By Callum Fraser
It was an underwhelming finish to a rather successful season for Alaine Chartrand of the Nepean Skating Club.
Looking to better last year’s 11th-place showing at her first ISU World Figure Skating Championships, the reigning Canadian champion fell short of that mark and ended up in 17th this time around at the Mar. 28-Apr. 3 event in Boston.
“I didn’t have the performances that I know I can,” Chartrand indicates. “With skates like had at nationals, I would’ve placed much higher.”
The 20-year-old’s worlds score of 157.82 points was well off the 201.99 total she produced in January to win the first national title of her career in Halifax.
“There wasn’t really just one thing, just little mistakes that added up,” explains Chartrand. “My program is just as difficult as the girl who won or anyone on the podium. It’s just the execution of it.”
Looking forward, the Brian Orser/Michelle Leigh-coached athlete is seeking to improve her consistency.
“I’ve had some brilliant skates this season, and some not-so-brilliant,” she notes. “If I can always put together two good programs, obviously that’s what it takes to be at the top.”
Though the results weren’t in her favour, Chartrand enjoyed having the worlds relatively close to home so that her family and friends could attend. Because general seating was sold out at TD Garden, they all chipped in and bought a corporate box for the entire competition.
Family support has alway been in high supply for Chartrand. The Prescott native gets a drive into Nepean several times a week for training, and then loads up for the Toronto area on weekends. She says the unorthodox but successful setup is “very likely” to continue next season.
“It was really nice to have all those people there (for worlds),” Chartrand underlines. “It made it exciting.”