SaskatoonAs the momentum for 2026 Olympics builds, 18 Canadian athletes and dozens of international stars are in Saskatoon this weekend for the third stop on the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series.With Olympics less than 100 days away, stakes getting higherAishwarya Dudha · CBC News · Posted: Oct 31, 2025 7:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 4 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesMadeline Schizas skates during a practice Thursday for the 2025 Skate Canada International event in Saskatoon. (Liam Richards/The Canadian Press)Some of the world’s best figure skaters are in Saskatoon this weekend competing at Skate Canada International.As the momentum for the 2026 Olympics builds, 18 Canadian athletes plus dozens of international stars will be at SaskTel Centre for the third stop on the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. The three-day event runs Friday through Sunday. One of the Canadian stars is Madeline Schizas, a three-time national champion who earned an Olympic spot in the women’s event for the country earlier this year. “The pressure at [the world championships] was crazy,” Schizas said after practice Thursday. “Any small mistake could have meant not having a spot at the Olympics. But I really feel like I stepped up to it.”“I think that I’m going to use that experience to my advantage heading into the Olympic season.” Schizas, who is also a full-time university student, said the home Canadian crowd brings both comfort and responsibility.“It’s been really hard, if I’m being honest.” she said. “I’m going to graduate in May and I’m so excited for that. It’s been a lot of work and honestly, it’s something I’m really proud of.” Sara-Maude Dupuis is aiming to land another triple axel — a rare move that only a few women in the world can do.She said she felt the support and energy from hundreds of local students who packed the arena for practice on Thursday. Sara-Maude Dupuis is aiming to land a triple axel at Skate Canada International in Saskatoon this weekend. (Liam Richards/The Canadian Press)“It’s always so special to compete in an international event at home and have all the fans here in Saskatoon,” she said.Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud say there’s nothing like competing in front of a home crowd. “We look out into people in the crowd and they’re waving and smiling and cheering us on, so it makes our job a lot more enjoyable and just reminds us of why we do it. It’s for ourselves, but also for a performance for other people to enjoy,” Pereira said. Canadians Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud skate during a practice for the 2025 Skate Canada International event in Saskatoon. (Liam Richards/The Canadian Press)The duo helped Canada secure two Olympic pairs spots, and as the Olympics get closer, the pressure rises. “There’s always external pressures that you can kind of listen to or put on yourself. But we really just try to focus on us as a team and bring what we’ve learned in our past,” Pereira said. Reigning world champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps are also competing this weekend, still fresh from a pairs silver medal performance at the Grand Prix de France. WATCH | Canada’s best get set to light up the ice at Skate Canada International:Canada’s best get set to light up the ice at Skate Canada InternationalCBC’s Stephanie Massicotte spoke to some of the skaters who have landed in Saskatoon for Skate Canada International about what it takes to perform under pressure, how they’re preparing for the season and what it feels like to skate on this stage with the Olympics just around the corner.“The Olympics are an additional motivator for this season. It’s so exciting. We’ve been waiting our whole lives to go to this event. So for me, it’s just an extra little additional motivation to know that this is that year you’ve been waiting for your whole life,” Stellato-Dudek said. The weekend’s competition opens Friday evening with the women’s and pairs short programs, followed by the men’s and rhythm dance events Saturday, and final performances wrapping up Sunday afternoon with the victory ceremony.ABOUT THE AUTHORAishwarya Dudha is a reporter for CBC Saskatchewan based in Saskatoon. She specializes in immigration, justice and cultural issues and elevating voices of vulnerable people. She has previously worked for CBC News Network and Global News. You can email her at aishwarya.dudha@cbc.ca
World’s top figure skaters hit the ice in Saskatoon for Skate Canada International
