MILAN, ITALY (Feb. 7, 2026) – Canada’s Olympic figure skating team could be looking at their first medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games after Stephen Gogolev delivered a stellar performance in the men’s short program at Milano Ice Skating Arena on Saturday, allowing Canada to advance to the final leg of the team event. 

“It was very exciting going onto the ice, and I felt quite confident in my training and in my performance,” Gogolev said after his skate. “I was very happy with my performance.” 

Gogolev successfully completed not one but two quads in his short program, earning a personal best score of 92.99 and eight more points towards Team Canada’s overall score.  

This was Gogolev’s Olympic debut, but you wouldn’t guess it from his cool, calm and collected attitude on the ice. He credits his training for his confidence headed into this event. 

“I think it all comes down to training leading up to the competition,” he said. “The more you train and the more consistently you train, the more confidence you build up and the less nerves you have. I think that was the biggest part heading into this competition.” 

Ahead of him in the men’s short program segment were Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama (108.67) in first, and Team USA’s Ilia Malinin 10 points back in second (98.00). 

Competing for Canada in the free dance, Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha skated a hauntingly beautiful routine to Nureyev from The White Crow, scoring 120.90, a season’s best. This is the pair’s second Olympic appearance after making their debut at Beijing 2022. 

Despite their performance being key for the team’s overall success, that wasn’t a factor for the duo from Montreal, as they sought to leave it all on the ice regardless.  

“We just want people to enjoy our skating,” said Lagha after the segment. “If it helps the team then that’s awesome.”  

Lajoie and Lagha finished third overall, behind Team USA’s Madison Chock and Evan Bates (133.23) and Italy’s Charlène Guignard and Marco Fabbri (124.22). With this performance, they’ve added another eight points towards Team Canada’s overall score.  

Canada currently sits fourth overall with 35 points, just two points back from Team Italy in third and within an arm’s reach of a medal. Leading the pack is Team USA and Team Japan with 44 and 39 points, respectively.  

The action will resume Sunday at 13:30 ET with Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud skating the pairs free program, followed by Madeline Schizas and Stephen Gogolev in the women’s and men’s free programs. Canada will try to return to the Olympic team event podium after placing fourth in Beijing 2022, following a gold medal at PyeongChang 2018 and silver in Sochi 2014.   

For full results, please click here.