This is where we discuss figure skating and skating related items. How did you favourite skaters perform, and so on? However we never speculate on the private lives of skaters, like who might be going out with whom, because that is poison and is not tolerated here. A good guideline is that if it's not publicly announced, in the papers etc. then it's probably best to leave it alone. Is it a gray area? Then write to me and ask.
Top Ice Dance Moments from the 2023/2024 Season
April 23, 2024/by Skate Canada
The 2023/2024 figure skating season came to a crowd-roaring conclusion at the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships at home in Montreal, Quebec. From the junior to senior level, Canada’s ice dancers impressed this season, capturing a total of 14 international medals.
Here are some of the top ice dance moments from the season.
The king and queen of Canadian ice dance, Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier continue to impress year after year, and what a year it was for this dynamic duo! Gilles and Poirier posted their best-ever finish at the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, winning the free dance and capturing the silver medal. Their road to the silver medal included their first championship gold medal at the 2024 ISU Four Continents Championships, a bronze medal at Grand Prix Final, and their fourth title win at Skate Canada International.
Not only did Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha overcome adversity this season, but they also found their place in the upper ranks of Canadian ice dance. After winning two silver medals on the Grand Prix circuit and making their first appearance at Grand Prix Final, Lajoie suffered a concussion that sidelined the duo for months. Finally in the clear to train again just before the World Championships, these previous Junior World Champions (2019) wowed the home crowd to place 5th in Montreal. A huge leap from their previous 11th place finish in 2022.
On the topic of impressive comebacks, Paul Ayer and Alicia Fabbri also had career highlighting moments this year. After being sidelined the previous season due to Ayer’s shoulder injury, Fabbri and Ayer captured their first podium finish – a bronze medal – at Nationals in Ayer’s hometown of Calgary, Alberta. They finished their season strong by winning the first senior international medal of their career, a bronze at the 2024 Challenge Cup.
Skate Canada’s junior teams also shone brightly this season. Ontario’s Layla Vellion and Alexander Brandys claimed their first national title, rising from their fifth-place finish at Nationals the year before. While Chloe Nguyen and Brendan Giang, the newly formed team from British Columbia, took home a silver medal on the junior Grand Prix circuit at the Cup of Austria. Both teams also had standout performances at the 2024 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships, placing in the top-10.
The future of Canadian ice dance is looking strong as we approach the halfway mark to the 2026 Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina. Make sure to stay tuned to skatecanada.ca and sign up for the Fan List to be the first to know about the 2024/2025 Grand Prix assignments and who’s named to the National Team in the months ahead.
Top Men’s Moments from the 2023/2024 Season
May 1, 2024/by Skate Canada
From snowstorms to broken skate laces, new titles to breakout performances, the men kept us on the edge of our seats this season. Here are a few of our top Canadian men’s moments from the 2023/2024 skating season.
When we think of an athlete who seizes every opportunity to shine, Aleksa Rakic immediately comes to mind. Rakic kicked off his standout season at Skate Canada International – his senior Grand Prix debut – where he put up an impressive score of 189.38. He harnessed the momentum to capture silver medals at the 2023/24 Skate Canada Challenge and at the 2024 Canadian National Skating Championships. Rakic’s performance at Nationals was a noteworthy leap from his 10th place finish the previous year.
Wesley Chiu also had a breakout performance at the 2024 Canadian National Skating Championships. For years, Canadian figure skating fans have been watching Chiu rise through the ranks and develop his confidence on the ice. With the retirement of Keegan Messing making way for a new Canadian men’s champion, Chiu rose to the occasion and captured his first National title. Chiu then went on to compete at Four Continents and the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships – his first ever Championship events.
The triumphs of our senior men offer a lot of inspiration for Canada’s up-and-coming athletes. Take Parker Heiderich for example, a novice skater from Alberta who is competing as part of Skate Canada’s podium pathway. After attending the 2023 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, Heiderich was motivated to improve his program and tackle new elements. He skated into the new season with a triple lutz under his belt and walked away with the novice men’s silver medal at the 2023/24 Skate Canada Challenge.
Every season has its challenges and Roman Sadovsky faced his fair share. After falling on a triple axel during summer training, Sadovsky suffered a knee and ankle injury that took him off the ice for a few months. When he finally returned to competition, Sadovsky was sidelined once again by series of travel mishaps, including lost luggage and a snowstorm. Sadovsky’s path finally took an upturn at Nationals, where he qualified for the Four Continents and World Championships teams. He was able to cap off his season on a high note competing in front of the home crowd at Worlds in Montreal.
Anthony Paradis also delt with a surprising stroke of bad luck last season. While competing at Nationals, Paradis’ lace broke in the middle of his free skate. Paradis asked the referee for a three-minute break to fix his lace. With his lace repaired, Paradis jumped back on the ice with tremendous force to skate the remainder of his program and to capture the bronze medal at his first senior men’s Nationals, despite the five-point deduction he incurred for the interruption.
