2025–26 Canadian Women: News and Updates

[Coco]

So excited to see Daleman in an international championship again.

 

[fan]

I have been following skating forever but have seen very few live competitions. thought Ruiter was smoother and faster than I expected but found her oddly loud. Even her gliding was loud and I don't remember hearing any other skater that much. I hope her move to Orser will pay off - she seemed very happy after her SP.

She was quite scratchy, but has definitely been working on her speed

 

[coppertop1]

It was great to see Gabby back at Canadians. She's such a fighter. Too bad we did have two spots. Maddie is a true competitor. She seems to skate better when she's angry
We definitely have some very promising young women. It's going to be exciting to watch their journey

 

[victorskid]

New article on Reese Rose:

Fresh from impactful ADHD diagnosis, Reese Rose rises into top-6 final flight at home skating nationals

Reese Rose was seventh in the long program and sixth overall. Photo: Derek Mellon By Dan Plouffe Just like the changes of tone in the Adele medley she was skating to, Reese Rose lived many highs an…

ottawasportspages.ca

 

[Sylvia]

Katherine Medland-Spence shared this article in her instagram story. I had no idea of all of the challenges she had this season. Hip and knee injuries and a breast cancer scare (the article says she had a lumpectomy surgery at the end of August). She later developed vertigo. It's amazing she was able to compete this season at all.

HIGH ACHIEVERS: Katherine Medland Spence survives multiple challenges to reach Canadian Skating Championships

By Martin Cleary Another all-consuming Olympics is on the horizon and the Canadian Olympic Committee is assembling its elite team of winter warriors. But unlike world championships or World Cup com…

ottawasportspages.ca

@danafan Thanks for sharing Martin Cleary's article on Katherine before Nationals (he has covered her career in his "High Achievers" column for years) that I just saw today. From the beginning of Katherine's post written a few days after Canadian Nationals: "This whole season has been about listening to my body and today is no different. Unfortunately my vertigo was not good this morning and I had to make the decision I didn’t want to have to make, and withdraw from the free program at Nationals."

Katherine Medland Spence on Instagram: "This whole season has been about listening to my body and today is no different. Unfortunately my vertigo was not good this morning and I had to make the decision I didn’t want to have to make, and withdraw fro

479 likes, 32 comments - skatingwithkatherine on January 11, 2026: "This whole season has been about listening to my body and today is no different. Unfortunately my vertigo was not good this morning and I had to make the decision I didn’t want to have to make, and withdraw from the free program...

www.instagram.com

 

[danafan]

Gabby Daleman made a heartfelt post about her performance of the Canadian championships as well as looking forward to 4 continents.

Gabrielle Daleman 🇨🇦 on Instagram: "Hello everyone, After taking a few days to process & reflect, I wanted to share my gratitude to those who made this past weekend possible. I’d like to acknowledge and thank Skate Canada, the sponsors, volunteers

335 likes, 25 comments - gabby_daleman on January 14, 2026: "Hello everyone, After taking a few days to process & reflect, I wanted to share my gratitude to those who made this past weekend possible. I’d like to acknowledge and thank Skate Canada, the sponsors, volunteers and the city of...

www.instagram.com

 

[Colonel Green]

Rob Brodie on Minsol:

We also saw Korean transplant Minsol Kwon make her debut at a Canadian championships and the elegant 16-year-old landed on the podium as a bronze medallist in the senior event. The soft-spoken Kwon, who turns 17 next month during the Winter Games, expressed a desire to skate for Canada on the Junior Grand Prix circuit next season and, from what we heard in Gatineau, things are very much trending in the right direction for that to happen.

 

[Sylvia]

Also from Brodie's "Final Thoughts" (Jan. 17): https://rwbrodiewrites.substack.com/p/scnats26-some-final-thoughts-from

It was, hands down, THE quote of nationals week in Gatineau.
You know the one we’re talking about. The thing Maddie Schizas said on the day before the senior women’s competition began at the Slush Puppie Centre (and it raised plenty of eyebrows): “Over my dead body is anyone else going to the Olympics.”
And for a couple of days, we heard this line behind the scenes: “She better back that up.” [...]
We asked Schizas’ coach, Nancy Lemaire, what she thought about that comment and she admitted being fine with it in the end (even if Lemaire had told Schizas before that media session “be careful what you say”).
“That’s the feisty Maddie,” said Lemaire. “It was about (her) saying, ‘You know what, this is my spot. I need to fight.’”
(and as Schizas herself put it [link] after the Canadian title was back in her possession, it was not intended as a shot at anyone else).

