- 5 minutes ago
Competition Information:
https://skatecanada.ca/event/2026-skate-canada-international/
https://skatecanada.ca/event/2026-skate-canada-international/
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SportsTranscript
00:00:04Oh
00:02:30I love the fall. Skating is back. We're in for a great event tonight.
00:02:35It's going to be exciting for the pairs program here in the short program. Let's talk a little bit about
00:02:40that. You've been watching the practice session. Set it up for us.
00:02:43Absolutely. And important to note, this is the third time that Prospera Place has held the Skate Canada International. And
00:02:49the first time in 2014, Canadians were victorious. It was Megan Duhamel and Eric Bradford back in 2014. And Canadians
00:02:57have fared well ever since. The last three consecutive wins have gone to Deanna Stellato and Maxim Deschamps.
00:03:03Here tonight and this weekend, we have a chance to see another Canadian team on top of the podium. It's
00:03:10Leah Pereira and Trent Michaud. They're having a wonderful season so far.
00:03:14They're only one competition in, but they were the winners of the Nebelhorn Trophy in September. And they look fantastic.
00:03:22They look confident. They're world bronze medalists last season. And I can see, I think fans, audience, judges, everyone can
00:03:30see that confidence that they gained from the world championships and from the Nebelhorn Trophy. They seem to be just
00:03:35carrying that in to this competition here.
00:03:38They will have competition, though, from American team of Elisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov. They were sixth that world's last
00:03:45season. However, a little bit of uncertainty with this team, Ted. They've had injuries through the spring and a little
00:03:51bit in the summer. So have had a late start. We haven't seen them yet. They haven't done any competitions
00:03:57prior to the Grand Prix Series. So a little bit of a question mark there.
00:04:00And lastly, I really want to shout out Ava Kemp and Jonathan Eliza Robb from Canada. I would not count
00:04:06this team out. They're coming up from junior, junior world champions last season. And they look wonderful. They are still
00:04:14a brand new team, still learning how to look like a senior team and how to be in with these
00:04:21top, top teams in the world. But their elements are crisp and clean. And they're looking to have a podium
00:04:27finish this week.
00:04:27Well, it took them 48 years between junior world titles. And Ava and Jonathan, of course, did that last year.
00:04:36They move into seniors and they look quite senior. There's no question. And they've improved not only the technical elements,
00:04:41of course, but the connection of the music with the work of Sader Besik and many other people along on
00:04:46their team.
00:04:46Absolutely. And speaking about that, I actually spoke to Jeffrey Buttle, who's the choreographer of their short program.
00:04:52And he said that he gets to work with them once a week and they are so committed to improving
00:04:57this performance, which is so crucial because it is really that next step for them.
00:05:01They've mastered the elements. Everything is pretty great on that front.
00:05:05But continuing to push that performance in the program components will allow them to continue rising in the senior standings.
00:05:12We're going to get started on the Parish Short Program. It's the second event here on day one.
00:05:17Of course, the free program will go tomorrow. There are eight teams. There'll be two groups.
00:05:21And the Parish Short Program here in Kelowna begins right now.
00:05:42Three, two, one, one.
00:05:49,
00:05:55.
00:06:02.
00:07:34But I think that British Columbia has a unique beauty.
00:07:39But, you know, with all the people we've spoken to here, of course, the beautiful hotels right across the parking
00:07:44lot.
00:07:44So it's so easy.
00:07:45It's right on the lake.
00:07:46They feel it's a little bit like Oberstdorf.
00:07:48Now, Oberstdorf is a famous competition location in Germany in the Bavarian Alps.
00:07:54And everybody loves going to that competition there because it's sort of relaxed.
00:07:57And so is it here as well.
00:07:59We see the Skatebug radio on the ears of some of the fans.
00:08:02Thank you for listening in.
00:08:03I'm Ted Barton along with Kirsten Moore Towers as we see Halloween coming up pretty soon.
00:08:10There we go.
00:08:14There's the fans.
00:08:16Some of them dressed up, getting ready for Halloween.
00:08:19How about you?
00:08:19That's right. And you know what?
00:08:20We have some candy lying around, I think, if there's trick-or-treaters.
00:08:23No, it's gone.
00:08:23It's gone now.
00:08:24It's gone. Oh, okay.
00:08:25I ate it.
00:08:26It was worth a shot.
00:08:29You know, Skate Canada falls on Halloween so often.
00:08:32Yeah.
00:08:33And it's so wonderful to spend Halloween watching this competition year after year.
00:08:37Yeah, it is.
00:08:37We take a look at the start order for the Parrish Short Program and how the skater's feeling right now.
00:08:44Particularly, I mean, Yonoke and Tristan Taylor, this is a new, relatively, well, not a new team,
00:08:50but this is a new experience for them.
00:08:52Absolutely.
00:08:53And a relatively new team, Ted.
00:08:54It takes a number of years to gel as a pair team, and this is their Grand Prix debut,
00:09:00their first time on the circuit, and I haven't seen Miu without a smile on her face.
00:09:05She looks happy to be here.
00:09:07They've been practicing pretty well.
00:09:09They will start the event off for us tonight.
00:09:12As we take a look at the officials for this event, the technical panel, there they are.
00:09:18And they do such an amazing job.
00:09:20And during the other events earlier in the season, the juniors, we had a camera actually
00:09:24on the technical panel watching them work.
00:09:27And, of course, we as commentators could hear their work.
00:09:29And it is really quite brilliant.
00:09:31Hopefully, in the future, at some point, people will have access to listening to the technical
00:09:35panel.
00:09:35They'll listen once or twice and they'll say, well, this is boring because, you know, it's
00:09:38just, you know, pretty basic and pretty solid.
00:09:41But what a hard job.
00:09:42It is a very hard job.
00:09:44It takes a special person.
00:09:45As we see Canada spelt out.
00:09:48And the fans here in Kelowna.
00:09:53We've had people travel from across the country here to this event, excited about figure skating,
00:09:59not only Canadian figure skaters, of course, but about the sport itself.
00:10:02Of course, last year we saw such an incredible Olympic Games and a World Championship with so
00:10:07much drama, but so much camaraderie.
00:10:08I think that was the thing, it wasn't just about the skating, it was about the personalities
00:10:12that emerged on the world stage.
00:10:15Absolutely, you're right.
