GATINEAU, QC (Jan. 7, 2026) – Day two of the Canadian National Skating Championships saw new champions born at Centre Slush Puppie in Gatineau, Quebec.

Alberta’s Parker Heiderich blew past the competition, scoring 124.42 in his free program on Wednesday to earn his first national championship title. Combined with his stellar performance in Tuesday’s short program, his 188.16 points total were enough to secure gold in the junior men’s category.

“I’m so happy, it was so good,” Heiderich said after his free skate. “I think I did the best that I could today and I’m really glad I did that.”

William Chan (British Columbia) finished second with a final score of 172.68 points. Ontario’s James Cha (171.42) rounded out the podium.

In junior ice dance, it was a return to form for Layla Veillon and Alexander Brandys. The pair emerged at the top of their category with exactly the performance they were looking for in Wednesday’s free program, scoring 102.66, a personal best, for a total of 170.33 points in the competition. The pair last won the championship in 2024.

“It feels great to get the title again,” Brandys said after their program.

“And to bring out a personal best in both programs, especially for the free, going up and surpassing that 100,” Veillon added. “It’s been a goal of ours and we want to keep pushing, this isn’t where we’re stopping.”

Ontario’s Summer Homick and Nicholas Buelow (157.78) and Charlie Anderson and Cayden Dawson (146.31) finished second and third respectively.

A new record for Alberta’s Lia Cho

Lia Cho (Alberta) is a two-time junior women’s champion. With a remarkable showing in the free program, she built on her momentum from yesterday, scoring a total 199.60 points—a personal best. With this achievement, she also smashed the national record she set at last year’s national championship (188.79).

The 13-year-old sensation was overcome with emotion in the kiss and cry.

“I was just so surprised that it was such a high score, like wow, that’s the highest score I’ve ever gotten, and I was just so happy in that moment,” she said.

Victoria Barakhtina (Ontario) held on to her second-place ranking from yesterday with a total score of 171.93, while Ontario’s Quinn Startek earned bronze (157.93).

For the complete results, click here.