Canada is currently trailing by two points behind the bronze medal position in the figure skating Team Event following the men’s short and ice dance free program on Saturday. Positioned in fourth place with 35 points, Canada is behind host nation Italy, which has 37 points. The United States and Japan are leading in the gold and silver positions.
Stephen Gogolev, who started the day in fifth place, secured third place in the men’s short program, earning Canada eight points and advancing them to the final phase of free programs. The 21-year-old skater from Toronto delivered an energetic short program to a mix of songs at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, achieving a personal best score of 92.99 points.
In an interview with reporters, Gogolev emphasized his focus on personal performance to contribute to the team’s success. He credited his training for helping him manage nerves, stating that consistent training builds confidence.
Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha kicked off the team event finals with the ice dance free program, skating to “Nureyev” from the movie “The White Crow.” The duo earned a season’s best score of 120.9 points, securing third place and adding eight points to Canada’s tally.
The Team Event medals will be determined on Sunday, with Madeline Schizas, Lia Pereira, Trennt Michaud, and Gogolev set to perform their free programs in hopes of securing a podium spot for Canada. Canada ended day one of the Team Event in fifth place with 19 points, showcasing strong performances from various skaters across different programs.
