Stephen Gogolev leads after short program at Canadian figure skating championships

By Canadian Press on January 9, 2026.

GATINEAU — Stephen Gogolev is in the driver’s seat at the Canadian figure skating championships.

The 21-year-old from Toronto took a substantial lead in the men’s singles event after scoring 99.60 points in Friday’s short program.

Skating to “Mugzy’s Move” medley, Gogolev landed two quad jumps and a triple axel in a clean program at Centre Slush Puppie. Vancouver’s Wesley Chiu placed second with 89.14 and Aleksa Rakic of New Westminster, B.C., was third with 83.60.

Gogolev is looking to secure Canada’s lone men’s singles spot at next month’s Milan Cortina Olympics.

Reigning national champion Roman Sadovsky, a co-favourite with Gogolev heading into the event, fell to fourth (81.79) after turning out of a triple axel and touching his hands to the ice during a combination.

The free program is scheduled for Saturday. The full Olympic team will be announced Sunday evening.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 9, 2026.

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press

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