2006 Canadian Fitness and Figure Nationals Review
by Juan Carlos Lopez

For those who haven't been to an international figure and fitness event shame on you. Europe might be too far for most people and Mexico and South America only have one or two great physiques per show. Canada even when having smaller national shows than the smallest USA National show it still has a great amount of killer physiques. The judging is also very different, Canada prefers the rock hard physiques with lots of muscle. And for the regular fitness, figure and bodybuilding viewer it seems more logical the way they place competitors.

The Meyerhorowitz venue was very small but accommodated the show and still had some space left. In a very nice campus (University of Alberta) the surrounding areas made it ideal for photoshoots. Unfortunately the host hotel was the Sandman which was about 20 minutes away from the venue. The problem was not only transportation but also the Sandman hotel was less than a 3 star hotel. Most contest hotel are at least 3 but still do a great job to accommodate their guests. Competitors and their families mentioned the hotel had many flaws among them bad air conditioning, water in the shower fluctuating from hot to cold, inoperable fitness center, and bad managing. There was a 24hr Denny's attached to the hotel which made it easy for food, but then again most competitors cannot have that type of greasy and fried food. Rumor is that the host hotel was chosen because of its proximity to the Edmonton Mall which held on Sunday a model search. The model search itself held about 35 participants and there was no prize money just a free photoshoot from a local photographer and the cover of a modeling magazine, to enter this competition you had to pay a $75 registration free. Most of those that did very well were regular models and not competitors. Some competitors entered the search and only were on stage for about 1 minute and then eliminated.

Myriam Capes

Going into the Nationals it was made up of 4 figure classes, 2 fitness and one masters. Now the judging remember is very different from that of the United States. The bigger and more muscular defined physiques are the ones that win. Canada Pros usually always have to tone down before going to a IFBB show in the United States. Note that the overall was given to Jamie Senuk but not on stage but off stage. Serena Cooper won the overall on stage and Jill St. Laurent took the additional pro card. What actually happened is the scores were miscalculated and the winner was actually Jamie Senuk. She was told backstage the she had won the whole show, just imagine how bad that feels when you work so hard and just earning it offstage like that.

Marnie Holley

Fitness short was very interesting as each competitor presented a different package. Allison Black was the best conditioned and probably won the physique round. Myriam Capes' conditioning was softer than last year but her routine was really on and was probably what made her win the class. Fitness Tall was very difficult as it was clear that Jennifer Reece had the best physique in Fitness and could have made a run in Figure as well. A newbie one of Mindi O'Brien's prodigies took that class. Marnie Holley with an unreal performance that looked Mindi-esque impressed the judges and thus made her the class winner. Marnie does hold a nice physique by the way, thru the years it will be a competitor to watch out for.

Tracey MacDonald

Figure was much bigger than last year as the promoters made the show much later in the year and thus more competitors qualified for this year's show. The week before there were a few more competitors that qualified and were able to compete. Class A was a tough class as veteran Tracey MacDonald was bringing her game. Bonnie Mckechnie who had a bit more size but not the same definition took the class. In 3rd came in Lorraine Chan who had a very compact and pleasing package. The big surprise here was Jackie Pawluk who also showed great conditioning, being a rather new competitor for national level she could have taken top 3.

Jill St. Laurent

Class B was much bigger and some competitors were eliminated who should have not. Such as Christie Sharun who I think is going to be a dangerous competitor in a few years. She has great looks and good conditioning, judges probably want her to add size. Christie would have placed top 5 in the United States. Jill St. Laurent won the class and earned an additional pro card. Jill and Emmanuella Pintus were the most muscular on stage. Lisa Lattery who placed 3rd had an incredible figure. Lisa has a great future as her looks and physique are great. Nancy Di Nino came in great shape and had a great six-pack. Second place went to Linda Thoreson who was very close to winning the class but probably lacked the muscle judges were looking for. She can probably do North Americans and win it like many Canadians have done.

Serena Cooper

Class C included Serena Cooper who changed her look from a blond to a brunette this year. She sported also a different hairstyle rather than the long hair from last year. From the start Serena's physique was impressive it was quite clear she would take the class and battle for the overall. Macey Boudreau took second and has done her homework in regards to building muscle and displaying a feminine look. Shelly Yakimchuk and Kim Stefanski are competitors to watch out for as they display excellent muscle and judges did a good job in putting them on the top 5. Tracy Royer and Kyla Kennedy could have also been competitor that could have crept somehow on top 5 but given that muscularity is an important factor in order to place well they'll probably place better next year if they can gain a bit more size.

Jamie Senuk

Class D was taken by Jaime Senuk who lost 8 pounds from last year. Probably came in leaner and with less muscle to display a look that could be friendlier to the IFBB shows in the USA. Jamie looked unbeatable and indeed took the whole show. Jeni Briscoe showed great improvements from last year and could be the next pro in 2007. Other competitors to watch our for are Kim Tilden, Kyla McGrath and Christina Thomas. Third place winner Christina Dzieduszyck will also be someone to look for in 2007 as Canada takes on the show in the same city.

Finally Masters Figure was bigger than expected and physiques like Liz Moran, Christine Lanois and Lisa Taylor made the show worth it. Let's not forget Heather Alexander who also placed well in the open figure portion.

It was great to have this show and thanks to all the competitors that keep the word "hardcore" alive. Judges in Canada are fair and do reward what this sport was meant to be: muscles and curves. We hope to see more judging like this as it really helps and promotes the sport in a positive way. It is understandable that the judging may hinder the industry from mainstream coverage but so what. This industry was created for only a select few, we wouldn't want to have just about any girl with a bikini grace the stage right?

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