by Jacquelyn Thayer A small field of seven, thanks to a late withdrawal, also makes the 2016 Skate Canada International pairs event a prime opportunity for teams seeking to establish or build their international reputation. Back on home turf – and looking to defend their previous two Skate Canada International titles – Meagan Duhamel and…
by Jacquelyn Thayer While the short dance event at 2016 Skate Canada International might have drawn most attention for its return of Olympic and world champs and its match-up of several recent high-scoring couples — the real joy lay in its infinite variety. With a program permitting one of two very broadly-defined secondary rhythms —…
by Jacquelyn Thayer Victory at Autumn Classic International served as a successful first step of a two-year comeback plan for Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. And shortly after, the team were back to work with free dance choreographer David Wilson. “It was always part of the plan — you kind of create, try to make…
With Finlandia Trophy, the pre-Grand Prix — and most pivotal — stretch of the ISU’s 2016 Challenger Series has concluded, along with the debuts of most of the US and Canada’s international dance teams and pairs. Notable absences like Maia and Alex Shibutani (USA) and Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje (CAN) in dance, and Alexa…
The earliest ice dance events of summer — Lake Placid and its championship and international competitions, Minto Summer Skate and the Championnats québécois d’été, or Quebec Summer Championships — are, by near definition, starting points for the long September-March international stretch to come. And by this nature, scores are traditionally mixed at best: star competitors…
With the dance field expanded to 10 couples apiece for the first time since the 2010-11 season, competitors saw additional opportunity — though some absences for those guaranteed at least one spot are also worth noting. Pairs, which remains at eight teams apiece due to additional regulations (only four teams allowed per warm-up session), was…
UPDATED APRIL 24: Albums are viewable under our new Photography tab; all images may be shared across social media platforms with full credit and, preferred, inclusion of a source link. Photos are published as they become available to the site editor. March 16: Two for the Ice will be represented at the 2016 World Figure…
Note: While the Grand Prix Final was called the Champions Series Final in its first three seasons, the event is considered here the GPF for the sake of simplification. North American dance and pairs entries, Grand Prix Final: 7 Dance: Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje (CAN), Madison Chock & Evan Bates, Maia & Alex Shibutani,…
Dance This season, Two for the Ice is adding to its analytical series by tracking first events to first events* — how leading dance teams fared in 2014-15’s debut against this season’s. As a matter of further interest, the four top U.S. and Canadian dance couples who competed at the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic…
by Jacquelyn Thayer British Columbia/Yukon Territory Super Series SummerSkate BC SummerSkate is unusual among the pre-season regional competitions for — like a regular season event — holding short and free segments as a combined event; this is due to its status as part of the BC/YT Super Series. For our purposes, it might also be…
