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00:00:00you
00:00:30you
00:01:00You
00:01:24Hello everyone welcome to day number four of five
00:01:28covering the 2025 Skate Canada National Skating Championships. I'm Ted Barden in
00:01:33the studios in Vancouver and of course joining us for ice dance the ever
00:01:39effervescent Caitlin Weaver from New York City. Caitlin, welcome back to the
00:01:44show. You know he brings so much energy so much passion to the sport not only in
00:01:48ice dance but of course in choreography now and the other disciplines as well.
00:01:52But we've got the rhythm dance coming up the first time we're gonna see the
00:01:55senior dancers this year fill us in on what we can expect. I am so excited to
00:02:00join you today Ted for the rhythm dance. We are looking at dances from the 50s
00:02:0560s and 70s social dances things that make you want to get up move your body
00:02:11grab a partner this is like the disco the hustle the jive so ultimately I hope
00:02:17that we'll have everybody grooving in their seats today. Yeah I don't know you
00:02:21know that's my era you know and you asked the other day well did you dance
00:02:24this? I was always pretty shy so I always wanted to dance but I always felt
00:02:28uncoordinated or you know it wasn't very good but it's a lot of fun to watch. Never too late.
00:02:32No I know but let's talk a little bit about the different the difference in
00:02:36the groups early on we've got some not development teams but some sort of
00:02:40newish teams for seniors and of course when we have some of the top in the
00:02:43world in group number two. Yes we have some teams that are looking for more
00:02:47experience but ultimately Canada's legacy in ice dance is its depth and we
00:02:53will see that today in my opinion we have a battle for the bronze medal so
00:02:58we're looking at a few teams hoping to state their case to get on the world
00:03:02team to make their name internationally and to show Canada that they are going
00:03:06to fight for an Olympic spot. Well it's always exciting I know the teams even
00:03:11though they go around the world and compete internationally Nationals is a
00:03:15big competition I think for them and it was for you as well it's so important
00:03:19it's a home audience. It is and you know I think no matter where the teams are on
00:03:25their journey this often feels like a homecoming you know we travel so much
00:03:30and whether you're going for a world gold medal like Piper Gillis and Paul
00:03:34Poirier or you're just looking to make that world championship debut competing
00:03:39at home is such an amazing feeling so I'm looking to see some big scores some
00:03:44big happy faces on the ice today and hopefully some personal bests. Now
00:03:49quickly for those who don't know much about dance what's a key element in the
00:03:52rhythm dance that they might recognize? Dance the key element in the rhythm
00:03:59dance is dance but if you are a technician which some of some of the
00:04:04people at home or in the arena are we're looking at the twizzle sequence I love
00:04:09the non-touch step sequence as well the teams cannot hide their ability they
00:04:14can't hang on to their partner for a little bit of extra balance so we're
00:04:19looking for some good skills. Rhythm dance starts right now
00:04:39so
00:05:09you
00:05:39you
00:06:39you
00:07:01bonjour et bienvenue à la place belle à Laval, Québec, haute des championnats
00:07:07nationaux canadiens
00:07:37bonjour et bienvenue à la place belle à Laval, Québec, haute des championnats
00:07:51nationaux canadiens de patinage 2025. Dans quelques instants nous commencerons la
00:07:56danse rythmique senior. Good afternoon and welcome to Place Belle in Laval,
00:08:02Québec, host of the 2025 Canadian National Skating Championships. In just a
00:08:08few moments we will start the senior dance at rhythm dance. Les officiels pour cet
00:08:14événement. The officials for this event. Veuillez accueillir la fille. Please welcome the
00:08:22referee. Ron Conacher.
00:08:28Les juges.
00:08:32The judges. Lesley Lawrence, Lesley Kee,
00:08:43Patsy Klein,
00:08:46Nicole Leblanc-Richard,
00:08:50Gregor Mickley,
00:08:54Shannon Dowling,
00:08:58Diana Tomieto,
00:09:01Nathalie Dehile,
00:09:05et Christine Bourdeaux.
00:09:09Le contrĂŽleur technique. The technical controller.
00:09:14Rob Lemine. Les spécialistes techniques. The technical specialists.
00:09:21Lauren Sven.
00:09:24And Marisa Gavino.
00:09:50We're back inside the building here in Laval, Quebec with a rhythm dance coming
00:10:08up as the next event on day number four. I'm Ted Barton in the studios in Vancouver.
00:10:13Kaitlin Weaver joining us from New York City. Kaitlin, do you remember your last
00:10:18national championship? I was actually just thinking about that today, Ted. I made a post
00:10:24on Instagram thinking, when was the last time that I was there again on the ice as a competitor?
