Athletic Therapy student finishes fourth at world synchronized skating championships

Last month, Daigle and her Burlington Nexxice senior team finished fourth out of 23 entries at the World Synchronized Skating Championships in Hamilton, earning bronze medals in both the long and short programs. “The previous two worlds were canceled due to COVID-19,” says Daigle, who also helped Nexxice to a fourth-place finish at the 2019 world championships in Finland, “so having the opportunity to skate in front of a big crowd again was really magical.”

Daigle began skating at the age of five and competed individually until she was 18, when she was drawn to synchronized skating after watching Nexxice in action at nationals. She moved from Edmonton to Hamilton to join the two-time world champion squad, which trains 20 to 25 hours per week and typically competes in several international events each season.

Like any sport, synchronized skating comes with its share of pain and injuries, including a recurring ankle issue that Daigle has been dealing with for the past five years. “Athletic therapists have been a big factor in my skating success, and they were also pivotal in my decision to pursue athletic therapy as a career,” she says.

“The best therapists don’t just help athletes with their injuries — they’re also compassionate. Most of them come from an athletic background, but I definitely think I can bring a unique perspective because of the elite levels I’ve reached as a skater. I’ll really be able to empathize with the athletes I’m working with.”

— Photo submitted by Emma Daigle