Key Takeaways:
- NEXXICE Junior won the gold medal in the junior synchro event with a score of 197.82, breaking a Canadian record in the process.
- Les Suprêmes won the senior synchro event for the third year in a row, with a score of 226.99.
- Stephen Gogolev leads the senior men’s competition after the short program, with a score of 99.60.
- Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps lead the senior pairs competition after the short program, with a score of 78.53.
- The 2026 Canadian National Skating Championships are being held in Gatineau, Quebec, with the goal of determining the national champions in various events and selecting the Olympic team for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics.
Introduction to the Championships
The 2026 Canadian National Skating Championships are underway in Gatineau, Quebec, and the competition is heating up. The fourth day of the championships saw some exciting performances, with NEXXICE Junior taking the gold medal in the junior synchro event and Les Suprêmes winning the senior synchro event for the third year in a row. The senior men’s competition also debuted, with Stephen Gogolev emerging as the leader after the short program. In addition, the senior pairs competition got underway, with Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps delivering a strong performance to take the lead.
NEXXICE Junior’s Record-Breaking Performance
NEXXICE Junior’s win in the junior synchro event was a highlight of the day, with the team delivering a gold medal-worthy performance in their free program and breaking a Canadian record in the process. Their overall score of 197.82 was enough to edge out the reigning national champions and previous record holders, Les Suprêmes, who finished second with a score of 186.88. Team leader Tiffany Wang expressed her pride in the team’s achievement, stating that they had put in a lot of hard work and discipline to get to where they are now. This win marks NEXXICE Junior’s first national title in three years, and they are undoubtedly thrilled to be back on top.
Les Suprêmes’ Third Consecutive Win
Les Suprêmes, on the other hand, continued their dominance in the senior synchro event, winning their third consecutive national title. The team scored 145.55 in their free program, good for an overall score of 226.99. Co-captain Olivia Di Giandomenico expressed her team’s love for national competitions and the joy of having their friends and family in attendance. Les Suprêmes have been a force to be reckoned with in the senior synchro event, and their win is a testament to their hard work and dedication. Nova Senior (Quebec) finished second with 221.78 points, while NEXXICE finished third with 214.66 points.
Senior Men’s Competition Heats Up
The senior men’s competition debuted on Friday afternoon, with a coveted spot on the Olympic roster ahead of Milano Cortina 2026 on the line. Stephen Gogolev emerged as the leader after the short program, scoring 99.60 points. Gogolev expressed his comfort on the ice, stating that he felt more at ease after the first jump. He heads into Saturday’s free program with a decent lead, followed by Wesley Chiu (British Columbia) in second place with 89.14 points, and Aleksa Rakic (British Columbia) in third place with 83.60 points. The senior men’s competition is expected to be intense, with several skaters vying for a spot on the Olympic team.
Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps Shine in Short Program
The senior pairs competition also got underway, with Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps delivering a strong performance to take the lead. The Quebec duo scored 78.53 points, with Stellato-Dudek’s custom-designed costume, a collaboration with Oscar de la Renta, making a stunning impression. The pair expressed their happiness with their performance, stating that it was a good step in the right direction after a disappointing sixth-place finish at the ISU Grand Prix Final in December. Ontario’s Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud scored 69.11 points and are in second place, while Ava Kemp and Yohnatan Elizarov, also of Ontario, sit in third place with 65.85 points in their senior national debut.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The 2026 Canadian National Skating Championships are shaping up to be an exciting and competitive event, with several skaters and teams vying for national titles and Olympic spots. The championships will continue over the next few days, with the senior men’s and pairs events concluding on Saturday. The results of these events will determine the national champions and help select the Olympic team for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics. As the competition heats up, fans can expect to see some thrilling performances and intense rivalries unfold on the ice. With the stakes high and the competition fierce, the 2026 Canadian National Skating Championships are sure to be an event to remember.