00:10:16And we often see at the end of a quadrennial a real turnover where we see a lot of retirements
00:10:21and lots of fresh faces.
00:10:23And that is certainly the case this year.
00:10:30Taking a look at these athletes.
00:10:32And, gosh, what a nerve-wracking time when they're standing backstage.
00:10:35It's not quite their turn yet.
00:10:38Yeah, and, you know, we talk, it is early in the season, so this might be the first big,
00:10:43well, no, it is, the first big competition, the Senior Grand Prix, of course, for these skaters.
00:10:47And I think those, like we see many right there, this is just exciting because no expectation,
00:10:51just get out and experience and learn.
00:10:53That's right.
00:10:54Just an opportunity to put your elements out there, try to improve every step of the way.
00:10:59And what a wonderful place and time in your career to have that.
00:11:06No expectation.
00:11:08You have seen, you have seen your heart rate go high, you know, when you step out of the ice
00:11:14as this team, I'm sure, representing Canada, Min Yonoke and Tristan Taylor.
00:11:22Oh, they've got it down.
00:11:24They know where the camera is.
00:11:31Representing Ukraine, Sofia Holichenko and Artem Dorinsky.
00:11:46And from Italy, Irma Caldara and Riccardo Magalio.
00:12:02And the final team.
00:12:05In group number one, representing Chekya, Anna Valesi and Martin Bedar.
00:12:16Kirsten, it is all yours.
00:12:19And here they go, Ted.
00:12:22We are obviously watching the short program this evening.
00:12:26In the short program, skaters will perform seven elements.
00:12:30And there's a little bit of a switch up since last season, Ted.
00:12:33We have some changes in the elements in all disciplines.
00:12:36And pairs is no exception.
00:12:38As usual, these teams will perform a double or triple twist.
00:12:42They will perform any double or triple jump.
00:12:44Any throw, double or triple.
00:12:46The lift this season is a group three lift.
00:12:50We'll talk a lot about that.
00:12:51That means that the man is lifting the woman with his hand on her hip.
00:12:55There's a different prescribed lift every season.
00:12:58They're doing a pair combination spin, which is new this year, a forward inside death spiral, and a step sequence.
00:13:05What was your favorite lift?
00:13:07My favorite lift?
00:13:08Yeah.
00:13:08Oh, gosh.
00:13:09I couldn't answer that.
00:13:10I loved them all.
00:13:11I couldn't answer that.
00:13:11Yeah.
00:13:12Okay.
00:13:12Sorry.
00:13:13Taking a look here at Miyu Yunoki and Tristan Taylor.
00:13:17This team teamed up in July of 2024, and they actually did a season competing in Japan before deciding to
00:13:24compete domestically in Canada.
00:13:26Tristan was born in Canada, in Saskatchewan, and Miyu born in Japan.
00:13:35Here we have Sofia Holichenko warming up her side-by-side triple saukau.
00:13:42That's the jump that they will do.
00:13:43And here her partner, Artem Durenski.
00:13:46Not sure if that was meant to be a triple or just a planned single to get into the ice.
00:13:54And you told me a story that you learned, Ted, that this team's coach was not able to be here.
00:13:59Yeah, was not able to be here at an incident in their hometown in Ukraine, and a serious incident.
00:14:06But everyone is—well, the building has—their arena has been destroyed, so she will make it for Skate America, but unable
00:14:14to make it here to support her team in Canada.
00:14:17It really brings perspective, doesn't it?
00:14:19It does. Yeah, it does.
00:14:22Here, Italian team, Irma Caldara and Riccardo Maglio.
00:14:26This team kind of thrown into the big leagues.
00:14:31They went to Worlds last season.
00:14:32They were the lone Italian entry when the two teams above them elected not to go and have since split.
00:14:38They are the only Italian pair team that we've seen so far this season and that we will see as
00:14:43far as we know.
00:14:45And they're just excited to be here.
00:14:46I talked to Irma a little bit.
00:14:48They had a wonderful experience at Worlds, looking forward to more big crowds.
00:14:52Yeah, it's going to take a while to rebuild that pair program in Italy, but I'm sure they're working on
00:14:57it.
00:14:57Italy has done such a great job at the team event.
00:15:00And, you know, they've got good dancers, great dancers.
00:15:02They've got, you know, good women and good men as well.
00:15:05And, of course, the pair is now a little bit depleted, but they'll be working on that.
00:15:08That's right.
00:15:09The Italian team highlighted with a bronze medal at the Olympics.
00:15:12And this team, though, representing Czechia, they do actually train in Italy with coach Andre Hotarek.
00:15:19Here, Anna Veleci.
00:15:23They were 15th at Worlds last season.
00:15:26Haven't had a wonderful start to their season this year.
00:15:29Their coach told me that they had been training a lot better than the results they've been seeing,
00:15:34which led to them making some changes, and they hope to reap the rewards of those changes here.
00:15:40So talk a little bit about the practice or the warm-up sessions for these teams,
00:15:44how much they do together and how much they do separate.
00:15:46You know what?
00:15:47It's a great question, and everybody's so different.
00:15:49It really depends on the teams and their discussions with their coaching teams
00:15:54to decide what is the best attack of the warm-up to give them the best possible chance at a
00:16:00great short program.
00:16:01We often see skaters, as we see here, warming up their jumps separately
00:16:05so that they can do their own exercises, feel their own progressions,
00:16:09make sure that they have taken their time the way they want to take it to get these jumps warmed
00:16:14up.
00:16:14But then, of course, with these pair elements, the lifts, the throws, the twists, the death spirals,
00:16:18the skaters will, of course, come together.
00:16:21But everybody does it a little bit differently,
00:16:24and just in the same way that everyone warms up elements a little bit differently,
00:16:27those who are comfortable with the jumping elements will likely start with the jumps.
00:16:32Those who need a little bit more time to really get into their ankles and their knees and feel the
00:16:36ice
00:16:37might do something more comfortable for them first, like a lift or a twist or what have you.
00:16:41We want to welcome not only the listeners around the world or around Canada, of course, on the live stream,
00:16:47but all those wearing the Skatebug radio here in the audience.
00:16:51Thank you for joining us.
00:16:52You're listening to Ted Barton and mostly to Christian Moore Towers.
00:16:56Thank gosh.
00:16:57Try not to hog the mic.
00:16:58Exactly.
