday had a music glitch that one of the ice dancers says didn't stop or they did stop.
01:10:42 They went to stop but then the music picked up right away again and that unsettled them and sometimes the wrong music,
01:10:48 as we saw a little earlier in this event, was on to begin with and then they had to, you know, take a short break
01:10:53 and no one's not blaming anyone in any of those situations.
01:10:57 It happens.
01:10:58 It just happens. That's just life.
01:10:59 Sometimes, you know, you run a red light or orange light and you get caught, right?
01:11:03 Right.
01:11:04 You just... just bad luck, right?
01:11:07 Yeah.
01:11:08 Coping.
01:11:09 But this is where, you know, that mental training that a lot of these high performance teams do,
01:11:14 that will help to center them through these moments to not start overthinking things
01:11:18 and to just really stay focused and centered in the moment so they can give their best skate.
01:11:22 Yeah, and you know, the judging system, we've been involved in that for a long time,
01:11:30 uses a lot of technology and the replay system, which is awesome because the judges really can...
01:11:36 particularly in synchronized skating, because you cannot watch 16 skaters all at the same time,
01:11:41 but you can, in the replay, catch what you may have missed, depending on where you sit on the panel.
01:11:46 So that replay system is really important.
01:11:49 And just a, you know, further comment to that.
01:11:52 So when the technical panel is watching, if they're taking a replay, it's not to try to...
01:11:57 I guess the misconception could be that they're trying to catch something that they didn't see in live time.
01:12:01 So really with the replay, it's if they see, for example, a skater not completing a move, a step or something correctly,
01:12:08 they will do the video review to see if they were the only skater that did that or if there were three more.
01:12:13 So if there's three more, so four in total that are not doing the correct edge, step, turn and so on,
01:12:19 that would constitute a quarter of the team and therefore they would lose the technical call.
01:12:23 So as long as the tech panel is seeing, you know, what they look at, they see everyone doing it correctly,
01:12:28 they won't call a replay.
01:12:31 It's the same thing in the other disciplines, like with an under rotation versus a clean jump.
01:12:35 If they don't know that's a clean jump, they don't look at the replay, right?
01:12:38 So if only if there's something there, we're not sure, we better check it, right?
01:12:42 So, yeah.
01:12:43 Yeah. So, but it's good because there's a lot to do for the officials and need to have a replay system.
01:12:48 Every sport has replay now.
01:12:50 So, but at the same time, all that technology, sometimes, you know, something doesn't work.
01:12:57 Right. It's a blessing and a curse.
01:12:59 Yeah. It sure is.
01:13:00 Well, it's the same thing as you got your phone, right?
01:13:03 And it's great to have it until you lose it or break it.
01:13:05 And then you can't call anybody to help you.
01:13:07 Right. So, who knows?
01:13:09 Or someone's trying to get you to work and you're trying to go on vacation.
01:13:12 Yeah. Yeah, exactly.
01:13:14 Exactly. So.
01:13:16 Well, there they are in their team hug, the team huddle.
01:13:19 Probably saying maybe some jokes, some words of encouragement.
01:13:22 Does the team captain take over here?
01:13:24 I guess every team does have a team captain.
01:13:26 Do they sort of lead the communication or what happens?
01:13:29 Yeah. Generally speaking, you know, there's often one captain.
01:13:34 Sometimes there's multiple captains on a team.
01:13:36 But yeah, normally the captain is the leader on the team.
01:13:38 So, they'll be the ones trying to read the dynamic and the energy of their team and adjust it to either bring it up or bring it down.
01:13:44 But I often find it's the funny one on the team that ends up talking when you're in those moments.
01:13:49 Well, I was going to say probably the funny one or the most talkative one is the captain.
01:13:54 Right.
01:13:55 Sometimes. Yeah. Yeah.
01:13:57 Not always, but sometimes it's, you know, you need that humor relief in these moments.