 

[Desperado]

Minsol Kwon is older than I thought she was, looking at her programs and her costumes. I hadn't seen her skate before this year.

Good to know she won't outgrow her jumps but it would be nice to see a different side to her next year, perhaps reflecting more of her personality.

 

[victorskid]

Also from Brodie's "Final Thoughts" (Jan. 17): https://rwbrodiewrites.substack.com/p/scnats26-some-final-thoughts-from

PJ Kwong recorded an interview with Nancy Lemaire in the summer (but which was just posted a few days ago on YouTube) which supports the concept of feisty Maddie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stqmaolM7jc

 

[victorskid]

Article on Megan Woodley who is going to the Bavarian Open in Oberstdorf and is an alternate for Junior Worlds:

From hockey to figure skates: Oro-Medonte teen shines at nationals

'I was really happy with how I skated. My long program was a personal best by 10 points,' Megan Woodley says of last weekend's event in Quebec

www.orilliamatters.com

 

[VICK B.]

Wouldn't Gabby Dalman and Wesley Chiu still go to the 2026 World team trophy at the Olympics ?

 

[Sylvia]

Wouldn't Gabby Dalman and Wesley Chiu still go to the 2026 World team trophy at the Olympics ?

ISU World Team Trophy is held in Japan in the odd-numbered years.

ETA - if you mean the team event in Milan, no, Schizas and Gogolev will compete the SP and - if Canada is in the top 5 countries - the FS.

 

[jägerbomb]

Just dropping by to say I thought Schizas' performance in the LP was infinitely better than we've seen from her in a long time. The jumps were great, yes, but performance-wise, she really seemed to feel the music. Previously she seemed to grin through the music. The new dress was also helpful. I think Osmond said she was working with Chinese choreographers the past couple months, and boy, did it pay off.

Very impressed with Daleman, what a heartbreaking result. Two less pops and she probably wins.

Minsol had an impressive debut here but her skating screamed junior to me. I'm excited to see more of Reese Rose, Megan Woodley, and Lulu Lin in the next quad. Woodley, in particular, skates BIG. Some really strong potential for Canadian women.

 

[VICK B.]

Olympic team event last time had the Canada with 2 in the pairs, so I'm wondering if the man or the woman or both will get the second spot at the upcoming Olympics. And maybe there is hope for Gabby Dalman.

 

[tony]

Olympic team event last time had the Canada with 2 in the pairs, so I'm wondering if the man or the woman or both will get the second spot at the upcoming Olympics. And maybe there is hope for Gabby Dalman.

No. To have two skaters compete (swapped out), you need to have qualified two in the first place. They did not do that for the men or the women.

 

[Sylvia]

Madeline Schizas article published by her university (McMaster U.):

Science student returning to Winter Olympics while roommates cheer her on back at Mac - Faculty of Science - McMaster University

Madeline Schizas will finally experience residence life during her last year as a science undergrad. But she won’t be staying on campus or making an IKEA run before moving in. Instead, Schizas will fly to Italy and spend February at the Milano Olympic & Paralympic Village as a returning member...

science.mcmaster.ca

While she lost out on staying in residence [during Covid], Schizas says she’s had an outstanding university experience. Even with six-day-a-week practices at the Milton Skating Club, Schizas was determined to earn a degree and graduate with her peers.
“It’s a good thing I’m pretty disciplined.”
University has proven to be an invaluable distraction. “If I was only skating, that’s all that I’d think about 24 hours a day. I knew I needed another outlet. Going to class, turning in assignments and studying keeps me busy and grounded.”
Schizas competed in last year’s nationals while carrying a full course load – this year, she has just two courses remaining in her Environment & Society degree.
Going to university while training and competing was also important because Schizas wanted a friend group beyond the world of skating. She’s found great friends in her roommates who say Schizas is just like any other Mac student, although she’s covered their fridge with an impressive collection of magnets from every city where she’s competed.

 

[VICK B.]

Gold medal for the Olympics team event 2018 for Gabby Daleman, and she won the bronze medal at the World Championships 2017.

Last week was her Birthday she turned 28.

Happy Birthday Gabby

 

[Skaterbob]

PJ Kwong recorded an interview with Nancy Lemaire in the summer (but which was just posted a few days ago on YouTube) which supports the concept of feisty Maddie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stqmaolM7jc

I love those series of interviews. I watched them all last month when I found the account.

