Canadian National Skating Championships
The Canadian National Skating Championships, also known as the Canadian Figure Skating Championships, is the premier annual competition for figure skaters in Canada, organized by Skate Canada to crown national champions in men's singles, women's singles, pairs, ice dance, and synchronized skating across junior and senior levels. Held each January, the event serves as the primary qualifier for selecting athletes to represent Canada at international competitions, including the ISU World Junior Championships, ISU Four Continents Championships, ISU World Championships, and the Olympic Winter Games. The 2025 edition was hosted at Place Bell in Laval, Quebec, for the first time.[1] The championships trace their origins to 1914, when the first official event was hosted by the Minto Skating Club in Ottawa under the newly established Figure Skating Department of the Amateur Skating Association of Canada.[2] This marked the formal beginning of organized national figure skating competitions in the country, though unofficial events had occurred as early as 1905. In 1939, the organization evolved into the independent Canadian Figure Skating Association, which joined the International Skating Union in 1946 and was renamed Skate Canada in 2000.[2] As of 2025, Skate Canada governs the sport for over 210,000 registered participants across more than 1,000 clubs and schools.[3] The championships have played a pivotal role in nurturing Canada's rich figure skating legacy, producing athletes who have amassed 29 Olympic medals (6 gold, 11 silver, 12 bronze).[4] Notable champions include Barbara Ann Scott, the first Canadian to win Olympic gold in 1948; Toller Cranston, a six-time national men's winner (1971–1976) known for advancing artistic expression in the sport; and Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, who dominated ice dance with three Olympic golds and multiple national titles before retiring in 2019.[5][4] The event not only highlights technical excellence and innovation—such as the debut of disciplines like synchronized skating in 1983—but also fosters inclusivity through programs supporting diverse participants, contributing to figure skating's status as one of Canada's most successful winter sports.[6]Overview
Organization and significance
The Canadian National Skating Championships are organized annually by Skate Canada, the national governing body for figure skating and synchronized skating in Canada.[7] As a not-for-profit organization and member of the International Skating Union (ISU) and the Canadian Olympic Committee, Skate Canada oversees the development, standards, and competitions for these disciplines nationwide, supporting over 1,100 clubs and fostering participation from recreational to elite levels.[8] The championships were established to crown national champions across various categories and to serve as a primary mechanism for determining athlete eligibility for international events, including the ISU World Figure Skating Championships and the Olympic Winter Games.[9] The first official edition took place in Ottawa in 1914, under the auspices of the Figure Skating Department of the Amateur Skating Association of Canada, marking the formal beginning of structured national competition in the sport.[8] Top performers at the nationals are evaluated as part of selection criteria for international assignments, helping to secure Canada's quota spots and build competitive teams.[10] These championships hold significant importance in promoting the growth of figure skating and synchronized skating in Canada, facilitating talent identification, skill development, and the formation of national teams that compete globally.[7] By providing a platform for approximately 200 elite junior and senior athletes annually in disciplines such as men's and women's singles, pairs, ice dance, and synchronized skating, the event has contributed to Canada's elevated standing in international figure skating, evidenced by numerous Olympic medals.[11] For instance, ice dancers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, who first won national titles at the pre-novice level in 2001 and junior level in 2004, leveraged their successes at the championships to achieve historic Olympic golds in 2010 and 2018, becoming Canada's most decorated Winter Olympians.[12]Schedule and venues
The Canadian National Skating Championships are typically held annually in January, spanning 5 to 7 days and encompassing official practices, short programs or rhythm dances, free skates or free dances, and gala exhibitions.[11][1] This timing aligns with the selection of national teams for upcoming international competitions, such as the ISU World Championships.[13] Venue selection is managed by Skate Canada, which prioritizes facilities equipped with Olympic-sized ice rinks to meet International Skating Union standards for high-level competitions. For instance, the 2025 event marked the first time the championships were hosted at Place Bell in Laval, Quebec, utilizing its dedicated Olympic-sized rink seating 2,500 spectators.[1][14] Recent hosts include the WinSport Arena at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta, for 2024 (January 8–14); the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa, Ontario, for 2023 (January 9–15); and TD Place Arena in Ottawa, Ontario, for 2022 (January 6–12).[15][16][17] Historically, the championships trace their origins to the first official event in 1914 at the Minto Skating Club in Ottawa, Ontario, establishing a tradition of rotating hosts across Canadian cities.[8] Toronto has frequently served as a venue, reflecting its prominence in early figure skating development, while the 2026 championships are scheduled for January 5–11 at the Slush Puppie Centre in Gatineau, Quebec.[8][18] In response to disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic, Skate Canada implemented adaptations such as holding the 2022 event without spectators or live audiences at TD Place Arena to ensure safety amid rising cases.[17][19]History
Early years (1905–1945)
