Last season, the Nova Scotia’s Caroline Mayo and Jacob Cote skated in singles and as a pair.
While the partnership dissolved, Mayo and Cote will represent their province in Junior singles at Skate Canada Challenge in Winnipeg, Man., November 30th to December 3rd at the Seven Oaks Arena.
Mayo, 18, lives in Dartmouth training with coach Kyla McNeil Upton at the Dartmouth Skating Club. Mayo’s been with McNeil from the start of her competitive career. Her choreographers are Kathryn MacLellan and Jamie Forsythe.
Cote resides in Ottawa, Ont., training out of the Nepean Skating Club, under Dan Gordon. The University of Ottawa student began skating at four years old and competing when he was seven.
“I started skating mainly because my older sister did it and my parents wanted me to give it a try,” said Cote, 18. “It wasn’t really until around the age of 12 (… ) 13 that I truly realized that I had a passion for the sport and wanted to continue with it.”
According to Cote, in an email interview, the decision was difficult. “I did competitive gymnastics until the age of 13, and it was a hard decision to choose between skating and gymnastics because I enjoyed doing both so much.”
Mayo, a Dalhousie University student, began Skate Canada’s CanSkate program when she was six years old.
“When I first started skating, I was interested in being a hockey player like my older brother, but then I fell in love with figure skating,” said Mayo, in an email interview. “My family had a little backyard rink in the winters which is where I first started skating, and that is when I started developing my love and passion for skating.”
This season, Mayo will perform her short program to “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables and “Nuages en Montagne” in the free skate.
“My short program music was chosen to expand my range of artistry and connection to the music,” said Mayo,”and for my free skate music, I am just drawn to classical piano music.”
Cote’s short program is “Je Rêve Encore” by Kevin Bazinet, and he’s skate to “Underground” by Cody Fry in the free.
“We thought a softer music would fit well so that I could really feel the music throughout the program and connect with it,” said Cote. “For the long program, we decided to go with a music that builds up as the program goes on to showcase the endurance throughout and to finish on a strong note.”
One of Cote’s first skating memories is “travelling to his teammates to Toronto” where he competed his first program.
” … I remember being very excited to obtain my first medal in skating, and it motivated me to keep going with the sport.”
Mayo has a “strong memory” of a specific competition.
” … my first Challenge competition was how nervous I was to be competing at such a big competition,” said Mayo, “but despite being so nervous, I went out and skated a clean long, and I will never forget the hug my coach gave me when I got off the ice, I could tell she was proud, and so was I.”
Off the ice, both keep an active and balanced lifestyle. Cote hits the gym with friends, hikes, and he watches movies. Mayo plays golf, rocks climbs, and she plays the guitar.
In two years, both Mayo and Cote intend to keep skating and remain in university.
Cote watches skating in his free time, and he’s a fan of many skaters.
“One of my all-time favourites is World Champion Shoma Uno, mainly because he has the perfect balance between smooth skating and powerful jumps which not many skaters have,” said Cote, who’s planning to become a sports doctor or physiotherapist.
Mayo said she “admires” Canada’s Kaetlyn Osmond, the 2018 World Champion, 2018 Olympic bronze medallist (singles), 2018 Olympic gold medallist (team), and 2014 Olympic silver medallist (team).
” … because she achieved winning an Olympic medal, and proudly represented Canadian women figure skating,” said Mayo. “She also gives back her time to help inspire younger skaters.
“Six years from now I see myself continuing to be involved in skating in one way or another.”
Skating Scene 