If the men and pairs aren’t enough for you at Canadians this week, well, you’re in luck, because the women and ice dance teams are just as incredible, with three skaters and teams in both who have the potential to blow your mind. Much like the US Championships, we will have quite the fantastic set of ice dance programs to feast on. And also like the US Championships, the ladies’ event will be as exciting as it is unpredictable.
2017 Canadians Predictions
Official hashtag: #CTNSC17
Ladies Top 5 predictions
GOLD Kaetlyn Osmond
SILVER Gabrielle Daleman
BRONZE Alaine Chartrand
4. Sarah Tamura
5. Larkyn Austman
Three women have won the last four Canadian titles, and they are all in Ottawa this week to win another. It’s been a very strong season for Kaetlyn Osmond, who seems to have regained her confidence after struggling with consistency last year as she was coming back from an injury. Her showings at the Grand Prix this season, which earned her a Grand Prix Final berth for the first time, were impressive and promising. She comes in as the slight favorite this week.
But lest we forget, Alaine Chartrand and Gabrielle Daleman had incredible free skates last year to overtake Osmond and make it to Worlds. Of the two, Daleman has had a more consistent season, though she comes in after a rough free skate at Trophee de France. Chartrand has had her strong moments as well, with a superb free skate at Autumn Classic to start the season. All three have shown that they can put down brilliant programs at Canadians, and all three have the ability to walk away from Ottawa with the title.
Dance Top 5 predictions
GOLD Tessa Virtue/Scott Moir
SILVER Kaitlyn Weaver/Andrew Poje
BRONZE Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier
4. Carolanne Soucisse/Shane Firus
5. Haley Sales/Nikolas Wamsteeker
The landscape of Canadian ice dance has changed quite a bit since last year at this time. Four of the top six from last season have either split or retired, and we have a very familiar team back in the mix. Tessa Virtue/Scott Moir are back, motivated, and looking like they are going to dominate from now through the Olympics. Their two programs this season remind you of why they won the Olympics.
The fight for silver will be very intriguing this week, though, with two teams coming in with different, and possibly converging, trajectories. Reigning champions Kaitlyn Weaver/Andrew Poje have overhauled their training and strategy, with a new coach and a new look, in hopes of pushing themselves to the next level. On the other hand, reigning silver medalists Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier are coming in with career-best scores internationally and looking to pull off a switcheroo. It’s looking to be a photo finish between these two teams for silver.