News
Nova Senior aims higher at the 2025 World Championships
News
Nova Senior aims higher at the 2025 World Championships
For the 2nd consecutive season, Team Nova will represent Canada at the Worlds alongside Les Suprêmes, also from Quebec. (Credits: Nova)
With just days to go before the 2025 World Synchronized Skating Championships, Quebec’s Nova Senior team has set a clear objective: solidify its place among the world’s elite. After a season marked by victories, challenges overcome, the team is ready to give its best in Finland.
How has your season been so far?
Alycia O'Leary, Nova team captain: "Our season has been going very well so far. We have managed to achieve our performance goals at almost every competition while continuing to progress and refine our programs.
First, the Woodstock competition was a great way to kick off the season. It was our first time presenting our programs, and we did so with a strong victory, which gave us confidence for the rest of the season."
What have been the highlights?
"Among the highlights, the National Championships hold a special place. It had been a long time since the Canadian Championships were held in Quebec. Competing at home, in front of our loved ones and an enthusiastic crowd, was an incredible experience. We are proud to have won the free program, a significant achievement for our team.
Finally, the Lumière Cup was also a key moment of the season. It was a stressful competition due to logistical difficulties getting there, but we managed to stay calm and trust our training. Our efforts were rewarded with a victory and our best scores of the season on the international stage.
Overall, we have achieved the scores we were aiming for throughout the season, confirming that we are on the right track."
Alycia O'Leary, Nova team captain: "Our season has been going very well so far. We have managed to achieve our performance goals at almost every competition while continuing to progress and refine our programs.
First, the Woodstock competition was a great way to kick off the season. It was our first time presenting our programs, and we did so with a strong victory, which gave us confidence for the rest of the season."
What have been the highlights?
"Among the highlights, the National Championships hold a special place. It had been a long time since the Canadian Championships were held in Quebec. Competing at home, in front of our loved ones and an enthusiastic crowd, was an incredible experience. We are proud to have won the free program, a significant achievement for our team.
Finally, the Lumière Cup was also a key moment of the season. It was a stressful competition due to logistical difficulties getting there, but we managed to stay calm and trust our training. Our efforts were rewarded with a victory and our best scores of the season on the international stage.
Overall, we have achieved the scores we were aiming for throughout the season, confirming that we are on the right track."
Can you tell us about your programs this year?
"Our short program is choreographed to Keeping Me Alive by Jonathan Roy. It tells the story of a person breaking free from a toxic relationship, whether it be friendship, family, or romance. This program expresses a wide range of emotions, combining softness and strength, and highlights the resilience needed to overcome difficult obstacles.
Our free program is called Overthinker. With a great variety of music and emotional nuances, this program explores the impact of doubt, overthinking, and the emotional rollercoaster that can characterize the experience of someone struggling with anxiety. But it is important to remember that “no amount of anxiety makes any difference to anything that’s going to happen” which is one of the most powerful quotes from the program’s narration."
"We aim to break our personal records""Our short program is choreographed to Keeping Me Alive by Jonathan Roy. It tells the story of a person breaking free from a toxic relationship, whether it be friendship, family, or romance. This program expresses a wide range of emotions, combining softness and strength, and highlights the resilience needed to overcome difficult obstacles.
Our free program is called Overthinker. With a great variety of music and emotional nuances, this program explores the impact of doubt, overthinking, and the emotional rollercoaster that can characterize the experience of someone struggling with anxiety. But it is important to remember that “no amount of anxiety makes any difference to anything that’s going to happen” which is one of the most powerful quotes from the program’s narration."
What are your goals for the World Championships in a few days?
"Our goals remain clear: we want to be among the best teams in the world. To achieve this, we are focusing on improving our performances and scores, knowing that every point gained helps us climb in the rankings.
We aim to break our personal records, both in technical and artistic scores, and to surpass our world ranking from last year. Most importantly, we want to deliver our best performances of the season at this major event."