The origins of the Canadian National Skating Championships trace back to 1905, when the Minto Skating Club in Ottawa began hosting unofficial competitions, including the presentation of cups by the Earl and Countess of Minto for singles and pairs skating.[20] These early events marked the transition from informal amateur skating gatherings to more organized contests within Canada's burgeoning figure skating community, governed initially by the Amateur Skating Association of Canada, formed in 1887.[2] The first official championships were held in 1914 in Ottawa, under the newly established Figure Skating Department of the Amateur Skating Association, solidifying figure skating as a distinct national sport separate from speed skating.[21] The initial format emphasized singles and pairs disciplines, with compulsory figures—prescribed precision patterns on the ice—playing a central role in judging, accounting for a significant portion of skaters' scores and testing fundamental technique and control.[21] This structure reflected the sport's evolution from amateur exhibitions to a structured national competition, where precision in figures was prioritized alongside free skating elements. The championships faced major interruptions due to global conflicts: no events occurred from 1915 to 1919 amid World War I, as wartime constraints halted organized sports activities across Canada.[22] Similarly, World War II disrupted proceedings, with no full national championships held in 1943 due to war-related limitations on travel and resources, though limited senior events resumed in 1944.[23] A pivotal figure in this era was Constance Wilson-Samuel, who dominated women's singles with nine national titles between 1924 and 1939, also excelling in pairs with her brother Montgomery Wilson and securing bronze at the 1932 World Championships.[24] Her achievements highlighted the growing professionalism and international potential of Canadian skaters during the interwar period, as the championships provided a platform for talent development despite periodic setbacks. Ice dance emerged as a discipline later, post-1945.[21]Post-war expansion (1946–1999)
Following the end of World War II, the Canadian Figure Skating Championships resumed in 1946 at Schumacher Arena in Timmins, Ontario, marking a return to national competition after wartime disruptions that had limited events to regional levels in previous years.[25] Barbara Ann Scott claimed victory in the women's singles, securing her third consecutive title and highlighting the event's role in nurturing talent for international success.[5] The championships' revival coincided with broader post-war growth in organized sports across Canada, as increased access to rinks and community programs encouraged wider participation among skaters of all ages.[21] In 1947, ice dance was formally introduced as a medal discipline at the national championships, expanding the event beyond singles, pairs, and fours to include this emerging partnered style influenced by international trends.[26] Margaret Roberts and Bruce Hyland won the inaugural title, reflecting the discipline's rapid integration into Canadian competitions.[26] This addition, alongside the formalization of junior categories—which had existed informally pre-war but were now structured with defined age and skill divisions—broadened the championships' scope to support developmental pathways for young athletes.[27] By the late 1940s, junior events became a staple, fostering talents like those who would later compete internationally and contributing to a surge in overall entries from approximately 50 skaters in 1946 to over 100 by the mid-1950s.[27] The post-war era also saw significant innovations in competition format and judging. Initially, compulsory figures accounted for 60% of the score in singles events, underscoring precision in edge work, while free skating comprised 40%; this weighting equalized to 50% each by 1969.[28] A pivotal shift occurred by 1990, when compulsory figures were eliminated from international and national competitions, transitioning singles to a short program (focusing on required elements) and a free program, in line with International Skating Union (ISU) reforms aimed at prioritizing athleticism and creativity.[29] The last figures event at the Canadian Championships took place in Sudbury, Ontario, where competitors like Norm Proft demonstrated the fading tradition before its removal.[30] Notable milestones underscored the championships' evolving prominence, such as the 1955 edition in Toronto at Varsity Arena, where Frances Dafoe and Norris Bowden defended their pairs title amid growing media interest that drew national broadcasts and crowds exceeding 5,000 spectators.[31] This event symbolized the sport's expansion, with increased entries across disciplines and heightened coverage in outlets like the Globe and Mail.[32] The championships' rising profile mirrored Canada's international ascent, exemplified by Scott's 1948 Olympic gold in women's singles, earned after her national victories positioned her for global competition and inspired a post-war boom in figure skating enrollment nationwide.[5] By the 1990s, participation had grown to include thousands in qualifying rounds, supported by Skate Canada's regional sections, while television exposure amplified the event's cultural impact.[21]Modern developments (2000–present)
The modern era of the Canadian National Skating Championships has been marked by significant adaptations to international standards and contemporary challenges. In 2004, Skate Canada implemented the International Skating Union (ISU) Judging System for the championships, transitioning from the traditional 6.0 ordinal scale to a relative point-based scoring model that evaluates technical elements and program components more objectively.[33] This change aligned the event with global practices following the 2002 Winter Olympics judging scandal and aimed to enhance transparency and fairness in evaluations.[29] The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly disrupted the championships, leading to the complete cancellation of the 2021 event due to public health restrictions and safety concerns.[34] The following year's competition proceeded in January 2022 but without live audiences or a gala exhibition, limiting attendance to essential personnel only amid ongoing Omicron variant surges.