As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics unfold, Canadian pairs figure skating is witnessing a dramatic shift in momentum. While established world champions face unexpected hurdles, a new generation of skaters has surged into the spotlight on the world’s biggest stage.
Current Olympic Standings: Milano Cortina 2026
As of 16 February 2026, the pairs competition has delivered a mix of heartbreak and triumph for Team Canada:
- Lia Pereira & Trennt Michaud: The reigning 2026 Canadian champions are currently the surprise story of the Games. Following a stunning short program on Sunday, 15 February, they sit in third place with a personal best score of 74.60. They are firmly in medal contention heading into the free skate.
- Deanna Stellato-Dudek & Maxime Deschamps: The 2024 World Champions faced a difficult Olympic debut. After being medically cleared following a pre-Games injury, a costly fall during a reverse lasso lift in the short program left them in 14th place. Despite the setback, the 42-year-old Stellato-Dudek made history as the oldest female figure skater to compete at the Winter Olympics.
Historical Context: Canada’s Pairs Legacy
Canada has long been a powerhouse in pairs skating, a discipline requiring extreme synchronization and physical strength. The current roster follows in the footsteps of several legendary duos:
- Barbara Wagner & Robert Paul: The first Canadians to win Olympic gold in pairs (Squaw Valley 1960), they also secured four consecutive World Championships (1957–1960).
- Jamie Salé & David Pelletier: Famous for the 2002 Salt Lake City judging controversy, they were eventually awarded Olympic gold, ending a 42-year drought for Canadian pairs.
- Meagan Duhamel & Eric Radford: Known for their technical prowess, they hold the record for the most Canadian national titles (seven) and won Olympic gold in the team event at PyeongChang 2018.
- Isabelle Brasseur & Lloyd Eisler: Two-time Olympic bronze medalists (1992, 1994) and 1993 World Champions, beloved for their “power skating” style.
Recent Domestic Results
The 2026 Canadian National Skating Championships held in January served as a precursor to the Olympic drama. Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud captured their first national title, upsetting Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps. This victory signaled a changing of the guard that has now translated into their current podium-tracking performance in Milan.
Looking Ahead
The figure skating world remains focused on the Mediolanum Forum in Milan. While Germany’s Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin currently lead the pairs field, the Canadian duo of Pereira and Michaud are positioned to potentially bring home Canada’s first individual pairs medal since 2018. Meanwhile, Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps look to regain their form in the free skate to climb the final rankings.