Skate Canada Alumni podcast

44:28

Featuring Elizabeth Manley Canada’s 1988 Olympic sweetheart, Elizabeth Manley, has turned her silver medal into an outstanding career both on and off the ice. Strong, talented and determined, and taking another exciting step into the future, Liz is using everything she’s learned from sport and from her battles with depression to carve out a new niche for herself … this time as a “Life Coach”. Join Liz and Alumni Chair Debbi Wilkes as they talk about this inspiring journey.…

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Ann Shaw 50:17

hace 4 years50:17

50:17

Featuring Ann Shaw Debbi Wilkes welcomes Skate Canada Hall of Fame member, Ann Shaw. As a former international dance competitor and now a retired official, Ann has experienced every part of the skating world. From judging national, world and Olympic events to serving on the ISU Dance Committee, Ann’s pedigree and contributions have helped promote and define our sport in Canada and around the world. For skating “lifers” like Ann Shaw, passion for the sport never waivers. Ann’s commitment and vision continue to inspire and challenge how to progress the sport in its evolution. Enjoy this special podcast as Ann shares some of her most memorable skating experiences. Debbi Wilkes accueille Ann Shaw, membre du Temple de la renommée de Patinage Canada. En tant qu ’ ancienne concurrente internationale de danse et maintenant officielle à la retraite, Ann a exploré toutes les parties du monde du patinage. Qu ’ il s ’ agi sse de juger d es événements nationaux, mondiaux et olympiques ou de siéger au c omité de danse de l ’ ISU , les antécédents et les contributions d ’ Ann ont aidé à promouvoir et à définir notre sport , au Canada et dans le monde entier. Pour des amateurs « à vie » du patinage, comme Ann Shaw, la passion pour le sport ne s’éteint jamais. L ’ engagement et la vision d ’ Ann continuent à inspirer et à stimuler l’avancement du sport dans le cadre même de son évolution. Profitez de ce balado spécial , alors qu’ Ann partage ra certaines de ses expériences de patinage les plus mémorables .…

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Marilyn Chidlow 52:30

hace 4 years52:30

52:30

Featuring Marilyn Chidlow In this month’s alumni podcast, Debbi Wilkes welcomes former Skate Canada President, Marilyn Chidlow. Marilyn is an Alberta native who has been involved in every level of skating volunteering including the local club level, the National Board level as the Skate Canada President from 2000 to 2006, and attending the Olympic Winter Games. Marilyn not only remembers her first steps on the ice but also some of her greatest challenges and successes as leader of Skate Canada. In this episode, Marilyn continues to shine with the leadership and diplomacy, which highlighted her Presidency of Skate Canada during some of the most memorable moments in skating history. Her thoughtful, sensitive and positive attitude was a great role model for the organization and for the volunteers. 2004 Skate Canada Board of Directors Dans le balado des anciens de ce mois-ci, Debbi Wilkes accueille Marilyn Chidlow, ancienne présidente de Patinage Canada. Originaire de l’Alberta, Marilyn a participé à tous les niveaux du bénévolat pour le patinage, y compris au niveau du club local, ainsi qu’au conseil d’administration national en tant que présidente de Patinage Canada, de 2000 à 2006, en plus d’assister aux Jeux olympiques d’hiver. Marilyn se souvient non seulement de ses premiers pas sur la glace, mais aussi de certains de ses plus grands défis et succès comme dirigeante de Patinage Canada. Dans cet épisode, Marilyn continue à faire preuve du leadership et de la diplomatie qui ont mis en lumière sa présidence de Patinage Canada, au cours de certains des moments les plus mémorables de l’histoire du patinage. Sa prévenance, sa délicatesse et son attitude positive ont été d’excellents modèles de rôle pour l’organisation et les bénévoles.…