[17] These measures reflected broader efforts to prioritize athlete and staff well-being while maintaining qualification pathways for international events.[19] A key expansion occurred in 2023 when synchronized skating was integrated into the senior and junior medal categories at the national championships, consolidating it with traditional disciplines under one event for the first time.[35] This inclusion elevated synchronized skating's profile within Skate Canada, allowing top teams like NEXXICE to compete for national titles alongside singles, pairs, and ice dance skaters.[36] Recent years have also seen Skate Canada advance inclusivity initiatives, including the exploration of gender-neutral categories by removing gender-based restrictions in pairs and ice dance pathways starting in 2022, enabling same-gender partnerships to qualify for podium events.[37] These reforms position Canada as a leader in fostering diverse participation. The 2025 championships, hosted at Place Bell in Laval, Quebec, from January 14–19, further highlighted this commitment through a participant field reflecting greater diversity in backgrounds and identities.[1][38]Competition format
Disciplines
The Canadian National Skating Championships feature five core disciplines: men's singles, women's singles, pair skating, ice dance, and synchronized skating, each governed by the rules of Skate Canada in alignment with International Skating Union (ISU) standards.[11][39] These events emphasize a balance of technical proficiency, artistic expression, and adherence to specific performance requirements, with competitors advancing through qualification to vie for national titles and international selection. All disciplines incorporate a two-segment format, typically consisting of a short program or rhythm dance followed by a free skate or free dance, to assess both required elements and creative freedom.[39] In men's and women's singles, skaters perform individually to demonstrate athleticism and artistry through a series of technical jumps (such as axels, lutzes, and salchows), spins (including upright, sit, and camel variations), and intricate footwork sequences that highlight speed, edge control, and transitions. The objective is to execute these elements with precision while interpreting the music, with the short program requiring a set of mandatory jumps and spins, and the free skate allowing greater variety in element choices to showcase personal style.[39] Pair skating involves two partners working in unison to execute elements that emphasize synchronization, strength, and trust, including lifts (such as pair lifts and twist lifts), throw jumps where one partner launches the other into a jump, death spirals that bring the pair low to the ice, and side-by-side spins or jumps mirroring singles techniques. The discipline's core requirement is seamless partnership, with the short program focusing on prescribed lifts and jumps, while the free skate permits more complex combinations to highlight the pair's chemistry and technical range.[39] Ice dance, performed by couples, prioritizes rhythmic interpretation and emotional connection over aerial feats, featuring patterned step sequences (like twizzles and midline footwork), dance lifts that are rotational or stationary without excessive height, and spins that accentuate flow and posture, with no jumps allowed to maintain focus on dance-like movement. The rhythm dance sets the tempo with required patterns tied to specific music styles, whereas the free dance offers flexibility in choreography to convey narrative and artistry through gliding and close-hold positions.[39] Synchronized skating is a team discipline requiring 16 skaters (or 12 in senior elite categories) to perform in perfect unison, creating dynamic formations such as blocks, circles, lines, and wheels, along with intersections where skaters weave through each other and paired elements like lifts or throws executed simultaneously across the group. The objective is to blend precision, speed, and creativity in collective patterns that evolve seamlessly, with the short program emphasizing technical requirements and the free skate allowing innovative interpretations of music to demonstrate team cohesion and visual impact.[40][11][41]Levels and categories
The Canadian National Skating Championships feature a structured hierarchy of competitive levels within the podium pathway program, designed to support athlete development from foundational to elite stages. These levels include senior and junior categories, which award national medals. Progression to the championships occurs through sectional qualifying events, where skaters must meet technical minimum scores and placement criteria to advance.[41][42] Novice and pre-novice categories provide entry points for emerging talent outside the championships, with competitions such as the Skate Canada Trophy serving developmental purposes. Pre-novice is limited to ages 15 and under (by July 1) and novice to 16 and under for singles, featuring simpler programs (e.g., 3:00 free skates with six jumps max in pre-novice singles). Skaters progress from these categories through regional and sectional competitions, accumulating skills assessed under Skate Canada standards before advancing to junior.[41][43] The senior level represents the highest tier, open to elite skaters who have reached at least age 13 by July 1 of the competition season, with no upper age limit (though synchronized skating requires at least 17). This category emphasizes advanced technical and artistic elements, serving as a key qualifier for international assignments such as the ISU World Figure Skating Championships. Senior competitions occur across all disciplines—men's and women's singles, pair skating, ice dance, and synchronized skating—with program requirements including short/rhythm programs of 2:40 duration and free programs of 4:00, featuring complex elements like multiple jumps, lifts, spins, and sequences tailored to each discipline. Quotas typically allow up to 18 entries for singles events and 12–15 for pairs and ice dance, determined by sectional allocations and byes for top performers.[41][44] Junior level competitions bridge developmental and elite skating, targeting athletes aged 13 to under 19 (specifically, those who have reached age 13 but not 19 by July 1 preceding the season), though age limits vary slightly by discipline—for instance, up to age 20 for ice dance and 13–18 for synchronized skating. Focused on building competitive experience, junior events feature shortened programs (short/rhythm: 2:40; free: 3:30) with requirements like seven jumps in singles, two lifts in pairs, and twizzle sets in dance, preparing skaters for senior transitions. Like seniors, medals are awarded in all disciplines, with similar entry quotas of 18 for singles and 12–15 for pairs and ice dance, allocated via sectionals and prior results. For example, the 2024 championships included 18 junior singles competitors per gender.[41][45]Events, segments, and judging
