Whitehorse figure skater Bryn Hoffman’s first experience at the Canadian championships ended in disappointment Wednesday.

With their eyes on a podium finish in junior pairs competition, Hoffman and partner Bryce Chudak stumbled in their long program – ultimately resulting in a seventh-place finish.

“We didn’t reach our goals regarding how we wanted to perform,” Hoffman said candidly this morning.

“We’re disappointed with that, but it was our first nationals and really only our third full competition together, so I guess we have to be satisfied with it and just look forward to next year.”

Hoffman, 17, and Edmonton’s Chudak, 19, scored 106.28 at the 2015 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships in Kingston, Ont., to finish seventh out of 10 pairs.

The duo earned 39.07 in their short Tuesday, and then tacked on another 67.21 points with their long last night.

Western Ontario partners Mary Orr and Phelan Simpson eventually took gold with a total score of 133.14.

Hoffman said a botched double Lutz cost them in the short, and she fell in the long, which didn’t help matters.

“We also lost a bunch of levels on some of the lifts ... and spins, so that cost us a lot of points,” she said.

Hoffman and Chudak had a legitimate shot at a podium placement, coach Cody Hay told the Star this morning from Kingston.

“They didn’t have their best skates, and especially not in the long program,” Hay explained. “After the short, they were within two and a half points of second place. It was a really tight competition.

“With their strength as singles skaters, they had the potential to compete for a podium spot,” he said. “We were aiming for a top-five finish for them, but if everything went perfectly, they could have challenged for a podium.”

Regardless, Hay said the two shouldn’t be hanging their heads.

“They did a really good job at this event – even with the mistakes,” the coach said. “Just the way they skated in practice and their look as a pair team – they really did a good job to set themselves up for next season.

“They’ve come a super long way from where they were at last year – Bryn having never done pairs before,” he added.

“Their progress from then until now has been huge.”

A late start to last season, coupled with a shoulder injury to Chudak, cost the pair a shot at nationals last year.

Chudak has one more year of junior eligibility, and at present, the plan is to continue working together, Hay said of his two pupils.

“Both of them were really motivated after the competition to get back at it and get to work again,” he said. “Our focus next year will be getting out on the international circuit early, and then building up toward nationals – and hopefully junior worlds.”

Hoffman also offered some congratulatory words for fellow Yukoner Rachel Pettitt, who won novice women’s gold Tuesday.

“Her long was spectacular, and she completely deserved to win,” Hoffman said. “It’s super exciting to have someone from the Yukon that’s a novice national champion.”