KELOWNA, B.C. (Oct. 30, 2026) — Canada’s top figure skaters took to the ice on Friday as the Skate Canada International opened in Kelowna, B.C., marking the second stop on the ISU Grand Prix series.

Canadian champions Lia Pereira (Milton, Ont.) and Trennt Michaud (Trenton, Ont.) lead the pairs event with 77.06 points after the short program, putting them in medal contention ahead of Saturday’s free program.

“There’s definitely still some room left on the table for the program, but we’re really happy with that performance,” Michaud said. “We had a really strong start with it in Nebelhorn and we’ve been working really hard because we were so happy with how it went there, so we just want to keep pushing ourselves with this vehicle and we took another step in that direction today, so it’s very fun.”

Also making an impression were World Junior champions Ava Kemp (Winnipeg, Man.) and Yohnatan Elizarov (Winnipeg, Man.), who are making their debut on the senior international circuit. The pair sits third with 64.94 points, behind American skaters Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, who scored 70.32 points.

“I think we’re pretty happy with how everything went and we’re really enjoying the moment,” Kemp said after their performance.

“We don’t really care where we end up today or tomorrow,” Elizarov added when asked about their thoughts ahead of the free skate on Saturday. “We’re super prepared and we’re just excited to compete the program, it’s a fun one.”

Miyu Yunoki (Osaka, JPN) and Tristan Taylor (Regina, Sask.) are in eighth place with 55.78 points.

Three Canadians competed in the men’s short program, with David Bondar (Richmond Hill, Ont.) leading the way in seventh place with a personal-best score of 77.48.

“I feel great about my performance today, other than the small mistake on the quad toe,” Bondar said after the short. “I’m very happy with everything else, especially the spins and the step sequence. I feel like the fans helped me present a lot more, so I sort of got out of my comfort zone for them.”

Wesley Chiu (Vancouver, B.C.) follows in ninth place with 73.87 points, while Stephen Gogolev (Toronto, Ont.) sits 12th overall with 66.73 points.

Japan’s Rio Nakata leads the field with 92.64 points after the short program, followed by France’s Kevin Aymoz in second with 90.26 points and Japan’s Kazuki Tomono in third with 85.31.

Competition resumes Saturday with the women’s short program and ice dance rhythm dance, followed by the men’s and pairs free programs. Pereira and Michaud will look to maintain their lead, while Kemp and Elizarov will aim to move up the standings.

For complete results, click here.