Figure skating phenom to train at local club

Figure skating phenom Cynthia Phaneuf has moved to Toronto to train under Brian Orser at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club. With Phaneuf’s long-time mentor and choreographer, David Wilson, at the same club, she has her eye on excelling in competitions worldwide.

“I have always been very appreciative of this city,” the 23-year-old native of Contrecoeur, Quebec said of her new home.

This is Phaneuf’s first coaching change since she started training with Annie Barabé in Montreal 14 years ago. It was time for a change, she said, and she liked Orser’s teaching style. She first laced up her skates at age four and has twice won Canada’s national women’s championship, first in 2004, at age 15, and again in 2011.

Phaneuf has a chance to capture a new title at the Canadian National Championships this month in Moncton, N.B.

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