The Canadian National Figure Skating Championships, governed by Skate Canada, structure competitions across disciplines into specific segments that emphasize technical proficiency and artistic expression. In men's and women's singles, as well as pair skating, athletes perform a short program consisting of required elements such as jumps, spins, and step sequences, lasting 2 minutes and 40 seconds plus or minus 10 seconds.[46] This is followed by the free skate, a more creative program allowing greater freedom in element selection, with durations of 4 minutes plus or minus 10 seconds for men, women, and pairs (3:30 for junior free skate).[46] For ice dance, the rhythm dance requires couples to interpret a designated rhythm or theme through mandatory elements like twizzles, step sequences, and a partial pattern dance (typically around 20 seconds of a specified dance pattern integrated into the program), with an overall duration of 2 minutes and 50 seconds plus or minus 10 seconds.[47] The free dance then allows for original choreography without thematic restrictions, lasting 4 minutes plus or minus 10 seconds (3:30 for junior).[46] Synchronized skating teams compete in a short program of required formations and a free skate focused on creative elements, though specifics vary by level.[47] Judging follows the International Skating Union (ISU) Judging System, adopted by Skate Canada, which calculates scores using the Technical Element Score (TES) for the difficulty and execution of elements (based on base values plus Grades of Execution from -5 to +5) and the Program Component Score (PCS) for artistry, including skating skills, transitions, performance, composition, and music interpretation (scored 0 to 10, factored by segment).[47] The total segment score is TES + PCS minus any deductions (e.g., for falls or illegal elements), with overall placement determined by the highest combined score across segments.[47] A panel of up to nine judges evaluates PCS and execution quality, while a separate technical panel—including a controller, technical specialist, and assistant technical specialist—identifies and validates elements, often using video replay for reviews and calls.[47] In case of ties within a segment, the higher TES determines placement; for overall ties, priority goes to the higher TES in the free skate or free dance, followed by higher PCS in that segment, then TES and PCS from the short program or rhythm dance.[47]Qualification process
Eligibility requirements
To compete in the Canadian National Skating Championships, athletes must be registered members in good standing with Skate Canada, the national governing body for figure skating in Canada.[48] For singles, pairs, and ice dance disciplines, participants are required to be Canadian citizens as defined under the Citizenship Act (R.S.C., 1985), or obtain written permission from Skate Canada if they are non-citizens.[48] Non-Canadian citizens seeking eligibility must submit a formal application to the Skate Canada National Office and present an acceptance letter upon registration for qualifying events leading to the championships.[49] In synchronized skating, teams may include up to 25% non-Canadian skaters, provided they hold valid International Skating Union (ISU) permits.[48] Changes in citizenship or federation affiliation are permitted under ISU Rule 109, which requires a clearance certificate from the previous ISU member and adherence to waiting periods (typically 12 months for initial international competition and 24 months for ISU championships). Age eligibility varies by discipline and aligns with ISU standards for international-level competitions, as the national championships serve as a qualifier for events like the ISU World Championships. For senior singles, pairs, and ice dance, athletes must have reached the age of 13 by July 1 preceding the competition season; for senior synchronized skating, athletes must have reached age 17 by July 1 (effective from the 2024-25 season onward per ISU rules). Junior categories require skaters to have reached age 13 but not yet 19 by July 1 preceding the event for singles, pairs, and synchronized skating; for junior ice dance, the upper limit is 21.[41] These criteria ensure alignment with global standards while allowing domestic flexibility below the senior threshold.[50] Skill prerequisites mandate that competitors pass specific Skate Canada assessments to demonstrate technical proficiency. Singles and pairs skaters in both junior and senior levels must complete the Gold Freeskate Assessment, while ice dance teams require both partners to have passed the Gold A and Gold B Dance Assessments.[41] These standards must be met at least three weeks prior to sectional championships, with annual minimum qualifying scores announced by Skate Canada by July 1.[48] Athletes must maintain amateur (eligible) status, meaning they cannot have engaged in professional activities that violate Skate Canada's registrant rules, such as receiving payment for teaching skating or performing in ice shows beyond permitted limits.[48] Additionally, all competitors must comply with anti-doping requirements under the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP), administered by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES), including whereabouts reporting and testing for international-level athletes.[51] Qualification to the championships typically occurs through performance at sectional events, though this section focuses solely on foundational eligibility.[48]Selection and qualification pathways