00:10:31I absolutely remember it. And this was such a memorable competition for Andrew and I year
00:10:37after year. I think we made 13 Canadian appearances as a senior team. And it was always a highlight
00:10:46to come back home and perform for a Canadian audience. We see the skaters in the tunnel
00:10:51ready, the first group of skaters. And we want to welcome into the broadcast those that have
00:10:55the Skatebug radio in the audience. You're listening to the English broadcast. If you
00:11:00want to have the French broadcast, a great French commentary team, there's a little switch
00:11:05on your Skatebug if you wish to change to that, both French and English coverage here as we get
00:11:09introduced to group number one in the ice dance event. Of course, tomorrow we will have the free
00:11:16dance, the final. But this is exciting, the 50s, 60s and 70s as the musical theme. Ted, I have a
00:11:26really important question for you. Okay. Do you have your dance shoes today? I mean, today's the
00:11:37day. I have the most comfortable shoes on that you can have and you could dance in them. How about that?
00:11:45I'm ready. I'm ready to kill you. Because these dances get the people going and that is the purpose
00:11:55of the rhythm dance coming from the success of last year's 80s rhythm theme, which really had
00:12:03an effect on the audience. That's what we want to do in Canada and also internationally is bring
00:12:10the people back in, make the audiences feel a part of this sport. And I feel that the rhythms
00:12:18this year do that. With 50s, 60s and 70s, we're looking for the teams to really make the crowd
00:12:26want to dance. These are social dances. So gone are the feelings of contemporary style or
00:12:33something a little bit more removed from the audience. These are dances that brought people
00:12:39in, brought people onto the dance floor and said, hey, join us. And so that is one of the biggest
00:12:44things that I will be looking at across all levels. We saw some great examples of that
00:12:50in the junior event earlier this week, but the seniors is where we see it become a quintessential
00:12:58part of their program. Even in the first group here, although we have some new teams and some
00:13:05very experienced teams, we want to see them dance all the way through. You can even see some disco
00:13:12points there in the Paso Doble. So real quick for those at home and in the audience, if you're
00:13:17looking for some elements, they usually should be well disguised in ice dance. We want them to
00:13:24become a fabric of the program, not necessarily something that stands out, that looks difficult,
00:13:29but we're looking for the pattern dance style step sequence. If you're an ice dance purist,
00:13:35you may recognize the Paso Doble steps 8 through 16. That's the slip steps. That's the breakout
00:13:42section and steps 26 through 28. Those are the cross rolls that will be performed in front of
00:13:49the judges. And if you don't know what that means, that's okay. We're looking also for the
00:13:56choreographic rhythm sequence. This is a crowd favorite and this is where we want to see the
00:14:02teams really break it down. We want to understand what is the style that they chose, what dance are
00:14:08they performing, and are they getting their groove on. That is performed along the center
00:14:14midline of the ice from boards to boards, and that's only judged based on its execution. So
00:14:20it's not meant to be difficult in the technical specialist's eyes. It's just there to represent
00:14:27the style of dance. Then we're looking for one lift, one non-touch step sequence, which is what
00:14:32I mentioned in the opening. I love that. I love that element because it has to dance, but it also
00:14:37has to be technically proficient with difficult turns. One set of twizzles, which is so easy for
00:14:43the audience to recognize. And this program has to be done in three minutes or less.
00:14:50Lots to pack in, lots of high energy, lots of excitement. Okay, I'm exhausted just listening
00:14:56to that list of elements already. But no, really well done to explain for the audience that doesn't
00:15:02know so much about dance and those who want to get into the weeds, into the details.
00:15:09It can be complicated. If it's difficult to understand, just enjoy. Just sit back and enjoy,
00:15:15as Caitlin said, the music and the rhythm. And if you do want to get into it, well,
00:15:18Caitlin will certainly give you that information. I'll do my best. But really, even if you are
00:15:24looking at the technical aspects, the best part about ice dance is the goal is to make you forget
00:15:31about those. So yes, there is a panel of nine judges and the technical panel as well, making
00:15:38sure that the skaters get the points for the difficulty achieved and the quality achieved.
00:15:44But really, this is about putting on a show, Ted. And in the rhythm dance, we have a better ability
00:15:50to compare apples to apples. Some of the most difficult things, in my opinion, is judging this
00:15:55discipline where you say, hey, I have the world's best jitterbug and then I have the world's best
00:15:59disco. How do you compare them? That's difficult. But what I want the audience to really feel is
00:16:07to feel, did this come through the screen? Does this reach you there in the audience in Laval?