00:16:59And let's talk a little bit about the first element.
00:17:01Of course, I've asked you this before, but the first element, generally speaking, is always the twist.
00:17:05It's not prescribed.
00:17:06They don't have to do it.
00:17:07They can do the twist wherever they want.
00:17:08Why do most of the pair of teams, or almost all of them, do the twist first?
00:17:12Yeah, it's a great question.
00:17:13It is something you'll see, and mostly it's due to how expensive the twist is.
00:17:19A great triple twist can get you into the eight-point margin,
00:17:22and it also takes a great deal of mental and physical energy and strength and timing.
00:17:28So teams often do these elements first so that they have fresh legs, their mind is fresh,
00:17:33they're together from the start.
00:17:36Sometimes if you're in a program and things start to go wrong, you make mistakes,
00:17:40it can be difficult not to let that snowball.
00:17:43And so starting with the twist typically will get a difficult element accomplished
00:17:47and hopefully a maximum amount of points received.
00:17:50And the next element after that, generally speaking, are the side-by-side jumps.
00:17:54That's right.
00:17:54For most?
00:17:57Um, that's a good question.
00:17:59I actually preferred to throw before side-by-side.
00:18:02I think just to get another element that is a little bit more risky out of the way.
00:18:07The mistakes that you'll see in this short program will come mostly from the jumps
00:18:11and occasionally from the throws.
00:18:14Typically, knock on wood for all these skaters, the lifts, the twists, the dust barrels,
00:18:18typically there aren't as many issues on those elements.
00:18:23Okay, well, we'll take a look at that.
00:18:24We talked on our broadcast this morning in the practice session about the features on the twist,
00:18:30the split, of course, the steps coming into it, the hands of the man.
00:18:34They happen so fast, it's very difficult to see the hands going down to the side
00:18:37or at least below the shoulder.
00:18:39And, of course, the catch, which has to be in the hips,
00:18:41and the women cannot be touching the man on the way on the dismount down of that twist
00:18:45as we get started here in the short program.
00:18:50Our first team will represent Canada.
00:18:52New York, E.U. and Tristan Taylor.
00:18:57They're developing partnership.
00:19:01They challenge victory, show their early promise,
00:19:04and they're still building consistency at the senior international level.
00:19:12As they take just a moment to get prepared,
00:19:17take their starting position,
00:19:20and they'll skate the short program into bad romance.
00:19:22Can I help your talents?
00:22:22What a great start to this pair short program event at Skate Canada International, Ted.
00:22:28Grand Prix debut for Miyu Yunoki and Tristan Taylor.
00:22:32When you see the smiles on their face and sort of a sense of relief and pride at the same
00:22:36time, you know that no matter what the score is, this team is going to lead the ice and
00:22:40okay, that was solid.
00:22:42That was good.
00:22:43Absolutely.
00:22:44And, you know, they've said in interviews that they really have no expectations for this
00:22:47competition.
00:22:47They're just trying to continue to improve.
00:22:49And I have to say, we spoke off air, Ted, that Miyu has competitive spirit because we didn't
00:22:55see her land that triple toe in the run through on music today or yesterday.
00:22:59So really great for her to be able to get that done when it counts tonight.
00:23:05You know, there's a skill to be learned, but you can only learn it in competition.
00:23:08And that is to adapt and adjust and to be fiercely competitive.
00:23:14No matter what has happened earlier in the day, as we take a look at the twist, go ahead.
00:23:17Yeah, here we go.
00:23:18Triple twist.
00:23:19They had a goal to include this element this season.
00:23:21It's their first season with it, though they've been training it at home for the past year
00:23:25and a half.
00:23:26So wonderful for them to get it in.
00:23:27And here, that triple toe I was talking about.
00:23:31Nice and close together.
00:23:33Tristan, a really solid jumper.
00:23:35This, I was a little bit surprised, Ted.
00:23:37This is their throw.
00:23:38They're electing to do the throw triple sao.
00:23:40Sao Cao, which earns less than some of the other throws we'll see this evening.
00:23:46Here, their group three lift, as I mentioned.
00:23:48Tristan's hand on Miu's hip.
00:23:50She does a change of position.
00:23:51He does two revolutions on one arm and a difficult dismount.
00:23:56That's in at a level four.
00:24:00This, their forward inside desk viral, complete with performance.
00:24:05Yeah.
00:24:06Also in at a level four.
00:24:08The rules have changed this season, so it is a little bit easier to get the levels on
00:24:13the desk viral.
00:24:13It's great to see that they're capitalizing on that.
00:24:16Their triple toes was on the quarter.
00:24:18Hers was on the quarter.
00:24:19So that's the one little thing that reduced that score by a bit.
00:24:25And so that will just mean that they earn less quality points for that because the technical
00:24:30panel deemed it not completely rotated.
00:24:34Short program score for Miu and Tristan, 55.78.
00:24:41They are the first team out in this event.
00:24:46They like maybe a bigger number, but I think they're pretty pleased with that performance
00:24:49coming off the ice.
00:24:50For sure.
00:24:51You can control the score.
00:24:52All you can do is try to make yourself better day in and day out.
00:24:54Scores will come.
00:24:55Our next team, representing Ukraine, 21-year-old Sofia Holodchenko, 25-year-old Artem Dorensky.
00:25:02They teamed up in 2020 after COVID made immediate impact on the junior circuit, winning the world
00:25:08junior silver medalist in 2025.
00:25:12The season's best in the short program is a 54.32.
00:25:18And they will skate to a sky full of scars, stars full of Coldplay.
00:25:40Because you're a sky, because you're a sky full of scars, I'm going to give you my heart.
00:25:55Because you're a sky full of scars, because you're a sky full of scars, I'm going to give you my
00:26:06heart.
00:26:11I don't care if you want to tear me apart.
00:26:18And I don't care if you do
00:26:22You see the sky, you see the sky full of stars
00:26:31I think I see you
00:27:13I think I see you
00:27:27You see the sky full of stars
00:27:33It's your heavenly view
00:27:40It's your heavenly view
00:27:43It's your heavenly view
00:28:12It's your heavenly view
00:28:23Well, I always love to watch Sophia and Artem skate Ted because they always do high flying
00:28:29elements.
00:28:30That throw was crazy off axis and she's able to hang on to it.
00:28:35And we really just commend these athletes for showing up and skating for their country.
