The last time Madeline Schizas competed in Mississauga, Ontario, she was just 16 years old. She joked on Friday that she was more interested in Piper Gilles’ dog Scout being at the rink than the fact that she had just won a national bronze medal.
That was the 2020 Canadian Championships. The COVID-19 pandemic hit a few weeks later, all but wiping out the global figure skating schedule for nearly two years.
On Friday, shortly after Skate Canada International determined the best short program, Schizas marveled at how life had changed since then.
“Now I’ve gone into this event as the top Canadian and it’s just a completely different experience,” said Schizas. “It’s a bit crazy for me to think that it hasn’t been that long, it’s not even been a full three years. And it’s so exciting to be back in this building in a different position in my career. “
WATCH l Reigning Canadian National Champion Schizas takes the lead:
Reigning Canadian Champion Madeline Schizas of Oakville, Ontario won the women’s short program with a score of 67.90 at Skate Canada International in Mississauga, Ontario.
The 19-year-old from Oakville, Ontario, who caused a stir when Canada finished fourth in the team event at the Beijing Olympics, scored 67.90 for her “nasty” program on the “Black Swan” soundtrack.
“It’s not really my preferred personality to be honest,” said Schizas, who will be skating to the lighter “West Side Story” soundtrack in Saturday’s free program.
Canada teammate Gabrielle Daleman is second, just 1.25 points off in her first Grand Prix appearance since finishing tenth at Skate Canada in 2019.
WATCH l Daleman from Newmarket, Ontario takes 2nd place with 66.65 points:
Gabrielle Daleman of Newmarket, Ontario, ranks second with 66.65 points after the women’s short program at Skate Canada International in Mississauga, Ontario.
Schizas have evolved in relative obscurity during the pandemic, with most skating competitions either being held virtually, live but without fans, or being canceled entirely.
Their performances at the team event in Beijing were a revelation and a big reason why Canada finished fourth – and still in contention for bronze until the end of the Russian doping scandal.
Schizas said the increased expectations after Beijing earlier this season took their toll. A bad case of nervousness saw her finish fifth at the last Nebelhorn Trophy after a horrible freestyle for 10th place.
Schizas also recently moved to Hamilton, Ontario to study human behavior at McMaster University. Due to the pandemic, it’s the first time she’s been in a live classroom since 11th grade.
Daleman, meanwhile, was delighted with her clean skate to Rhianna’s “Diamonds” after a summer that brought a laundry list of ailments including COVID-19, a abdominal tear, an injured back from a car accident and being diagnosed with Bell’s palsy.
“It just shows how strong I am and how much I love this sport and that nothing, nobody is going to hold me back or bring me down,” said Daleman.
The 24-year-old from Newmarket, Ontario was one of Canada’s most promising young skaters, making her Olympic debut in 2014 at just 16 years old. She won world bronze in 2017, but her career has been a roller coaster since then.
“I think it’s nice because you have Gabby, who was kind of a veteran; she’s making a comeback,” Gilles said. “And Maddie is finally in her element and feeling confident. We are proud to be part of their team and support them every step of the way to be their own and a leader. So we’re very happy for them both.”
Third is the American Ava Marie Ziegler with 66.49.
Gilles, Poirier lead after rhythm dance
Canada’s world bronze medalists Gilles and Paul Poirier are the leaders after the rhythm dance.
Gilles and Poirier scored 87.23 in their season debut with their rumba rhythm dance.
“There’s always this jitter, especially the first time, nobody’s seen the programs yet, you don’t know how it’s going to be received, if people are going to enjoy it, if the crowd is going to really get into your energy,” Poirier said.
CLOCK | Gilles and Poirier top the rankings:
Canadians Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier scored 87.23 after their rhythm dance performance to take the lead at Skate Canada International in Mississauga, Ontario.
Gilles and Poirier, both 30, took six weeks off last summer to reflect on their future after the pandemic robbed them of any enjoyment of the Beijing Olympic season.
“Actually, the goal for this season, especially for that first competition, was really just to get out there and come back with that joy of skating,” said Poirier. “And I think we really felt that between the two of us today, we felt connected, we felt grounded and we felt in our element.”
Britain’s Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson are second in Saturday’s freestyle with 83.80, while America’s Caroline Green and Michael Parsons are third (76.13).
Miura leads Uno in the men’s short program
The Japanese Kao Miura beat his compatriot and reigning world champion Shoma Uno (89.98) in the men’s short program with 94.06. Third was the Italian Matteo Rizzo (81.18).
Canada’s Keegan Messing was fourth (79.69) after a bad fall on his quad toe loop, while his compatriot Stephen Gogolev was 11th (57.94).
“Skating happens,” said Messing, knowing he would crash in midair. “It was definitely a moment where I just had to step in to do the turns and prepare for the inevitable impact that was about to happen.”
CLOCK | Japan’s Miura leads on men’s short program:
Japan’s Kao Miura scored 94.06 for his short program and is the leader by short program at Skate Canada International.
Messing said he got a little emotional before skating in his Skate Canada finals.
“I had to remind myself that I’m not competing for a placement this year,” said Messing, who is retiring after this season. “This year is for me and I went out and just had fun. Yes, the jumps weren’t there, but I gave it my all, I had fun with my footwork, I played with the crowd. And my goodness your audience was right behind me on the home ice.”
The free programs are Saturday. The Grand Prix circuit culminates in the finale in Turin, Italy, in December.
Watch Skate Canada International live coverage on CBCSports.ca, CBC Gem and the CBC Sports App for iOS and Android. The campaign starts on Friday.
Time schedule
- Friday October 21st: Couples Short Program (6:40 p.m. ET), Men’s Short Program (8:11 p.m. ET)
- Saturday October 22nd: Free Program for Women (1:10 p.m. ET), Free Dance for Ice Dance (3:20 p.m. ET), Free Program for Couples (5:55 p.m. ET), Free Program for Men (7:31 p.m. ET)
- Sunday 23 October: Gala Exhibition (2 p.m. ET)
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