The qualification pathway to the Canadian National Skating Championships begins at the regional level within Skate Canada's 10 sections, including Alberta/NWT/Nunavut, Atlantic, BC/Yukon, Manitoba, Northern Ontario, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. Skaters must first compete in section-specific events, such as the Challenging Skate series or sectional championships, to earn advancement to the Skate Canada Challenge, a national qualifying competition that determines the majority of entries to the championships.[48] Top finishers from the previous year's Canadian National Skating Championships receive automatic byes directly to the event, typically the top six to eight in senior singles and top four to six in other disciplines, depending on the category. The remaining spots are allocated based on results from the Skate Canada Challenge, where sectional qualifiers compete against each other; for example, the top performers from each section advance to fill the field. Alternates are also selected from these results to cover potential withdrawals.[48][52] Overall quotas for the championships, including byes, are set at 18 skaters per singles discipline (men's and women's), 15 for ice dance, and 12 for pairs at the senior level, with similar structures applied to junior categories. These limits ensure a competitive field while accommodating regional representation.[48][52] Performances at the Canadian National Skating Championships carry significant international implications, as the top three to four senior finishers in each discipline are primary candidates for selection to the ISU World Figure Skating Championships, which also influences Olympic quota spots through the ISU points system. Junior medallists similarly qualify for the ISU World Junior Championships.[13]Senior medallists
Men's singles
The senior men's singles competition at the Canadian National Skating Championships is the premier event for elite male figure skaters, demanding advanced technical proficiency in elements like quadruple jumps, intricate spins, and footwork, alongside compelling artistic interpretation. Established in 1914, the event crowns national champions who often represent Canada at major international competitions, including the Olympics and World Championships. This category has been instrumental in showcasing Canada's depth in men's skating, with recent emphasis on incorporating complex quadruple combinations to align with International Skating Union (ISU) standards.[13] Prominent senior champions have defined the discipline's legacy. Patrick Chan secured ten national titles (2008–2010, 2011–2018) and Olympic gold in the team event (2018), exemplifying dominance in both technical and artistic realms. Keegan Messing won three consecutive titles (2022–2024), known for his expressive performances and contributions to Canadian skating post-Olympic cycles. Roman Sadovsky, the 2020 and 2025 champion, has also medaled at Worlds, highlighting the event's role in sustaining elite talent. The competition format includes a short program and free skate, evaluated on technical and component scores. Recent medalists frequently advance to ISU Grand Prix events and international assignments.| Year | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Roman Sadovsky (ON) | Nam Nguyen (ON) | Keegan Messing (AB/NT/NU) |
| 2022 | Keegan Messing (AB/NT/NU) | Roman Sadovsky (ON) | Nam Nguyen (ON) |
| 2023 | Keegan Messing (AB/NT/NU) | Conrad Orzel (ON) | Wesley Chiu (BC/YK) |
| 2024 | Wesley Chiu (BC/YK) | Aleksa Rakic (BC/YK) | Anthony Paradis (QC) |
| 2025 | Roman Sadovsky (ON) | Anthony Paradis (QC) | David Li (BC/YK) |
Women's singles
The senior women's singles event at the Canadian National Skating Championships represents the highest level of competition for female figure skaters, focusing on the execution of high-difficulty triple jumps, dynamic spins, and expressive choreography to compete internationally.[57] This category identifies top athletes for events like the ISU World Championships and Olympics, with champions often building on prior successes. For example, Kaetlyn Osmond won three senior titles (2013, 2014, 2017) en route to Olympic gold in 2018. In recent years, emphasis has been on triple Axel attempts and combinations like triple Lutz-triple toe loop, preparing skaters for ISU technical requirements. Standout performances, including record-setting scores, underscore the event's prestige.[58] The following table summarizes senior women's singles medalists from 2020 to 2025, reflecting competitive intensity and representation from various Skate Canada sections.| Year | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Emily Bausback (AB/NT/NU) | Madeline Schizas (ON) | Alison Schumacher (AB/NT/NU) |
| 2022 | Madeline Schizas (ON) | Emily Bausback (AB/NT/NU) | Kaiya Ruiter (AB/NT/NU) |
| 2023 | Madeline Schizas (ON) | Kaiya Ruiter (AB/NT/NU) | Fiona Bombardier (ON) |
| 2024 | Kaiya Ruiter (AB/NT/NU) | Madeline Schizas (ON) | Hetty Shi (ON) |
| 2025 | Madeline Schizas (ON) | Sara-Maude Dupuis (QC) | Katherine Medland Spence (ON) |
Pair skating
The senior pair skating event at the Canadian National Skating Championships features elite duos executing complex lifts, throws, side-by-side jumps, and death spirals, emphasizing power, synchronization, and innovation. This discipline has produced Olympic medalists like Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford (seven-time champions, 2012–2018). Partnerships often endure for years, with senior success building on junior foundations before targeting international glory. Recent examples include Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps, who claimed their first senior title in 2023 and defended in 2024 and 2025, mirroring the progression of past pairs like Duhamel/Radford.[63] The following table summarizes senior pair skating medalists from 2020 to 2025, excluding 2021 (cancelled due to COVID-19). Scores are combined short program and free skate totals where available.[56]| Year | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Kirsten Moore-Towers / Michael Marinaro (ON) 193.55 | Evelyn Walsh / Trennt Michaud (ON) 182.94 | Camille Ruest / Andrew Wolfe (QC) 174.69 |