00:28:41And this team has been a fixture on the scene for a number of years.
00:28:45They were junior before and continue to work on their and hone their craft.
00:28:50And we always love to see them at the events and get into their elements in just a second.
00:28:59New short program for them this season.
00:29:03I love Ted Barton.
00:29:07Here, looking at the twist, in at a level three.
00:29:11Looks like he gets the arms down below his shoulders.
00:29:14Clean cat.
00:29:15She's not touching him anywhere but his hands on her hips.
00:29:18As they come down, they probably got either split or steps going in.
00:29:23These were really nicely timed, Ted.
00:29:25They took off at the same time, landed at the same time.
00:29:28All things that the judging panel is looking for to award them positive grades of execution.
00:29:33The forward inside death spiral in at a level three.
00:29:42Here's that throw I was talking about.
00:29:44She takes off a little early.
00:29:45It's outside the circle.
00:29:46She's able to hold on to it.
00:29:49Now this, I'm not sure about this pattern, Ted.
00:29:51It's a wonderful lift, but they're doing it along the short axis of the ice, which is
00:29:56different than what we'll see from pretty much all other teams.
00:29:59And to award the grade of execution, the judges are looking for good speed, flow and ice coverage.
00:30:05And I'm not sure if they'll be able to see that.
00:30:08With the lift buried into the wall like that, it certainly is different.
00:30:11I appreciate when a team comes and they want to be different than everyone else.
00:30:15I'm just not sure about it as a strategy choice for me, personally.
00:30:21They are in with positive grade of execution on it, but I wonder if they could have had
00:30:25more if they came flying down the whole ice surface.
00:30:27That's a good point.
00:30:27You don't often see a lift go around in a circle because it doesn't show the ice coverage,
00:30:33as you mentioned, and also maybe slows it down a little bit.
00:30:36Definitely.
00:30:36And we'll see teams doing their ice along the short axis, but they will have started on
00:30:41the diagonal.
00:30:42And so then the judging panel can really see how much ice this lift is covering.
00:30:48Like I said, I appreciate someone trying something different.
00:30:51We so often see teams doing things the same to earn levels, but I'm not sure.
00:30:58Well, let's take a look at the short program scores for Sofia and Artem.
00:31:03It's a 58.34 early on in the competition that will put them into first place.
00:31:09And take a look at the component score, 25.68.
00:31:13This is the score that we'll see the most change in as we move forward through the event
00:31:18and we see these stronger teams continue.
00:31:22Our next team represents Italy, 26-year-old Irma Caldera and 27-year-old Riccardo Maglio.
00:31:29Five years into their partnership, they have been twice onto the Italian national podium
00:31:34and last season they placed 20th at the world championships.
00:31:37Their season's best in the short program, 55.22.
00:31:41They take their starting position here in Kelowna.
00:31:44They will skate to the lady as a tramp.
00:32:03She gets too hungry for dinner at eight.
00:32:08She loves the theater, but she never comes late.
00:32:13I never bother with people that I hate, that's why the lady is a tramp.
00:32:24She doesn't like crop games, sweet barons and earls.
00:32:30Won't go to Harlem in amens and pearls, and I definitely won't be shattered, but some of the
00:32:39the girls, that's why, that's why, that's why, that's why the lady is a tramp.
00:32:44I love the free, fresh wind in my hair.
00:32:51Life without care.
00:32:53Oh, but I'm so broke.
00:32:55That's so.
00:32:56I hate California, it's crowded and damn.
00:33:01And that's why the lady is a tramp.
00:33:06Ba, ba, baciami vicina sulla bo, bo, bo, bo, bo, bo, bo, bo, bo.
00:33:11Bocca piccolina, dammi data, tanti baci in quantità.
00:33:14No, this is my baby
00:33:17You know to say bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad
00:33:26Because she likes the green
00:33:44That's why the lady is a tramp
00:34:31That's why the lady is a tramp
00:34:37That's why the lady is a ba-do-ba-do ba-do-ba-do-ba-do-bo-boop
00:34:49Arama Caldera and Ricardo Maglio finished their short program at Skate Canada International.
00:34:54Some nice things in there.
00:34:55They certainly had personality.
00:34:58This team did a little summer tour in Italy this summer.
00:35:01And I find often when teams have the ability to participate in shows and really have a less stress situation
00:35:09to work on their performance, it really can benefit the skater.
00:35:13And I see that with this team.
00:35:14This was an upbeat, fun piece.
00:35:17And I saw them both performing throughout.
00:35:19And they're performing in a show.
00:35:20They're learning having fun, you know, and learning how to perform.
00:35:24And I wanted to ask you, what type of performance did you prefer?
00:35:26Music, more lyrical or more character-based or more energy like this?
00:35:30I think more lyrical.
00:35:32I'm partial to skating it myself.
00:35:37But certainly both have their place in the event.
00:35:39And it helps the event to not be monotonous when we get to see both.
00:35:42Here, taking a look at their side-by-side double axles.
00:35:45A little bit off time there.
00:35:48Coming in with a negative grade of execution.
00:35:50Going right up into their triple twist.
00:35:52Tons of height here.
00:35:53You see Ricardo's arms clearly down by his side.
00:35:56Great split.
00:35:57That was in at a level three.
00:35:58This, the team had some trouble with this morning in practice.
00:36:02So not a huge surprise.
00:36:03The left side just gets a little bit too far ahead of her to be able to check out.
00:36:08Here, their group three lift.
00:36:10Hand to hip.
00:36:10We have a change of position for Irma.
00:36:13Ricardo's arm is off.
00:36:14There's one rotation.
00:36:15And two.
00:36:17And then the difficult dismount.
00:36:19It's in at a level three.
00:36:21So they were short on one of their features.
00:36:25This, though, the forward inside death spiral.
00:36:30In at a level four.
00:36:31Achieving all of the features possible in that element.
00:36:35And this year, Ted, you're able to do a difficult entry and exit on the death spiral.
00:36:39So you only have to do two revolutions around to get the level four.
00:36:43If you elect to do both the entry and exit.
00:36:45It is certainly much easier.
00:36:46Which one do you think is easier?
00:36:47Oh, it is easier that way.
00:36:48It is much easier.
00:36:49However, it does take less time.
00:36:51You're not watching a pair of teams sit in a pivot for three revolutions.
00:36:55But for the teams who could do that, it's very difficult.