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Patrick Chan 50:41

hace 5 years50:41

50:41

Three-time Olympic medalist and 10-time national champion Patrick Chan is the most decorated male figure skater in Canadian history. A three-time world champion (2011, 2012, 2013), a 2018 Olympic gold medalist in the team event in PyeongChang, he won two Olympic silver medals in the men’s event and team event at the Sochi games. And in January 2018, he won his 10 th national title to break the all-time record held by Montgomery Wilson since 1939. Think about the complex skills it requires to be the best in skating: power and acceleration, deep edges, body control, complicated footwork, rich and detailed choreography, and outstanding jumps and spins. Ten-time Canadian Champion Patrick Chan has them all… and he has pushed figure skating in new directions. This month’s podcast with Debbi Wilkes, Patrick talks about his career, his retirement, his future, and the important time for reflection during the COVID-19 isolation, the longest time he has been off the ice since he started skating! Most elite athletes are perfectionists… and Patrick Chan admits he is no different. His drive to learn and succeed and, since retirement, he has a new appreciation for what is required to move into the next chapter of his life. While he hopes skating will always play a significant role, Patrick is open to developing new skills and searching for his next great challenge. As you will discover, despite the lockdown, Patrick is hungry to return to the ice. February 16, 2018 PHOTO: Greg Kolz…

