DAZZLING DIVISIONALS!!!

Here are our results from the Eastern and Western Canadian Challenge events held in Moncton, N.B, December 1st-3rd 2006.

Once again our teams were up to the challenge in a very busy week in Moncton. We were very glad that we all made it to the event, which was plagued by bad weather and lost skates! But the friendly folk in Moncton more than made up for it. Jon, Juris, Roy Bradshaw and I were even given a ride back to our hotel by the owner of the restaurent where we were having lunch because it was snowing. Now that's real maritime hospitality!

Here are our medallists, congratulations to you all!

Joining these teams at Junior and Senior Canadians will be Hilary and Simon, Nikki and Graham, Olivia and Alvin, and Joanna and Mark, who all qualified. Well done everyone!

Now with more hard work, we can do even better!

SENSATIONAL SECTIONALS!!!!!

Well, all Sectional events are over now, and we are off to the East/West Challenge in Moncton, N.B. November 30th- December 3rd 2006.

We are so proud of all our teams, particularly in Central Ontario, where Ice Dance Elite took 1st place in every dance event but one! What a spectacular achievement for all of you. A special mention for Asher Hill and Paul Poirier, who also qualified in singles, way to go guys!!! Also to Andrea and Spencer, who took their first senior title. So here is a run-down of our terrific teams:

Eastern Ontario sectionals

Well, the competiton to reach nationals got underway this weekend with the Eastern Ontario sectionals, held in Ottawa November 10th-12th 2006, and we already have great results!

Many congratulations to Mackenzie Bent and Garrett Mackeen, who took the Pre-Juvenile Dance title and gold medal. Mackenzie and Garratt skated two very strong compulsory dances on the way to their gold medal, and are now very excited to begin their free dance for the Juvenile level. Very well done!

Joanna Salvagna and Marc-Andre Servant brought home a silver medal in their first year at the Pre-Novice level. After a strong first place finish in the compulsories, they followed it up with a spirited performance in the free dance for the overall silver medal, and are on their way to the Challenge in Moncton. Great performance guys!

(We would also like to send our condolences to Marc-Andre's father, John, whose mother passed away this weekend. Please know we are all thinking of you at this time.)

A very special mention for Laurin Benson and Chris Lettner, who placed 4th in Pre-Novice and qualified for the Challenge. After a strong 3rd place finish in the compulsory dances, Laurin and Chris had a terrible fall on the warm-up for the freedance. Laurin split her knee open (Jon said you could see all the goop hanging out!) but despite great pain managed to complete the free dance and ensured their place at the Challenge. Immediately afterwards, Laurin went to the hospital where she received 4 stitches in her knee. Laurin, you really are a trooper, and we are all so proud of you.

Well done everyone!

Ottawa Annual Autumn Skate

Ice Dance Elite teams took their show on the road when they competed this weekend in Ottawa at the annual Autumn Skate event September 21st -24th. Absent were Vanessa and Paul, who left yesterday for the JGP in Norway, Andrea and Spencer, who are preparing for their JGP in Liberec, Abby and Fredrick, who were beavering away for next season, and Carol who was alternately holding the fort, trying to pack, and calling Juris and Donna every 10 minutes to hear the news, then calling Jon in Germany to pass it on! Talk about a bush telegraph.

As time is short I will only list the medallists, but well done on all your performances everyone, you are improving every time you compete. Congratultions!

Thornhill Summer Competition

Lake Placid Results, August,2006

Once again all the teams had a fabulous week in Lake Placid N.Y. This little town in the Adirondack mountains, becomes an ice dancing Mecca for one week in August each year with many of the top teams from the U.S. and Canada coming together to show off their new programs for the upcoming season.

Ice Dance Elite teams had a very successful week, receiving great feedback from the judges from both countries. The season is off to a wonderful start!

Great job everyone!

Centralized Competitive Test

Congratulations to teams who passed their competitive tests at the Centralized Competitive test day held at the Richmond Training Centre on April 18th. These teams are off to a great start!

Medals again at the Starskate Trillium Cup!

Congratulations everyone!

Boston Pizza Starskate Challenge

Congratulations everyone!

Junior Nationals, Moncton, New Brunswick

Congratulations to our New Canadian Champions!

Ice Dance Elite is thrilled to announce that for the third year in a row, we have National Champions, and this time in two categories!

Kelly Oliviera and Jordan Hockley took the Juvenile Dance Championship. After placing 2nd in compulsory dances, Kelly and Jordan delivered a clean and spirited performance of their "Wizard of Oz' freedance to skate away with the Canadian title.

In the Pre-Novice Dance event, Kharis Ralph and Asher Hill were 3rd after the compulsory dances. Withe very little separating the top three teams, Kharis and Asher skated an immaculate and dramatic performance of their "Senorita" freedance and clinched their Canadian title.

Well done to both our champions!!!

Great skate everyone, now on to next year!

2006 Canadian Championships

Great effort everyone, we are so proud of you all!