Three days. Countless unforgettable moments. The 2026 Skate Canada International (SCI) brought some of the top skaters from around the world to Kelowna for a weekend of incredible performances, exciting milestones and memorable celebrations. Add Halloween fun and the electric energy of fans at Prospera Place, and SCI was one for the books! 

Here are some of the moments that made this year’s event so special.  

A Competition Full of Twists and Turns 

The men’s event kept fans on the edge of their seats with standout debuts, impressive comebacks and an emotional finish. 

Japan’s Rio Nakata made an immediate impression in his senior Grand Prix debut, capturing the lead in the short program with a dynamic routine and finishing second overall with the silver medal.  

France’s Kevin Aymoz brought some Halloween magic to the ice with his crowd-favourite Pirates of the Caribbean-themed short program. He returned with an emotional free skate to claim the men’s title. His reaction to winning gold? A moment for the highlight reel!  

Canada’s Stephen Gogolev delivered one of the weekend’s most impressive comebacks. After a challenging short program, he rallied in the free skate, climbing eight spots to finish fourth overall. 

There was also a milestone moment for Estonia’s Mihhail Selevko, who battled through a highly competitive men’s field to earn the first Grand Prix medal of his career with bronze.  

Canada Strikes Gold  

Canada’s Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud got the pairs competition off to an electric start, taking the lead in the short program with a personal best score. They carried that momentum into the free skate to win their second Grand Prix title and first Skate Canada International gold! 

Switzerland’s Oxana Vouillamoz and Tom Bouvart also gave fans plenty to remember. After bringing the Halloween spirit with their Thriller-inspired short program, the duo delivered an impressive free skate that earned a standing ovation from the Kelowna crowd and secured them the bronze medal. 

A Winning Streak Continues 

Japan’s Mao Shimada made her senior Grand Prix debut one to remember, capturing gold with a personal best score of 235.44. The talented young skater wowed the Kelowna crowd with her impressive spins and jumps (including a quad!) and extended her remarkable international winning streak.  

Niina Petrokina also had reason to celebrate, earning silver in an emotional podium finish. Her result, alongside teammate Mihhail Selevko’s bronze in the men’s event, topped off a memorable weekend for Team Estonia. 

American Isabeau Levito added another highlight to the women’s event, claiming bronze and securing a spot on the Skate Canada International podium for the second consecutive year. 

Halloween Flair and Golden Moves 

The ice dance event brought plenty of personality, creativity and show-stopping performances to the ice. 

With Halloween weekend in full swing, France’s Evgeniia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud embraced the spooky season with their clown-inspired rhythm dance, while USA’s Caroline Parsons and Michael Green took fans on a trip through American history with a program inspired by the hit musical Hamilton. 

But it was Great Britain’s Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson who stole the show, dazzling the crowd with their showgirl-inspired free dance on their way to claiming the ice dance crown. The celebrations were made even sweeter as their training mates, Lopareva and Brissaud, joined them on the podium with silver. 

Grand Prix Debuts on Home Ice 

SCI 2026 was about more than medals. It was also a milestone weekend for 11 Canadian athletes making their senior Grand Prix debuts.  

In pairs, reigning junior world champions Ava Kemp and Yohnatan Elizarov made their first appearance on the senior Grand Prix circuit, alongside fellow Canadian duo Miyu Yunoki and Tristan Taylor. Men’s skater David Bondar also made his senior Grand Prix debut, as did ice dance teams Layla Veillon and Alexander Brandys, and Alyssa Robinson and Jacob Portz. 

For these athletes, making their first appearance on the senior Grand Prix circuit on home ice in Kelowna made the experience even more special! 

One for the Books 

From unforgettable performances and exciting podium finishes to Halloween costumes, roaring crowds and emotional celebrations, SCI 2026 delivered three days of skating memories that will last long after the final scores were posted. 

Ready for more skating excitement? Join us in Mississauga for the 2027 Canadian National Skating Championships from January 12-17, 2027. Get your tickets today!