
Our names are Samantha Ritter and Daniel Brykalov and we are a Senior Ice Dance team representing the Republic of Azerbaijan. We are currently training in London, Ontario under Scott Moir, Madison Hubbell, and Adrián Díaz. Here is a little bit about our backstory:
We first met each other in Novi, Michigan in 2018, when we became training mates under Igor Shpilband. We had an instant connection to each other and became very close friends in the months to follow. For years we trained side by side, with our respective partners, reaching new levels and accomplishing new goals. Through it all, we remained very close friends, and finally in January of 2021, we decided to do what only felt right, and partnered up. From here our ice dance journey together began.
Our first decision after partnering up was to change our coaching staff, and after much consideration and thought, we chose the Ice Academy of Montreal: London Campus team. We moved to London, Ontario that same spring and felt at home right away. We were inspired by the core values that the Ice Academy of Montreal school upheld and fell in love working with their coaches. We have been working passionately towards our goals ever since.
Our short term goals are to compete at the 2023 European Figure Skating Championships and the 2023 ISU World Figure Skating Championships. Our long term goals are to climb the world rankings and to represent the Republic of Azerbaijan at the Olympic Games.
Thank you very much for taking the time to visit our website and read our story. Feel free to share our website with friends and family, and please consider making a small donation towards our cause on our fundraising page. We are incredibly grateful for anything that can further help us reach our goals.