KELOWNA, B.C. (October 26, 2026) – The world’s top figure skaters are set to converge on Kelowna, B.C., as Skate Canada International (SCI) takes centre stage at Prospera Place from October 30 to November 1. The second stop on the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix series will feature an international field competing across women’s, men’s, pairs and ice dance, with athletes looking to earn valuable points toward qualification for the ISU Grand Prix Final.

Canada will be represented by 18 athletes across the four disciplines, with a mix of established international competitors and emerging talent ready to make their mark on home ice.

In the women’s event, four-time junior world champion Mao Shimada (JPN) is set to make her Grand Prix debut in Kelowna. She will face a strong international field that includes reigning European champion Niina Petrõkina (EST) and Isabeau Levito (USA), who captured silver at Skate Canada International last year. Four-time Canadian champion Madeline Schizas will also return for her sixth appearance at the event.

Reigning Canadian champion Stephen Gogolev will lead the Canadian contingent in the men’s event, looking to build on an impressive 2025–26 season that saw him finish in the top five at both the Olympic Winter Games and the World Championships. He will face a competitive field featuring Japan’s Rio Nakata, the reigning junior world champion, and French national champion Kevin Aymoz.

In pairs, Canadian champions Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud will look to capture their second gold medal of the season after winning the title at the Nebelhorn Trophy earlier this month. The world bronze medallists will be joined by fellow Canadians Ava Kemp and Yohnatan Elizarov, the reigning junior world champions, who are set to make their Grand Prix debut in Kelowna.

Great Britain’s Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson will headline a competitive ice dance field. The duo earned bronze medals at both the Grand Prix Final and European Championships last season. They will face strong challengers, including French national silver medallists Evgeniia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud, as well as Canadian national bronze medallists Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac.

Competition begins Friday, October 30, with the pairs and men’s short programs. Saturday, October 31, features the rhythm dance and women’s short program, followed by the pairs and men’s free programs. The event concludes Sunday, November 1, with the women’s and ice dance free programs.

For more information about the event and to watch the livestream, visit skatecanada.ca. Tickets are available through Select Your Tickets.

TEAM CANADA
Name | Age | Hometown | Coach

Men
David Bondar | 19 | Richmond Hill, Ont. | Lee Barkell
Wesley Chiu | 21 | Vancouver, B.C. | Brian Orser
Stephen Gogolev | 21| Toronto, Ont. | Benoit Richaud

Women
Sara-Maude Dupuis | 21 | Montréal, Que. | Stephane Yvars
Fée Ann Landry | 21 | Gatineau, Que. | Guylaine Blouin
Madeline Schizas | 23 | Oakville, Ont. | Nancy Lemaire

Pairs
Ava Kemp | 18 | Winnipeg, Ont. & Yohnatan Elizarov | 22 | Winnipeg, Man. | Kevin Dawe
Lia Pereira | 22 | Milton, Ont. & Trennt Michaud | 30 | Trenton, Ont. | Alison Purkiss
Miyu Yunoki | 20 | Osaka, Japan & Tristan Taylor | 24 | Regina, Sask. | Natalia Mishkutenok

Ice Dance
Marie-Jade Lauriault | 29 | Ste-Anne-Des-Plaines, Que. & Romain Le Gac | 31 | Laval, Que. | Scott Moir
Alyssa Robinson | 23 | Calgary, Alta & Jacob Portz | 25 | Calgary, Alta | Patrice Lauzon
Layla Veillon | 20 | London, Ont. & Alexander Brandys | 21 | London, Ont. | Cara Moir