A New Identity on Ice

In a thrilling leap towards her dreams, Deanna Stellato-Dudek feels revitalized after becoming a Canadian citizen, adopting a new identity on the ice as she prepares for her first national competition representing Canada.

“Every day since I’ve felt like a champion,” the 41-year-old skater declared on Thursday at Place Bell in Laval. She expressed her hope to carry this winning spirit all the way to the Olympics in 2026. Stellato-Dudek, a world champion in pair skating, took the citizenship oath on December 11, which now allows her to compete for Canada internationally.

Upcoming Canadian Championships

This weekend, she is set to hit the ice for the Canadian Figure Skating Championships, alongside her partner Maxime Deschamps. The pair is eager to defend their title, aiming for a third consecutive championship victory, starting with the short program on Friday.

Embracing Change

The transition into her new role as a Canadian citizen has sparked a profound change within her. "I don’t know if it’s like a weight off my shoulders or what," Stellato-Dudek said. "But I have just felt internally like such a huge ignited fire, such a belief that this crazy, wild dream I have, it can actually happen now."

Overcoming Challenges

Their path to glory has not been without challenges. Deschamps recently faced a serious illness that paused their competition schedule. At 32, he experienced a severe illness that caused a significant weight loss and forced them to withdraw from the Grand Prix Final in December.

Despite these setbacks, Deschamps has reported that he is on the mend, returning to full strength just after the New Year. "The doctors said if you push at your maximum every day, you’ll never go back up the hill," he explained, emphasizing the importance of a steady recovery. His dedication even included wearing a heart monitor during practices to ensure he didn't overdo it.

Health Battles

This is not the first tussle with adversity for Stellato-Dudek, who faced her own health scare during the Grand Prix Final two seasons ago, battling a lingering respiratory virus. "I paid the price for not taking a break," she reflected. Learning from these experiences, they have refined their training approach, choosing to focus on elements like choreography instead of just technical jumps and throws, in hopes of optimizing their performance ahead of the national stage.

Renewed Confidence

With their spirits high and training revamped, Stellato-Dudek is confident that their recent practice efforts will transition smoothly into their competition performance. "Let’s just take this as the start of the second half of the season, dipping our toe back into the competition pool," she said.

The Competitive Landscape

As the Canadian championships unfold, the spotlight will be not only on Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps but also on other competitors. The men’s field sees injuries reshuffling the competition landscape, with reigning gold medallist Wesley Chiu and contender Stephen Gogolev both sidelined.

Looking Ahead

With a new era dawning for Stellato-Dudek, she and Deschamps aim to capture the hearts of fans and prove their mettle as they gear up for the world stage. All eyes will be on them as they navigate the challenges ahead with renewed vigor and a champion’s mindset. The national championships kick off this weekend, paving the way for selections for upcoming international competitions, including the Four Continents Championship in Seoul and the World Championship in Boston.

As the rink fills with anticipation, can Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps rise to the occasion and reaffirm their status among the elite? Time will tell, but for now, they are ready to embrace their Canadian journey with open arms.