Figure Skating Canada: National Team gets together in Toronto for Pre-season Camp

Sunday, June 7, 2009

National Team gets together in Toronto for Pre-season Camp

Source: Skate Canada

Skate Canada’s Senior National Team gathered in Toronto, Ontario for the annual Skate Canada Pre-season Camp. The camp took place from May 22-24 with the entire 32 person team in attendance.

The camp is the one time that the whole team is able to come together in one spot. This year they met up at the BMO Institute for Learning where they participated in Own the Podium sessions, photo shoots, sponsor and media information sessions, team building activities and presentations from the Canadian Olympic Committee on games preparation.

Guest speakers included Olympic bronze medalist Tracy Wilson, Olympic gold medal rower Marnie McBean and four-time Olympic alpine skier Brian Stemmle.

“Marnie and Brian were truly inspiring in taking our skaters through their Olympic journey. Tracy worked with our team in dealing with media in an Olympic year. We were so fortunate to have them as part of our camp,” said Mike Slipchuk, Skate Canada Director High Performance.

2008 World Figure Skating Champion Jeff Buttle attended the camp on Saturday to participate in the activities and received his alumni photo due to retirement in September 2008. The photo was presented by Joannie Rochette and Tessa Virtue. Joannie and Tessa both made a short speech outlining their time spent with Jeff on the national team.

On Saturday the athletes participated in an “Amazing Race” game which divided the figure skaters into six small teams: red, white, black, orange, blue and purple. They had six stations were they had to combine physical strength as well as mental quickness to win. They all did well but the Black Team was the ultimate winner!

Enjoy some of the photos from the Skate Canada National Team Amazing Race!

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