"Our goals remain clear: we want to be among the best teams in the world. To achieve this, we are focusing on improving our performances and scores, knowing that every point gained helps us climb in the rankings.
We aim to break our personal records, both in technical and artistic scores, and to surpass our world ranking from last year. Most importantly, we want to deliver our best performances of the season at this major event."
In 2024, Nova finished 5th at the Worlds, just behind Team Unique.
How would you describe the evolution of the team since your first participation in the World Championships in 2019?
"With each year of experience, we have become more familiar with the demands of the World Championships. We have a better understanding of the atmosphere, the organization, and the level of competition.
Our seasonal planning has improved, allowing us to approach these major competitions with better preparation. We are now a more recognized team on the international stage, which gives us greater confidence and reinforces our sense of legitimacy among the world’s elite. Our goals have also evolved: we know that we belong among the best teams, and we train with that ambition in mind."
"With each year of experience, we have become more familiar with the demands of the World Championships. We have a better understanding of the atmosphere, the organization, and the level of competition.
Our seasonal planning has improved, allowing us to approach these major competitions with better preparation. We are now a more recognized team on the international stage, which gives us greater confidence and reinforces our sense of legitimacy among the world’s elite. Our goals have also evolved: we know that we belong among the best teams, and we train with that ambition in mind."
How many coaches are part of your technical staff?
“Our technical staff is made up of a team of experts whose diverse skills and experiences complement each other perfectly:
Dominic Barthe: Head coach, he oversees the overall strategy, program composition, and choreography.
Nadine Tougas: Assistant coach, her experience in synchronized skating and attention to detail are essential.
Joanie Brazeau: Specialist in unison and presentation, she helps enhance the aesthetics of our skating.
We also benefit from the expertise of specialists: Benjamin Morency & the CKRS Clinic (physical preparation in the gym), Catherine Pinard (performance interpretation), Heidi Malo (mental preparation) and Émilie Villeneuve (flexibility training)."
“Our technical staff is made up of a team of experts whose diverse skills and experiences complement each other perfectly:
Dominic Barthe: Head coach, he oversees the overall strategy, program composition, and choreography.
Nadine Tougas: Assistant coach, her experience in synchronized skating and attention to detail are essential.
Joanie Brazeau: Specialist in unison and presentation, she helps enhance the aesthetics of our skating.
We also benefit from the expertise of specialists: Benjamin Morency & the CKRS Clinic (physical preparation in the gym), Catherine Pinard (performance interpretation), Heidi Malo (mental preparation) and Émilie Villeneuve (flexibility training)."
What challenges have you faced this season, and how did you overcome them?
"Some elements of our free program are particularly innovative, and it took time before they were perfectly mastered.
We also faced unexpected challenges, especially before the Lumière Cup, when a large part of the team fell ill. Traveling to the Netherlands was also particularly stressful, with canceled flights, missed connections, and lost luggage. Despite this, we stayed focused and adaptable, which allowed us to overcome these obstacles successfully."
And... How do you feel as the World Championships approach?
"We are ready, excited, and proud of the work we have accomplished. It’s hard to believe that the season is already coming to an end, but we are grateful to be able to represent Nova and Canada at the most prestigious competition of the season.
We are looking forward to returning to Finland and experiencing the World Championships together. In the meantime, we are fine-tuning the final details to ensure we deliver strong performances."
"Some elements of our free program are particularly innovative, and it took time before they were perfectly mastered.
We also faced unexpected challenges, especially before the Lumière Cup, when a large part of the team fell ill. Traveling to the Netherlands was also particularly stressful, with canceled flights, missed connections, and lost luggage. Despite this, we stayed focused and adaptable, which allowed us to overcome these obstacles successfully."
And... How do you feel as the World Championships approach?
"We are ready, excited, and proud of the work we have accomplished. It’s hard to believe that the season is already coming to an end, but we are grateful to be able to represent Nova and Canada at the most prestigious competition of the season.
We are looking forward to returning to Finland and experiencing the World Championships together. In the meantime, we are fine-tuning the final details to ensure we deliver strong performances."
