By: Pj Kwong

In the days following the ISU Grand Prix event like Skate Canada International, coaches and skaters often spend hours ruminating over their performances—analyzing technical scores, program components, and strategic adjustments for the next competition. The Ontario skaters are no exception and as they all told me the lessons that they learned in Saskatoon will be invaluable as the season unfolds towards the Winter Olympic Games in early 2026.

Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier. Photo by Hayley Roberts.

Although it may feel like a stand-alone event, the results from any ISU Grand Prix event play a crucial role in shaping strategies during an Olympic season. From performance benchmarking which can show skaters how they stack up against their rivals to program evaluation that can help helps teams decide whether to keep, refine, or even overhaul certain elements of their programs before the Olympic Games.

For the skaters and coaches, Skate Canada International is much bigger than two segments in each discipline on a competition weekend. Olympic coach Carol Lane sees it this way: “Each event is an opportunity to see the programs in a different way, to get feedback and to figure out how you grow the experience.”

In short, Grand Prix results can act as both a reality check and a roadmap — they help skaters and coaches refine every aspect of their approach to peak precisely when it matters most: the Olympic Games.

For the Men and Ice Dancers the final day of competition in Saskatoon will determine who ends up on the podium. For Michael Slipchuk, Skate Canada’s High-Performance Director, his perspective is a bit more focused. “Skating in a Grand Prix event gives the athletes a clear picture of where they’re sitting in relation to the field that might be at the Olympic Games.”

Ontario skaters Roman Sadovsky and Stephen Gogolev were able to post strong enough free skates to finish in 7th and 8th place respectively in the Men’s event and separated by only .25 points.

Stephen Gogolev. Photo by Hayley Roberts.

The final skaters of the competition were Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier; Ontario ice dancers whose specialty is innovation. Their free dance today delivered on all counts. This was the debut of a reimagined program from 7 years ago to Vincent (Starry, Starry Night). In an Olympic year, it’s ‘go big or go home’ time and you need a vehicle that will set you apart and for my money this is that vehicle.

There are moments in skating that invite the audience to experience and interpret a program and what it means to them. I feel that way when I watch Piper and Paul’s free dance. Like taking in Vincent Van Gogh’s painting, we can all enjoy Piper and Paul’s program in our own way.

Michael Slipchik was pleased with the performances from the athletes on the Canadian team. “Everyone has accomplished something.” That’s a wonderful way to end things from Saskatoon.

Don’t forget to follow @SkateOntario on all your favourite social media platforms. We’re all #SkateOntarioProud.