Fournier Beaudry and Sorensen earn first title at 2023 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships

OSHAWA, Ont. (January 14, 2023) – Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Nikolaj Sorensen of Montreal survived a mistake in their free dance to win the gold medal at the 2023 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships which concluded on Saturday.

Fournier Beaudry and Sorensen totalled 212.40 points for their first career Canadian crown. Marjorie Lajoie of Boucherville, Que., and Zachary Lagha of St-Hubert, Que., nearly capitalized on the error winning the free dance to climb less than a point back at 211.80. Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac of Ste-Annes-des-Plaines, Que., were third at 196.40.

In the free dance, Fournier Beaudry’s skirt got under her blade and she slipped slightly in the final movement of program.

‘’That last element didn’t count at all,’’ said Sorensen. ‘’So that cost us four-five points. Still we had so much fun out there and when it happened I just started laughing, this is ridiculous.’’

Also with their first national title was Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps of Vaudreuil-Dorion, Que., tops in pairs with 199.18. Brooke McIntosh of Toronto and Benjamin Mimar of Terrebonne, Que., were second at 187.26 and Lia Pereira of Milton, Ont., and Trennt Michaud of Trenton, Ont., were third at 176.53.

Stellato-Dudek has been afflicted with nasty flu-like systems for the past few weeks.

‘’I wasn’t 100 percent and I’ve never felt like this for an event,’’ she said in a hoarse voice. ‘’It was hard but I feel OK, I was in the moment. We knew the door was open for us to get that title. I really wanted to get that gold for Maxime who’s competed at 10 nationals.’’

Keegan Messing, successfully defended his men’s title with 257.78 with the second best free skate. Conrad Orzel of Toronto was second at 237.46 and Wesley Chiu of Richmond, B.C., soared from 11^th after the short to win the bronze at 226.15.

Messing announced earlier this year this would he last competitive season and the nationals were his final performances in Canada.

‘’I couldn’t have ended it on a better note,’’ said Messing. ‘’I could hang up my skates right now and be happy forever.’’

Stephen Gogolev of Toronto won the free skate moving from 17^th to fourth.

Madeline Schizas of Oakville, Ont., repeated as champion in the women’s event with 196.47. Kaiya Ruiter of Calgary won the free skate to climb from sixth after the short to win the silver with 189.36. Fiona Bombardier of Newmarket, Ont., was third with 180.54.

‘’It was a fight from start to finish,’’ said Schizas, a 2022 Olympian. ‘’That program wasn’t easy and I pushed right to the end and I’m happy with that.’’

For full results click here.