Stephen Gogolev, usually stoic, displayed rare emotion as he clinched the lead at the Canadian figure skating championships, positioning himself as a strong contender for Canada’s Olympic men’s singles spot. The 21-year-old from Toronto delivered a standout short program, expressing his newfound relaxation on the ice and attributing his success to the supportive crowd.
Skating to the “Mugzy’s Move” medley, Gogolev flawlessly executed two quad jumps and a triple axel, amassing an impressive score of 99.60 points in front of a packed audience at Centre Slush Puppie. Following him were Vancouver’s Wesley Chiu in second place with 89.14 points and Aleksa Rakic from New Westminster, B.C., in third with 83.60 points.
Once considered a prodigy for his early quad jump accomplishments, Gogolev faced setbacks due to back issues triggered by a growth spurt. However, his return to the Canadian championships after a hiatus since 2023 marked a triumphant comeback season with personal best performances.
Despite leading after the short program, Gogolev remains focused on the upcoming free program, acknowledging the pressure and staying grounded. Reigning national champion Roman Sadovsky faced challenges, slipping to fourth place after struggling with a triple axel during his routine.
Gogolev and Sadovsky, locked in a season-long battle for Canada’s lone men’s singles Olympic slot, are set to determine the final decision at the ongoing championships. The full Canadian team for the Milan Cortina Olympics will be announced soon, with Skate Canada considering a skater’s overall performance in recent seasons for selection.
Additionally, veteran skater Keegan Messing, making a comeback bid for the Olympics, embraced the crowd’s support despite a shaky performance. Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps took the lead in the pairs short program, with Stellato-Dudek debuting a stunning Oscar de la Renta-designed costume, showcasing a unique collaboration at the event.
As the competition progresses, the excitement builds with the rhythm dance set to kick off the next phase of the championships.