2-time champion Schizas leads after short program at figure skating nationals

Two-time winner Madeline Schizas leads after the women's short program at the Canadian figure skating championships.

The 21-year-old from Oakville, Ont., scored 70 points with a stellar performance to her joyous "Lion King" program Saturday in Laval, Que.

Ottawa's Katherine Medland Spence had 61.99 points in second, while Montreal's Sara-Maude Dupuis was third with 59.81.

WATCH l Schizas in the lead entering free skate:

Madeline Schizas in the lead after women's short program at nationals

Schizas won the event in 2022 and 2023 before Calgary's Kaiya Ruiter spoiled her three-peat last year. Ruiter stumbled on her triple flip, triple toe loop combination and placed eighth on Saturday (57.17).

The free program is scheduled for Sunday.

Three-time champions Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier compete in the rhythm dance later Saturday afternoon. The men's and pairs free programs follow in the evening.

Watch live coverage of the Canadian figure skating championships on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem. A live streaming schedule is available here.

WATCH l Full replay of women's short program:

Canadian National Skating Championships: Women's short program