 

[aussieSKATES]

The women from Team Canada looked strong and confident during their first practice session here at Four Continents in Beijing. We've never seen Fee Ann Landry in person before, and she is definitely one to watch for future reference.

Daleman worked a lot on her short program jump combination as did Dupuis as well.

 

[aussieSKATES]

Sara-Maude Dupuis completed an excellent free skating run through in the main arena, including a killer triple axel. Wow, that jump was huge, and covered so much distance too. What a treat to see in person.

 

[fsfann]

Sara-Maude Dupuis completed an excellent free skating run through in the main arena, including a killer triple axel. Wow, that jump was huge, and covered so much distance too. What a treat to see in person.

Thanks for posting these updates!

 

[Sylvia]

Thanks @aussieSKATES - I've re-posted your info in the 2026 4CC forum in Kiss & Cry.

Reposting here from there - Gabrielle Daleman landed 3Lz+3T at beginning of her FS run through in Beijing (via CGTN Sports Scene): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_23UC5loLT0

 

[danafan]

Wow, Gabby had a great short program at 4CC! I’m sure she’s thinking what if…
Landry also had a great skate for herself. I think that’s the first time she’s really gone for the triple triple in the short program.
Dupuis well… there’s always the free program hopefully she really goes for the triple axel!

 

[4rkidz]

Wow, Gabby had a great short program at 4CC! I’m sure she’s thinking what if…
Landry also had a great skate for herself. I think that’s the first time she’s really gone for the triple triple in the short program.
Dupuis well… there’s always the free program hopefully she really goes for the triple axel!

performances like that would get us back in the top ten at worlds.

 

[danafan]

performances like that would get us back in the top ten at worlds.

Yes, they have not named the world team yet so it will be interesting to compare Daleman's scores at 4CC with what Schizas does at the Olympics.

 

[Jonas]

Similarly to Bradie in the US ladies thread, I wonder if Gabby Daleman will continue competing, even if for just next season. She was a doubled Lutz away from regaining the Canadian title and earning a trip to Milan!

Your thoughts...

 

[Habs]

Gabby said in an interview after her free skate at 4CC that she thinks she has another year in her

 

[Sylvia]

Gabby said in an interview after her free skate at 4CC that she thinks she has another year in her

Mixed zone via Golden Skate:

Golden Skate on Instagram: "Gabrielle Daleman 🇨🇦 115.78 I’m tired now. I’ve been doing a long run，it’s definitely a different experience. I’m going back to a championship event after five years. I’m very happy with how I handled everything. I defi

141 likes, 0 comments - goldsk8 on January 23, 2026: "Gabrielle Daleman 🇨🇦 115.78 I’m tired now. I’ve been doing a long run，it’s definitely a different experience. I’m going back to a championship event after five years. I’m very happy with how I handled everything. I definitely wasn’t...

www.instagram.com

Sara-Maude Dupuis:

Golden Skate on Instagram: "Sara-Maude Dupuis 🇨🇦 110.36 I’m feeling pretty exhausted after my skate, but I’m proud of what I did. Today I really wanted to skate for myself,because at Nationals I had a bad long program. So today I wanted to come and

93 likes, 0 comments - goldsk8 on January 23, 2026: "Sara-Maude Dupuis 🇨🇦 110.36 I’m feeling pretty exhausted after my skate, but I’m proud of what I did. Today I really wanted to skate for myself,because at Nationals I had a bad long program. So today I wanted to come and enjoy myself, no...

www.instagram.com

Fee Ann Landry:

Golden Skate on Instagram: "Fee Ann Landry 🇨🇦 119.26 It wasn’t a very clean program, but overall really happy with what I did. I was feeling quite stressed today. But I felt like still calm and I was able to breathe through my program,that I’m prett

48 likes, 0 comments - goldsk8 on January 23, 2026: "Fee Ann Landry 🇨🇦 119.26 It wasn’t a very clean program, but overall really happy with what I did. I was feeling quite stressed today. But I felt like still calm and I was able to breathe through my program,that I’m pretty happy about. I’m...

www.instagram.com

 

[danafan]

Honestly if you had said Daleman would be top 7 at 4CC and score 183 - I would have said that was a great result for her. I was happy to read she thinks she has another season in her.
I was surprised to read from Landry that she thinks it wasn't a very clean program. She had two -GOE on jumps but it didn't take away from the program. I thought they were a little stingy with the GOE on the good jumps she did. She could be a contender for the SCI host pick but there are many others and it may depend on retirements and who if any gets picked by other hosts.