The Canadian Figure Skating Championships are set to take place in Calgary, Canada, from January 8 to 14. Among the top contenders for the podium are Lia Pereira and Trent Michaud, who won the ISU GP Grand Prix de France 2023, and took silver at the ISU GP Skate America 2023. They also won the bronze medals at the Canadian Championship in 2023.
In an interview following their performance at the Grand Prix final in Beijing, Lia and Trennt shared their thoughts on the tournament, discussed what they considered successful scores for their short and free programs, Trennt’s unexpected partner change when Evelyn Walsh decided to leave the sport, Lia’s decision to return to school after graduating it, and the way the education system works in Canada.
Lia:
This is our first season competing on the Grand Prix circuit, so we were thrilled to have the opportunity to be here. Our goal for the season was to make it to the final, so we were really proud of ourselves for delivering two strong performances at the Grand Prix events.
Regarding the short program, we made an uncharacteristic mistake, which is a bit disappointing because our practices have been going well, and we always aim to give our best. However, making mistakes is a part of the learning process, so we will accept it and move forward.
Trennt:
There were some really positive aspects in our free skate as well. However, the mistake on the final lift was quite frustrating to me. It’s a setback, but there were many other great elements in our performance. We will take away the positives and focus on improving so that it doesn’t happen again.
You mentioned an “uncharacteristic mistake” in the short program. Were you nervous, or what happened during the throw jump?
Lia:
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what went wrong in the moment. I felt focused and the setup on the ice felt normal. I think maybe I got a little too excited or celebrated prematurely before the throw, so it was possibly a rushed attempt.
We have been fortunate to perform clean short programs in most of our previous competitions. So, mentally, it was a setback. However, I am proud of how we recovered from it and continued pushing ourselves in new experiences. Overall, I think we handled the challenges well this week.
You had quite a bit of time to prepare for this event compared to many others. How did you utilize the past few weeks?
Lia:
It was another learning experience for us. Although it may not feel like we had a long break, as we started in Oberstdorf, then it was two weeks before Skate America, a week before France, and then three weeks before the Grand Prix final. So, it felt like a series of competitions without much pause. However, during the break, we scaled back a bit and focused on refining certain elements. I believe we did a good job with that.
Trennt:
We didn’t have as many breaks at the beginning as others did, so it was the same amount, just at different spots. It is a matter of working on different things at different times, given our competition schedule. At the beginning of the season we were competing, competing, competing – okay, a little break now. It’s all about finding the right balance and making the most of the time we have to improve.
Overall, your results this year have been outstanding. How did you manage to adapt so quickly to each other? If I’m not mistaken, this is your second year skating together, correct?
Trennt:
Yes, that’s correct. A significant factor in our quick adjustment was the coaching staff. They played a crucial role, and we were fortunate to have similar personalities that complement each other well.
Lia:
I believe we also had common goals from the beginning, and our shared passion for the sport played a significant role in our connection.
Trennt, your previous partner Evelyn Walsh achieved incredible results with you before announcing her decision to quit. It came as a surprise to many, including journalists and viewers. How unexpected was that for you?
Trennt:
It was unexpected for me as well, but I fully understood and supported Evelyn’s decision to pursue other avenues, such as focusing on her schooling. I recently had a conversation with her, and she’s genuinely enjoying her new path. She congratulated us on our season so far. While it was unexpected, I completely support her, and I’m genuinely happy with where I am now, skating with Lia.
Lia, I know that you used to do pair skating a few years ago, and then you returned to singles. Can you share a bit about that experience?
Lia:
Around six years ago, I tried pair skating with a partner who, like me, was new to pairs. It was an experiment for both of us, and we wanted to test it out. We skated together for a year and enjoyed the experience, but my partner decided to pursue other avenues in show skating, while I wanted to see how far I could push myself as a singles skater. When Trennt reached out while looking for a new partner, I thought, “Let’s see what I can remember from five years ago”, and it ended up working out quite well.
Also, last year at Nationals, you competed in both pairs and singles. That sounds quite challenging. How did you manage to perform your programs so well?
Lia:
A lot of it came down to mental preparation and prioritizing my mental health. It was a significant focus for us. Being able to take each skate quickly, debrief, and then refocus my energy for the next one was crucial. I had an incredible team of coaches supporting me in both pairs and singles. Having them as a backbone was extremely helpful during that week. It was a fantastic weekend, and I felt proud of myself and the way we handled everything.
But now it’s just pair skating?
Lia:
Yes.
Besides sports, I understand that you also prioritize education. I read an interview where you mentioned going back to school for an additional year after graduating. In Canada, this is called a “victory lap”. Could you explain how this system works?
Lia:
Certainly. In Canada, high school consists of four years, and grade 12 is the final year. To graduate, you need to take 30 courses (credits). However, sometimes students have the option to return for an extra year of grade 12 courses. This allows them to take more time before deciding on their university path or to retake specific courses to improve their grades.
For me, it was a good option because I was competing in singles and pairs last season. It allowed me to continue my education while not committing to the full extent of university studies.
I see. And now both of you are students, right?
Lia:
Yes, that’s correct. We are currently enrolled in university.
What are you studying?
Lia:
I am studying business.
Trennt:
And I am pursuing social sciences.
Returning to sports, you mentioned that one of the main goals for the season was to reach the Grand Prix final, which you have achieved. With the second half of the season still ahead, what are your next goals?
Lia:
In the second half of the season, our goals are more focused on scores and placements. We have proven that we can compete at a top-six level. Now, we are aiming for the podium at Nationals.
Trennt:
Specifically, we aim to achieve scores in the seventies for the short program and push for 130 points in the long program.
Lia:
That’s right. We have experimented with our programs and identified what works best for us. Now, we will refine and master our routines while striving for continuous improvement.
Lastly, what do you consider the most valuable experience gained from participating in the Grand Prix final?
Lia:
There are several aspects. First, the opportunity to travel to China, a country that we have never been to before. Being in this new environment has been wonderful, and we have thoroughly enjoyed our time here. Also, competing against the best skaters in the world at such a high level has been a valuable experience. Although we competed at Worlds last year, this season’s Grand Prix final elevated our exposure to a more competitive environment.
Liudmila ORLOVA, Beijing