By: Meagan Simpson
Reigning national figure skating champion Alaine Chartrand will be defending her title on home ice next year.
Gathering outside the TD Place arena on Monday, Skate Canada announced that Ottawa will host the 2017 figure skating nationals. Chartrand stood among the skaters present at the announcement, where Dan Thompson, CEO of Skate Canada, said his organization is proud kick-off ‘Ottawa 2017’ and help the city celebrate its 150th birthday.
This will be the 15th time Ottawa has hosted the figure skating nationals.
19-year-old Chartrand took home her first-ever national title after winning gold in the senior women’s division at the nationals in Halifax last month.
The local figure skater trains out of Prescott and Nepean skating clubs. She was touted as a favourite to win after placing second last year, and with a strong season under her belt she was able to beat out reigning 2015 champion Gabby Daleman from Newmarket, Ontario.
Ottawa last hosted the event two years ago at the Canadian Tire Centre, where Chartrand placed fifth, losing the opportunity to skate for Canada at the Sochi Olympics.
But this time around she has a few years of international experience and boasts the title of Canada’s top female skater.
She told reporters at Landsdowne, where the championship will be held, that she is excited to have nationals back in the nation’s capital next year, and for her family and friends to be able to come out and support her.
While the Ottawa Senator’s home rink may have been too big a venue for the event two years ago, the TD Place arena is a smaller, more intimate setting for the skaters and fans who will be attending.
Fans from Ottawa and all over Canada will have the opportunity to watch over 250 skaters who will be compete in junior, novice and senior for men’s, women’s, pairs and ice dance categories.
The 2017 Canadian Tire Skating Championships will take place next January from the 16th to the 22nd.
According to Skate Canada’s website, tickets go on sale later this year. Fans are currently able to register for pre-sale tickets.