01:14:03 Yeah. Exactly.
01:14:05 Here we go. Looks like we're ready. We're back.
01:14:08 Ice Ignite from the Illidandton Skating Club in Ontario.
01:14:12 Team manager, Beth Emery.
01:14:14 The coaches, Sherry Moyer and Kara Moyer.
01:14:17 And they'll skate now. The free program to end this shirt.
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01:18:18 From the Illidandton Skating Club, Ice Ignite.
01:18:22 I don't know about you, Ted, but that program gives me shivers.
01:18:25 No, it was really beautiful, and that's one of the great things about, you know,
01:18:30 the sport, art, and entertainment of synchro skating is the feeling that it gives the audience.
01:18:36 And you said it right, it's the art. This performance felt like a work of art,
01:18:41 not just technical, not just element after element, but it felt like they performed it from their soul,
01:18:46 and they really understood the nuances of the music and how to highlight that through their beautiful skating skills.
01:18:51 You know, I watch a lot of skating, my whole life has been in the sport, and I've been involved in,
01:18:56 not involved as in athlete in synchro, but covering it for many, many, many years.
01:19:01 And I don't think it's, the challenge is that the rest of the world doesn't know how great this is yet.
01:19:07 And it's so beautiful and so emotional to see so many people all together creating this feeling on the ice,
01:19:14 and it's very special, and I wish there were more people in the building to witness it,
01:19:18 but, you know, hopefully in time that will happen.
01:19:21 Yeah, and hopefully more countries will take Skate Canada's lead as well,
01:19:24 and get synchronized skating incorporated in other events.
01:19:27 I know in Finland they have the, I think it's the Mary Lou Mar trophy, where it's all the disciplines together, is that correct?
01:19:32 Yes, I think so, yeah.
01:19:34 Yeah, so I think we're seeing some federations taking that leadership to bring synchro into the other disciplines,
01:19:41 and I think it's a really important move in our sport, like you said, Ted, just to get it in front of audiences,
01:19:45 because you can't appreciate a discipline that you don't know exists, right?
01:19:49 No, exactly. We're happy to do the live streaming here, we're happy to see it at the national championships here.
01:19:55 Let's take a look at some of the elements.
01:19:57 So creative and unique in their approach here for the intro.
01:20:02 Really milking every musical note through their steps.
01:20:06 I love this hold here when they, oh, nope, not that angle.
01:20:10 At the very beginning of their line they did a, like a different handhold where they caught their elbows together,
01:20:17 and it was really cool to watch.
01:20:19 Here we're seeing the no-hold element with those beautiful extensions and edges.
01:20:23 Looks like they got full credit for the step four, which means all of their difficult turns were done on correct edges.
01:20:32 Looking at the box intersection, unfortunate little stumble there, the girl got right back in quickly,
01:20:38 which is of course what you want to see.
01:20:40 And that was going right into their spin element here.
01:20:46 Looks like the spin was also credited, synchronized spin level four,
01:20:51 which means the judging panel and the technical panel identified four difficult features.
01:20:55 Looks like this whip, the side closest to the camera, looks like they might have lost the C shape a little bit early,
01:21:02 which could affect their technical call.
01:21:05 Here we're looking at their travel element.
01:21:07 This I loved how they chose the music in which to place this element.
01:21:12 I thought the music really highlighted this element well.
01:21:15 And they traveled almost the whole length of the ice, which again can get them extra GOE points.
01:21:20 Here we're looking at the final element before the creative.
01:21:24 It's their move element.
01:21:25 Again, those legs have to stay at a 135 degree angle for them to get the move element fork hold.
01:21:32 Beautiful positions here, very creative.
01:21:36 I thought it was a nice skate for this team.
01:21:43 What's your guess on the score?
01:21:46 I think they'll be happy.
01:21:48 This is a team that has beautiful skating skills.
01:21:52 And we've seen in the past, sometimes they've had unfortunate falls.