00:16:13Does this make you tap your toe in Vancouver? And that really does translate into the score,
00:16:20because this is ice dance. It's meant to bring you in. It's meant to tell a story and give you
00:16:27a feeling at the end of the day. OK, well, we're going to enjoy the next
00:16:35hour or more as we get to watch and listen to and tap our toes to the music of the 60s,
00:16:4370s, the 50s, 60s and 70s, a whole variety. It's a variety show. I love this discipline because I get
00:16:49to do that. I know enough about the detail, but not like you do. But I know enough to enjoy this
00:16:55thing by just sitting back and let yourself feel it as you watch it and you hear it.
00:17:04And here we go. That being said, Ted, this is still very difficult to perform. Oh, yeah.
00:17:14The teams have to lay down clean performances if they want to get their scores up into the
00:17:18personal best range. It's all about the balance. Still a sport. That's right.
00:17:28And there is our first team on the ice, just waiting for the announcer.
00:17:34And here we go. Our first team represents Quebec, 20-year-old Eliane Faraglou-Gaudori
00:17:42and Luke Anderson, 22 years of age, out of the Ice Academy of Montreal,
00:17:46coached by Joseph Pichet, Benjamin Briseuil, and Scott Moyer.
00:17:54Rhythm dance choreography by Madison Hubbell,
00:17:57and skating to I Feel Love and Last Dance by Donna Summer.
00:19:12Let's dance. Let's change for love.
00:19:24Yes, it's our last chance. Romance to love.
00:19:39I need you by me. Beside me, if you've got me.
00:19:55Just hold me. Just hold me.
00:20:01Lord, when I'm mad, I'm supposed to obey.
00:20:14So let's dance. Let's dance. Let's dance.
00:20:35Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
00:21:05oh my gosh a devastating series of mistakes in that element of the twizzles
00:21:26I'm just so sad but this is a brand new team Ted the sky is the limit you know
00:21:32they're just getting started especially at ages 20 and 22 there's so much room to
00:21:39grow but you have to just Oh feel for them after a really nice start to the
00:21:47program they were able to rebound which is great but yikes yeah that was not
00:21:53easy I think Ellie I got maybe a little distract from Luke he had a little bit
00:21:57of a stumble then the falls happen after that we'll take a look at that in the
00:22:00replay but a nice start to the program as you mentioned a new team absolutely
00:22:06and to start out coming in first to set the stage they did just that really nice
00:22:15start to the program Donna summer I mean can you get much better than that the
00:22:20program was highlighted though by beautiful lines by Ellie Anne in the
00:22:24straight line lift as you're a new team maybe you don't take the biggest risks
00:22:30but here is where we started to see it unravel Luke missing a step there and
00:22:37then Ellie goes down and then unfortunately she comes back up to just
00:22:41go back down I tough break there I probably can wager that that's never
00:22:50happened before and sometimes you know it just is an unlucky day and where it
00:22:55doesn't reflect your training at all I didn't see any mistakes like that in
00:23:00practice today but you know what I think they look like hey you know what
00:23:06we did our best tomorrow well look at that they're handling that was such
00:23:10class and and and stop it's deeply you know upsetting no question but it
00:23:16happened and you look forward you can see them sitting in the kiss and cry and
00:23:20a little bit upset but but still you know kind of alert and some people would
00:23:25be really consumed with right and I find that maybe with the newer teams
00:23:31have you don't have as much
00:23:35experience team they're devastated very true 40.87 first team out in this event
00:23:47experience gained not positive experience at this moment it'll turn
00:23:50into that journey our next team represents Ontario 18 year old Alisa
00:23:58Coneva and 21 year old Karen McDonald out of the Kitchener Waterloo Skating
00:24:03Club coached by Carly McDonald Paul McIntosh Tyler Morris and Suzanne
00:24:07killing choreography in the rhythm dance by Joel dear skating to do you love me
00:24:14and just one look
00:24:44Oh
00:25:14Oh
00:25:44Oh
00:26:14Oh
00:26:44Oh
00:27:14Oh
00:27:22you know sometimes the audience knows Ted and listening to that ovation for
00:27:27Alisa and Karen is exactly how I feel
00:27:34in a sea of discos it is so refreshing to see another decade represented oh
00:27:40don't forget any of those audience members so nice also to hear the crowd
00:27:45react even in the first group sometimes you know you can think oh well let's
00:27:50wait till the crowd gets warmed up in the second group they get a little bit
00:27:54more excited no this is a testament to this team's performance quality they
00:27:58really got the people going and I love to see it was it the most difficult
00:28:03program perhaps not so well choreographed and well suited for this
00:28:08team though great job to one of my friends Joel dear maybe not the most
00:28:14difficult lift carrying a ton of speed though into their non-touch midline I
00:28:19loved it it danced all the way through look at this stop reminiscent of dirty
00:28:25dancing in my mind I think though Ted looking for the few looking at the
00:28:35future of this team they still appear a little bit junior to me this twizzle
00:28:40sequence coming in at a level three and four respectively so not the highest
00:28:46that they can get leaving some points on the board though but this was their
