Canada’s Elite Figure Skating Team Gears Up for Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
Canada is set to send a formidable group of 12 figure skaters to compete at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. At the forefront are veteran ice dancers Piper gilles and Paul Poirier, whose extensive experience and consistent podium finishes make them key medal contenders.
Experienced Ice Dance Pair Targets Olympic Podium
Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, who earned silver medals at the last two World Championships, are preparing for their third straight Olympic Games together after appearances in Pyeongchang 2018 and beijing 2022. For Poirier, this will be his fourth Winter Olympics, having also competed in Vancouver 2010.
“It’s a tremendous honor to represent Canada once again on this world stage,” said Poirier. “Our ambition is to perform at our highest level and bring home a medal.”
Breaking Records: Stellato-Dudek Sets Age Benchmark in Pairs Skating
The pairs team of Deanna stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps will make their Olympic debut in Italy. At age 42, Stellato-Dudek becomes the oldest female figure skater competing at a Winter Games as Great Britain’s ethel Muckelt participated nearly a century ago in 1928.
this season has seen remarkable success for Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps as they claimed two medals on the ISU Grand Prix circuit – including silver at Grand Prix de France and an remarkable third consecutive gold at Skate Canada International.
“Skating alongside Maxime represents years of dedication coming to fruition,” said Stellato-Dudek. “This opportunity reflects our passion and commitment to the sport.”
A Well-Rounded Team Across Multiple Disciplines
The Canadian squad features seven entries spanning various categories: three ice dance duos, two pairs teams, one male singles competitor, and one female singles skater.Additionally, these athletes will participate collectively in the mixed team event during the Games.
- Ice Dance:
- Piper Gilles (Toronto) & paul Poirier (Unionville, Ontario)
- marjorie Lajoie (Boucherville, Quebec) & Zachary Lagha (Saint-Hubert, Quebec)
- Marie-Jade lauriault (Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Quebec) & Romain Le Gac (Laval, quebec)
- Men’s Singles: Stephen Gogolev (Toronto)
- Certain Pairs teams:
- Deanna Stellato-Dudek (Chicago) & Maxime Deschamps (vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec)
- Lia Pereira (Milton, Ontario) & Trennt Michaud (Trenton Ontario)
- Women’s Singles: Madeline Schizas (Oakville Ontario)
Diverse Backgrounds Fueling Team Strength
The men’s singles position belongs to Toronto native Stephen Gogolev – an emerging talent celebrated for his technical skill on jumps – while Madeline Schizas returns for her second Olympic appearance after debuting four years ago representing women’s singles.
The Venue: Milano Ice skating Arena Prepares for Spectacle
This year’s figure skating events will unfold from February 6 through February 19 inside Milan’s state-of-the-art Ice Skating Arena. The venue has hosted numerous international competitions recently that have helped sharpen athletes’ readiness ahead of these Games.
A Legacy of Excellence: Canada’s Figure Skating Journey Continues Strongly
The Canadian figure skating program maintains its reputation by blending youthful vigor with seasoned leadership. Rising stars like Sophia Kimball have made waves on junior circuits recently-showcasing how fresh talent complements experienced Olympians such as Gilles-Poirier or Schizas within this dynamic national team environment.
“The mix of new energy alongside veteran competitors creates an inspiring atmosphere within our squad,” coaches remarked during recent training camps leading up to final selections.
Beyond Medals: Inspiring Future Generations Through Dedication
This diverse roster not only strives for podium success but also serves as role models encouraging participation across all ages-exemplified by figures like Deanna Stellato-Dudek who defy conventional age expectations while performing at elite levels well into their forties.
