Madeline Schizas captured her fourth women’s singles title at the Canadian figure skating championships Sunday in Gatineau, Que.
The 22-year-old from Oakville, Ont., scored 135.94 points in her free skate to Butterfly Lovers Concerto, posting a winning total of 200.86 to climb from fourth to first at Centre Slush Puppie.
“I wasn’t going down without a fight, and I think I proved that today,” Schizas said.
Gabrielle Daleman, a two-time Olympian, claimed silver with 195.35 points in her return to nationals for the first time since 2022 due to a series of severe injuries.
“At the end of the day, it took a lot of guts and a lot of courage for me to come back,” she said.
“Was that the skate I wanted? No. Was it a bad skate? Also, no. I fought through the entire program. I’m not going to lie, there was a hell of a lot of pressure. It was great competition. She killed it. She knocked it out of the park — well-deserved.”
Ontario’s Madeline Schizas captures 4th national figure skating title, repeats as champion
Daleman, days away from turning 28, hoped to become the first Canadian women’s singles skater to reach three Olympics. She broke down in tears after her program.
“I’m very hard on myself, I wanted this spot, didn’t get it,” she said. “The tears at the end was not just heartbreak. [I] was extremely proud. I was not able to get out of bed a year ago. I wasn’t walking a year, and now I’m again on the national podium after being told I wouldn’t skate or walk again.
“I have to give myself that grace. It’s going to take probably a few days, but I’m gonna give it to myself.”
Minsol Kwon, a 16-year-old from South Korea, took bronze (193.18). Kwon was released by her home country to skate in Canada domestically, but she cannot yet represent Canada internationally.
Canadian National Skating Championships: Women’s free program
Kwon led after Saturday’s short program, but only 1.59 points separated the top four of her, Daleman, Sara-Maude Dupuis and Schizas.
Schizas arrived in Gatineau as the front-runner to claim Canada’s only women’s spot for February’s Milan-Cortina Olympics after representing the country at the past five world championships, and all but secured her place Sunday.
“I’m so excited,” she said. “The first one was obviously COVID. I’m really excited. I’ll have my family there. My aunt and uncle are coming. My parents are coming, so I’m really, really excited that they’re all going to be there to support me.”
Other than popping out of a double axel, she skated a near-perfect free program.
The free dance was scheduled for later Sunday. Four-time national ice dance champions Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier led comfortably with 93.11 points following Saturday’s rhythm dance.
Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha, last year’s silver medallists at the Canadian championships, sat second with 86.93.
Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac were third with 78.64, only 0.59 ahead of Alicia Fabbri and Paul Ayer in a battle for Canada’s final Olympic spot.
Toronto’s Stephen Gogolev captured his first senior men’s singles title Saturday, while Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud claimed gold over 2024 world champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps in pairs.
Canada has seven entries — three ice dance teams, two pairs and one each in men’s and women’s singles — for the Olympics. The country will also compete in the team event.
Skate Canada was scheduled to announce its full Olympic team Sunday evening. Canada has seven entries — three ice dance teams, two pairs and one each in men’s and women’s singles — and will compete in the team event.
