Canadian Olympic Foundation
Supporting our Next Gen Through Toller Cranston’s Legacy
Figure skating is driven by determination, dedication and a desire to express yourself with artistic passion on the ice. The Toller Cranston Memorial Fund Athlete Award recognizes these attributes in 14 of the top Next Gen skaters who exemplify this in their sport.
Toller Cranston
The award honours the late Toller Cranston, a man known for his creativity, freedom of expression and dramatic showmanship. Although he never received an Olympic or World title, his unique artistic vision forever changed the sport of figure skating. For Toller, skating was more than a sport, it was a way to express himself.
The Toller Cranston Memorial Fund Athlete Award celebrates Next Gen skaters who display exceptional artistry on ice at the 2018 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships at the Novice and Junior levels.
Each winner will also receive a free pair of industry-leading boots and blades courtesy of Jackson Ultima Skates.
“I am currently preparing to move up to Junior level this season and I know this means I will have to face lots of challenges”, explained Leah Lee, one of this year’s recipients of the award. “Receiving this award motivates me tremendously to continue to work hard, overcome these challenges and one day become a member of Team Canada, representing Canada internationally.”
RELATED: Next Gen skaters carry Toller Cranston’s legacy
The awards are presented at various Skate Canada awards banquets by former Olympic competitors, family, and friends of Toller’s from coast to coast. The last event this year takes place on June 9th.
Friends of the skating community gather at the Toller Cranston Memorial Fund launch event to celebrate Toller’s life with his artwork at the Art Gallery of Ontario in 2015. (Scott Umstattd)
The Toller Cranston Memorial Fund was established by the Canadian Olympic Foundation shortly after Toller’s death in 2015. The fund is a way to show appreciation for the artistry he brought to the world of figure skating and to financially assist young skaters who possess the same artistic values and style as he did.
RELATED: Figure skating icon Toller Cranston passes away
The Canadian Olympic Foundation and Skate Canada are proud to announce the Toller Cranston Memorial Fund Athlete Award winners for 2018:
Alexie Lay – Novice Men
Alicia Fabbri – Junior Dance
Bruce Waddell – Junior Dance
Claudio Pietrantonio – Junior Dance
Corey Circelli – Junior Men
Daria Carr – Novice Women
Emma Bulawka -Junior Women
Iliya Kovler – Junior Men
Leah Lee – Novice Women
Mikil Makita – Novice Dance
Natalie D’Alessandro – Junior Dance
Tim Pomares. – Novice Men
Tyler Gunara – Novice Dance
Zoé Duval-Yergeau – Junior Men
If you would like to make a donation to the Toller Cranston Memorial Fund Athlete Award, you can do so through the Foundation donate page here.