Through all the highs and lows, Canada’s men put on an amazing show of grit and determination last season. We are excited to see what they accomplish in 2024/2025!
Women’s Top Moments from the 2023/2024 Season
May 9, 2024/by Skate Canada
From novice through to senior women, we saw lots of incredible Canadian talent on display this year. Here are some of our top women’s highlights from the 2023/2024 season.
The Canadian women’s season started off on a high note with a double podium finish at Autumn Classic International. In front of local fans in Pierrefonds, Quebec, Kaiya Ruiter of Alberta, and Justine Miclette of Quebec claimed the silver and bronze medals behind three-time World Champion, Kaori Sakamoto of Japan. Ruiter continued her hot streak at the 2024 Canadian National Skating Championships, where she captured her first national title in her hometown of Calgary, Alberta.
This year, we also saw a new star rise to the top of the junior podium at the 2024 Canadian National Skating Championships. After finishing in 8th place the year before, Lulu Lin of Ontario laid down an impressive performance to earn the gold medal and a coveted spot on Canada’s World Junior team. At her World Junior debut, Lin put out two strong skates to find herself ranked in the top-10 of the competition – securing two spots for Canada’s women at the event next season.
One of the most remarkable Canadian athletes this season was none other than Lia Cho, a novice skater from Alberta. At Skate Canada Challenge – Pre-Novice/Novice, Cho took home the gold medal and set a new Canadian novice record with a total score of 153.81. Cho then went on to rewrite the history books yet again at the 2024 Novice Canadian Championships, where she captured first place and broke her own record with a score of 166.56 – 33 points ahead of the nearest competition.
The year finished just as good as it started for our female athletes, with three Canadian novice skaters sweeping the podium at the Triglav Trophy in Slovenia. Lia Cho continued to dominate the women’s discipline, claiming the gold medal with a notable lead. She was followed by Ksenia Krouzkevitch of Ontario, and Sandrine Blais of Quebec who took home the silver and bronze medals respectively. It was an especially remarkable result considering that it was the skaters’ first international competition!
There is a lot of exciting young talent to watch for in the upcoming skating season, some of whom will be named to Skate Canada’s NextGen team and assigned to the Junior Grand Prix circuit.
Top Pair Moments from the 2023-2024 Season
May 15, 2024/by Skate Canada
It was a monumental year for pair figure skating in Canada, consisting of historic triumphs and captivating comebacks. Take a look at some of the standout moments that left us inspired and eagerly anticipating the 2024/2025 season.
Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps Win the World Championships
Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps soared to unprecedented heights this season, medalling at every event they competed in. Their hot streak culminated in a triumphant gold medal at the 2024 World ISU Figure Skating Championships in Montreal, Que. – Deschamps’ hometown. Stellato-Dudek’s victory marked a watershed moment in sport, as she became the first-ever female competitor over 40 years old to clinch this prestigious title.
Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud Shine in First Grand Prix Season
Another Canadian senior pair team captivated our hearts this year. Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud debuted in their first Grand Prix season together, where they secured a silver medal at Skate America and claimed gold at the Grand Prix of France. The dynamic duo went on to place in the top-10 at both the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final and the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships – a superb finish for their first year as a team.
Canada’s Junior Teams Show Great Promise for the Future of Pair Skating
While Canada’s senior pair teams dazzled this year, the ascent of our junior stars was equally as remarkable. After suffering from a collapsed lung last season, Yohnatan Elizarov and his partner Ava Kemp came back stronger than ever this year. This season saw the duo clinch gold on the Junior Grand Prix circuit and seize silver at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.
Alongside Kemp and Elizarov on the podium at the Junior Grand Prix Final were Jazmine Derochers and Kieran Thrasher. To the delight Canadian fans, this newly formed pair team captured the bronze medal to secure a double podium finish for Canada. Also in their first season as a pair, Martina Ariano-Kent and Charly Lailberté-Laurent had a breakout year, capturing two medals on the Junior Grand Prix circuit and signaling a bright future for Canada’s NextGen talent.
Canada’s Junior Pair Team Makes History With First-Ever Youth Olympics Gold Medal Win
The 2024 Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, Republic of Korea, marked another historic moment for Canadian pairs. In their debut season on Canada’s NextGen team, Annika Behnke and Kole Sauve etched their names in figure skating history by clinching Canada’s first-ever gold medal and first-ever individual medal at the Youth Olympic Games. Behnke and Sauve were further honoured when they were selected as Canada’s flag bearers for the Closing Ceremony.
Top Synchronized Skating Moments from the 2023/2024 Season
May 21, 2024/by Skate Canada
Canada is known for many things, such as ice hockey, maple syrup, and cold winters. After the 2023/2024 skating season, Canada should also be known for the world-class talent of our synchronized skaters. Keep reading to see some of the most memorable synchro moments from last year.
Les Suprêmes soared to unprecedented heights this season, becoming the first team in synchronized skating history to win three consecutive World Championship titles! The Quebec-based team dominated the competition at the 2024 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Croatia, setting all new season’s best scores to finish first in both the short program and free skate.
