Key Takeaways:
- The 2026 Canadian National Skating Championships will determine the country’s Olympic team for the Milan Cortina Winter Games
- Seven figure skating entries are available for Canada: three in ice dance, two in pairs, one in men’s singles, and one in women’s singles
- The selection process considers a skater’s performance over the past couple of seasons, including world championships and international scores
- The men’s and women’s singles events are highly competitive, with several skaters vying for a spot on the Olympic team
- Decorated ice dancers Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier are aiming for their fifth national title and first Olympic medal
Introduction to the Championships
The 2026 Canadian National Skating Championships are underway, and the stakes are high. The country’s top figure skaters have gathered at the Centre Slush Puppie in Gatineau to compete for a spot on the Olympic team. With seven entries available, the competition is fierce, and the selection process is not solely based on the results of the national championships. The governing body, Skate Canada, considers a skater’s body of work over the past couple of seasons, including performances at world championships and international scores.
Selection Criteria
The selection process for the Olympic team is complex and takes into account a range of factors. While the national championships are an important part of the process, they are not the only consideration. Skate Canada’s High Performance Development Committee exercises discretion when selecting the team, weighing the results of the national championships against a skater’s overall performance over the past couple of seasons. This means that a skater who performs well at the national championships but has a poor record in international competitions may not necessarily secure a spot on the Olympic team.
Men’s Singles Competition
The men’s singles event is shaping up to be a showdown between Stephen Gogolev and Roman Sadovsky. The two skaters have gone head-to-head four times this season, with each outperforming the other twice. Gogolev, a 21-year-old from Toronto, is having a resurgent season after injuries and a growth spurt stalled his career. Sadovsky, 26, is the reigning national champion and a 2022 Olympian. Keegan Messing, 33, who came out of retirement last summer, is also in the mix, although he has yet to regain his form. Wesley Chiu, the 2024 Canadian champion, returns to the national stage after missing most of last season with an ankle injury.
Women’s Singles Competition
Madeline Schizas is the favorite to win the women’s singles event, having won three national titles in four years. However, she faces a tougher path this year, with Gabrielle Daleman, a two-time Olympian, returning to the championships for the first time since 2022. Sara-Maude Dupuis, 20, who is the first Canadian woman to land a triple axel in competition, is also a contender. While Canada’s chances of medaling in singles at the Olympics are slim, a solid showing in the team event could help the country contend for bronze.
Pairs Competition
The pairs competition is arguably the least suspenseful, with Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps, the 2024 world champions, expected to secure a spot on the Olympic team. They will be joined by Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud, who have finished no lower than 11th in the past three world championships. Stellato-Dudek, 42, is set to make her Olympic debut, while Deschamps, 34, will be competing in his fourth Olympics.
Ice Dance Competition
Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, decorated ice dancers, are going for their fifth national title in what will likely be their last Canadian championships. They have reached the world championship podium three straight years, winning silver in each of the past two, and are aiming for their first Olympic medal in their third Games. Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha have established themselves as a top-10 ice dance team and should secure another Olympic spot, leaving Alicia Fabbri and Paul Ayer to battle Romain Le Gac and Marie-Jade Lauriault for Canada’s third entry.