OTTAWA, ON: Lubov Ilyushechkina, 27, Toronto, Ont., and Charlie Bilodeau, 25, Trois-Pistoles, Que., have formed a new skating partnership and will compete for Canada in the pairs discipline. Both skaters have previously been on the Canadian national team and have competed internationally with different partners.

“I’m looking forward to our partnership with a lot of enthusiasm, inspiration and excitement. I’m thankful for being given this opportunity to realize my stored potential. Figure skating and performing fulfills my life with joy, satisfaction, personal growth, and ambition. Combining our personalities and experiences will help us grow into a powerful and competitive pair team with its own unique style and image. Charlie and I are now connected through figure skating, it’s a fresh start and a new chapter in our lives,” said Ilyushechkina.

“Teaming up with Lubov allows me to finally return to competition which makes me excited. I truly believe in our potential and our chemistry on the ice. Our partnership is exactly what I needed to motivate me to pursue my dreams and to keep working hard until the 2022 Olympics Games in Beijing. It’s a new start that fuels my ambitions,” explained Bilodeau.

Ilyushechkina has relocated to Montreal where she and Bilodeau will train with coaches Richard Gauthier and Bruno Marcotte.

Ilyushechkina and Bilodeau both did not compete this season. Ilyushechkina recently finished a contract with Cirque du Soleil as an on-ice performer. Her previous skating partner was Dylan Moscovitch, whom retired in April 2018. Bilodeau was previously partnered with Julianne Séguin, with whom he finished in ninth place at the 2018 Olympic Games. The couple ended their partnership in the summer of 2018.

Please note that Ilyushechkina and Bilodeau will take the next few weeks to practice together and will be available for the media on Monday, April 1st. Footage of them training on-ice as well as individual interviews will then be possible. More information (and confirmation) will be sent to media in due time.

For more information about the new pair, please contact:

Camille Asselin

[email protected]

514 507-6299

Marie-Anik L’Allier

[email protected]