00:36:58For the teams who could do it, it's disappointing for them to lose that feature that not a lot of
00:37:04people can do.
00:37:04Do you know what I mean?
00:37:05Why did they change it?
00:37:06I don't know why they changed it.
00:37:07Why did they change anything?
00:37:09You go talk to them.
00:37:10I will.
00:37:10You're upset.
00:37:11I know.
00:37:13Let's take a look at the short program scores for Irma.
00:37:21And it's a season's best, 58.10.
00:37:23They're happy about that.
00:37:25Every time you see your season's best or your personal best score go up, that's progress.
00:37:29That'll put them, for the moment, at least in the second place.
00:37:45Well, our next team represents Czechia, 24-year-old Anna Valisi, 27-year-old Martin Bedard.
00:37:52The season's personal best in the short program, the 59.30.
00:38:00Martin having a lot of pair experience.
00:38:07And this piece of music has been used a number of times this year so far already.
00:38:11It's powerful and brings lots of energy.
00:38:18They'll skate to Dance Macabre by Saison.
00:38:20And this piece of music is the first part of the year.
00:41:22Some good things, Ted, and some difficulties today for Ana and Martin.
00:41:26They have had a little bit of a revamp in this short program.
00:41:31They've done two competitions so far this season and haven't been happy with the results with the short program in
00:41:36particular.
00:41:37So, Coach Andrej Hotarek and one of their choreographers, Luca Lenote, rebuilt the program in a way that they felt
00:41:44would pay off.
00:41:46And I think certainly it allowed them some more breathing room in areas, but certainly not what they wanted today
00:41:53with the throw and the jumping elements.
00:41:59They've changed the side-by-side jump from a triple saucow to a double axel, so already taking a reduction
00:42:05in points there, but haven't been successful with the triple saucow so far this season.
00:42:09So, doing a double axel was a great strategy move by their coaching team because they are able to get
00:42:14some points for the element, having it be clean and on their feet, though it does have a minus today.
00:42:20Not this, though.
00:42:20Oh, this was huge.
00:42:21In at a level two, missing the split.
00:42:25Arms are down, though.
00:42:26Looked to be a clean catch to me, but it's hard with that angle.
00:42:30Here's the double axel I was talking about.
00:42:32You see with Ana, it's a very tight circle.
00:42:34It comes down a little bit scratchy.
00:42:36Judges are looking for the ease to give them positive grade of execution.
00:42:41I didn't love this takeoff on the throw, Lutz, Ted.
00:42:44I thought it really ripped around the circle.
00:42:47Now, I've just talked about how we can do two revs in a low pivot.
00:42:51It looks like we're not going to see it, but this team elected to do only the entry feature and
00:42:56three revs in a desk barrel.
00:42:58I'll have to ask their coaching team why they're doing that, because it is more difficult and more time-consuming,
00:43:03but it's benefited them today.
00:43:05They are in at a level four.
00:43:09This as well, their level four lift.
00:43:11Really beautiful positions in the air from Ana.
00:43:14Nice turns from Martin.
00:43:17Martin's so experienced in pair skating.
00:43:19He is the world junior champion from 2016 with a different partner, and Ana's just a little bit less experienced
00:43:27and has had less time in the discipline,
00:43:29and I think we see that sometimes in their skating with them, showing just a little bit of a lack
00:43:35of confidence.
00:43:36Well, it's just mileage and experience, and this whole team will tighten up as they move forward throughout this year.
00:43:43Season's best at 60.44, so Ana looks pretty happy with that score.
00:43:48That'll put them currently into first place.
00:43:55And that's a season's best by six points from the last competition, or an improvement from the last competition of
00:44:01six points,
00:44:02so I'm sure they're relieved that the changes that they've made have paid off.
00:44:08And there is a look at the statics after the first four teams as we get introduced to the final
00:44:14group in the Parashar program.
00:44:20And there is a team representing Switzerland.
00:44:30And there is Okseta Voyemuth and Tom Bulbart.
00:44:42Last year's world junior champions from Canada, Ava Kemp and Yonatan Eliezeroff.
00:44:58The world bronze medalists, Leah Pereira and Trent Michaud.
00:45:13It's getting lost, representing the United States of America, Alisa Efimova and Misha Metrovanov.
00:45:32We have a really great mix in this group, Ted.
00:45:35You see starting numbers five and six, Oksana and Tom, as well as Ava and Yonatan,
00:45:40a little bit more green, if you can say, a little bit fresher, not fresher, that's a terrible way to
00:45:47put it, a little bit less experienced.
00:45:49And then we have Leah Pereira, Trent Michaud, as well as Elisa Efimova and Misha Mitrovanov,
00:45:55Misha Mitrovanov, who are more experienced and more comfortable.
00:45:59And these four teams will have varying goals and expectations for this event as a result.
00:46:06I want to ask you, for Leah and for Trent, does the success of last year internally for them add
00:46:13any more?
00:46:13I know the pressure is not the wrong word, expectation or, you know, does it change for them?
00:46:19Because they were always chasing the podium.
00:46:21They've earned the podium.
00:46:22Where to from here?
00:46:24Absolutely.
00:46:25I think, you know, this team is never satisfied.
00:46:28They were, I shouldn't say never satisfied.
00:46:30I think they're grateful and happy for their success.
00:46:32But I think also they're always striving for more.
00:46:35And they believe that they can do it.
00:46:37And they're right.
00:46:38They had a wonderful finish to their season, capping it off with a bronze medal at a world championship.
00:46:44And I see that confidence in them through the start of this season already.
00:46:49They looked like the class of the field at the Nebelhorn Trophy in September.
00:46:54And they've looked wonderful here in practice.
00:46:58Looking here, though, at Yonathan Elisarov, his partner Ava Kemp, we saw just a second ago.
00:47:05As you mentioned, Ted, world junior champions last season.
00:47:08So, a really exciting finish to their junior career.
00:47:12And they will be looking here to make a splash in senior.
00:47:17And what a great short program that Leah and Trent have.
00:47:20Oh, it's so much fun.
00:47:22I love it.
00:47:22They really have a great working relationship with the coaches at the Ice Academy of Montreal.
00:47:28Madison, Hubble, and Adrian Diaz choreographing their programs this year.
00:47:31And it just works.
00:47:32They're able to find different pieces of music and different styles of movement.