Les Suprêmes Junior Claim their First World Title
The undisputed talent of Les Supremes also extends to their junior team, who topped the podium at the 2024 ISU World Junior Synchornized Skating Championships in Switzerland. Les Supremes Junior achieved a new season’s best total score of 205.14, skating their way to the gold medal and to capturing their first World title. It was the cherry on top of a fantastic season for the team who earned a gold medal at the Challenger Series Marie Lundmark Trophy, a bronze at the PGE Hevelius Cup, and gold at the 2024 Canadian National Championships.
Synchro Celebrated at World’s Opening Ceremony
Fans from across the globe were treated to a spectacular display of synchronized skating at the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, which took place at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Que. To officially kick off the festivities, Nova Senior and Les Suprêmes performed a dazzling routine together – complete with light up costumes – at the Opening Ceremony that paid tribute to Canada’s four seasons.
Canadian Podium Sweep at 2024 Steel City Trophy
They came, they skated, they conquered all three steps of the podium! Canada’s incredible roster of synchronized skating talent was on full display at the 2024 Steel City Trophy in the United Kingdom, with Canadian teams sweeping the podium to complete one of the rarest triples of all: gold, silver, and bronze. Ice Ignite of Ontario, Golding Ice of Quebec, and Gold Ice of Ontario claimed first, second and third place respectively.
First Elite 12 Champions Crowned at Skate Canada Cup
NEXXICE etched their name in skating history this season, becoming the first senior elite 12 champions of Canada at the 2024 Skate Canada Cup. A new addition to the competition this year, elite 12 is a recently developed category that consists of 12 skaters as compared to 16 skaters in a typical senior synchronized skating division. The Ontario team soared high above the competition, claiming the top spot by a near 15-point lead.
Top Alumni Moments from the 2023-2024 Season
May 30, 2024/by Skate Canada
While our athletes wowed at events this season, Canada’s former figure skaters also achieved outstanding accomplishments outside of the competition rink. Take a look at some of our favourite skating stories from beyond the boards that you may have missed this year.
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir Receive Highest Honour in Sport
Considered one of the greatest skating duos of all time, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir received the Order of Sport – Canada’s highest sporting honour – and were inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023. The team spent nearly a decade at the top of our sport, becoming the most decorated ice dancers in the world winning a record-setting five Olympic medals, three World Championships, and eight Canadian National Championships while capturing the hearts of fans around the world and elevating the sport of figure skating in the process.
Patrick Chan Performs his Swan Song with Stars on Ice
With his second baby on the way and a budding new career in finance, skating superstar Patrick Chan announced his retirement from show skating this year. Chan marked the culmination of his illustrious career with a final farewell tour with Stars on Ice this spring, where he performed in 12 cities and officially said farewell to his devoted fans across Canada. Chan retired from competitive skating in 2018 after a remarkable career which included Olympic gold and silver medals, three World Championship titles, and 10 National Championship victories, solidifying his status as the most decorated figure skater in Canadian history.
Skating Leaders Recognized for Coaching Excellence
Among the best national team coaches in Canada, five figure skating leaders were honoured for their outstanding achievements in coaching last fall. Jon Lane, Juris Razgulajevs and Carol Lane, Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier’s coaches, and Pascal Dennis and Marilyn Langlois, Les Supremes’ coaches, received the Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award. These prestigious awards recognize coaches whose athletes have excelled at world championships, Olympic and Special Olympics Worlds Games.
Elvis Stojko Brings Down the House at Gala
The man, the myth, the legend, Elvis Stojko was true to form in his Gala performance at the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal, Quebec. As the opening act for the Exhibition Gala, the closing event which showcases the fun and humorous side of figure skating, Stojko fired up the hometown crowd with his signature ‘bad boy’ skating style. The star-studded Gala lineup included other Canadian alumni like Keegan Messing and Patrick Chan, the medallists from the World Championships, and a selection of fan-favourite athletes.
Elizabeth Manley Inspires at Special Olympics Canada Winter Games
Nearly 40 years after winning the silver medal at the 1988 Winter Olympics, Elizabeth Manley returned to Calgary this year to help pave the way for the next generation of Canadian figure skaters. In partnership with the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games, Manley led training sessions and coaching clinics with the 44 figure skaters and their coaches who were participating in the event, offering cherished advice and words of inspiration ahead of the competition. “There should be … no barriers in sport,” said Manley. “We should all be able to do it no matter what our situation may be.”
Kurt Browning Assumes Director Role with Stars on Ice
After an incredible 30-year stint performing in shows with Stars on Ice, the iconic Kurt Browning hung up his skates in 2023. However, to the delight of fans, Browning’s retirement from Stars on Ice was short-lived. He returned to the tour this spring in a new and exciting fashion as the Director and Choreographer of the 2024 production. His connection with the audience and skating expertise brought unique creativity and charisma to each performance, providing an unforgettable experience for all.
