Stephen Gogolev, usually composed, couldn’t contain his excitement on Friday night. The 21-year-old skater from Toronto took a commanding lead in the Canadian figure skating championships and the battle for Canada’s Olympic men’s singles spot after an impressive short program. Gogolev, who felt unusually calm on the ice, expressed gratitude for the warm reception from the crowd, making his performance feel effortless. Skating to “Mugzy’s Move” medley, he flawlessly executed two quad jumps and a triple axel, earning a remarkable score of 99.60 in front of a packed audience at Centre Slush Puppie.
Following Gogolev, Vancouver’s Wesley Chiu secured second place with 89.14 points, while Aleksa Rakic from New Westminster, B.C., claimed the third spot with 83.60 points. Gogolev, once a prodigy known for his early success with quad jumps, faced setbacks due to back issues caused by a growth spurt. His return to the Canadian championships in 2023 marks a strong comeback season marked by personal best performances.
As he eyes his first Olympic qualification, Gogolev remains focused on the upcoming free program on Saturday, acknowledging that the competition is far from over. Reigning national champion Roman Sadovsky, who struggled in the short program, emphasized the pressure he felt during his routine and vowed to bounce back in the free skate.
Gogolev and Sadovsky, engaged in a season-long battle for Canada’s sole men’s singles Olympic slot, are competing head-to-head for the fifth time this season. The final decision on the Olympic team selection will consider skaters’ performances over the past seasons, not just at the nationals. Meanwhile, Keegan Messing, a returning two-time Olympian, faced challenges in his performance but expressed gratitude for the warm reception from the crowd, highlighting his love for the sport and the joy of competing again.
In pairs skating, Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps, the reigning world champions, impressed with a flawless short program that earned them the top spot. Stellato-Dudek made waves with a stunning new costume designed by luxury fashion house Oscar de la Renta, which she described as a work of art worth a substantial amount. The competition heats up as the event progresses, with the rhythm dance set to kick off the action on Saturday.