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Emanuel Sandhu 57:03

hace 5 years57:03

57:03

Featuring Emanuel Sandhu Two-time Olympian and three-time Canadian champion, Emanuel Sandhu describes himself as a perfectionist with a two-sided personality. Recently he and Debbi Wilkes chatted about his life and career, even the COVID pandemic could not suppress his optimism, curiosity, and love of adventure. For Emanuel, ballet and skating were perfectly intertwined both in his soul and on the ice to create an unforgettable combination of athleticism and artistry. Join Emanuel and Debbi for this revealing and inspiring conversation. Olympian Emanuel Sandhu is a three-time Canadian Men’s Figure Skating Champion, a Grand Prix Final Champion, and back-to-back Skate Canada International Grand Prix Gold Medalist – among other international titles – and a two-time Olympian (Salt Lake City 2002, Torino 2006; alternate 1998). Originally from Richmond Hill, Ontario, multi-talented Emanuel is an alumnus of Canada’s National Ballet School, one of the world’s premiere ballet academies, which he attended for 10 years. He placed as top three male on the #1 rated television show “So You Think You Can Dance Canada”, followed by the So You Think You Can Dance Canada National Tour. He is the first figure skater in the world to complete a triple/triple/triple jump combination in competition (Sears Open 1999) and has invented many never-before-seen spins including the famously flexible “Sandhu Spin”, which is frequently used by today’s skaters, and is known world-wide for his breathtaking skating performances, which blend art and technique. With an Italian-East Indian heritage, Emanuel was awarded the Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce Youth Achievement Award at age 17, as well as YTV’s Youth Achievement Award, the Premier’s Athletic Award, and was nominated for Canada’s Male Athlete of the Year Award. He has been inducted into the Richmond Hill Hall of Fame. His work extends far beyond the ice rink and dance studio to several local and National charities which he has donated his time and celebrity to including: The Pledge to End Bullying, The Red Cross, The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Face the World Foundation, Raise-a-Reader, The Kidney Foundation of Canada and many others. Emanuel still actively skates and dances, most recently having the honour of being invited to take company ballet class with The Bolshoi Ballet as well as participating in many shows including: Stars On Ice, Art On Ice (featured dancer and skater), Rock the Ice!, Holiday Festival on Ice, Japan Open, National Ballet of Canada’s Nutcracker Tour of Japan and Canada’s National Ballet School National Audition Tour, Wintertournee Germany, Opera On Ice Italy, Red Square Show Moscow, and many more. Emanuel directed and choreographed the on-ice spectacular The Nutcracker by Plushenko, which toured Russia, and skated the lead roles of Stahlbaum and the Rat King. Most recently he has performed in Swan Lake, a production which featured star ballet dancers of The Bolshoi Ballet and the Mariinsky Ballet respectively, as well as Cinderella by Plushenko. Both productions toured Russia. He has choreographed innovative and successful programs for World and Olympic champions as well as up-and-coming international talents from around the world. He also turns his focus to coaching not only in dance and figure skating but has also worked with hockey players in the powerskating world. Outside the rink, his interests include anything design, space and science, business, drama, art, and music. He sings and has recorded several of his original songs which he co-wrote. He sang live and skated to his first single “Burn Up The Floor” in Germany. For more news on Emanuel Sandhu, please follow him on his Social accounts: https://www.instagram.com/emanuelsandhu/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009840616326 L’olympien Emanuel Sandhu est un triple champion masculin canadien de patinage artistique, un champion de la Finale du Grand Prix et un médaillé d’or aux Internationaux Patinage Canada, qui est un événement du Grand Prix, au nombre de ses titres internationaux, en plus d’être deux fois olympien (Salt Lake City, en 2002, Turin, en 2006 et remplaçant en 1998). Originaire de Richmond Hill, en Ontario, Emanuel est doté de multiples talents, en plus d’être un ancien élève de l’École nationale de ballet du Canada, l’une des meilleures académies de ballet au monde, qu’il a fréquentée pendant 10 ans. Il s’est classé parmi les trois premiers danseurs masculins de la série télévisée cotée numéro un, So You Think You Can Dance Canada , ce qui a été suivi de la tournée nationale de cette série. Premier patineur artistique au monde à réussir une combinaison de trois triples sauts en compétition (Sears Open, 1999), Emanuel a inventé de nombreuses pirouettes inédites, dont la fameuse et flexible pirouette Sandhu, qu’utilisent fréquemment les patineurs aujourd’hui. Emanuel est reconnu dans le monde entier pour ses programmes de patinage à couper le souffle, qui allient l’art à la technique. Comptant un héritage moitié d’origine italienne moitié ressortissant des Indes orientales, Emanuel s’est vu attribuer à l’âge de 17 ans le Youth Achievement Award de la Chambre de commerce Indo‑Canada, le Youth Achievement Award de YTV, le Premier’s Athletic Award , en plus d’être mis en candidature pour le Prix de l’athlète masculin de l’année du Canada. Il a été intronisé au Richmond Hill Hall of Fame. Son travail va bien au-delà de la patinoire et du studio de danse et englobe plusieurs organismes de bienfaisance locaux et nationaux, pour lesquels il a fait don de son temps et utilisé sa célébrité, y compris : The Pledge to End Bullying, la Croix-Rouge, la Fondation canadienne du cancer du sein, Face the World Foundation, Raise-a-Reader, la Fondation canadienne du rein et bien d’autres. Emanuel patine et danse toujours activement, ayant tout récemment eu l’honneur d’être invité à suivre des cours de ballet avec le Ballet du Bolchoï, ainsi qu’à participer à de nombreux spectacles, y compris Étoiles sur glace, Art On Ice (danseur et patineur en vedette), Rock the Ice!, Holiday Festival on Ice, Japan Open, la tournée de Casse-noisette au Japon du Ballet national du Canada, la Tournée nationale d’auditions de l’École nationale de ballet du Canada, Wintertournee en Allemagne, Opera On Ice en Italie, Red Square Show à Moscou, entre autres. Emanuel a mis en scène et chorégraphié le spectaculaire Casse-Noisette sur glace de Plushenko, qui a fait le tour de la Russie, jouant les rôles principaux de Stahlbaum et du Roi des rats. Plus récemment, il s’est produit dans Le Lac des cygnes, une production qui mettait en vedette des danseurs de ballet étoiles du Ballet du Bolchoï et du Ballet Mariinsky, respectivement, ainsi que Cendrillon par Plushenko. Les deux productions ont effectué le tour de la Russie. Il a chorégraphié des programmes novateurs et réussis pour des champions du monde et olympiques, ainsi que des talents internationaux émergents du monde entier. Il se concentre aussi sur ses fonctions d’entraîneur, non seulement en danse et patinage artistique, mais également avec des joueurs de hockey en patinage intensif. À l’extérieur de la patinoire, Emanuel s’intéresse à la conception, à l’espace et à la science, aux affaires, au drame, à l’art et à la musique. Il chante et a enregistré plusieurs de ses chansons originales, qu’il a coécrites. Il a chanté de vive voix et patiné au son de son premier microsillon, Burn Up The Floor , en Allemagne.…