00:28:51choreographic character step sequence I loved the dance he really felt like they
00:28:56were having a lot of fun a lot of variety in the steps highlighting the
00:29:02character and the rhythm of the music yeah I thought very fresh and youthful
00:29:06let's take a look at the rhythm dance score to 16 point five five with the
00:29:11coaching team the team itself they take over first place second team out in the
00:29:17event nicely done great future good start definitely our next team
00:29:24represents Quebec 20 year old Jamie fournier and 21 year old Everest Jules
00:29:30Benjamin out of the ice Academy of Montreal and choreography in the rhythm
00:29:38dance by Roman Hagen our nil skate to kung fu fighting
00:29:59Oh
00:30:29Oh
00:30:59Oh
00:31:29Oh
00:31:59Oh
00:32:29Oh
00:32:46I've been a big fan of Jamie and Everest for a while
00:33:00knees and connection to the ice beautiful deep edges and the nice
00:33:07interpretation of the disco especially towards the end there said when they
00:33:11didn't have any more technical elements to perform you see the charisma really
00:33:17start to open up they look happy with it high fives that's exactly what they
00:33:27needed to do to solidify their place at senior but they always have had a mature
00:33:35look Ted so I don't find this a stretch to see them moving their way into the
00:33:40top group in the coming years oh we got a hitch kick too yeah as you
00:33:47mentioned they have lots of experience in this discipline for a number of years
00:33:51even though it may not have been together but we can see that you know
00:33:55experience coming out here in the program look at the as we look at the
00:34:00slow-mo just how low they get in their knees but not right now look these are
00:34:04the twizzles really well done here Ted you can tell me what these with the
00:34:09level clocked in as super fast rotation foreign for losing a lot of speed for
00:34:16for love to see it here's where you will see their strength in their edge
00:34:52rhythm dance as we take a look at 21 year old Elisa Robinson 23 year old
00:34:56Jacob ports from the Kelowna figures getting club out of the Alberta
00:34:59Northwest Territories Nunavik section coach by Scott Moore Madison Hubble
00:35:04Adrian Diaz it's getting to staying alive and you should be dancing
00:35:22Oh
00:35:52Oh
00:36:22Oh
00:36:52Oh
00:37:22Oh
00:37:52Oh
00:38:23hi energy disco from Elisa and Jacob I've had my eye on this piece as well for the last few years
00:38:35really authentic performers they dance their way through this program and I
00:38:40have to say the skaters coming out of Scott Moyer's camp with Madison Hubble
00:38:47Adrian Diaz part of his team these are my favorite programs they're fresh
00:38:53they're inspired they're difficult and so musical really well done by Elisa and
00:39:00Jacob today we saw a couple mistakes especially in the twizzles not gaining
00:39:06the highest level there right at the end unfortunately but it was going so well
00:39:11up to that point so hopefully it doesn't impact their score too much
00:39:22this was such an impressive way to start the program stationary lift tents
00:39:28favorite we go up not once not twice but even yep twice beautifully done this
00:39:38step sequence you can't hear it with the music now but every guitar strum every
00:39:43beat was hit so well done twizzles leaving it for the end of the program
00:39:50started out well we get a little bit out of sync here and then Elisa puts her
00:39:56foot down in the third twizzle only getting a level two for that
00:40:05but did it affect the performance overall for me no
00:40:12yeah right at the end of the program and you know just a touchdown it'll be hard for some
00:40:15people to pick that up but judges will they did we'll see reflect that in the score
00:40:21but good energy throughout the program and really entertaining
00:40:28just thinking also about the strategy of the choreography if the twizzles are at the end
00:40:32them to shine 62.10 and that is second jacob looked over and said whoa that's a pretty good
00:40:43score you can see the three points off the lead currently in second place nice job
00:40:53our final team in group number 123 year old both of them for lily henson and Nathan Lickers
00:41:00out of the eldreden skating club training location ice academy montreal london campus
00:41:05adrian diaz scott moyer caramara madison hubble
00:41:10adrian diaz the choreographer in the rhythm dance skating to 70s funk
00:41:30so
00:42:00i can
00:42:31um
00:42:48wow
00:43:00and that's the fact
00:43:19yeah
00:43:30let's
00:43:44go
00:44:01wow
00:44:14let's go lily and nathan this was my standout team from canadians last season i was watching them in
00:44:24practice and i had a good feeling they were going to crack and make a fight for the podium and they
00:44:31did last season they were in fourth place a career best for them they are fighting to maintain
00:44:39or improve on that position and what a great statement they just made with that rhythm dance
00:44:47i don't want to sound like a fangirl for everybody ted i have a discerning eye but i
00:44:52love this team they they dance their way through they made me want to dance they're believable and
00:44:59i love that and they they really started right here from the beginning every step every moment
00:45:07was something special this non-touch midline difficult nuanced
00:45:16and groovy if you ask me and you know gratuitous fashion comments i love when a team will extend