| 2022 | Kirsten Moore-Towers / Michael Marinaro (ON) 195.89 | Evelyn Walsh / Trennt Michaud (ON) 189.24 | Lori-Ann Matte / Thierry Ferland (QC) 174.12 |
| 2023 | Deanna Stellato-Dudek / Maxime Deschamps (QC) 193.35 | Brooke McIntosh / Benjamin Mimar (ON) 187.55 | Lori-Ann Matte / Thierry Ferland (QC) 176.78 |
| 2024 | Deanna Stellato-Dudek / Maxime Deschamps (QC) 202.03 | Kelly Ann Laurin / Loucas Éthier (QC) 184.56 | Brooke McIntosh / Benjamin Mimar (ON) 181.45 |
| 2025 | Deanna Stellato-Dudek / Maxime Deschamps (QC) 207.06 | Lia Pereira / Trennt Michaud (ON) 204.96 | Kelly Ann Laurin / Loucas Éthier (QC) 187.29 |
Ice dance
The senior ice dance competition at the Canadian National Skating Championships highlights elite pairs in rhythm dance and free dance, requiring precise edges, lifts, twizzles, and storytelling through prescribed patterns like the foxtrot or quickstep.[67] Governed by ISU rules via Skate Canada, it emphasizes both technical precision and emotional depth.[41] Iconic duos like Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir won three senior titles (2008–2010, 2012–2014, 2017–2018) before Olympic golds in 2010, 2018, and 2022, elevating Canadian ice dance globally.[12] Recent competitions reflect ongoing excellence. In 2024, Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier defended their title in Calgary with innovative programs.[68] At the 2025 event in Laval, Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier (ON) retained gold with 229.55 points (rhythm dance 91.84, free dance 137.71), ahead of Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha (QC) at 218.52 and Alicia Fabbri and Paul Ayer (QC) at 195.88.[69] Top pairs advance to ISU events, sustaining Canada's medal-winning tradition.[70]| Year | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Piper Gilles / Paul Poirier (ON) | Kaitlyn Weaver / Andrew Poje (ON) | Carolane Soucisse / Shane Firus (ON) |
| 2022 | Piper Gilles / Paul Poirier (ON) | Marjorie Lajoie / Zachary Lagha (QC) | Carolane Soucisse / Shane Firus (ON) |
| 2023 | Laurence Fournier Beaudry / Nikolaj Sørensen (QC) | Piper Gilles / Paul Poirier (ON) | Marjorie Lajoie / Zachary Lagha (QC) |
| 2024 | Piper Gilles / Paul Poirier (ON) | Laurence Fournier Beaudry / Nikolaj Sørensen (QC) | Marjorie Lajoie / Zachary Lagha (QC) |
| 2025 | Piper Gilles / Paul Poirier (ON) | Marjorie Lajoie / Zachary Lagha (QC) | Alicia Fabbri / Paul Ayer (QC) |
Synchronized skating
Synchronized skating was introduced as a discipline at the Canadian National Skating Championships in 2023, with the senior category featuring teams of 16 skaters performing unified elements like lines, blocks, wheels, and intersections in short program and free skate segments.[72] Senior teams prioritize advanced difficulty, speed, and seamless transitions under ISU-adapted rules, promoting teamwork and contributing to Canada's growing presence in the discipline internationally.[6] Since inception, participation has surged, with medalists achieving World Junior and Senior podiums.[6] The following table lists senior synchronized skating medalists from 2023 to 2025:| Year | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | NEXXICE (ON) | Nova (QC) | Les Suprêmes (QC) |
| 2024 | Les Suprêmes (QC) | Nova (QC) | NEXXICE (ON) |
| 2025 | Les Suprêmes (QC) | Nova (QC) | NEXXICE (ON) |
Junior medallists
Men's singles
The junior men's singles competition at the Canadian National Skating Championships provides a vital developmental pathway for skaters aged 13 to 19, fostering technical proficiency in jumps, spins, and footwork while encouraging artistic interpretation to ease the transition to senior levels. Since its inception in 1928, the event has identified emerging talent, with champions often progressing to international success by leveraging the rigorous training emphasized in junior ranks. This focus on building a solid technical foundation has been particularly evident in recent decades, as skaters incorporate more complex elements like quadruple jumps to meet evolving International Skating Union standards.[13] Several junior champions have exemplified this pathway to stardom. Kurt Browning captured the 1985 junior title before earning Olympic bronze in 1988 and 1992, along with two world championships, highlighting the event's role in nurturing athletic and performance skills. Elvis Stojko won gold in 1988, paving the way for two Olympic silvers and seven world titles through his emphasis on powerful jumps developed in junior competitions. More recently, Patrick Chan claimed the 2005 crown en route to ten senior national titles and Olympic team gold in 2018, demonstrating how junior success builds resilience and competitive edge. Brian Orser, the 1979 junior winner, later secured two world championships and an Olympic silver, underscoring the event's historical impact on Canada's men's skating legacy. The competition format mirrors that of the senior men's event, featuring a short program and free skate judged on technical and component scores. Recent medalists continue to showcase this talent pipeline, with many advancing to junior Grand Prix events and senior debuts.| Year | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Liam Firus | ||
| 2011 | Nam Nguyen | ||
| 2012 | Mitchell Gordon | ||
| 2013 | Anthony Kan | ||
| 2014 | Denis Margalik | ||
| 2015 | Nicolas Nadeau | ||
| 2016 | Joseph Phan | ||
| 2017 | Stephen Gogolev | ||
| 2018 | Matthew Markell | ||
| 2019 | Aleksa Rakic | ||
| 2020 | Corey Circelli | ||
| 2022 | Anthony Paradis | Grayson Long | John Kim |
| 2023 | Edward Nicholas Vasii | Grayson Long | Anthony Paradis |
| 2024 | Terry Yu Tao Jin | David Li | David Shteyngart |
| 2025 | David Bondar | Edward Vasii | David Howes |
Women's singles
