Figure skating remains one of Canada's beloved sports, and the National Skating Championship consistently delivers thrilling competition. Let's be honest, any ice sport is captivating to watch!
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The anticipation builds as Montreal gets ready to host the 2024 World Championships from March 18-24, adding an extra layer of significance to the Calgary event. Athletes are vying for the chance to represent Canada on the world stage.
Moreover, the path ahead leads to the much-coveted selection for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, Italy, scheduled from February 6-22. It has been two decades since Italy last hosted the Winter Olympics, with Turin being the previous host. Milan Cortina outpaced Stockholm to earn the right to host the games.
Navigating the National Skating Championships
Competitors, whether solo skaters, pairs, or teams, are required to deliver two performances for the judging panel. Their first performance, the short program, lasts two minutes and 40 seconds, followed by the four-minute free skate.
Scoring is twofold: a technical score derives from the complexity of each element as assessed by the judges, while the presentation score covers composition, presentation, and skating skills. A panel of nine judges scores the performances, discarding the highest and lowest, with the remaining seven scores averaged for the final score.
Men's Category at the National Skating Championships
Wesley Chiu clinched the gold in the Men's singles. Prevailing over fierce competition, the 18-year-old secured his victory with an exceptional free skate after establishing an early lead with a solid short program.
Despite Anthony Paradis's fifth-best free skate, his commendable short program helped him earn the bronze. Conrad Orzel, who narrowly missed bronze by a mere 0.26 points, took fourth place, securing the second-best free skate score.
Although Orzel achieved a silver medal the previous year, a lackluster short program kept him from the podium this time, ranking him only tenth at the midway point.
Women's Category at the National Skating Championships
Madeline Schizas reached for her third consecutive gold at the National Skating Championship. However, despite an impressive short program, a disappointing free skate left her with silver. Mad at her own shortcomings, she acknowledged the free skate as a 'waste of time' and is now motivated to reclaim her stature.
At 20 years old, Schizas already has Olympic experience from the 2022 Beijing Games, where she celebrated her 18th birthday. While her performance this time may have been disheartening, it sparks a renewed drive toward Milan Cortina 2026.
For Ruiter, the celebrations won't last long as she heads to South Korea to represent Canada at the Youth Olympic Games starting this Friday. How she handles this additional pressure will be crucial given her ability to rise to the occasion.
Securing third place, Hetti Shi, just 15, demonstrated she could easily adapt to senior competition. After a sixth-place short program, she showed resilience, ending up second in the free skate rankings and clinching the overall bronze.
Shi's performance hints at her soaring potential, with aspirations directed clearly at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where she seeks to excel.
Pairs Category Dominated by Experience vs. Youth
With a victory in the pairs competition, Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps turned heads. At 40, Stellato-Dudek's achievement defies expectations in a sport usually dominated by those under 25.
The duo had limited time together, forming their partnership in the 2019-20 season, only to encounter interruptions. I'll be anxious to see how their resolve plays out at the forthcoming World Championships on Deschamps' native Quebec soil.
Despite facing challenges, Stellato-Dudek has hinted at a hopeful Olympic bid for Milan Cortina 2026. If they find themselves on the medal track, it will surely be extra remarkable given her age.
Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud, silver medalists, stand out due to their fresh pairing and Pereira's age at only 19 years. Michaud's prior successes with another partner have been instrumental.
Finishing third were Kelly Ann Laurin and Loucas Ethier, consistently holding onto their bronze position from previous championships. Their progressive journey manifests their aim to contend vigorously.
The Story of Resilience in Ice Dance
Stealing the spotlight at the 2024 National Skating Championships was the story of Piper Gillies and Paul Poirier's ice dance triumph. The duo, returning after Gillies's battle with cancer surgery, enthralled the crowd with a fairy-tale win.
With experience well-rooted in their early thirties, they demonstrated the tenacity that has characterized their career with previous successes and now they've burned brightly at another level.
A pair of World Championship bronze medals adorns their record, and the duo is eager for their third Winter Olympic outing in Milan Cortina, following top-eight finishes in 2018 and 2022.
Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac claimed silver, diving into this competition with a complex working relationship brought together by marriage. They improved steadily, make strides from the bronze last year.
The bronze was awarded to Alicia Fabbri and Paul Ayer, their youthful exuberance perhaps being molded for a promising future Olympic contention. For Fabbri, emerging from Quebec means the upcoming World Championships in Montreal is a goal she aspires to.
In the synchronized event, team Les Suprêmes didn't just live up to their name—they surpassed expectations. As defending champions and two-time World Champions, it's no wonder they led the pack in Calgary.
A Look Back at the 2024 Canadian National Skating Championships
The 2024 Canadian National Skating Championships unfolded in Calgary over the weekend, marking a significant midpoint between the Winter Olympic Games.
Canadian Skating Nationals 2024
On January 14, 2024, from left to right, Aleksa Rakic (BC/YK), Wesley Chiu (BC/YK), and Anthony Paradis (QC) were captured during their moment on the podium in the Men's medal ceremony at the 2024 Canadian Skating National Championships in Calgary. Mandatory recognition goes to Skate Canada.
Nestled in Calgary, Alberta, the 2024 National Skating Championships wrapped up after a week filled with thrilling performances. While figure skating might not dominate betting channels like other sports, many sportsbooks have their eyes on odds for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
In Canada, figure skating enjoys immense popularity, with the National Skating Championship seeing fierce competition. Let's face it, watching anything on ice is always exciting!
The excitement in Calgary wasn't just about the competition itself; it set the stage for selections to represent Canada at the 2024 World Championships in Montreal, from March 18-24.
Looking ahead, the focus will shift toward the 2026 Winter Olympics, scheduled in Milan Cortina, Italy, from February 6-22. It's fascinating to think it's been two decades since Italy last hosted the Games, previously held in Turin. Milan Cortina emerged victorious in the bid against Stockholm, securing the hosting privilege.
Understanding the Dynamics of National Skating Championships
In these championships, each skater or pair showcases two routines for the judges. The short program is a brief showcase lasting two minutes and 40 seconds, followed by the more extended free skate, which lasts four minutes.
Single skaters have the creative freedom to choose their music and choreograph their routines, provided they execute the seven required elements in their chosen order.
The judges evaluate each element's difficulty, adjusting the technical score based on performance quality. Additionally, presentation scores are divided into composition, presentation, and skating skills. Out of nine judges, the highest and lowest scores are omitted, with the final score being an average of the other seven scores.
