In an audience-less 2022 Canadian Nationals, skaters will be fighting for three dance spots, two pair spots, two men spots, and one women spot. Canadian Nationals is always such a high-energy competition, so it will be tough for these skaters to adjust to a Nationals that won’t have that electricity. But rest assured, they will generate their own energy in their push to get on that Olympic team.
2022 Canadian Nationals predictions
Official hashtag: #CTNats22
WOMEN Top 5 predictions
GOLD Madeline Schizas
SILVER Gabrielle Daleman
BRONZE Emily Bausback
4. Amanda Tobin
5. Veronik Mallet
For much of the season, it’s been looking like the one spot for the Canadian women would be favored for Madeline Schizas, who was the top finisher at Worlds last season for Canada. And though it’s a long shot, former Canadian champ Gabrielle Daleman does have a chance to pull off a surprise. She’s been looking progressively stronger this season, but she will need to take it up another couple notches to get that upset victory.
PAIRS Top 5 predictions
GOLD Kirsten Moore-Towers/Michael Marinaro
SILVER Evelyn Walsh/Trennt Michaud
BRONZE Vanessa James/Eric Radford
4. Lori-Ann Matte/Thierry Ferland
5. Deanna Stellato/Maxime Deschamps
If it weren’t for COVID, these predictions would be very different. Vanessa James/Eric Radford and Deanna Stellato/Maxime Deschamps have both lost training time within the past few weeks because of COVID - James, Radford, and Deschamps tested positive during late December, and it was even a bit touch-and-go as to whether James/Radford would even compete this week given the little training time. For a pair whose timing has been off in competition this season, the lack of practice time may be an issue. That said, Kirsten Moore-Towers/Michael Marinaro and Evelyn Walsh/Trennt Michaud have been inconsistent this season, but they’ve had histories of bringing their best to Canadians.
MEN Top 5 predictions
GOLD Keegan Messing
SILVER Roman Sadovsky
BRONZE Conrad Orzel
4. Nam Nguyen
5. Corey Circelli
Even though Keegan Messing doesn’t have his skates and is having to try to win his first National title (!!) in brand new boots and blades, his spot on the Olympic team is not at all disputable - he’s been the top Canadian man for a number of seasons now and the selection criteria would absolutely not take him off that team. The big intrigue will be for the second spot, and you have to believe that Roman Sadovsky, having been the skater to earn that second spot at Nebelhorn Trophy, is at the top of the list. He isn’t prone to errors, and a standout skate from someone like Nam Nguyen or Conrad Orzel could make things interesting.
Note: COVID has taken Stephen Gogolev out of the mix - Gogolev was originally my pre-competition dark horse to get that second spot.
DANCE Top 5 predictions
GOLD Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier
SILVER Laurence Fournier-Beaudry/Nikolaj Sorensen
BRONZE Marjorie Lajoie/Zachary Lagha
4. Carolane Soucisse/Shane Firus
5. Marie-Jade Lauriault/Romain Le Gac
Barring something incredibly crazy happening, your top two will be your top two. Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier and Laurence Fournier Beaudry/Nikolaj Sorensen have separated themselves from the rest of the dance teams in Canada over the past season, and they will walk right onto the Olympic team. The slight drama will be for the third spot, where Marjorie Lajoie/Zachary Lagha are very much the favorites for the bronze, but if mistakes come into play, Carolane Soucisse/Shane Firus could slip in there for the podium.