Dupuis seventh after women’s short program as Shimada wins at Skate Canada International in Kelowna

The Story

Canadian pairs champions Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud won the pairs title and added a win in Saturday’s long program at Skate Canada International in Kelowna.

In the women’s short program, Mao Shimada of Japan won with 82.11 points, edging American Isabeau Levito (78.50). Niina Petrokina of Estonia was third with 77.24 points, while Dupuis of Canada finished seventh with 64.58 points. Madeline Schizas was ninth with 57.95, and Fee Ann Landry was 10th with 57.27.

Pereira said it “feels so amazing just with both performances to have all of the Canadian fans on their feet and see all the flags waving in the audience,” adding she felt “so at home and so comfortable.”

Michaud said the experience was “really exciting,” recalling “watching this as a kid and volunteering as a young skater and imagining what it would be like to be on the podium.” She added that she hoped it would “inspire other young skaters or just young athletes in general to keep pushing for their dreams.”

In Saturday’s men’s event, France’s Kevin Aymoz won the overall competition with 258.43 points. Japan’s Rio Nakata took silver with 249.25, and Estonia’s Mihhail Selevko finished third with 248.66.

Stephen Gogolev of Toronto placed fourth overall after earning 165.99 points in the free program for a total of 232.72. The reigning Canadian champion had finished last in Friday’s short program.

In rhythm dance, Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson of Britain topped the program with 81.37 points. French couple Evgeniia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud were second with 77.90 points, while Americans Caroline Green and Michael Parsons were third with 74.24. Canadian Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain le Gac were fifth with 72.10, and Canadians Alyssa Robinson and Jacob Portz were ninth (60.22). Layla Veillon and Alexander Brandys finished 10th with 59.72.

Sofiia Holichenko and Artem Darenskyi of Ukraine won the pairs final with 160.73 points after finishing the short program in sixth with 58.34 points.

Competition continues Sunday with the women’s free program and ice dance free dance, as the Skate Canada International campaign concludes.