Christopher Mabee, 18, of Tillsonburg was one of only three Canadians to advance to the Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating final in Malmo, Sweden, Dec. 12-14. Mabee was ninth in the senior division at the 2003 nationals. He earned the trip to Malmo by winning a meet in Slovenia and finishing third in another in Slovakia.

"He has what I'd consider one of the best triple Axels on the Junior Grand Prix circuit," says Bridel. "He's been on this circuit for a couple of years and this year, with a really focused training plan and renewed enthusiasm, he had two really strong events.

"He's really a strong all-round skater. His jumps are strong and is a good performer, and he's found some consistency this year."

It's Mabee's last season at the international junior level.

"He certainly has all of the qualities to do well on the senior Grand Prix circuit," says Bridel.

Meanwhile, Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison, in only six months of skating together, have established a reputation as one of Canada's best up-and-coming pairs teams.

Dube, 16, of Drummondville, Que., and Davison, 17, of Cambridge earned enough points to qualify for the the final.

Dube won the Canadian junior title last winter with previous partner Samuel Tetrault of Iberville, Que.

Davison skated previously with Claire Daugulis of London. When those partnerships dissolved, Dube and Davison got together. Dube has also been competing in women's singles this season and was sixth at a meet in Poland earlier this month.