01:21:55 And I think that they'll be happy with this performance because they stayed on their feet and they skated well.
01:22:00 They've been practicing well this week.
01:22:02 And I think this is as good as they could do.
01:22:06 We'll see.
01:22:07 Let's take a look at the scores right now.
01:22:08 109.26, that is first in the free program with a total competition score of 174.59 as Ice Ignite take the lead.
01:22:19 Three teams to come.
01:22:21 As we were going through the competition, it looked like live they were getting a lot of their calls.
01:22:29 So they should be hopefully happy with that result.
01:22:34 Our next team represents Quebec.
01:22:37 Nova.
01:22:38 The manager is Karen Hebert and coached by Nadine Duka and Dominique Barth.
01:22:46 Their program is about fighting colossal adversaries.
01:22:51 Freedom, love, strength and determination are the characteristics of the fight.
01:22:56 And they will skate to music from the Hunger Games.
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01:26:52 Skating to the Hunger Games from Quebec, Nova.
01:26:56 Complete with a high five at the end.
01:26:59 Ted, I love this program and how it challenged the skaters.
01:27:03 I don't know if you recall yesterday the short program was very soft and I would say airy but emotional.
01:27:11 This was a totally different program for them.
01:27:14 It pushed them to try skating in a new style and I think they really embraced it and did a good job.
01:27:19 Yeah, I think that's so important.
01:27:21 We see that of course in the dance world, in the ice dance world where they try to have really different styles, if you will, from the rhythm dance of course.
01:27:30 And here, you know, it's not easy.
01:27:32 I mean, the skating is one thing, the, I don't want to say the acting, but the emotion of the performance is another.
01:27:37 And this is significantly different than the short program.
01:27:42 Lots of work off ice to develop that character, figure out, you know, what are the facial expressions in this part of the program and what is the feeling?
01:27:50 What are the, you know, what is the intensity of the movements?
01:27:53 Is that the coach or do they bring acting coaches in?
01:27:56 What do they do?
01:27:57 Yeah, so I'd say it used to always be the coach.
01:28:00 Now we're seeing more and more acting coaches, dancers, performers being brought in as guest consultants to work with teams because they understand how to bring the performance out to the audience in a way that maybe skating coaches don't always know.
01:28:13 It's becoming so complicated and so competitive.
01:28:18 You have to, you have to have detail and professionalism in every aspect.
01:28:24 Fun fact about this team, they chose to skate to the Hunger Games before knowing that there was a new Hunger Games movie coming out.
01:28:30 So it was just coincidental, but it ended up being a nice little team bonding event for the team.
01:28:35 They got to go watch the movie in theaters when it came out.
01:28:38 Perfect.
01:28:40 In their opening position there, their first element was the intersection.
01:28:45 It looks like they got credit for an intersection three point of intersection two.
01:28:49 So that would have been downgraded from what they were attempting.
01:28:53 Nice little transition into the beginning there.
01:28:56 So with that box intersection for the point of intersection to get called, they have to be on one foot with arms clearly above head.
01:29:03 Of course, timing is really important there.
01:29:07 Looks like they got full credit for their move element here, which means the tech panel was able to identify all difficult positions from the whole team, or at least three quarters of the team.
01:29:16 Creative lift.
01:29:19 Creative lift here.
01:29:22 Everyone coming off the ice in nice unison, going up at the same time, down at the same time.
01:29:28 That, of course, gets them extra credit in the GOE department.
01:29:31 Looking at the no hold, this is where the steps really matter.
01:29:36 You'll see their first series coming up here.
01:29:38 Nice edges on that rocker into the counter and twizzle.
01:29:43 Nice unison throughout.
01:29:45 Good lineup, nice and tight as well, which is another thing that the judging panel is looking for is how tight is this block?
01:29:51 Of course, the tighter they are, the harder it is.
01:29:53 Therefore, they're rewarded extra points there.