The junior women's singles event at the Canadian National Skating Championships serves as a critical developmental stage for female figure skaters aged 13 to 19, emphasizing the refinement of technical elements such as triple jumps while fostering artistic expression and competition experience.[57] This category plays a pivotal role in Canada's talent pipeline, identifying promising athletes who often advance to senior levels and international competitions, including the ISU World Junior Championships and Olympics. For instance, early successes in junior singles have propelled skaters like Gabrielle Daleman, who captured the 2012 junior title before achieving senior national championships and an Olympic team gold in 2018.[80] A key focus in recent years has been the acquisition and consistency of triple jumps, with junior medalists increasingly incorporating combinations like the triple Lutz-triple toe loop to build competitive programs that meet international standards.[58] This technical progression is evident in standout performances, such as those setting new junior records, which highlight the event's function in preparing skaters for senior demands.[81] The following table summarizes the junior women's singles medalists from 2020 to 2025, showcasing the competitive depth and regional representation across Canada's skating sections.| Year | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Lia Cho (AB/NT/NU) | Ksenia Krouzkevitch (ON) | Sandrine Blais (QC) |
| 2024 | Lulu Lin (ON) | Aleksa Volkova (QC) | Mély-Ann Gagner (QC) |
| 2023 | Hetty Shi (ON) | Rose Théroux (QC) | Aleksa Volkova (QC) |
| 2022 | Justine Miclette (QC) | Fiona Bombardier (ON) | Michelle Deng (AB/NWT/NT) |
| 2021* | Sara-Maude Dupuis (QC) | Melody Zhu (BC/YK) | Lia Pereira (ON) |
| 2020 | Kaiya Ruiter (AB/NWT/NT) | Emily Millard (BC/YK) | Kristina Ivanova (ON) |
Pair skating
The junior pair skating event at the Canadian National Skating Championships serves as a key developmental stage for young athletes, emphasizing foundational elements such as side-by-side spins, lifts, and throws that are less complex than those in senior competitions, allowing pairs to build technical proficiency and partnership synergy before advancing. These championships highlight emerging talents who often transition to senior levels, with many medalists earning spots on development teams or international junior assignments. Youth partnerships formed at this level, typically involving skaters aged 13-19, focus on consistent execution of required elements like the double twist and group 3 or 4 lifts, fostering long-term collaboration. Notable recent examples include Ava Kemp and Yohnatan Elizarov, who began partnering as juniors in 2021 and have since dominated the category, securing multiple national titles while competing internationally. Their progression exemplifies how junior success can lead to senior potential, similar to early careers of pairs like Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch, who built their foundation through junior nationals before achieving senior accolades.[63] The following table summarizes junior pair skating medalists from 2020 to 2025, excluding 2021 when the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Scores reflect combined short program and free skate totals where available.[56]| Year | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Patricia Andrew / Zachary Daleman (ON) 140.85 | Gabrielle Levesque / Pier-Alexandre Hudon (QC) 133.46 | Kelly Ann Laurin / Loucas Éthier (QC) 130.72 |
| 2022 | Brooke McIntosh / Benjamin Mimar (ON) 155.95 | Summer Homick / Marty Haubrich (SK) 133.24 | Emy Carignan / Bryan Pierro (QC) 127.89 |
| 2023 | Chloé Panetta / Kieran Thrasher (ON) 147.92 | Ava Kemp / Yohnatan Elizarov (ON) 141.58 | Martina Ariano-Kent / Lionel Leduc (QC) 135.45 |
| 2024 | Ava Kemp / Yohnatan Elizarov (ON) 162.47 | Martina Ariano-Kent / Charly Laliberté-Laurent (QC) 146.12 | Jazmine Desrochers / Kieran Thrasher (ON) 142.89 |
| 2025 | Ava Kemp / Yohnatan Elizarov (ON) 159.39 | Martina Ariano-Kent / Charly Laliberté-Laurent (QC) 145.94 | Julia Quattrochi / Simon Desmarais (QC) 141.67 |
Ice dance
The junior ice dance competition at the Canadian National Skating Championships provides a foundational platform for emerging pairs, focusing on building essential skills such as precise timing, edge control, and partnership synchronization through required pattern dances like the Fiesta Tango and Westminster Waltz.[67] These compulsory elements, skated to prescribed rhythms and steps, emphasize technical accuracy over artistic flair, preparing skaters for the rhythm dance and free dance segments in higher levels.[41] Many notable early partnerships have launched from this event, transitioning to senior success. A prime example is Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Ontario, who captured the 2004 junior title before becoming the first North American ice dance duo to win Olympic gold in 2010.[12] Their junior victory highlighted the event's role in identifying future stars capable of elevating Canadian ice dance internationally. Recent editions underscore the competition's ongoing talent pipeline. In 2024, at the championships in Calgary, Alberta, Layla Veillon and Alexander Brandys of Ontario secured gold, marking a breakthrough after placing fifth the previous year and demonstrating strong progression in their partnership.[68] The 2025 event in Laval, Quebec, crowned Chloe Nguyen and Brendan Giang of British Columbia/Yukon as champions with a total score of 170.99 points, including 69.45 in the rhythm dance and 101.54 in the free dance; they edged out silver medalists Sandrine Gauthier and Quentin Thieren of Quebec (170.61) by a narrow margin.[90] Bronze was awarded to the defending champions Veillon and Brandys of Ontario (160.22), who maintained competitive form despite the tight leaderboard.[91] These results reflect the depth of junior talent, with top pairs often advancing to international junior Grand Prix events.[70]Synchronized skating
Synchronized skating was introduced as a discipline at the Canadian National Skating Championships in 2023, with the junior category serving as a key developmental pathway for young athletes.[72] Junior teams consist of 8 to 16 skaters who focus on building foundational skills through precise teamwork and coordination in basic formations such as wheels, circles, blocks, and intersections.[6] This level prioritizes youth development, fostering technical proficiency and artistic expression to prepare skaters for higher competitions while promoting accessibility and growth in participation across Canada.[6] Since its inclusion, junior synchronized skating has experienced significant growth, with increasing numbers of teams competing and achieving international success, such as podium finishes at the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships, underscoring its role in nurturing national talent.[6] The following table lists the junior synchronized skating medalists from 2023 to 2025:| Year | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | NEXXICE (ON) | Les Suprêmes (QC) | Gold Ice (ON) |
