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Alexandra Paul (figure skater)

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Alexandra Paul
Paul at the 2010 Junior Worlds
Full nameAlexandra Jane Paul
Born(1991-09-16)September 16, 1991
Toronto, Canada
DiedAugust 22, 2023(2023-08-22) (aged 31)
Melancthon Township, Ontario, Canada
HometownMidhurst, Ontario
Height1.61 m (5 ft 3 in)
Figure skating career
CountryCanada
Coach
Skating club
  • Barrie ON
  • Gadbois Centre
  • Detroit Skating Club
Began skating1996
RetiredDecember 15, 2016
Medal record
Figure skating: Ice dancing
Representing  Canada
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2010 The Hague Ice dancing

Alexandra Jane Paul (September 16, 1991 – August 22, 2023) was a Canadian competitive ice dancer. With her skating partner and eventual husband, Mitchell Islam, she won the silver medal at the 2010 World Junior Championships. In their senior career, Paul and Islam were the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy bronze medalists, three-time Canadian national bronze medalists (2011, 2014–2015), and represented their country at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Career

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Paul and Islam at the 2011 Canadian Championships

Alexandra Paul finished third with Jason Cheperdak in junior ice dancing at the 2009 Canadian Championships. She then began looking for a new partner and had a successful tryout in February 2009 with Mitchell Islam, a fellow skater at the Mariposa School of Skating in Barrie, Ontario.[1]

Paul and Islam began competing together during the 2009–2010 season.[2][3] In July 2009, they beat the Canadian junior champions at the Minto Summer Skate and were given a Junior Grand Prix assignment.[4] They competed at two 2009–10 Junior Grand Prix events, finishing fourth in Poland and fifth in Turkey. They won gold at the Canadian Junior Championships and were assigned to Junior Worlds where they captured the silver medal.[5]

Paul and Islam moved up to the senior ranks for the 2010–2011 season. They finished fourth in their senior Grand Prix debut at 2010 Skate Canada International. Their next event was 2010 Cup of Russia. They had a fall in the short dance and withdrew from the free dance after Paul sustained a rib injury.[6] They made their senior national debut at the 2011 Canadian Championships, finishing in third. They were first alternates for the 2011 World Championships.[7]

Paul sprained a knee ligament around 2011 or 2012.[8][9]

Paul and Islam finished eighth at the 2011 Skate America. They withdrew before the free dance at 2011 NHK Trophy after placing seventh in the short—Paul suffered a cut to the back of the thigh in a collision with Italy's Lorenza Alessandrini and Simone Vaturi during the morning practice on November 12.[10]

In June 2012, Paul and Islam decided to train full-time at the Detroit Skating Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.[11][12] They had no Grand Prix events in 2012. At the 2013 Canadian Championships, they finished fourth.[13]

Paul/Islam began the following season with bronze at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy. They placed fifth at their sole Grand Prix assignment, the 2013 Skate Canada International.[14] After winning the bronze medal at the 2014 Canadian Championships, they were assigned to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where they placed 18th.[15][16]

Paul/Islam ranked 8th in the short dance, 14th in the free dance, and 13th overall at the 2015 World Championships in Shanghai, China. A few weeks later, they changed coaches, joining Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon, and Romain Haguenauer at the Gadbois Centre in Montreal, Quebec.[17]

Paul injured her hamstring in the summer of 2016.[17] She and Islam received the bronze medal at the 2016 CS U.S. International Classic. On November 18, Paul twisted her knee when she fell during a morning practice at the 2016 Cup of China.[17] The duo decided to withdraw from the competition before the short dance. They announced their competitive retirement on December 15, 2016.[18]

Personal life and death

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Alexandra Paul was born on September 16, 1991, in Toronto.[19] She had two sisters. Her father is a radiologist. She studied political science at Oakland University,[20] completing her final semester in April 2017.[21] She earned her Juris Doctor degree at the University of Windsor law school in 2020, and started a career as an associate lawyer with the firm Barriston Law in 2021.[22][23][24]

