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An important event leading up to the Winter Olympics, which are just four weeks away, is underway this week with the Canadian figure skating championships in Gatineau, Quebec.
The competition commenced for junior-level athletes yesterday. However, the focus is on the elite-level events starting Friday afternoon, as they will play a crucial role in determining Canada’s representatives at the upcoming Olympics in Italy.
After a disappointing performance at the 2022 Games in Beijing, where Canada did not secure a figure skating medal for the first time since 1980, the country has secured a total of eight spots across various events in Milan — three in ice dance, two in pairs, one each in men’s and women’s singles, and the team competition, which kicks off on Feb. 6.
Unlike the U.S. track and field trials, where Olympic spots are solely based on top finishers, the Canadian championships are part of an evaluation process considering skaters’ performance over the past few seasons. Skate Canada, the national governing body for the sport, will reveal its Olympic selections on Sunday evening, shortly after the conclusion of the championships with the final stage of the ice dance competition.
While some names are likely already set, the final selections may come down to this weekend’s performances. Even those almost guaranteed a spot will face pressure to demonstrate their medal-worthy form to the nation and themselves at the final major competition before the Olympics.
CBC Sports host Perdita Felicien and analyst Asher Hill delve into the successes, challenges, and future of Canadian figure skating as the Winter Olympics draw near.
Athletes to Watch in Partner Events
Among the skaters heading to Milan are ice dancers Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, as well as pairs duo Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps.
These pairs are Canada’s best bets for a medal in traditional events in Milan, having reached the podium at the world championships or the Grand Prix Final over the past four seasons. They are also expected to lead in the team event, where Canada is ranked fourth globally behind the United States, Japan, and host Italy.
Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps made an impact two seasons ago by clinching bronze at the Grand Prix Final before claiming Canada’s first figure skating world title in six years with a captivating performance in Montreal. However, their recent performances have been underwhelming, with a fifth-place finish at the world championships last season and a sixth-place finish at the Grand Prix Final this season, raising concerns about their form given their ages of 34 and 42, respectively.
Gilles and Poirier, aged 33 and 34,