00:45:25the theme into the hairstyle great twizzles here really nice into their dance break super
00:45:36super
00:45:42this their pattern dance element we don't see it here but this team elected to do
00:45:53the reverse partnering on the first paso doble steps which is optional and we don't see that
00:46:01but this incredible rotation that's nathan on one foot making it so difficult
00:46:12wow big score scott speechless but he's got a big smile on his face wow that was great
00:46:20that was a lot of fun and there is the final it's a it's a setting the bar
00:46:30here
00:46:40about the first team in group number two nadia beshid scott and peter beaumont
00:46:46from quebec alicia
00:46:48and paul ayer
00:47:04that was my son lorio and roman laga and paul poirier
00:47:11how many how many different outfits to uh piper and paul have for the rhythm dance i've seen at
00:47:19least two maybe three the sky is the limit okay number six we do not have kelly and
00:47:29slash lauren skating six
00:47:44but the fun thing with these dances ted is that we will see a variety of different
00:47:51different styles performed and really when it comes down to the top teams
00:48:00the commitment to the dance style is imperative some close calls on on the warm-up
00:48:09how how easy i don't how difficult or easy is it for the judges to really um determine
00:48:16the difference in this in the dance styles and which one sort of
00:48:20wins the day forget about the technical elements for a second that's more clear perhaps um but
00:48:26if the fans are out there and they don't know much about it so well i like them all they all
00:48:29look equal to me how do they tell the difference oh that's that's that's the job of the judge which
00:48:37is which is incredibly difficult and i do not envy them one bit um but in my opinion you know
00:48:43the best the best programs are the ones that are well researched um the ones that really find the
00:48:49nuance with the musicality and the detail so it's not just arm movements it's not just you know a
00:48:57music style but it's really the dedication to the dance in every in every way that's the nuance in
00:49:05the music that's um the step choice that's the style that they that they're choosing um and it
00:49:13really is a character that you embody um that's how i usually am able to tell them apart and and
00:49:21discern which ones i like better um does it feel like you're watching someone out of a movie from
00:49:29that era and is it fair for the judges or for anybody that fans can be obviously it's fair for
00:49:36them but it's to say like look i don't know which one's better but this is the one i enjoyed the
00:49:41most we love a crowd favorite you know it's the judges it's the judge's job to say here's why
00:49:50but for the audience you know in my opinion it's becoming less and less about who wins and
00:49:56and yes these teams have these teams have goals right you have olympic dreams and it is so
00:50:02important that you you know do everything in your power to achieve those but in my opinion in today's
00:50:09world when we have social media and we have you know the ability to watch skating um and it's and
00:50:15it's accessible it's less about the points it's more about what captures your attention who are
00:50:21the ones that are telling a good story and and get the crowd on their feet let's take elage balde
00:50:27for example maybe he didn't make an olympic team in his career in his competitive career but look
00:50:34at the impact he's making now and so that's what i love to stress also to these competitors
00:50:41and teams and skaters training at home with big dreams is that yes competition matters but it's
00:50:47not the most important thing well that was a very good answer to an unfiltered question i know
00:50:55you're gonna make me send you the questions so that you can filter them first because that was
00:51:00a surprise but really well answered thank you caitlin oh gosh everybody i actually don't do
00:51:06that ted is making up stories i cannot go through his questions but if i look at what i'm seeing
00:51:15though i see some beautiful skating a variety of different styles
00:51:19we're in for a treat these teams had a wonderful practice this morning
00:51:26and really some elite level ice dance i want to know what are what is on these people yeah
00:51:32sure i'm not sure who is that we've got all different sort of pictures all different
00:51:40can anybody at home tell us who are these people
00:51:45and what is on their shirt you know what no matter who they are they're here to support
00:51:48ice dance let's see it very cool i just want to remind you ted that we have a big battle for bronze
00:51:57in my opinion you know we talked in the junior in the junior event about things not being a
00:52:03shoe-in and if there's anything we learned from the grand prix series where even at the highest
00:52:08level you expect maybe you kind of know coming in who's going to be first second and third
00:52:13you don't there have been some major surprises across all of the competitions this season
00:52:21so i wish everybody the best you don't want to see mistakes but i just want to remind you
00:52:25that really it comes down to how every team performs on the day can't wait well said
00:52:33well said oh we're just getting getting some news that it is alicia and paul on those t-shirts this
00:52:40is alicia's hometown they've got a special cheering section there you go that should be
