2026-27 Canadian Figure Skating

[4everchan]

As we look towards the future of Canadian skating, it's a good time to reflect on Canadian skating success this past year, with Piper and Paul's medals at both the Olympics and world championships.
Pairs have done us proud too with Lia and Trennt getting a bronze medal at worlds as well as Ava and Yoni and Jazzy and Kiki securing both top steps of the world junior championships podium.

Spring was pretty brutal with all the splits announced. We are still quite in the dark about the plans of some skaters and until we see the new partnerships on the ice, it's hard to assess what this next quad will be.

For the women's field, I personally feel like the last quad cycle was a developing stage and whether or not Maddie continues to skate, there are now quite a handful of women knocking at the door.

Men were so scary before Stephen Gogolev took the moose by the antlers. Finishing in the top 5 at his first Olympics and worlds (4th) is an amazing achievement. All I wish for him is to remain healthy.

It will be interesting to see Minsol Kwon and Lia Cho competing internationally for Canada this year.

Feel free to share your thoughts about the past year and your hopes, wishes and predictions for this upcoming year.

 

[ladyjane]

I really hope the new ID couple of Marjorie and Jean-Luc will make a big splash, that Alicia finds a good partner to compete with, that Lia and Trennt continue to grow in the pairs discipline as well as for the successfull junior couples from season 2025-2026 to have some success on the senior level, while I hope Stephen remains heathy and also continues to grow. It will be good to have a real leading man again, as the Canadians have had so often in the past. I am not so well-versed in the women but I can see a myriad of young ones just on their marks allready celebrating some successes, so looking forward to that discipline as well.

Sorry, I forgot to look back a little. If I can experience even a fraction of how Piper and Paul's Vincent was skated at the OG, I will be so happy (and probably in tears again). I loved it that Lia and Trennt went back to Gladiator, I don't think they will have regrets either. Stephen did well, and I particularly enjoyed his step sequence in the FS.

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

... that Alicia finds a good partner to compete with ...

Alicia Fabbri has been seen at the Montreal rink training with Estonian ice dancer Marko Gaidajenko (they were inadvertently captured in a photo posted on sm). Seems like a potentially good match. The question is which country will they rep, Canada or Estonia?

 

[4everchan]

That is a wonderful way to start this thread. Seeing Piper by the boards, will keep these already imperishable memories of their Olympics free dance alive forever.

 

[surimi]

Is that a confirmation then that Piper is retiring? Asking because there are skaters who start coaching while still competitive, but I don't think that's the case here, so perhaps someone here has more insight/information?

 

[FlossieH]

This makes the new season feel closer!

 

[4everchan]

This makes the new season feel closer!

well the season is starting in a few days... BC Summer Skate is coming up. I populated the thread in the summer 2026 competition part of the forum.

 

[Colonel Green]

Alicia Fabbri has been seen at the Montreal rink training with Estonian ice dancer Marko Gaidajenko (they were inadvertently captured in a photo posted on sm). Seems like a potentially good match. The question is which country will they rep, Canada or Estonia?

Under the new ISU rules wouldn't it pretty much have to be Canada?

 

[4everchan]

Under the new ISU rules wouldn't it pretty much have to be Canada?

What are the specifics of those rules ?

 

[saine]

Residency requirements for those who aren't aware from the 2026 rules update (section 8.2.1 and 8.2.2):

8.2.1 A Skater may compete only as a member of the ISU Member of a country of which they are a citizen or in which they have resided for at least one year. Citizenship shall be evidenced by an official certificate of citizenship issued by the competent national authority. Residence for one year means and shall be evidenced by documentation demonstrating to the ISU’s satisfaction (acting reasonably) that the individual has maintained continuous stay in the country of residence for a minimum of 180 days within the past calendar year. Proof of residence shall be reconfirmed annually through the submission of appropriate documentation by the ISU Member.

8.2.2 In Pair Skating and Ice Dance one partner must be a citizen of the country of the represented ISU Member.

 

[4everchan]

Residency requirements for those who aren't aware from the 2026 rules update (section 8.2.1 and 8.2.2):

Well... that may be interesting considering IAM campuses and all the pairs training in Canada. Less easy to switch around... unless you are moving to Canada

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I don't think the updated citizenship and residency rules are very clear, actually. Some type of clearance certificate is involved which this team is probably already on top of. Then, as long as at least one member of the team has citizenship in the country they rep, that's the requirement. As a new team, the residency requirement would surely not go into effect immediately.

I think the main issue is that if they rep Estonia, Alicia would have to sit out a year. For Marko, since he hasn't repped Estonia in about 2 years, they would not have to worry about a wait time. It would chiefly be about procuring a release for Marko. Also, Canada could likely provide them with more domestic comps while they work on getting Marko's release. In addition, since Marko has trained and lived in Canada for many years, his path to citizenship might be easier than Alicia's for Estonia, especially in regard to a residency requirement.

Probably, they will go with whatever route is more promising in terms of citizenship & release, as well as regarding financial assistance.

 

[4everchan]

which is Canada

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Regarding the posted document, 8.2.1 references singles skaters only.

8.2.2, as indicated, pertains to pairs skating teams and ice dance teams.

 

[NanaPat]

Regarding the posted document, 8.2.1 references singles skaters only.

8.2.2, as indicated, pertains to pairs skating teams and ice dance teams.

I'm not sure. It says "a skater", so it could easily apply to all skaters, including teams, with 8.2.2 an additional restriction on the teams. Or maybe not.

 

[4everchan]

I'm not sure. It says "a skater", so it could easily apply to all skaters, including teams, with 8.2.2 an additional restriction on the teams. Or maybe not.

I can read it both ways too.... so once again, the ISU a master at writing rules that only them know what they really mean.

Justice for Canada for the team event 2022 !

 

[Sackie]

Just saw a Facebook post that Piper has joined the coaching staff at Ice Dance Elite. Is this true? And if so does that mean Piper and Paul have called it quits. Did I miss an announcement?

 

[Diana Delafield]

I can read it both ways too.... so once again, the ISU a master at writing rules that only them know what they really mean.

Justice for Canada for the team event 2022 !

Speaking of teams, does this include synchro as well, now that some teams have international skaters in their ranks?

Someone didn't see either the woods OR the trees.

 

[4everchan]

Speaking of teams, does this include synchro as well, now that some teams have international skaters in their ranks?

Someone didn't see either the woods OR the trees.

synchro 9 12, 16 or 2409421 ?