00:47:37And they just knock it out of the park every time for me.
00:47:41And they've had just a little dusting of ice dance choreography and energy added into this parachute program.
00:47:48You're right.
00:47:48And pair elements are high-flying.
00:47:50They're challenging.
00:47:51And the best teams in the world will not only do them well, but they'll also skate with great skating
00:47:57skill and quality.
00:47:58And they'll have difficult transitions throughout the programs.
00:48:01And all these things that you would expect from a great ice dance team, these high-level pair teams will
00:48:08try to do as well.
00:48:12Here, looking at Elisa Fimova, born in Finland, representing the United States of America with her partner, Misha Mitrofanov.
00:48:19They were six that world's last season and the season before were one of the two teams that helped the
00:48:27U.S. earn the potential for three spots at Olympics.
00:48:31They had an amazing world championships in Boston in 2025.
00:48:35And they're a great team.
00:48:37Something to look out for for them is the side-by-side jumping elements.
00:48:41We haven't seen them yet this season.
00:48:43Misha's been injured.
00:48:44So I'm interested and looking forward to see their competition here.
00:48:48And Elisa still does not have the U.S. citizenship.
00:48:52So they're still working on that, hopefully, for the Olympic Games in the French Alps in 2030.
00:48:58That's right.
00:48:59Yeah, they tried hard for it.
00:49:00They did do enough for the U.S. selection criteria to be named to the Olympic team.
00:49:06But without citizenship for Elisa, they were not able to go.
00:49:12Here?
00:49:13Sorry, Ted.
00:49:14No, I was just going to ask, from a coaching perspective, and you coach Paris as well, what is said
00:49:19or not said?
00:49:20And how do you, what do you focus on as a coach when you're watching your team warm up?
00:49:25Well, I have never coached at this level.
00:49:29But I think everybody's different for me as an athlete.
00:49:32I needed positivity from the coaches.
00:49:36Even just some eye contact to be assured that the element was good.
00:49:42Things that would make me feel comfortable and confident.
00:49:45But some people need a little bit more technical advice.
00:49:48I think it really depends on the skater and on the coaching style at home.
00:49:52We don't see, often in seniors, the teams actually go to the coach and, you know, looking for information.
00:49:57Because they're pretty seasoned, as you mentioned.
00:49:59And juniors, of course, much more.
00:50:01Yeah, that's right.
00:50:01All of these skaters have been here before, whether it's in senior or not.
00:50:06They're looking at a beautiful throw triplet from Leah Pereira and Trent Michaud.
00:50:11This is the first season that they are putting the throw triplet in the short program, as opposed to the
00:50:17loop that they put in seasons past.
00:50:19So that will earn them an extra 0.5 points to their total base value, which doesn't seem like much.
00:50:24But when they're competing with the best in the world and everything is so tight, it really does make a
00:50:29difference.
00:50:30Leah looks so much more confident and comfortable.
00:50:33I mean, she's a real para skater now.
00:50:35She was a great single skater.
00:50:37And it took a couple years just to get comfortable with this.
00:50:39And she looks set.
00:50:41I think she's a star.
00:50:43Yeah, she is.
00:50:43She has performance quality.
00:50:47She seems so comfortable and confident throughout the program and is able to really use her face and extend through
00:50:55her fingertips, take up space on the ice.
00:50:58You said use her face, because not many do that.
00:51:01I mean, in ice dance, they do it a lot, right?
00:51:04But in para skating, you've got those big, difficult, and sometimes risky elements.
00:51:08And to have that character come out in your facial expression and your body language, if you will, is difficult
00:51:14to do.
00:51:15Yeah, and you know, it doesn't come naturally for everybody.
00:51:17Some people have a harder time.
00:51:19I'll use Eva and Yonathan as an example.
00:51:22They are wonderful technicians.
00:51:25They do great throws and jumps and twists, but haven't always put as much emphasis in the performance side.
00:51:33And they'll need to do that to continue climbing the ranks in the world of para skating.
00:51:38We have seen improvement in that area, and they're working very hard at it.
00:51:41But it's something that doesn't happen overnight.
00:51:43It takes time and maturity and growth.
00:51:45You're right.
00:51:46Here we go.
00:51:46The final group in the Parashore program here in Kelowna.
00:52:03Our first team represent Switzerland.
00:52:0722-year-old Oksana Voyemus and 24-year-old Tom Bovard.
00:52:10A world top 10 team so far this season, their season's best short program score is 52.74, way short
00:52:18of their overall personal best at 65.85.
00:52:22And they will skate here in Kelowna to Thriller by Michael Jackson.
00:52:432-year-old Tom Boird.
00:52:502-year-old Tom Bo freed.
00:53:023-year-old Tom Boird.
00:53:07In the dark
00:53:10Under the moon
00:53:13You see a sight that almost stops you
00:53:16You start to freeze
00:53:21And so it looks you right between your eyes
00:53:24You're very nice
00:53:28Cause this is death
00:53:31Death of life
00:53:33And no one's gonna save you
00:53:35I'm a beast of abstract
00:53:36You know it's dead
00:53:38Death of life
00:53:39Death of life
00:53:41You're fighting for your life
00:53:42And set up again
00:53:44When I look at mine
00:53:55The fowl is stench in the air
00:53:58The funk of 40,000 years
00:54:01And grizzly goes from every tomb
00:54:04You are closing to seal your door
00:54:08And though you fight to stay alive
00:54:12The evil of the thriller
00:54:25The ghost
00:54:27A solo
00:54:27The ghost
00:54:27The ghost
00:54:36The ghost
00:54:43You are closing in the air
00:55:16So let me hold it tight and share a get up, get up.
00:55:36Always exciting.
00:55:37Oksana Boullamos and Tom Bouvard.
00:55:39This team is the best ever Swiss junior pair team
00:55:43with their fourth place finish in 2025.
00:55:46And they've done some really great things, Ted.
00:55:49They were 10th at Worlds last season,
00:55:51which is an amazing result for this young team.
00:55:54Tonight, a little bit discombobulated for me.
00:55:57They got a little bit off in places.
00:55:59And then as a result,
00:56:01the choreography just wasn't quite as captivating or effective
00:56:05as they saw them when they skated it clean
00:56:07in practice this morning.
00:56:11And definitely not a disaster by any means.
00:56:15They checked off elements off the list for sure.
