(July 3, 2008)
On June 26, the Skate Canada Senior National Team made their way to Toronto for the Pre-Season Camp that took place at the BMO Institute for Learning. The team gathered to prepare for the 2008-2009 skating season which will begin with Skate America in October.
“It was an opportunity for the team to get together in a non competitive setting in preparation for the up coming season,” said Skate Canada Director High Performance Mike Slipchuk. “We are looking to build on the success of last season as we look forward to the Olympics in 2010.”
The 27 person team participated in two days of team building and insightful informational lectures from the Skate Canada Performance Enhancement Team. Members of the team are: physiotherapist Judith Proulx-Snedden, performance analysis Patricia Chafe, nutrition and dietician Melanie Olivier, Dr. Julia Alleyne and physiologist Greg Gannon and psychologist Judy Goss. Also, in attendance was Own the Podium’s Teresa Schlachter.
Thursday evening the team had dinner with members of the 1988 Skate Canada Olympic Team. Elizabeth Manley, Kurt Browning and Brian Orser all spoke about their experiences at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary.
During the two day camp, the team welcomed seven first-time Senior National Team members: Vaughn Chipeur, Kyra and Dylan Moscovitch and Allie-Hann-McCurdy and Michael Coreno and Vanessa Crone and Paul Poirier.
Lauren Senft and Lesley Hawker were both present at the Thursday night dinner. The two ladies were honored as recently retired skaters. Christopher Mabee presented Lauren with a framed photo and said a few words, while Joannie Rochette presented Lesley with a framed photo and spoke on her behalf.
The second day of the camp started with an early morning photo shoot done by Stephan Potopnyk of Enlightened Images. The skaters took both individual and group shots by discipline. Artistry the Official Cosmetic and Skincare sponsor of Skate Canada was on hand to do make-up and hair. They also provided skaters with a creative workshop.
In the evening the team headed downtown to a Toronto Blue Jay’s game before they departed home Saturday morning.
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| The team hanging out | Scott Moir and Vaughn Chipeur | The team getting ready for a group shot |
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| Joannie Rochette, Vaughn Chipeur and Patrick Chan | The 2008-2009 Senior National Team | The 2008-2009 Senior National Team |
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| Joannie Rochette, Vaughn Chipeur and Patrick Chan | Tessa Virtue strikes a pose | Team Yellow |
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| Team Red | | Kaitlyn Weaver and Shawn Sawyer try to hula-hoop |
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| Myriane Samson and Anabelle Langlois also try to hula-hoop | Craig Buntin | Bryce Davison takes one for the team |
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| | Dylan Moscovitch try to hit his mark | Team Red’s Chris Mabee |
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| Chris Mabee and Vaughn Chipeur take first place with Team Red | Bryce Davison ready to play | Getting ready to leave for the Jay’s game |
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| Meagan Duhamel and Paul Poirier | Mira Leung | Patrick Chan and Vaughn Chipeur |
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| | Meagan Duhamel, Paul Poirier and Shawn Sawyer | |
Photos by Vaughn Chipeur