By: Pj Kwong

The 2026 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Tallinn, Estonia  are already under way. In fact, Skate Ontario’s David Bondar is sitting in 4th place after 29 skaters have taken the ice and he has already qualified for the free skate with 14 yet to skate the short program at the time of this writing.

In the pairs’ event after the short program, it’s a one two placement for Skate Ontario skaters after the short program. Jazmine Desrochers & Kieran Thrasher hold the lead with .62 separating them from Ava Kemp and Yohnatan Elizarov who are in second. Talk about #SkateOntarioProud!

We are expecting that the event will deliver drama, artistry, and standout performances from the world’s rising skating stars.  Skate Ontario is especially proud of its own athletes taking the international stage at this event and throughout this season.

From March 3–8, 2026, twelve of Canada’s top junior skaters are representing the maple leaf with 10  Skate Ontario athletes appearing in all four disciplines.

So, let’s find out a little more about the Skate Ontario Stars who were selected for the Canadian Team headed to the Junior World Stage. They include:

• David Bondar from the Granite Club and coached by Lee Barkell. (Junior men)
• Megan Woodley from the Granite Club and coached by Lee Barkell and Jeffrey Buttle (Junior Women)
• Jazmine Desrochers & Kieran Thrasher from Skate Oakville and coached by Bruno Marcotte  (Junior Pairs)
• Ava Kemp & Yohnatan Elizarov from the Granite Club and coached by Lee Barkell and Kevin Dawe (Junior Pairs)
• Summer Homick & Nicholas Buelow from the Barrie Skating Club and coached by Mitch Islam, David Islam, Kelly Johnson and James Callan (Junior Dance)
• Layla Veillon & Alexander Brandys from the Ilderton WC and coached by Scott Moir and Cara Moir among others (Junior Dance)

Pundits are predicting medal possibilities for ice dancers Layla Veillon and Alexander Brandys as well as pair skaters Ava Kemp and Yonatan Elizarov and Jazmine Desrochers and Kieran Thrasher which just adds to the excitement of this event.

For many of these young athletes, stepping onto the World Junior stage marks a major milestone and one that reflects years of dedication, sacrifice, and community support. Lisa Alexander, Executive Director of Skate Ontario, shared her pride in the group’s achievements:

“Our Ontario skaters have worked tirelessly to earn their places at the World Junior Championships. Each performance in Tallinn will showcase not only their individual talent but also the strength of Ontario’s development programs. We couldn’t be more proud of their courage, commitment, and the spirit they bring to the ice.”

For another Skate Ontario connection, sponsor Jackson Skates will have their equipment as the backbone for many of the Ontario skaters in Talinn. It goes without saying that behind every powerful jump, lift, twizzle and elegant spin is the gear that makes it possible. Adam Schumacher, Canadian Sales Manager from Jackson Ultima Skates emphasized the importance of choosing the right equipment for competition:

“The ISU World Junior Championships are a pinnacle event for these skaters, and having the right blades and boots makes all the difference. When athletes trust Jackson equipment, they know they’re getting precision engineering that supports their performance, regardless of their level.”

As the season continues to unfold, Skate Ontario’s presence on the international stage from junior worlds to senior events like the Olympic Winter Games has been stellar, reflecting the strength of Ontario’s skating community. Stay tuned for results updates and more inspirational stories from these rising stars and make sure to follow our social media @skateontario on your favourite platform! We are #SkateOntarioProud.