Skate Canada International is back in Saskatoon for the first time since 2001. The event is the third stop in the International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series.

Terry Sheahan, who is the Senior Director of Events for Skate Canada says that the event features top talent from 13 countries, all of whom are working to secure a spot in the Olympics.

“It’s also a huge event just because it is an Olympic year, and every skater is trying to hone their skills in order to compete for their countries later on in Cortina Milano.”

Sheahan adds that some previous Canadian Olympic gold medalists are among the skaters in the competition.

“We have former Olympic participants, certainly Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier in ice dance, we have our fromer World Championship Paris team of Deanna Stellato-Dudek and and Maxime Deschamps. They won the World Championships in 2024.”

He says that Saskatoon makes for a perfect host city for this year’s event and adds that there is excitement about coming back after 24 years.

“Saskatoon, it has a great venue here, we’re very pleased with the facility. We’ve had great support from Discover Saskatoon, Tourism Saskatchewan, as well as the City of Saskatoon to bring the event here. And in previous events here, the crowds were very supportive and very appreciative of the skaters on the ice.”

The events featured at the competition will be Mens and Womens Singles, Pairs, and Ice Dance.

The 2025 Skate Canada International starts Friday at 4:15 p.m. and will run until Sunday at 2:11 p.m.