With a record-setting sixth national figure-skating pairs title under their belt, Lively's Meagan Duhamel and her partner, Eric Radford, have set their sights on No. 7.
When that happens, it'll be time to hang up her skates, she said.
The duo were in Ottawa on the weekend competing in the Free Skate Canadian Nationals.
A fall on a throw quad Salchow and a touch down on a difficult throw triple Lutz did nothing to take away the title. They scored 146.51 in their free program for a 227.23 total. Lubov Ilyushechkina and Dylan Moscovitch (208.24) were second, while Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro (198.74) placed third.
“We had a really great performance,” Duhamel told Sudbury.com. “It was our best long program of the season so far. We're trying to throw quads. Right now, there are only two of us in the world that are trying one, so of course, we are going to miss them sometimes, but that's the chance you take with such a difficult element. We're always aware that's going to be a huge risk.”
A lot of changes were made to their program between the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating and nationals, Duhamel said, and they paid off well.
“We executed those changes nicely,” she said.
Duhamel said she and Radford added a jump to their long program in December they hadn't done in three years.
“In the last three years, I practised my triple Salchow for one month, and the fact it worked that well gives me hope it will continue to work well,” she said.
“We made some choreography changes, as well, and from the feedback, those changes paid off.”
Reflecting on her win, Duhamel said she takes great pride in being among Canada's best pairs figure-skating teams.
“Canada has such a strong tradition in pairs skating,” she said. “We've had some amazing champions from Canada at the Olympic level, so it's a little shocking to me that we have the record number of national titles. When I think back to all the great Canadian pairs skaters, there's just so many that left this endless, and they all deserve their spot in history.”
With Duhamel turning 32, and Radford turning 33 this year, retirement is certainly on the radar, she said. But, before that happens, they want to secure national title No. 7.
“I'm pretty sure No. 7 is going to be our last, I can't see us continuing past that, although never say never,” she said. “We've both done everything we've wanted to do in this sport, everything that we've ever dreamed of doing. But we could change our mind.”
Duhamel and Radford have spent the past six years together honing their craft. She said it's difficult to put into words the relationship between two, but it's their similar personalities that have contributed to their rise to success.
“It just feels so natural,” she said. “We started skating together in 2010, and the first time we tried out together, it was terrible. Our timing was bad, and Eric couldn't even lift me over his shoulders. But our coaches told us we looked good, and that everything was going to be fine.”
Within one week together, the pair was able to complete all of the technical elements needed to compete at the world level. The rest is history.
“Our personalities are extremely compatible, and I think that's really a part of what allowed us to rise so quickly,” Duhamel said.
“After only a year of skating together, we became seventh in the world. It all happened fairly fast. Our strengths balance each other out, and we're backed by the most amazing coaching team in the world.”
So, when the time comes to hang up her competitive skates, Duhamel said there isn't one thing about it she won't miss.
“I'll miss everything, even the early morning training,” she said. “One of the greatest feelings for any athlete is when you play or perform your best, there's a moment of such great pride when you know all your hard work has paid off.
“I think I'm going to miss the pre-competition stress the most, though. When we're waiting backstage, it's not a fun feeling. You're pacing, you're thinking of everything, you're trying to stay calm – and you know when you come out from behind that curtain, there will be lights and so many people watching you. You have four and a half minutes to show the judges and the world what you can do. I think we're really going to miss that adrenaline rush.”
She said she's thankful for the amazing support from her home community.
“Hopefully, in the future, Eric and I will be asked to come and perform in Sudbury, maybe do some more appearances there, which would be amazing,” she said. “I want to be able to inspire an entire generation of athletes from Sudbury who can compete on the national stage.
“If you want something, and you work hard enough for it, you can do anything. It doesn't matter where you're from; if your goal is to be an astronaut, to play in the NHL, or to even graduate from university, it is possible if you dedicate yourself 100 per cent.”
Skating will always be a part of her life, she said.
“I've skated all my life. I don't really have many memories in my life that don't involve skating. I skated on the outdoor rink before I was even three years old, then joined the CanSkate program. Skating is almost an essential skill for kids to have in Canada. Usually, you learn the basics, but I was fascinated by this sport. It's all I wanted to do.”
The figure-skating champions have a hectic schedule ahead of them. They are heading to the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Korea in three weeks. It's a test event to the Olympics, Duhamel said, and will let the duo get a feel for the rink.
From there, they are off to the World Championships in March, followed by the World Team Championship in Japan in April.
