By: Pj Kwong

It’s that time of year again when the world comes knocking at Skate Canada International and Skate Ontario athletes will be there front and centre.

The stage has already been set at the first ISU Grand Prix event which took place last weekend at Skate America. Skate Canada International is the second of six stops on the Grand Prix circuit where the ultimate goal is to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix Final taking place in Beijing, China in December.

Skate Ontario skaters are poised to shine in all four disciplines with three-time Skate Canada International winners and defending World bronze medallists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier leading the pack as the favourites to take the title once again in ice dance. They are joined by training mates Molly Lanaghan and Dmitre Razgulajevs, who are making their Skate Canada International debut in Vancouver.

When reached for how they were feeling – suffice to say “excited” came up a lot. Have a listen for yourself with thanks to coach Carol Lane for providing the recording.

AUDIO RECORDING – Molly Lanaghan and Dmitre Razgulajevs

Keep your eye on 2022 NHK Trophy bronze and national silver medallists Brooke McIntosh and Benjamin Mimar in the pairs event. This team’s rise has been positively meteoric with a World Junior silver medal in 2022 to their credit and an 11^th place finish at last season’s World Championships. It has to be said that the pair team of Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud’s silver medal at last weekend’s Skate America has started that Skate Ontario pair train rolling and we are definitely #SkateOntarioProud.

2023 Canadian Champion Maddie Schizas is fierce. You only need look at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing in the short program for the Team event to know what I am talking about. Talent and tenacity define her skating and she can compete with the best of them.

2023 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships silver medalist Conrad Orzel will be looking to continue to climb the ladder in elite men’s figure skating.

Like I said: WOW!

If you want to watch, the event will be live streamed – go to skatecanada.ca for information.

If you want to know more about what’s happening with Skate Ontario athletes, check out the In the Loop section on our website.

We are #SkateOntarioProud of all our skaters and everyone in the Skate Ontario family.