In 2018, the iconic ice dancing pair Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir concluded their Olympic journey at the Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang with a remarkable performance of the “Moulin Rouge” routine, securing a gold medal with a record-breaking score. CBC Sports analyst Brenda Irving hailed them as the greatest ice dancers of their era and possibly of all time. This victory marked Canada’s most recent Olympic gold in figure skating.
Their success was part of a stellar showing by Canadian figure skaters at Pyeongchang, with the duo contributing to Canada’s team gold along with Kaetlyn Osmond and Meagan Duhamel/Eric Radford, who both secured bronze medals. Fast forward to Milano Cortina 2026, Canada hopes for at least one medal, recognizing the challenge of following up a golden generation with a new one.
Skate Canada’s high-performance director, Mike Slipchuk, draws from the 2018 experience to prepare the current team, emphasizing the need for a different approach given the evolving landscape. Despite aiming for three medals, including prospects in ice dance and pairs, the focus is on paving a new path for Team Canada in the sport.
Following the retirement of key figures like Virtue, Moir, Duhamel, Radford, and Osmond post-2018, Canadian figure skating faced a rebuilding phase. The 2022 Olympics saw a medal-less run for Canada amidst the Kamila Valieva doping scandal, highlighting the shift in dynamics within the sport.
Gilles and Poirier, leading the charge for Canada in ice dance, acknowledge the pressure to live up to past achievements but are focused on charting their own course. Moir’s endorsement of their progress behind the scenes reflects a sense of continuity amidst the changing landscape.
Gilles and Poirier’s revamped approach, driven by their passion for storytelling and figure skating, has yielded consistent success in recent world championships. Despite facing setbacks, their resolve remains strong as they gear up for Milano Cortina 2026.
The singles category poses a challenge for Canada post-2018, with emerging talents like Gogolev striving to make their mark on the international stage. The men’s singles competition is expected to be fierce at nationals, with Gogolev and others vying for top honors.
Looking ahead, Slipchuk and Wong acknowledge the deepening talent pool in global figure skating, necessitating a strategic approach to stay competitive. Canada’s focus on nurturing young talent at the junior level signals a promising future despite the inevitable cycles of success and transition in sports.
As Canada readies for the 2026 Olympics, the goal is not to replicate past glories but to embrace the new era with determination and resilience. The upcoming Games present an opportunity for Canadian figure skating to build momentum, showcase talent, and aim for new achievements on the world stage.