Author: Skate Canada
Podcast: J. Senft | We Go Live in 3, 2 … | Musings from my experience at 2013 Worlds | Baby News | And More…
Featuring Jean Senft
Retired official Jean Senft has been front and centre in the sport with a judging career which spanned events at her local club all the way to the Olympic Games. Her daughter, Lauren, a competitive international level ice dancer, retired and now a technical specialist, leads the chat where they both share memories about their skating adventures and discuss the special bond they share as a result.
We Go Live in 3, 2 …
By Christopher Mabee, 2007 Canadian Silver Medallist
The Battle of the Blades logo pops up on the monitor, Ron MacLean’s voice says, “Battle is Back,” and away we go. The skaters enter the ice to warm up as the whirlwind hour-long episode begins. An episode full of great skating, wonderful choreography, and an upsetting elimination. Continue reading “Podcast: J. Senft | We Go Live in 3, 2 … | Musings from my experience at 2013 Worlds | Baby News | And More…”
Podcast: B. Marcotte – Part 2 | Stojko: Hudson & Rex | Kawahara: Spinning Out | Reynolds – Athlete Ambassador | Events
Featuring Bruno Marcotte – Part 2
Welcome to the Alumni podcast, this month featuring Part 2 and the continuation of last month’s conversation with Olympic Coach Bruno Marcotte as he chats with former national team member Nic Young. The two reflect on family, the future of skating, the positive impact of sport and how it has impacted their lives. Powerful, insightful and inspiring!
Elvis Stojko: Hudson & Rex Over Ice (Season 2, Episode 2)
Did you miss the episode? Not to worry, go to Citytv to watch online through your provider!
Podcast: B. Marcotte | B. Boland Spotlight | My World Championships Experience | From the Archives | Lives Lived: Collins | Coaches Tribute | Virtue & Moir – Retire | Slipchuk: Lifetime Achievement Award | HOF Class of 2019 | Event Packages
Featuring Bruno Marcotte – Part 1
This month’s podcast, we welcome two celebrated Alumni (in a two-part interview). In the driver’s seat and host this month is Nic Young, a former national team member, and his guest, national, international and Olympic coach, Bruno Marcotte. With Nic having transitioned into coaching, the two chat about skating, their history and careers… and their competitive drive to motivate their athletes and in the process to advance the sport of figure skating.
A THIRTY-NINE YEAR JOURNEY OF VOLUNTEERING
By Bill Boland
The year was 1979 in a small town on Lake Erie shore where our 7-year-old daughter was about to compete in her first competition, a Precision event. They finished last.
The arena was jammed to the rafters. You couldn’t get to the concession stand and I said, “That was it, never again!”
A couple of weeks later it was another small southwestern Ontario town, but seemingly less crowded. The enthusiasm and passion of the crowd was unlike anything I had ever experienced. I was hooked! The medal the London Skating Pre Novice Team won that day was to be the first of many for the teams Traci skated on or coached in Canada, Finland and the United States. But that is her story to tell. Continue reading “Podcast: B. Marcotte | B. Boland Spotlight | My World Championships Experience | From the Archives | Lives Lived: Collins | Coaches Tribute | Virtue & Moir – Retire | Slipchuk: Lifetime Achievement Award | HOF Class of 2019 | Event Packages”
Podcast: Ullmark’s | Higgins & Rice Spotlight | Her Majesty by D. Jackson | Lives Lived: Brian Power | From the Archives | Alumni Event Packages
Jan and Cynthia Ullmark
On this month’s alumni podcast, let’s welcome former national team member Norm Proft as he introduces, visits, laughs and reminisces with his former coaches, Olympic and World coaches Jan and Cynthia Ullmark. It’s an in-depth conversation with two of Canada’s most historic and celebrated coaches as they tell their stories and share their philosophies.
Jodeyne Higgins & Sean Rice
Jodeyne Higgins and Sean Rice are Canadian pair skaters who also competed in the fours discipline. They are two-time (1993, 1995) Canadian pairs bronze medallist and four-time (1993–1996) Canadian fours champions. Find out what they had to say when asked about sharing their memories, achievements, personal interests and where they are now!