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Manon Perron 54:00

hace 5 years54:00

54:00

Featuring Manon Perron In these days of multitasking, there is no better expert than today’s guest on the Alumni Podcast, Manon Perron . Manon has mastered it all, from being a skater, local/national and Olympic coach, team leader, mentor, and now as a Skate Canada Advisor to the High Performance Program. Her energy and passion for the sport and for developing skaters’ skills beyond the ice, and her contributions to high performance are immeasurable. Manon and Alumni Chair Debbi Wilkes caught up recently to talk about Manon’s incredible career and her continuing dedication to skating in Canada. From St. Leonard, Que., Manon Perron led a successful coaching career for over 30 years. A NCCP Level 4 certified coach, she is best known as coach of the 2010 Olympic bronze medallist, Joannie Rochette. Manon’s role as Team Leader in PyeongChang was instrumental in making our team perform an historical best Olympic Winter Games. Over the years, Manon has built a reputation for dedication and leadership development in sport. Having produced podium athletes at the national, international, and world/Olympic levels, Manon has a solid knowledge of the technical and tactical requirements necessary to develop well-rounded athletes. Following a successful coaching career, Manon took on the role of Expert Coach with the Quebec Section for six years and currently holds a position as High Performance Advisor with Skate Canada. Manon is a role model and supports the development and growth of athletes and coaches in our Next Gen and High Performance programs. It is important to mention how instrumental Manon has been as a respectable mentor-leader in Skate Canada’s National Mentorship Program since its implementation in 2014. While Manon remains an active seminar leader both domestically and internationally, she was a three-time recipient of the Skate Canada Competitive Coach Excellence Award. Manon who obtained an honourable mention in 2012 became the well deserved recipient of the Geoff Gowan “Lifetime Achievement” Award in 2018. 2018 PyeongChang Olympics: Mike Slipchuk, Manon Perron, Kaetlyn Osmond, and Ravi Walia Originaire de Saint-Léonard, au Québec, Manon Perron a poursuivi une fructueuse carrière d’entraîneure pendant plus de 30 ans. Entraîneure certifiée de niveau 4 du PNCE, elle est surtout reconnue comme entraîneure de la médaillée de bronze olympique de 2010, Joannie Rochette. Le rôle de Manon en tant que chef d’équipe, à PyeongChang, a contribué à la réalisation de la meilleure performance de notre équipe, d’un point historique, aux Jeux olympiques d’hiver. Au fil des ans, Manon s’est taillé une réputation pour son dévouement et le développement du leadership dans le sport. Ayant produit des athlètes dignes des podiums nationaux, internationaux, mondiaux et olympiques, elle possède de solides connaissances en ce qui concerne les exigences techniques et tactiques nécessaires pour le développement d’athlètes bien équilibrés. Après une brillante carrière d’entraîneure, Manon a exercé les fonctions d’entraîneure experte de la section du Québec, pendant six ans, et elle occupe actuellement un poste de conseillère en haute performance de Patinage Canada. Modèle de rôle, Manon appuie le développement et la croissance des athlètes et des entraîneurs dans nos programmes pour la prochaine génération et de haute performance. Il est important de mentionner dans quelle mesure Manon a été une mentore et une leader respectée du Programme national de mentorat de Patinage Canada, depuis sa mise en œuvre en 2014. Bien que Manon demeure une animatrice de séminaires active, aux échelons national et international, elle a gagné trois fois le Prix d’excellence de Patinage Canada aux entraîneurs de compétition. Après avoir obtenu une mention honorable en 2012, Manon a été la lauréate bien méritée du prix Geoff Gowan pour l’ensemble des réalisations , en 2018.…

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Cynthia Phaneuf 57:31

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57:31

Featuring Cynthia Phaneuf Two-time Canadian Champion Cynthia Phaneuf opens up about her career on the ice and off the ice since her retirement back in 2012, and expresses how her life has changed since her last competitive performance. Not all past champions have made a smooth transition into their life-after-skating quite like Cynthia. She now puts family first, and with three young children Cynthia fully recognizes the enormous contributions that her own family made to help her live her skating dream. Which paths will her children take? She’ll be there to support them wherever those paths may lead. Let’s join Cynthia and Alumni Chair Debbi Wilkes as they reconnect and bring us all up to date on Cynthia’s travels and successes. Cynthia Phaneuf is a Canadian former competitive single skater. She is a two-time (2004 and 2011) Canadian Champion, the 2004 Four Continents silver medalist, 2004 Skate Canada International champion, 2004 Skate America silver medalist. Cynthia also placed fifth at the 2010 World Championships and represented Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, BC. In 2014, Cynthia married NHL player Maxime Talbot and they have three beautiful children. After living away from home and abroad, they are settled in Québec.…