Paul and Islam married in September 2021. She gave birth to their son, Charles, in late 2022.[24] On August 22, 2023, Paul was killed when her car was hit by a transport truck.[22] Paul was with her baby when the transport truck entered a construction zone on Country Road 124 in Melancthon Township and crashed into a lineup of stopped cars. The baby was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.[25]

Tribute was paid to Paul at the 2023 Skate Canada International, where all the flower girls were dressed in versions of her 2014 Olympic free dance costume.[26]

Programs

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(with Mitchell Islam)

Season Short dance Free dance Exhibition
2016–2017
[19][27]
2015–2016
[28][29][30]
2014–2015
[31][32][33][34][35]
2013–2014
[13][36][37]
  • Going Somewhere
  • I Will Follow You
  • Satin Birds
  • Dance for Me Wallis
    all by Abel Korzeniowski
2012–2013
[12][38][39]
  • In Your Eyes
    (New Blood edition)
    by Peter Gabriel
    choreo. by Jeffrey Buttle[13]
2011–2012
[40]
2010–2011
[41]
  • As Time Goes By
    by Herman Hupfeld
    choreo. by
    Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon
Original dance
2009–2010
[42]
  • Nocturno
    by Guido Luciani
  • Farruca Y Rumba
    by Pepe Romero

Competitive highlights

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GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

With Islam

[edit]
International[43]
Event 09–10 10–11 11–12 12–13 13–14 14–15 15–16 16–17
Olympics 18th
Worlds 10th 13th
Four Continents 6th 6th
GP Cup of China 5th WD
GP Bompard 6th
GP NHK Trophy WD WD
GP Rostel. Cup WD
GP Skate America 8th
GP Skate Canada 4th 5th 6th 8th
CS Autumn Classic 4th
CS Nebelhorn 2nd
CS U.S. Classic 3rd
Nebelhorn 5th 3rd
U.S. Classic 2nd
International: Junior[43]
Junior Worlds 2nd
JGP Poland 4th
JGP Turkey 5th
National[44]
Canadian Champ. 1st J 3rd 5th 4th 3rd 3rd 4th
J = Junior level; WD = Withdrew

With Cheperdak

[edit]
International[45]
Event 2007–08 2008–09
JGP Spain 4th
JGP United Kingdom 6th
National
Canadian Champ. 3rd N 3rd J
Levels: N = Novice; J = Junior

