Canadian figure skaters ready to emerge from shadow of vaunted 2018 team
In 2018, at the Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, legendary ice dancers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir strapped on their skates for the final time at the Olympics. Their all-time free-dance performance delivered during a stirring Moulin Rouge routine secured Canada two gold and two bronze medals, marking one of the nation’s finest moments in figure skating history. As CBC Sports analyst Brenda Irving remarked, “They are the greatest ice dancers of their generation, maybe of all time.” Eight years later, Canada enters the stage at Milano Cortina 2026 with a more realistic outlook, hoping simply for a single medal.
As preparations intensify, Canada’s team will take shape at the senior nationals this week in Gatineau, Quebec, with a pivotal men’s short program set for 4:45 p.m. ET. Mike Slipchuk, Skate Canada’s high-performance director, draws from techniques established back in 2018, although he acknowledges that replicating the four-medal haul is unrealistic given the different landscape of today’s competition.
The absence of major stars following the retirement of Virtue and Moir, as well as other skating legends, has left a void. The COVID-affected 2022 Beijing Olympics saw a disappointing outing with Canada leaving empty-handed. Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier have stepped in as leaders in ice dance, but the pressure of comparisons to the past greats weighs heavily. “We felt a little bit more of that weight that we needed to continue that legacy,” Gilles stated, while outlining their intent to carve their own path.
Despite the challenges, prospects appear luminous as new talent emerges. Competitors like Stephen Gogolev are finding their footing again after facing injuries, recently clinching gold at the Nebelhorn Trophy. As competition heats up at the senior level, Canada aims not just to rebuild but to funnel fresh energy into the sport.
Hope is flickering. While challenges abound in men’s and women’s divisions, optimistic developments are unfolding unseen — including the prowess of young skaters gaining traction on the Junior Grand Prix circuit. With enough grit, skill, and fresh perspectives, Canada’s figure skaters might very well surprise in Italy, embarking on a renewed chapter of competitiveness in the international arena.