00:52:47very motivating for them good research thank you for that person sending that in thank you
00:52:52kristen more towers oh she's she's a researcher she has all the information you'll be joining me
00:52:59tonight for the senior pairs free program up next now 21 year old nadia beshinska 23 year old peter
00:53:06beaumont had a very successful junior career the world junior championships and several champ is
00:53:12several uh victories on the junior grand prix transitioning into seniors been a little bit of
00:53:17rougher we'll see what this year brings coached by carol and john lane they'll skate to lady marmalade
00:53:25and le freak
00:53:55hello
00:54:26foreign
00:54:48we are
00:54:55oh
00:55:25so
00:55:38i'm sure
00:55:55so
00:56:03we'll show you
00:56:26wow
00:56:40some words of affirmation it looks like for nadia and peter oh i hate to see a mistake like that so
00:56:48uncharacteristic for this team that already has been having a difficult season
00:56:55they tried they tried look at nadia saying i don't know i'm sorry but the fact that the
00:57:03crowd can get behind them even even with a huge mistake that will just devastate their score
00:57:12is a testament to their performance ability i feel like they're very open performers especially
00:57:17nadia she is full throttle all the time glad to see them not hurt which is
00:57:27the priority after a fall on a lift and wonderful support of each other
00:57:32nadia sort of saying to peter it's okay it's okay
00:57:37yeah it it it does unfortunately they had a strong start to lady marmalade
00:57:47so
00:57:50twizzles coming in at three and three right off the top small catch by peter but a brilliant
00:57:58save so much energy
00:58:03this team has worked extensively on the floor with one of their choreographers alex krenian
00:58:09and i really see the hope for them to skate well and then this it was just off and a complete
00:58:17wipe out by the team oh i missed that i missed that yeah she was not ready to let this go
00:58:27pattern step coming in only at a level one unfortunately they did everything they could
00:58:35everything they could to pick it back up and hopefully the judges will recognize that in
00:58:40their performance but you cannot mistake a fall of such a big element
00:58:48in the future ted you know hard to critique a performance like that with such a big mistake but
00:58:55i would love to see them still connect to each other more i feel like they're dancing with the
00:59:00audience a bit more than they're dancing with each other which to me is the ultimate priority
00:59:08but looking for a rebound tomorrow let's look at the score 60.54
00:59:14nadia and peter currently in the fifth place
00:59:29our next team represents quebec 21 year old alicia fabry and 26 year old paul isle
00:59:37wow part of the ice academy in montreal marie foster break patrice ladon woman hagenauer
00:59:43pascal denise joseph benjamin brisebois the team and they'll skate
00:59:50gail howell's rock and suspicious mind and blue
00:59:53sway
01:00:24is
01:00:39everybody
01:00:53so
01:01:05we're caught in a trap
01:01:09i can't walk out
01:01:15too much baby
01:01:22why can't you see
01:01:29when you don't believe a word i say
01:01:44suspicious
01:01:59i can't
01:02:15i put in some money for the money
01:02:26well you can do
01:02:45oh
01:02:59paul told me coming into this event that their goal was to be quote the people team
01:03:07hmm and i'd say that so far so good
01:03:22they're in alicia's and sometimes that brings out the absolute
01:03:29in a performer but that's not just it it's not just the audience you've got to
01:03:34walk the walk and they did just that a brilliant performance today
01:03:41to elvis i was watching them in practice ted and they looked on
01:03:48and i was just hoping that they are able to really let it go at the end of that program
01:03:53once especially once they get the difficult elements done just to let it go and they did exactly that
01:04:04i love their natural charisma hard to teach but easy to love really nice twizzles spot on
01:04:16they attacked them paul had a small fall here in practice earlier not today
01:04:26nice highlights in their non-touch step sequence coming in at a three and a three that is
01:04:34solid
01:04:37and boom right away into this rotational lift change of pose by alicia fast rotation not the
01:04:45fastest perhaps that's one way they can improve but here is really where they let it go and i
01:04:52felt like i was watching a team on the dance floor truly they both have such a beautiful quality
01:05:00but they dance together they're different but i feel they're so well suited for each other
01:05:08and you know what
01:05:17you should see a pretty good score here i'm expecting a major score major would be what
01:05:25is holding you accountable for that word
01:05:44in this case the number comes let's see what it is 78.5
01:05:49that would be major that's a major number there you go well done
01:05:57and that's a bit of a pressure in the next team absolutely
01:06:03that was awesome and there they are
01:06:07our next team also represents quebec 28 year old mary jett
01:06:12lario and 29 year old woman lookout coach also by patrice lazon and choreographed by
01:06:19robin hagenauer they've been such an entertaining team over a number of years
01:06:25but they're going to need to bring their best right now skating to rich man's frug
01:06:41so
01:07:11so
01:07:41so
01:08:11âȘ
01:08:21âȘ
01:08:31âȘ
01:08:41âȘ
01:08:52âȘ
01:09:02âȘ
01:09:12âȘ
01:09:22âȘ
01:09:32âȘ
01:09:42Ted, this is getting so good!
