MILAN – Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud shattered their personal-best score with a stellar skate, but Canada’s hopes of a medal still took a significant hit with two segments to go in the Olympic figure skating team event.
Pereira, of Milton, Ont., and Michaud, of Trenton, Ont., finished fifth in the pairs free program Sunday as Canada fell four points behind Italy in the battle for a spot on the podium.
The first-time Olympians scored 134.42 points to music from the film “Gladiator,” a revived routine from the 2023-24 season, pumping their fists in joy at Milano Ice Skating Arena after nailing every element except their throw triple loop.
Two-time world champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan led the pack with 155.55.
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Canada is tied with Georgia for fourth in the team event standings with 41 points. The powerhouse United States lead with 51, followed by Japan with 49 and Italy with 45.
Teams are awarded points based on their placements in each event. The first-place country receives 10 points, the second-place team receives nine, and so forth.
Competition continues later Sunday with Madeline Schizas of Oakville, Ont., skating for Canada in the women’s free program and Toronto’s Stephen Gogolev — who sent Canada into the final with an outstanding performance Saturday — competing in the men’s.
Only five countries in the 10-team event advanced to the following the short programs.
Canada has a history of success in the team event.
Ice dance greats Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir led Canada to a gold medal at the 2018 Games and a silver in 2014, the inaugural team event.
The country finished fourth at the 2022 Beijing Games behind the United States, Japan and Russia, which fell from first to third after teenage skater Kamila Valieva tested positive for a banned substance.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 8, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press