Thoughts on the new dance teams after the Canadian media day and the interviews they all gave?
Obviously, the most intriguing are Lajoie/Baker and Lim/Lagha. Both teams feel like a good fit for each other, both in terms of skating, and vision and personality-wise. It's not a surprise that everyone aside from Jean Luc is asked about their split as they were so very recent, but I do wonder why no one is asking Jean Luc if he had any discussion about coming back with Kaitlin. His past is not really brought up, and while it's understandable, I do find the complete disregard for the subject a bit odd.
Another interesting thing is the discussion on programs. I got the sense that L/L's style and them being stuck with it might have been more Marjorie than Zak since she and Jean Luc mentioned going for a fun RD while Zak and Hannah are doing a classical waltz. I think it will be very interesting to see how both teams develop, and even more, to see which of the two teams (hopefully both) breaks away from past habits.
I also noticed that, as expected, Hannah did decide to split from Ye prior to Worlds. Tbh, I can't help but feel like she did something I struggle with, and blame her partners for mistakes. Yes, Ye struggled with his twizzles last season, but so many teams went through a period where one struggled (either physically or mentally or both) that I feel a bit judgmental of her decision to split from him after a few competitions didn't go their way. Make me wonder if the insiders who were claiming she's been semi-pressured by her parents to split because she's allegedly better than Ye (and other people who kept saying how she's a star and he's just there) were on to something. I do like her and think she's very good, especially in performing, but I also disliked seeing so many people say she should dump him when he is actually a very solid skater outside of his struggles this season (which, again, are common in long-term partnerships).
Oh, and I loved that Marjorie called out Romain (not by name) about his long interview after L/L's split was announced. It was kind of like a "go in there and make it about yourself" moment from him, and he told more than I assume either of them wanted to be told without their consent. While he did shed some light on some of L/L's struggles, he should have asked them before he delved into the details of their difficulties, and good for her for calling him out. I wonder if it also means we will be seeing mostly Marie France with Lajoie/Baker and a lot less of Romain.
And of course, Lajoie/Baker have a big advantage over Lim/Lagha with their ability to compete internationally. Even if Lim/Lagha will be very good, Skate Canada has no incentive to put them as Canadian national champions, and I assume they know it as well. The real rivalry will likely only start in the 2027/28 season. Lim/Lagha's advantage is that they are likely in it for the long run, and unlike Lajoie/Baker, they have the potential to go for two full Olympic cycles.
Anyhow, I think more than anything else, it's simply exciting to hopefully watch these teams develop. While I'm less excited about the new partnerships of Fabbri and Ayer (I prefer them together), four new teams for Canada will, at the very least, be interesting.
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