01:09:46Mary Jo and my man, laying down perhaps the best performance I've seen them do this season.
01:09:55This program has scored very well internationally.
01:09:59You can see their goal coming in to get on that podium.
01:10:04And they, in my opinion, have done everything in their power to do that today in the Rhythm Dance.
01:10:12You know, it's interesting to me because, especially comparing to the last team,
01:10:17Fosse is a very internal type of style of movement, style of dance, made famous by Bob Fosse, of course, the choreographer.
01:10:27And Rich Man's Froog is not necessarily big and loud and outward compared to, say, Elvis.
01:10:36But what I like that this team did is that they let us into that.
01:10:41They had a really nice balance of being contracted and internal and true to the form,
01:10:47but didn't make it too quiet for us to not want to participate in it.
01:10:54Really nice elements, twizzles, made difficult by the attitude leg behind,
01:11:00maintaining quick rotation, small balance check, but did not disrupt at all.
01:11:08This, what they're known for, their incredible lifts, so difficult, so fast, so risky.
01:11:19And love to see the crowd fully reacting to this program.
01:11:24So well done. Romain, such an incredible performer.
01:11:30Every single time, he brings it.
01:11:35Their characterization reminded me of the Pink Panther program that they had just a few years ago.
01:11:41They always bring their character, big time, to the rink, into their programs.
01:11:48Let's take a look at the rhythm dance scores.
01:12:00That is very close. Look at that. 78.53 to 78.09.
01:12:05That's how close it is. You were talking about that possibility, and there it is.
01:12:12Our next team represents Quebec as well.
01:12:1523-year-old Marjorie Lejoie, 24-year-old Zachary Laga,
01:12:18fifth at the World Championships last season,
01:12:21hoped by Roman Hagedauer.
01:12:41Look at that.
01:13:11Look at that.
01:13:41Look at that.
01:14:11Look at that.
01:14:12Look at that.
01:14:13Look at that.
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01:15:00Look at that.
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01:15:34Look at that.
01:15:35Look at that.
01:15:36Look at that.
01:15:37Look at that.
01:15:38Believe it or not I think that is a happy Zach Lavelope.
01:15:43Marching and Zach Beland with the best, consistent entertainment.
01:15:50The crowd on its feet.
01:15:54In Laval.
01:15:55I am not surprised.
01:15:56This should easily go into the lead and you know what, this team, Ted, they skated to
01:16:04Austin Powers when they were twelve years old.
01:16:07back feels special for them but but really they're looking to make a name also for themselves and
01:16:14make a charge for the world podium not just the podium here at canadian so this is a team where
01:16:20i think this is an important stepping stone to the rest of their season last year at worlds
01:16:28in montreal they had one of the best performances of the night so the sky is the limit for them
01:16:38their trademark super fast twizzles so clean so effortless maintaining speed throughout
01:16:49you know for me though if if i'm honest i almost feel and i felt like this at the beginning of
01:16:56the season too and now to see it a little bit later i feel like zach is almost he's a little
01:17:01bit too cool to play austin powers austin powers is so weird and awkward and i find that the theme
01:17:09they set they started in the beginning and then i lose it in the end and and some something there's
01:17:14a disconnect for me personally but notwithstanding the elements are fabulous the choreography is
01:17:21fabulous their commitment is fabulous well maybe just just doing a take on austin powers you know
01:17:30it's his own take on it so much energy throughout
01:17:35that program let's take a look at the rhythm dance scores for marjorie and zach
01:17:43it is 86.42 that's huge
01:17:48and they can't go to first place with one team to come they just keep getting better
01:17:53the final competitors
01:18:00everyone knows them
01:18:02brought so much joy to all of us in figure skating in canada piper gillies paul poirier
01:18:10caroline
01:18:11the skate to the beach boy medley
01:18:42get it
01:18:55my buddies and me
01:19:11so
01:19:35thank you
01:19:41thank you
01:20:11and the southern girls with the way they talk they knock me out when i'm down there
01:20:28and the northern girls with the way they kiss
01:20:41they
01:21:11so
01:21:18so
01:21:24so
01:21:40piper and paul
01:21:45No doubt you will be coming home with the rhythm dance today.
01:21:55Crowd on their feet again. So well deserved.