01:29:56 I would guess when you have a new team member come in, learning how to skate in the small space.
01:30:03 Yeah, you know, that's probably the hardest element for a non synchro skater is the no hold element, because you can't just go with deeper edges because you feel like everything has to match as a team.
01:30:15 Nice highlight there of the two skaters.
01:30:17 That was just for a transition, not necessarily for a specific element.
01:30:21 Here we're looking at the line element doing the pivoting action.
01:30:25 This is the very end of their element going into the whip, I believe, was next.
01:30:29 It looks like this was downgraded on the intersection shape.
01:30:34 The point of intersection, one foot, hands overhead.
01:30:38 Oh, no, they did two feet there.
01:30:41 Final element, the travel element.
01:30:44 Really nice ice coverage.
01:30:47 Nice shapes.
01:30:50 We'll take a look at the score.
01:30:53 There it is, 114.05.
01:31:00 That is first in the free program with a total competition score of 183.28.
01:31:07 As Nova takes over the lead at nine points.
01:31:11 They seem happy with the score.
01:31:23 Well, there is the next team on the ice.
01:31:28 Nexus from Ontario.
01:31:30 They are just one point out of top spot.
01:31:36 Top spot.
01:31:37 And it comes down to this, the free program.
01:31:39 They're out of the Burlington skating club.
01:31:41 Their team manager, Aaron Dessen.
01:31:43 And they will skate the free program from darkness to light.
01:31:50 [video playing]
01:31:52 [music playing]
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01:32:23 [music playing]
01:32:27 Everyone's dying, so I keep on trying to make 'em proud before they're gone.
01:32:34 Can someone help me?
01:32:37 Oh, please, someone help me
01:32:41 I don't care anyone, anything 'Cause I'm so sick of being so lonely
01:32:49 Miss all my family
01:32:54 Oh, I don't care anyone, anything 'Cause I'm so sick of being so lonely
01:33:01 I don't care anyone, anything 'Cause I'm so sick of being so lonely
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01:33:14 [Applause]
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01:34:26 Things are gonna get easier, ooh, child Things'll get brighter
01:34:35 Someday we'll get it together And we'll get it all done
01:34:43 Someday when the world is much brighter, brighter
01:34:53 Ooh, child, things are gonna get easier
01:35:00 Ooh, child, ooh, child Ooh, child, things'll get easier
01:35:19 Ooh, child, ooh, child Ooh, child, things'll get easier
01:35:32 [Applause]
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01:35:41 From the Burlington Skating Club in Ontario, Nexus.
01:35:45 What a beautiful skate, beautiful program for that team.
01:35:49 Ted, I always get touched by the teams that really tie into the music
01:35:54 and the musical nuances of the program.
01:35:56 They did such a nice job tonight.
01:35:58 Yeah, so important, of course, in this sport,
01:36:03 and we see that in ice dance and synchronized skating,
01:36:06 the emotion, the words, the story,
01:36:08 if it's connected with the choreography, you forget about the sport.
01:36:12 It is a sport, and it's being judged like that,
01:36:14 but it is also pure entertainment and art.
01:36:17 Yeah, and we're seeing more and more the complexity of the,
01:36:20 even the music that's being chosen for synchro,
01:36:22 it's getting more and more complex.
01:36:24 In this case, Hugo Chouinard, who does a number of teams' editing,
01:36:28 he actually came up and composed a part of the music that was in that program.
01:36:32 And I think that just shows the depth and the complexity of the sport.
01:36:36 When we're engineering music to skate to, that's pretty cool, pretty advanced.
01:36:40 Very cool. Where does it go from here?
01:36:43 You know, who would have thought, like, 5, 10 years ago,
01:36:46 it would be at this stage, and it just continues to get better.
01:36:49 And I think it's something that we often see in the other disciplines,
01:36:53 but for synchro to be there, it's just, I find it really impressive.
