It’s time to bid the 2023/2024 Skate Canada Challenge adieu.
The Junior and Senior competition ran from November 30th to December 3rd in Winnipeg, Man. at the Seven Oaks arena. Next up, the 2024 Canadian Tire National Championships from January 8th to 14th in Calgary, Alta.
At Seven Oaks, there were outstanding throws and quads, superb choreography and step-sequences, sizzling spins and rotational lifts.
Speaking of rotational lifts, one stand out was the Junior and Senior Dance version of the short program – the Rhythm Dance. This might be your grandmother’s RD if she’s part of Generation X.
For the 2023/2024 season’s Rhythm Dance, the International Skating Union (ISU) chose “Music and Feeling of the Eighties” for the Junior and Seniors. While the choice was fabulous, the ISU’s statement included:
“… The couple should demonstrate through dance the culture and feeling/essence of this decade … The couple must use dance movements and dance holds to interpret the chosen music from this decade.”
In other words, choreographers were probably told to nix music from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack to avoid melting the ice.
The ISU included their usual “better safe than sorry” clause:
“Note: To comply with the ethical values of sports, any music chosen for Ice Dance competitions must not include aggressive and/or offending lyrics.”
Caroline Mayo will be competing in Junior Women at 2023/2024 Skate Canada Challenge in Winnipeg, Man. on Dec. 1st and 2nd, 2023 (Submitted photo)
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.
Davey Howes skates his 2023/2024 short program, July 2023/Credit: Danielle Earl
It’s been a hectic year for David “Davey” Howes.
Howes won the 2023 Canadian Men’s Novice Championships in February. A month later, he travelled to Kockelscheuer, Luxembourg for the ISU Coupe du Printemps 2023, placing fifth.
Then Howes learned he’d been chosen for Skate Canada’s NextGen Team, which identifies promising skaters and helps them develop into elite national and international athletes. Howes said he celebrated with close friends. In real life and proximity.
“It was really exciting moment,” said Howes in a phone interview. “I was at the rink … I grew up with Ava (Kemp) and Yoni (Yohnatan Elizarov), and we all got the email together.”
Howes moved from Winnipeg, Man. to Vancouver, B.C., and he’s coached by Keegan Murphy and Eileen Murphy. While his current base is the Connaught Skating Club, he represents the Skate Manitoba section – and Skate Winnipeg.
“I probably could’ve switched sections,” said Howes, “but to be able to skate with the club that I’ve always been with.”
Howes’ had a busy September. He enrolled in Magee Secondary School and then he attended his first competition on the Junior circuit in Hungary, placing 12th at the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating, Budapest 2023.
Howes hit the blades when he was seven years old without figure skating aspirations.
“I originally planned to be a hockey player,” said Howes. “When I was 11 or 12 … I decided to move into just figure skating.”
Howes found hockey lacked a component.
“Artistry,” said Howes. “You don’t have the opportunity to perform for an audience like you do in figure skating, that’s my favourite part.”
In two years, Howes is “hoping to still be on the junior international circuit and improving my skill … and making it to junior worlds,” then his eyes are on the senior circuit.
Howes’ 2023/2024 free skate is to “Io Ci Sarò” by Andrea Bocelli, Lang Lang choreographed by Asher Hill. Tina Chen from Winnipeg choreographed Howes’ 2023/2024 short program to “Bella Ciao” (from Money Heist) by Manu Pila.
Davey Howes, Juvenile Men, Age 11/Credit: Danielle Earl
Chen is also Howes’ mom. She said as a kid, Howes’ was “entering creative improv competitions … he was having that joy in the space of skating. He was doing things I didn’t know he could do.”
Howes’ move to B.C. wasn’t as difficult as she thought, according to Chen.
“Not that difficult of a transition because I’m watching him thrive there,” said Chen in a phone interview. “I don’t think I was expecting it to be that easy. He was the one who made the decision to move to Vancouver. I’m very grateful.”
“When he comes home, we look for ways to connect.” said Chen. “Obviously after challenge, he’ll spend a few days here. Our family is used to scheduling,” adding her daughter is in the United States on a university track and field scholarship.
While Howes loves life in Vancouver and Richmond, B.C., nothing beats home.
“I miss living with my family, I miss my dog,” said Howes. “I miss the environment, but it’s nice out here (B.C.). I miss all the skaters I grew up with at Skate Winnipeg.”
Canada’s Novice Champion is looking forward to the 2023/2024 Skate Canada Challenge in his hometown of Winnipeg, Man. from November 30th to December 3rd. He will compete as a Junior for the first time at the national level, hoping to advance to the nationals in Calgary, Alta. in January 2024.
“It’s very excited,” said Howes.”Quite of the few of the ones (competitors) have moved up to junior, even the ones before are junior consecutively.”
Howes admits to “competition nerves, which for me is just adrenaline and excitement.”
Howes admits it’d be tough to choose a favourite program, because he’s “loved each of his programs.” However, one stands out – his first year at nationals.
“It’s hard for me, but I’d have my Prince program … I enjoyed getting to skate to someone like Prince … I just loved the concept of the program.”
There is a piece of music Howes’ has in mind, and he didn’t have to think twice.
“‘All I Want’ by Kodaline,” said Howes. “I envision it as my free program. I’ll see what my coaches have to say.”
“I can recall my first competition,” said Howes. “I was in STAR 2, and you could see my legs shaking … I was skating to music from The Music Man. I will admit it was bit of a hectic program …
“It really was fun to watch to see where I started.”
Skating Scene 