01:22:00And they make it look so easy, Ted. They really do.
01:22:05So committed to the bit.
01:22:11Beautiful edge quality. Beautiful flow. Effortless elements.
01:22:17All put together in such a fun, playful, accessible package.
01:22:23What came to mind for me was so much choreographic content in such a short period of time.
01:22:29And just maybe the corner of a rink. So much detail. So many nuances.
01:22:34It's just remarkable. And I'm sure for them, exhausting.
01:22:40But you wouldn't know. They make it look so easy. It's just like a day at the office.
01:22:44I mean, there really is no stone left unturned for them.
01:22:49Every hand. Every gesture. Every look.
01:22:54Twizzles here. I mean, you can't even see how close they are.
01:22:59They are close.
01:23:02Really well done.
01:23:07And then without a beat, right there next to each other.
01:23:12Paul Poirier, in my opinion, the best male skater in the business.
01:23:18So sure on his edges and with his partnering.
01:23:26And then you have Piper's playfulness and openness.
01:23:31I love to see right here the audience. Look at them all smiling.
01:23:35Look at them all smiling. They don't know they're on camera. They haven't been told to smile.
01:23:39And they're smiling naturally. They're a part of this very fun performance choreography by Alex Kranian.
01:23:49Wonderful job.
01:23:52Rhythm Dance scores for Piper and Paul.
01:23:56Wow, we got a wow at 91.84.
01:24:00She was the first one to see it.
01:24:19Clearly deserves a big wow. No question of that.
01:24:23We saw that from Piper. That was incredible.
01:24:26There is a standing 71.84, 86.42 and 78.53.
01:24:32Separation between all top three teams.
01:24:35But some other really good skating throughout the event.
01:24:40I think this was an incredible event, Ted.
01:24:43Even with a few technical mistakes that we saw.
01:24:47To me, I won't go away thinking of those.
01:24:50I think how much fun all of the skaters had.
01:24:54Even with the mistakes. And I love to see that.
01:24:57I love to see happy faces coming off the ice.
01:25:00These teams, these skaters worked so hard.
01:25:03This was an incredible performance in my book.
01:25:08Elise Ciafavri, Paul Eyre.
01:25:11Hometown girl.
01:25:14They didn't hold anything back today.
01:25:17Wonderful fast twizzles.
01:25:21Great elements. Lots of speed.
01:25:27And got the crowd warmed up.
01:25:34Yes.
01:25:36Nice to see some fist pumps.
01:25:40And then separating themselves from the rest of the field.
01:25:45Marjorie Lajoie, Zach Laga.
01:25:50I mean, everybody was on fire with their twizzles.
01:25:53At least in the last group today.
01:25:56Such an easy way to tell the teams apart.
01:26:00And in my mind, the teams did exactly what we were talking about
01:26:03in the beginning of the session, Ted.
01:26:06Does it make you want to dance?
01:26:09Are they committed?
01:26:12Are they fully invested in this performance?
01:26:15And in telling these stories from the 50s, 60s, and 70s?
01:26:18Absolutely, yes.
01:26:21And then, Piper Gillis, Paul Poirier.
01:26:25Just, you know, another day at the office for them.
01:26:28It's incredible how they just, year after year,
01:26:32choose innovative themes, innovative elements,
01:26:36always reinventing their style and their look,
01:26:39and yet you know it's them.
01:26:42It's iconic, Piper and Paul. It's full of character.
01:26:46Leap into the rotational lift.
01:26:51They are not letting go of those goals
01:26:54of being the absolute best in the world.
01:26:57They won the free dance at the world championships last year.
01:27:00They're still looking for the elusive world title.
01:27:03And this is a wonderful way to state that case.
01:27:06Well, Caitlin, you always mention, doesn't it make you want to dance?
01:27:09My answer is actually no, because I want to watch them dance.
01:27:13Because I could never do what they can do.
01:27:16It's impossible.
01:27:19That's not the point, Ted. That's not the point.
01:27:22Yeah, I want to be able to dance like that, but I can't.
01:27:25Anyways, it was absolutely brilliant. Thank you so much, Caitlin.
01:27:28Of course, tomorrow, the free dance, and that has all sorts of themes
01:27:31and stories and drama that is going to be so exciting to watch.
01:27:34Up next will be the Senior Men's Free Program.
01:27:37In the lead, Roman Sadowski.
01:27:40In second, Anthony Paradis.
01:27:43He's dramatic and powerful and such a storyteller.
01:27:46And in third place, perhaps a surprise, John Kim.
01:27:49So lots will happen in the Senior Men's Free Program coming up after this.
01:27:52Thank you, Caitlin Weaver.
01:27:55And we hope you'll stay with us for the Senior Men's Free Program.