01:36:56 And they did a really nice job, I found, you know,
01:37:00 there were parts of the program that were light piano music,
01:37:02 and they were skating lightly and very, just jolly,
01:37:06 and bringing the music into the ice,
01:37:08 and I found that their energy throughout the program
01:37:10 really changed with the energy of the music.
01:37:13 That's something that takes a lot of time and skill to perfect.
01:37:17 Beautiful. Looking at the loop jumps there for the feature, nice height.
01:37:24 Again, the tech panel this year, they're looking to see that when teams are jumping,
01:37:27 they want to see lift into the air, not just, you know, little dance jumps,
01:37:30 but they want to see true jumps.
01:37:32 I thought they did that very well.
01:37:35 Lots of strong elements in this program.
01:37:39 This was a beautiful whip. Look at the symmetry between those two halves,
01:37:43 unfolding at the same time, intersecting at the same time, one foot.
01:37:47 Of course, there was a collision, unfortunate error there,
01:37:50 but the setup was absolutely beautiful.
01:37:52 Nice deep edges.
01:37:55 This is, again, something that's probably closer to ice dance than single skating,
01:37:59 just the depth of edges that are required in a no-hold.
01:38:02 And in order to get that no-hold step four called, which they did,
01:38:05 the panel has to be able to identify 10 different turns or steps,
01:38:09 eight different types, and of course, the two series of three difficult turns.
01:38:13 So they have to do a lot of steps on correct edges to get the top marks.
01:38:17 Beautiful forward sit positions done by the whole team.
01:38:23 That's something a few years ago you would not find a single team that could do that,
01:38:26 but we're seeing more and more skilled free skaters get into the sport,
01:38:30 which of course helps with those elements like spins.
01:38:32 Nicely done here, the traveling element,
01:38:37 tying in the change of handhold there for a feature,
01:38:40 and then going right into their creative group lift.
01:38:42 This was something really interesting.
01:38:44 So they had the teammates being lifted in a circle, but then also in the line.
01:38:48 Looked like there might have been a little bump there in the box,
01:38:52 but it didn't affect their flow or speed going through,
01:38:55 which is what we're ideally hoping for.
01:38:57 If there ever is a bump, it's nice and ideal that the skaters can maintain that.
01:39:01 So the skaters can maintain their flow going through.
01:39:03 You know, at the end of their program,
01:39:06 so much work has been done by the technical panel and the judges in such a short period of time.
01:39:11 It would be interesting to do just a little feature on all that happens from the last note
01:39:16 until the scores come up, because there's a lot going on there.
01:39:19 You know, when you're talking about all the items which have to be assessed during
01:39:24 and maybe perhaps looked at again, a lot of work.
01:39:30 This team has two skaters on the team from Finland, one from Newfoundland.
01:39:33 They train 11 hours on the ice, five hours off the ice.
01:39:36 This is a big commitment. And let's see what the scores are.
01:39:39 117.47, of course, first in the free program with a total competition score of 189.07.
01:39:48 As they take the lead with one team to come,
01:39:51 and they look maybe not so thrilled with the score.
01:39:54 They know they're in first at the moment.
01:39:57 It's tough to know what score they're really hoping for, because it's so early in the season
01:40:01 where they haven't had international events to really gauge how they're doing today.
01:40:05 Good point.
01:40:06 Our final team on the ice, from Quebec, Les Sopres.
01:40:11 They're in first place, but just by around a point ahead of Nexus.
01:40:16 Radul-Sipia, Sennelier-Hanad.
01:40:18 The team manager is Lorraine Reddick.
01:40:20 And the coach by Marilyn Langlois and Pascal Denis.
01:40:26 They'll be sharing a journey through a genius scientist discovery.
01:40:29 And the music is from Genius Einstein.
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01:41:52 Genius is 1% talent.
01:41:55 99% talent.
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01:42:22 Do you think I'm stupid?
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01:42:49 See ya.
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