00:56:18But when the judges are looking for program components,
00:56:22they won't be able to award them the highest ones.
00:56:24Here, their twist, a little crazy.
00:56:26It's so big.
00:56:27It has so much height.
00:56:28Only in at a level two, though,
00:56:30and minus GOE for that exit that you saw.
00:56:35This, their side-by-side triple toes,
00:56:36those were wonderful.
00:56:38Earning extra points for quality here.
00:56:42Not here, though, the throw triple loop.
00:56:44You see Oksana's upper body,
00:56:45a little crazy, has to step out.
00:56:50This, their group three lift.
00:56:53You see her change positions.
00:56:56She grabs her foot for her difficult variation.
00:57:01It's in at a level four.
00:57:04And their forward-inside death spiral,
00:57:06named forward-inside because the woman is gliding
00:57:08on a forward-inside edge.
00:57:12The program is fun, Ted,
00:57:13but I saw definitely disparity in the skating skill.
00:57:18They didn't quite have the unison,
00:57:20the balance and glide, the flow.
00:57:23And these are all things that will come
00:57:25as they pay attention to it and continue working.
00:57:27They're such a wonderful team.
00:57:29And so young.
00:57:30They just, it's exciting to have somewhere to go
00:57:33and something to train for.
00:57:34And I think that's an area I'd love to see the posture
00:57:37with the shoulders pull back just a little bit more
00:57:40as they're continuing to work and grow and improve.
00:57:43Well, let's take a look at their short program scores.
00:57:48Well, they have a new season's best of 61.46.
00:57:52They're happy with that.
00:57:53That'll put them currently into first place.
00:57:58And always seeing your own score improve.
00:58:01That is an achievement that's good.
00:58:04They'll look back at the report card
00:58:06and see where they lost some points.
00:58:09And they've landed themselves in the last group for tomorrow.
00:58:11Yeah, absolutely.
00:58:13Our next team represent Canada.
00:58:1518-year-old Ava Kemp and 22-year-old Jonathan Eliza Roth.
00:58:20Last year's junior world champions.
00:58:22Now in seniors, testing their skill level
00:58:24against some of the best in the world.
00:58:26Season's best short program scores 64.21.
00:58:32As they take center stage here in Kelowna.
00:58:38And they'll skate the short program
00:58:39to Not About Angels by Birdie.
00:58:48We know for a while there's just time
00:58:57So is it real to toss this light?
00:59:06If your heart was full of love
00:59:12Would you beat it up?
00:59:23Cause what about, what about let you go?
00:59:29Oh, boy
00:59:32Let me come, let me go, make us
00:59:37Selection, oh
00:59:44Forgive me, I am
00:59:54Forgive me, I am
01:00:29For more information, visit www.fema.org
01:00:39Oh, my God.
01:01:09Oh, my God.
01:01:39Oh, my God.
01:01:40Oh, my God.
01:01:48Well, not of approval there by coaches, Lee Barkell.
01:01:52And the skaters.
01:01:52And Kevin Dye and the skaters.
01:01:55What a Grand Prix debut for them.
01:01:57Canadian flags aloft in the crowd.
01:02:00It's a good feeling.
01:02:03This team is growing so much in their confidence of performance.
01:02:07We know they can do the technical elements.
01:02:08Sometimes they're going to make mistakes.
01:02:10But how would they improve and how they transition from junior to senior?
01:02:13They've done a really nice job.
01:02:14I agree.
01:02:15Yeah, they worked with Jeffrey Buttle on this program.
01:02:18And he said he gets to see them around once a week and that they're so committed to improving the
01:02:23performance and the skating.
01:02:25And they're really well on their way.
01:02:28I think this program's special.
01:02:29I love the composition that they've had done through the step sequence.
01:02:33The choreography really highlights the music and vice versa.
01:02:37Taking a look at their elements.
01:02:39Here, the triple twist.
01:02:42Next, likely missing the split feature.
01:02:44It's in at a level three, but a great positive for the grade of execution, earning them extra points.
01:02:49Ava is such a competitor.
01:02:51Missed this this morning.
01:02:52The side-by-side triple saukau.
01:02:54Not tonight.
01:02:57Here, their group three lift.
01:02:58It's a level four.
01:03:00It's nicely done.
01:03:01I still think that the positions can be stretched out.
01:03:04That's being so picky as they continue to.
01:03:07No, but you need that if you're moving on to the senior.
01:03:10They're forward inside Death Spiral.
01:03:12In at a level four.
01:03:15Beautiful position from Ava.
01:03:17Great low position and pivot from Yanni.
01:03:20That is required to earn extra grades of extra levels.
01:03:25Here, a little bit of difficulty.
01:03:27Just tight.
01:03:28Grips the toe pick.
01:03:29Has a really tight circle.
01:03:31That's lost them just under a point and a half.
01:03:34So really not major at all.
01:03:36The pair spin also in at a level four.
01:03:38Everything to add every element in with a positive rate of execution except for that throw.
01:03:44What a huge success.
01:03:45Yeah, it is.
01:03:46And, you know, they have an elegance to them now that, you know, wasn't years ago.
01:03:51And we're starting to see that evolve under the work of their choreographers and their coaches.
01:03:57As they anxiously wait for their score and their senior Grand Prix debut.
01:04:02And they're going to be able to do.
01:04:09Yeah.
01:04:10Yannickson is getting the crowd going.
01:04:12Ava.
01:04:18And here it is.
01:04:19It's the season's best.
01:04:2064.94.
01:04:22Ava Kemp.
01:04:23Yannickson Leizorov take the lead here at Skate Canada International in the Parashore program with two teams to come.
01:04:32And a great program component score for them.
01:04:37And there's a look at your top five teams so far in this event.
01:04:42And that has to be not a relief.
01:04:45Prize.
01:04:47Our next team also represent Canada.
01:04:4922-year-old Leah Pereira and 30-year-old Trent Nichol.
01:04:55The choreography in this short program done by Madison Hubbell, Adrian Diaz.
01:05:00Ice dancers, their season's best in the short program, 74.70.
01:05:06Get ready to be entertained.
01:05:10Get ready to be entertained.
01:05:25Get ready to be entertained.
01:05:32Get ready to be entertained.
01:05:33Good night, people.
01:05:35And here's the best.
01:05:40The best.
01:05:43I can present my baiyanat.