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Don Jackson 50:09

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50:09

Featuring Donald Jackson All champions contribute to the sport of figure skating, but only a few change the sport in significant ways. In this edition of the Alumni podcast, our greatest champion, Don Jackson describes his skating life before, during and after his historic triple Lutz back in 1962. From recognition at international skating hot spots… to the local arena… Don’s life has been dedicated to skating and to the people who have supported him in his quest to be the best at every level of involvement. Enjoy listening to Don as he and Debbi Wilkes share some outstanding memories. Skate Canada Hall of Fame – Athlete A natural showman on ice, this Oshawa skater’s outstanding record of success includes the 1959-62 Canadian, 1959 and 1961 North American Senior Men’s titles, and the 1959 and 1960 World silver and 1960 Olympic bronze medals. In 1962 he earned Canada’s first Men’s World Figure Skating Championship title in what was acclaimed as the finest come-from-behind skating performance ever staged. Landing the first triple Lutz in international competition, he earned a record setting seven perfect marks and was named Canada’s Outstanding Athlete of the Year for 1962. Active as a professional for over 30 years he has been inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the United States Figure Skating Hall of Fame.…

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Kurt Browning 1:21:44

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1:21:44

Featuring Kurt Browning Fasten your seat belts because this month’s podcast with Norm Proft, Alumni and Skate Canada Competition Services Director, dives into the life and times of Kurt Browning and the friendship they continue to share through skating. Listen as Norm reveals stories behind the success of one of skating’s greatest icons. Skate Canada Hall of Fame – Athlete Kurt Browning, the ‘Kid From Caroline’ developed his skills at Edmonton’s Royal Glenora Club, going on to revolutionize the sport of figure skating with his unique combination of strong, yet graceful jumps, creativity and charismatic appeal. Following an impressive 8 th place showing at his first of three Olympics in 1988, he entered the record books that same year by becoming the first athlete ever to complete a quadruple jump in World competition, forever changing the face of men’s figure skating. The Canadian and World Senior Men’s Champion in 1989, 1990 and 1991, he became the first Canadian man to win three consecutive World titles. Performing his memorable ‘Casablanca’ routine, he added his fourth Canadian and World crowns in 1993, the most World titles won by a Canadian singles skater. His unparalleled success and style earned him legions of fans around the world and many honours, including the prestigious Order of Canada in 1989. Joining the professional ranks in 1994, he continues to grace the ice with a presence like no other.…

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Sandra Bezic 57:26

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57:26

Featuring Sandra Bezic This month, Debbi Wilkes visits with a champion, coach, choreographer and visionary, who many claim is the originator and architect for Canada’s worldwide reputation as a leader in choreography and artistic expression. Sandra Bezic began her love for the sport at her local rink learning to skate alongside her brother Val Bezic… the start of what would eventually become a Hall of Fame career which takes her around the world designing programs, shows and concepts that have changed the face of skating. Skate Canada Hall of Fame – Professional Long after she concluded her successful pair skating career, Sandra Bezic continues a brilliant multi-faceted approach to figure skating. An innovative choreographer, she developed signature pieces for world and Olympic champions that live on more than 20 years since they were first performed. In developing choreography, for both individuals, groups and television, she explored the world of theater, pop culture and movies to broaden the scope of skating and draw people into an emotional performance. Her work in television evolved from designing choreography to developing concepts and producing programs. She has won an Emmy Award, and her Singin’ in the Rain number with Kurt Browning remains one of the most ambitious and inventive numbers ever created. As well, she has brought her knowledge and background to skillfully serve as a television commentator for several different broadcast networks in both Canada and the United States. As an author, her book The Passion to Skate , provided a glimpse into the intricate and demanding world of figure skating. Recently, as one of the creative minds behind the successful television program, Battle of the Blades , she introduced a whole new audience to the sport she loves. Inducted into the Skate Canada Hall of Fame 2010.…

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Jean Senft 28:57

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28:57

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. Lauren and Jean Senft…

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Bruno Marcotte - Part 2 28:57

hace 5 years28:57

28:57

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!…

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Bruno Marcotte - Part 1 32:44

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32:44

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.…

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Jan and Cynthia Ullmark 50:45

hace 6 years50:45

50:45

Featuring 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.…

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Benoît Lavoie - Part 2 37:51

hace 6 years37:51