{allcanada} LAVOIE LEAVING HIS POSITION AS SKATE CANADA PRESIDENT

OTTAWA -- Benoit Lavoie is stepping down after seven years as Skate Canada's president.

The native of Baie St-Paul, Que., made the announcement less than two weeks after London, Ont., hosted the world figure skating championships.

"After such a wonderful week in London, I feel I have accomplished everything possible in my role as president, and now it is time for someone else to bring their energy, enthusiasm and passion to this position," Lavoie said in a statement.

Canada is coming off one of its most successful world championships in years, earning 11 of a possible 12 berths for the Sochi Olympics. Patrick Chan won his third consecutive world title, ice dancers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir captured silver, and pairs skaters Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford won bronze.

"The performances of our Canadian athletes were simply outstanding, qualifying the largest figure skating team for next year's Olympic Winter Games in Sochi," Lavoie said.

Lavoie was first elected the national board in 1995, and will remain on the Skate Canada Board as past-president. He also plans to become more active at the international level of skating.

A new president will be elected at Skate Canada's annual general meeting in Ottawa in June.

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