The Four Continents Figure Skating Championship serves as an important lead-up to the World Championships. Maxime Deschamps and Deanna Stellato-Dudek are set to compete, with the event helping Skate Canada finalize its selections for this year’s World Championships, scheduled to take place in Boston from March 24 to 30. (Source: Graham Hughes/Canadian Press)
Roman Sadovsky, fresh from clinching his second national figure skating title, is preparing for an intense showdown to secure Canada’s lone men’s spot at the World Championships in Boston this March. Skate Canada has announced most of its roster for the event, but the men’s slot will be decided after next month’s Four Continents Championship in Seoul.
Sadovsky, Wesley Chiu, and Aleksa Rakic will compete for the coveted spot, with Skate Canada looking for a standout performance. High-performance director Mike Slipchuk emphasized the importance of selecting an athlete capable of excelling before the Olympics. "We want someone to step up and claim the spot with a strong performance," he said.
A top-10 finish in Boston could grant Canada a second men’s entry at the 2026 Olympics in Milan-Cortina. The nation will also send three pairs teams, three ice dance teams, and one woman skater to the competition.
World champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps will defend their title in pairs. Joining them are Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud, as well as Kelly Ann Laurin and Loucas Ethier. In ice dance, world silver medallists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier aim for gold, supported by Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha, and Alicia Fabbri and Paul Ayer.
Madeline Schizas secured Canada’s sole women’s spot with a stunning performance at nationals, marking her third national title. Slipchuk called her selection "a clear decision" based on her consistently high scores.
For the men, however, the choice remains uncertain. Sadovsky’s season-best score of 225.24 leads, but Rakic is close behind with 222.49. Chiu, recovering from an ankle injury, achieved a remarkable 240.38 at last year’s Four Continents but has struggled this season.
The upcoming Four Continents, set for February 19–23, will serve as a critical test for all three men. The competition, featuring skaters from non-European countries, will also help prepare the Canadian roster for Boston.
For Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps, the Four Continents offers a chance to regain momentum. Despite their third consecutive national title, they have struggled to match last year’s world championship form. Illness and setbacks have dampened their season, but both skaters remain determined. Stellato-Dudek, now eligible to represent Canada at the Olympics, described the season as a challenging restart.
Slipchuk remains optimistic, noting that the pair has the potential to exceed their previous performances. "If they skate to their potential, they’ll be significantly stronger," he said.
As Canada’s top skaters gear up for the Four Continents and beyond, the stage is set for a thrilling season filled with high-stakes competition.