| 2024 | Les Suprêmes (QC) | NEXXICE (ON) | Nova (QC) |
| 2025 | Les Suprêmes (QC) | NEXXICE (ON) | Nova (QC) |
Discontinued events
Four skating
Four skating was a team discipline in figure skating consisting of two men and two women who performed a four-minute program incorporating solo jumps and spins, pair lifts and throws, and synchronized group elements to demonstrate unity and precision on the ice.[93] The event originated in the early 20th century and was included in the Canadian National Skating Championships from 1910 onward, often sporadically as interest fluctuated. Medals were awarded irregularly from 1910 onward, reflecting varying levels of participation over the decades.[94] The competition format emphasized seamless transitions between individual and group maneuvers, blending aspects of singles, pairs, and emerging ice dance styles into a cohesive routine judged on technical merit, artistic impression, and overall synchronization. The last Canadian national four skating event took place in 1997, after which it was discontinued primarily due to its logistical complexity in organizing teams and judging diverse elements, coupled with declining participation as skaters favored specialized disciplines.Ice dancing precursors
Prior to the establishment of ice dance as a distinct discipline in 1947, the Canadian National Skating Championships featured precursor events focused on pattern dances, notably the Waltz and Tenstep, which tested pairs' precision, timing, and harmony through prescribed step sequences performed to music. These competitions, rooted in European skating traditions adapted to North American rinks, emphasized closed-hold partnership and edge control without lifts or throws, distinguishing them from pair skating.[95] The Waltz event required skaters to execute a series of 14-step waltz patterns around the rink's perimeter, highlighting flowing three-beat rhythms and synchronized glides; it was contested regularly from the 1920s through the 1940s, with early examples including the 1938 victory by Janet and Fraser Sweatman, who also earned the Birks Cup for their performance.[95] By the mid-1940s, wartime constraints reduced entries, but the event persisted, as seen in the 1945 win by Gloria Lillico and William A. de Nance Jr. of the Toronto Skating Club, who received two first-place ordinals from three judges.[96] This format fostered technical proficiency among Canadian pairs, drawing from informal waltzing traditions documented as early as 1885 in Halifax.[8] Introduced in the 1930s, the Tenstep similarly involved a 14-step pattern dance derived from Viennese influences, demanding progressive edges, turns, and holds to navigate lobes and changes of direction; it served as an advanced challenge, with the first recorded national title in 1935 and the Sweatmans claiming victory in 1939.[95] The event's final standalone iteration occurred in 1946, amid post-war recovery, where Lillico and de Nance Jr. placed second behind winners Olga Bernyk and Alex Fulton, underscoring the era's focus on pattern mastery over freestyle elements.[96][95] These pattern-focused competitions transitioned into modern ice dance with the 1947 introduction of a combined event incorporating Silver Dances alongside the Waltz (Birks Cups) and Tenstep (Sifton Cups), won unanimously by Margaret Wilson Roberts and Bruce Hyland at the Toronto Skating Club; the addition of a free dance segment allowed greater creativity while building on established patterns.[97] By the late 1950s, the standalone Waltz and Tenstep were fully discontinued as ice dance standardized around compulsory patterns and free routines, marking the evolution from isolated technical tests to a holistic discipline.[95]Records and achievements
Multiple titles
In men's singles, Patrick Chan holds the record with ten national titles, won consecutively from 2008 to 2010 and again from 2011 to 2018.[98][99] Prior to Chan, Montgomery Wilson shared the previous mark of nine titles, achieved between 1929 and 1939.[100] The women's singles record belongs to Constance Wilson-Samuel, who secured nine championships from 1924 to 1935, a feat that underscored her dominance in the early era of Canadian figure skating.[24] No other woman has surpassed this total, though several, including Barbara Ann Scott with five titles from 1944 to 1948, have been notable multiple champions.[5][101] In pair skating, Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford established the benchmark with seven consecutive victories from 2012 to 2018, the longest streak in the discipline's history.[102][103] This record highlights their sustained excellence, though earlier pairs like Jamie Salé and David Pelletier won three titles in the early 2000s. More recently, Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps earned three straight crowns from 2023 to 2025.[104] Ice dance features the highest number of multiple titles, led by Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz with ten senior wins from 1993 to 2002, a record that remains unmatched.[105][106] Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir follow with seven senior titles, spanning 2008 to 2010 and 2012 to 2018, tying for second in the discipline.[107][108] As of 2025, Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier have claimed four national championships, including back-to-back wins in 2024 and 2025.[109]| Discipline | Skater/Team | Titles | Years (Selected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Singles | Patrick Chan | 10 | 2008–2010, 2011–2018 |
| Women's Singles | Constance Wilson-Samuel | 9 | 1924–1935 |
| Pair Skating | Meagan Duhamel/Eric Radford | 7 | 2012–2018 |
| Ice Dance | Shae-Lynn Bourne/Victor Kraatz | 10 | 1993–2002 |