Podcast: B. Lavoie – Part 2 | Alumni Spotlight | “Memories of Moscow” | Browning receives Order of Canada | Wedding Bells | 2020 World Championships and National Championships
Benoît Lavoie – Part 2
Last month we had the opportunity to listen in on the conversation between Skate Canada’s past President, Benoît Lavoie, and Olympic silver medallist Debbi Wilkes as they discussed Benoît’s early years in skating. This month it’s part two of the conversation when Benoît talks frankly about skating, its joys and its challenges and his role on the ISU Council.
A Magical Moment for a Canadian Ice Dance Couple – Joni Graham & Don Phillips
by Barry Soper
In just year six of its relatively new, ‘virtual’ existence, the Skate Canada BC/YK Section chose to induct into its Hall of Fame two accomplished Canadian Ice Dancers in the Athlete category, namely British Columbia’s Joni Graham & Don Phillips – Canada’s Ice Dance Champions in 1967 & 1968.
Podcast: B. Lavoie | A Legend, A Legacy | The Partnership | Lives Lived: A. Doherty | My Very Own Centennial Celebration | 2020 World Event Packages
Benoît Lavoie – Part 1
Of all the individuals who have contributed to skating in Canada and around the world, few have the incredible experience of Benoît Lavoie. His skating career began as a competitor but it was his commitment as a volunteer which gave him the greatest satisfaction. National, international and Olympic judge, past President of Skate Canada and now a Council member of the International Skating Union, Benoît shares his adventures with Alumni Chair Debbi Wilkes in this first edition of a two-part conversation.
A Legend, a Legacy
by Debbi Wilkes
Today’s goals for competitors are the same as ours were back in the 60’s … to become the best skater/performer you could be. While the landscape may have changed dramatically since then with technology advances and increased support, many of life’s best lessons remain the same thanks to the legacies built by so many skating pioneers.
Let me set the stage.
Podcast: D. Steele | Worlds from the Stands | “The True Meaning of Teamwork!” | Lawrence Ties the Knot | Lives Lived | HOF Dubreuil & Lauzon | Osmond Retired | ISU World Figure Skating Championships ® 2020 – ALUMNI EVENT PACKAGE
Debbi Wilkes, speaks with Saskatchewan’s Doug Steele, whose career in skating spans decades from learn-to-skate toddler to Skate Canada President. Along the way, Doug was tasked with developing the national and international competitive framework for what was to become Synchronized Skating.
“Worlds 2019 … From the Stands”
By Eric Radford, World Pair Champion
Landing in Japan to attend the 2019 World Figure Skating Championships felt surprisingly foreign to me this past March. Sitting on the plane for 14 hours and not thinking about my triple Lutz or a Throw quad and just being able to lose myself in a movie felt very different than what I had been feeling just over a year prior.
For the 2019 Worlds, I was still competing but this time off the ice in order to campaign for the ISU Athletes Commission. The position is voted on by the Athletes at the competition and this year there were two candidates.
Alumni Package Information: ISU World Figure Skating Championships ® 2020
EXCITING NEWS!
You may have heard that the tickets for the ISU World Figure Skating Championships ® 2020 will go on sale to the public on May 31, 2019.
Before you rush to the ticket line, here is an important piece of information.
Please stay tuned for further details on May 31, 2019 (through this Alumni blog) about how you can purchase an Alumni Event Package for the ISU World Figure Skating Championships ® 2020 which will take place next year from March 16-22, 2020 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
Items being considered for the Alumni* Event Package include (limited quantities and subject to change until confirmed on May 31):
- Event Tickets
- Alumni Seat Section
- VIP Lounge hosted by Skate Canada
- Alumni Social hosted by Skate Canada
- Alumni Brunch
- Event Pin & Program
* Alumni:
- Senior Athletes & Coaches (Olympic and ISU Championships Teams, National Medallists, National Team, Synchronized Team Medallists)
- World & Canadian Junior Champion (s)
- Hall of Fame Members
- Past Presidents
- Officials (Challenge, Divisionals level and higher)
HOTEL
If you plan to attend the ISU World Figure Skating Championships ® 2020, we would encourage you to book your hotel now directly at the following LINK or you can look at other options on your own.
Please help spread the word amongst your Alumni peers! And I look forward to sharing more news and details on how to purchase your Alumni Event Package on May 31st!
If you require further information please do not hesitate to email Celina Stipanic at [email protected]
See you in May!
To our blog fans: We’re away this month doing new choreography and getting our skates sharpened but we’ll be back next month with more history, memories and inspiration from our Alumni.
Let’s meet up again in May!