Yet the reigning world champions won gold once again. Yes, but barely.
A few mistakes, including a fall by Deanna during a flying jump, earned them deductions they are not used to.
When you’re at the top, you want to stay there.
I had never seen this couple, so friendly and cheerful, so confused at the press briefing following the competition. To a question from an English-speaking journalist, Deanna even gave the floor to Maxime, visibly disappointed with his performance.
Maxime Deschamps, who lost eight pounds after contracting a virus which kept him away from competition for two months, did not want to attribute these errors to his health problems.
“In training, since I got sick, things were going really well. There was really no problem and this evening, it did not reflect what we practiced,” he explained.
“We’re going to go back home, we’re going to work even more and we’re going to get back to it next time.”
— Maxime Deschamps
We can understand the pairs skating champions; this national competition is not of the caliber of a grand prix final, much less the world championships. They would have preferred to win with a comfortable lead.
The silver medalists, Ontarians Trennt Michaud and Lia Pereira, also fell, but obtained a score of 134.53 for their free program, higher than that of Deschamps-Stellato-Dudek, which was 130.75.
The score in the short program compensated for the latter, giving them an overall score of 207.06 compared to 204.96 for Pereira-Michaud.
Deschamps and Stellato-Dudek nevertheless obtained a higher score than last year, which was 205.79.
“Yes, we won, but it’s not victory [qui est importante]», concluded Maxime.
The public, in a full-capacity Place Bell, was won over by their prowess, giving them an explosive welcome, as always.
Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud, who burst with joy at the mention of their note, looked completely different at the press briefing.
Bronze medalists, Quebecers Kelly Ann Laurin and Loucas Éthier did not disappoint their audience with an impressive free program. They were given an overall score of 187.29. This is a couple to watch in the years to come.
Money worth gold
For the men, Anthony Paradis burst into tears at the end of his free program, in front of a crowd already on their feet applauding him. Then, the tears started again at the “kiss and cry” when he saw his score, surrounded by his euphoric coaches.
There is something: with an overall score of 240.35, the Laval resident did not steal his silver medal, which was worth gold in the circumstances, at home, in front of his family.
“It just proves to myself that I had my place, that I didn’t work for nothing, that my efforts counted,” he confided immediately afterwards, still under the influence of emotion.
This unexpected performance could represent a great boost for Anthony Paradis. (Danielle Earl)
-An athlete in the most artistic sense of competition, Anthony Paradis skated to the tune of Yours by Conan Gray, which has a very significant significance for him.
“It’s a song that spoke to me a lot in my difficult times. If you go and read the lyrics, you will understand a little of my story.
Even though he didn’t have a perfect program – he notably missed a jump – he probably had his best program ever.
This unexpected performance at the National Championships could represent a great boost for the young skater, who has no idea what awaits him in the next year.
With an overall score of 240.35, Roman Sadovsky won the gold medal, his second at the National Championships.
Inconsistent in recent years, the Ontario skater has only missed a quadruple salchow. This first-place finish likely puts him one step closer to a spot at the World Championships in March.
With 197.99 points, David Li of British Columbia won bronze.
A wild dance
In the afternoon, the audience at Place Bell was treated to a wild rhythmic dance event. The Quebecers occupy three of the first four positions for Sunday’s free program.
Big sigh of relief for the leaders, Ontarians Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, after the falls which marked their rhythmic dance twice this fall.
Misfortune seems to be behind them. Personifying lifeguards, the duo was this time able to give the full measure of their talent, to the music of the Beach Boys, which ignited the crowd. Gilles and Poirier obtained a score of 91.84.
“It’s not a fun time,” admits Zachary Lagha, who nevertheless seems to be having fun on the ice with his partner Marjorie Lajoie. (Danielle Earl)
The seconds, Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha, also offered an almost perfect performance, obtaining 86.42.
If the public got carried away by their Boogie Wonder Bandthe Quebec duo admits not enjoying their pleasure during a program; the reactions of the crowd feed the athletes, but count for zero in the final score.
«[Les patineurs] who say they have to funthey are lying! I’m super nervous, it’s not a fun time, maybe except the very end.”
— Zachary Lagha
Almost a year before the 2026 Games, the skater remains very lucid about the current capabilities of the duo, who have experienced rapid rise.
“We still have work to do […] in terms of skating greatness and fluidity to enter this league of great dancers. We are close, but we have to do the work now, we can’t wait.”
Third for the moment, Alicia Fabbri and Paul Ayer also offered an exceptional show to the spectators, in front of another Quebec duo, formed by Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac.
