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This season had some amazing moments begining with the debut of two impressive and sophisticated programs. After holding on to the music for a few years they decided it was time to use the music L'Amour. Working exclusively with Choreographer Julie Marcotte they created a brilliant program that helped them qualify for their first Grand Prix Final! At the Four Continents Championships teammates Dubé and Davison suffered a serious injury on the ice before Val and Craig's long program; despite this unnerving event they landed their first set of side by side Triple-Triples in competition. At the world championships trainingmate Mariusz Siudek injured his back during the warm-up for what was to be their final performance before retirement and had to withdraw from the competition. Despite Val and Craig's compassion for their friends difficult situation they fought through their long program and finished 6th in the World and helped Canada retain 3 spots for next years World Championships! Throughout the season their hardwork has shown in their sophisticated programs and increased techincal difficulty. Congrats to Valerie and Craig for a great season and thank you for the past 5 years!! Sadly, Valerie has announced her decision to retire from amateur skating, she will be missed as she moves into the world of coaching. Valerie
Marcoux retires from amateur skating
International Assignments 2006 - 2007:
March 2007: Val and Craig skated a flawless short program to open the World Championships in Tokyo. They finished solidly in 5th place with a score of 60.73 and are less than 1.5 point beind 4th place. After the long program Val and Craig finished in 6th place overall with a total score of 167.25. February 2007:
Two week after Nationals Valerie and Craig were competing again, this
time at the Four Continents Championships. They started off with a
solid short program, free of major errors and only 1.3 points behind
third place. January 2007: Canadian Nationals took place in Halifax this weekend. Entering the long program, Val and Craig were in 2nd place by less than 1 point. After a few mistakes in the long program Val and Craig finished in 2nd place with a total score of 166.34. They will be heading to Four Continents in February and the World Championships in March. December 2006: Making their first appearance at the Grand Prix final Val and Craig skated to a 5th place finish with a total score of 165.83. They were 6th in the short program and 3rd in the long program. NHK Trophy: In Japan Valerie and Craig picked up their second bronze medal this season with a score of 163.37. In addition to walking away with a medal they also picked up tickets to the Grand Prix Final later this month in Russia! This is the first time they have qualified for the final, congrats!! The Grand Prix Final takes place in St. Petersburg, Russia Dec 14-17. November 2006:Cup of China: After a bronze medal showing at Skate Canada Valerie and Craig headed directly to Cup of China. They maintained a 4th place position throughout the competition with a total score of 165.11. Next up for Val and Craig is the NHK Trophy, November 30-December 3. Skate Canada: With two awesome programs Val and Craig narrowly missed the silver medal by .13. They leave with a bronze, a score of 166.19 and will head to Cup of China next week! Videos from this event have been added to the photos page. October 2006: After skating a wonderful short program Val and Craig helped Team Canada beat the United States at the 2006 US Campbell's Cup over the weekend in Cincinatti, OH. Val and Craig were competing for Team Canada with Utako Wakamatsu and Jean-Sebastien Fecteau, together they earned 171.19 over the USA's score of 150.76. Canada won both events they were competing in, Pairs and Dance. Photos will be posted shortly! More exciting news - Val and Craig have been invited to a third Grand Prix event - the Cup of China. This is means a great deal as it is rare to recieve a third assignment, congratulations and continued success to Valerie and Craig as they kick off what promises to be an exciting competitive season! September 2006: Valerie and Craig have been invited to skate in the 2006 US Campbell's Cup October 15th, in Cincinatti. The competition will be aired live on ABC from 1-3 (EST). Also skating as part of team Canada are Wakamatsu/Fecteau, Dubreuil/Lauzon and Virtue/Moir. August 2006: Valerie and Craig, along with other members of the Canadian National Team, attended a taping of Canadian Idol. The team also met the top 5 Idols after the show! Photos will be added shortly! July 2006: Valerie and Craig skated their new short program at the Quebec Summer Provincials in Boucherville, Quebec. They placed first with a score of 62.58!
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