References

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  1. ^ Walker, Elvin (September 12, 2010). "Paul and Islam hope to continue to rise". GoldenSkate.com. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
  2. ^ "Canadian Olympic figure skater killed in 7-car collision; infant son injured". NBC News. August 28, 2023. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  3. ^ "Alexandra Paul". Team Canada – Official Olympic Team Website. January 12, 2014. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  4. ^ "Alexandra Paul Former Competitive Ice Dancer Died, Child Hurt in Dufferin County Car Accident". SNBC13 News. August 26, 2023. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  5. ^ "Canadian figure skater Alexandra Paul killed in car crash". New York Daily News. August 27, 2023. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  6. ^ Brodie, Rob (January 19, 2011). "Paul and Islam Dancing up a Storm". IFS Magazine. Archived from the original on January 21, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
  7. ^ Kwong, PJ (April 13, 2011). "Focus main priority for Canadian alternates". CBC News. Archived from the original on April 16, 2011. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  8. ^ Almond, Mary Beth (February 14, 2014). "Local ice skaters, OU students, head to Winter Olympics". C & G Newspapers. Archived from the original on April 30, 2017.
  9. ^ McInroy, Ian (January 14, 2014). "Local ice-dance skaters will compete at Winter Olympics in Sochi". The Barrie Examiner. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  10. ^ "Ice dancing duo pull out of free skate in Japan". Agence France-Presse. November 12, 2011. Archived from the original on December 8, 2012.
  11. ^ Millington, Ali (August 18, 2012). "Olympic fever sparks hope in Barrie athletes". Simcoe.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2017.
  12. ^ a b Thayer, Jacquelyn (June 27, 2012). "A Summer of Change for Paul & Islam". ice-dance.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  13. ^ a b c Thayer, Jacquelyn (June 27, 2013). "Paul and Islam Make a Home in Detroit". ice-dance.com. Archived from the original on January 20, 2015.
  14. ^ "ISU GP Skate Canada International 2013 – Ice Dance". isuresults.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  15. ^ "Sochi 2014 Figure Skating Dancing Mixed Results". Olympics.com. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  16. ^ Levenson, Michael (August 28, 2023). "Alexandra Paul, Olympic Figure Skater From Canada, Is Killed in Car Crash". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  17. ^ a b c Thayer, Jacquelyn (April 7, 2017). "With Paul and Islam, the end is where we start from". twofortheice.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2017. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  18. ^ "Olympians Alexandra Paul and Mitchell Islam Retire from Competitive Skating". Skate Canada. December 15, 2016. Archived from the original on December 15, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  19. ^ a b "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on December 15, 2016.
  20. ^ "Political Science students heading to Sochi to skate in Winter Olympics". Oakland University. January 22, 2014. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  21. ^ Thayer, Jacquelyn (April 12, 2017). "In the end, a beginning for Paul and Islam". twofortheice.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2017. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  22. ^ a b Phillips, Kim (August 25, 2023). "Former figure skating Olympian from Barrie, Ont., identified as new mom killed in Melancthon crash". CTV News. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023.
  23. ^ "Alexandra Paul". Barriston Law. December 29, 2022. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023.
  24. ^ a b Cole, Nikki (August 25, 2023). "Barrie lawyer, former Olympian mourned following tragic crash". barrietoday.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023.
  25. ^ "Former Olympian Alexandra Paul killed in car crash at 31, Skate Canada says". Associated Press News. August 27, 2023. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  26. ^ Smith, Beverley (October 29, 2023). "Gilles and Poirier: A Wuthering Masterpiece". Bev Smith Writes: An Insider's Look at Figure Skating. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023.
  27. ^ a b Thayer, Jacquelyn (May 30, 2016). "With Past as Prologue, Paul and Islam Carry On". Two for the Ice. Archived from the original on June 19, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  28. ^ "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2015/2016". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 27, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  29. ^ Thayer, Jacquelyn (August 13, 2015). "2015 Quebec Summer Championships: The Dancers". Two for the Ice. Archived from the original on August 14, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  30. ^ Klaus-Reinhold Kany (August 20, 2015). "Dance teams head to Montreal in hopes of rebirth". Icenetwork. Archived from the original on August 22, 2015. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  31. ^ "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2014/2015". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on November 3, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  32. ^ Smith, Beverley (October 15, 2014). "Returning home, Alexandra Paul & Mitchell Islam to debut new programs in Barrie". Skate Canada. Archived from the original on December 26, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  33. ^ Thayer, Jacquelyn (May 28, 2014). "Lifted by Success, Paul and Islam Hold to Foundations". Two for the Ice. Archived from the original on November 3, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  34. ^ "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2014/2015". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  35. ^ Thayer, Jacquelyn (February 9, 2015). "Behind the Program, Ep. 1: Paul and Islam, 2015 Free Dance". Two for the Ice. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  36. ^ "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2013/2014". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 23, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  37. ^ "Alexandra Paul / Mitchell Islam: 2013/2014". Skate Canada. Archived from the original on February 13, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  38. ^ "Alexandra Paul / Mitchell Islam: 2012/2013". Skate Canada. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  39. ^ "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2012/2013". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on March 3, 2013.
  40. ^ "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2011/2012". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  41. ^ "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2010/2011". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  42. ^ "Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM: 2009/2010". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on April 16, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  43. ^ a b "Competition Results: Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on December 15, 2016.
  44. ^ "Alexandra Paul / Mitchell Islam". Skate Canada. Archived from the original on September 15, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  45. ^ "Competition Results: Alexandra PAUL / Jason CHEPERDAK". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
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