01:05:47I can dance with her.
01:06:01Oh
01:06:24My
01:06:43Traz a leia pro vulcão
01:06:45Vem fazer a maçã
01:06:54.
01:14:14Baby, let's dance tonight, yeah.
01:14:37Well, the first competition of the season for this team,
01:14:41Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov,
01:14:45struggled with injuries over the summer.
01:14:47We haven't seen them yet.
01:14:49This is the first time.
01:14:51Some nice things in that program, Ted.
01:14:54A new style for this team,
01:14:55and they were so excited to show this happy and fun side to them.
01:15:01I'm not sure it's where they want it to be just yet.
01:15:04Oh, for sure.
01:15:05I mean, they were late into the season.
01:15:07This is their first time out,
01:15:08so maybe, not maybe, it isn't where they want it to be for sure,
01:15:12and they have time for that to develop throughout the season.
01:15:15Absolutely.
01:15:16They checked the elements off.
01:15:17They got a number of the elements done cleanly.
01:15:22We're going to take a look at this lift, Ted.
01:15:25As I mentioned earlier,
01:15:27the prescribed lift in the short program is a group three that's hand-to-hip.
01:15:31I'm not sure if they did that.
01:15:33Here, though, their triple twist in at a level four,
01:15:35probably the best element in this program.
01:15:38They did get it now. Let's see.
01:15:40Here, the side-by-side jumps,
01:15:41just not the same confidence that we see from Leah and Trent.
01:15:44You see it's very far apart, off time.
01:15:47The technical panel or the judges have to give a negative grade of execution for that.
01:15:54Not this, though, the throw triple loop.
01:15:56She's loose in the air, honestly.
01:15:58It's so big.
01:15:59They want to work on the quad, but have had a number of injuries.
01:16:02Let's look at this.
01:16:05So, Misha's right hand, they're saying is on her hip.
01:16:11Yeah, I don't know.
01:16:14That is the requirement.
01:16:16It's hand-to-hip or hand-to-upper leg, I believe, is the wording.
01:16:22In our system, it does say it's in at a level four.
01:16:25I'd love to get a closer look, personally.
01:16:27This was a beautiful forward inside Despyro, level four,
01:16:31and their pair combination spin.
01:16:33Great finish.
01:16:34I really appreciate when teams go outside of their comfort zone,
01:16:38especially in the first year of a new quad.
01:16:42Still a little bit of a ways to go for this one.
01:16:45For me.
01:16:45For sure.
01:16:46Wonderful team.
01:16:47I'm sure they'll get there.
01:16:48I think they would say the same thing.
01:16:49Yeah.
01:16:49First time out.
01:16:50Let's take a look at the scores.
01:16:53For Alissa and Misha.
01:16:5570.32, and that will put them into second place.
01:17:04They look pretty happy with that, I think,
01:17:06because it's been, you know, a late start to the season
01:17:08and they've recovered from some injury
01:17:10and they have a new, you know, approach to that short program.
01:17:14It's not where they want it to be.
01:17:15You've said that, obviously, and we take a look at the standings
01:17:19after the short program.
01:17:20Your thoughts?
01:17:22An exciting event, I think.
01:17:24For me, Pereira and Michaud really set themselves apart in that field.
01:17:29A nice skate from Ava and Yonatan.
01:17:33And you know what?
01:17:33Miu and Yunoki, I'm talking only about Canadians right now,
01:17:36started the event really well.
01:17:39It was a great pair event.
01:17:40And as we mentioned at the top of the show, it's only the second Grand Prix in the series.
01:17:44The second of six were only in October.
01:17:48These teams will continue to grow and progress and work on these programs throughout the season
01:17:53to take them to their final product in March.
01:17:55It's not supposed to be perfect right now.
01:17:57And most of these teams will have a second Grand Prix event a little bit later on in the series.
01:18:04That's right.
01:18:05Who was your favorite?
01:18:07Oh, you know, Leah and Trent.
01:18:09I mean, because their improvement, I mean, their energy, that was a full package, if you will, technically
01:18:15and through the energy and the connection with the music as we take a look at the top three so
01:18:20far in this event.
01:18:22Ava and Yonatan, third place.
01:18:26Beautiful technical elements.
01:18:27We see huge height on that triple twist, but also working on the delicate nature that they move across the
01:18:35ice
01:18:36and that they perform with their face and they're using their upper body and their back to really create beautiful
01:18:42photos.
01:18:42I love this short program to All About Angels.
01:18:48Beautiful vehicle for them.
01:18:50Good, he says.
01:18:51And in second place, Elisa Efimova, Misha Mitrofanov, team that finished the event for us in a new style, skating
01:18:59to last dance.
01:19:02Beautiful triple twist to open the program.
01:19:04This team, we hear from their training mates, their coaches, they work so hard, always dedicated to honing their craft
01:19:12and to continuing to improve.
01:19:15We know they had a late start to the season with some injuries to Misha's knee, his neck, his left
01:19:21skate broke, so continuing to move up in the ranks, I'm sure.
01:19:26But by far the skate of the night from Canada, Leah Pereira and Trent Michaud really solidifying themselves as the
01:19:33class of the field.
01:19:34Confidence here, triple twist, no problem.
01:19:40I love this group three lift.
01:19:42They could do a far more simple entry to this lift.
01:19:46They choose to do something difficult, continually raising the bar for themselves.
01:19:52And this throw triple lutz, so confident over top of her foot.
01:19:58I love this program for them.
01:20:00I think they will be able to continue to build on it through the season.
01:20:04They'll make the performance even bigger.
01:20:06It's hard for us to see that being possible tonight with how wonderful it was.
01:20:10But I believe that in March, we'll see a really special product.
01:20:13Well, it'll be an exciting free program tomorrow.
01:20:16And tomorrow's coverage starts actually with the practice sessions in the morning at 6.45 local time here.
01:20:21I'll be on with Jackie Wong and Joni McPhail, myself.
01:20:25We'll cover the practice sessions.
01:20:27The events begin at 12.30 local time here in Kelowna.
01:20:30The women's short followed by the rhythm dance.
01:20:33The men's free and the pairs free will close out day number two.
01:20:36For all of us here at Skate Canada, thank you for watching.
01:20:40Good night, everyone.
01:21:00What are they doing?
01:21:13This is final game...
01:21:15Hm.lle
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