Finally a sense of normalcy for Canadian figure skaters after COVID-plagued seasons

Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier had competed under a COVID-19 cloud for the better part of two seasons — from worrying about getting sick, to competing in front of no fans, to not being able to compete at all.

Canada's world ice dance bronze medallists said the tough couple of years played a part in their decision to come back and compete for at least one more season.

Gilles and Poirier are at Skate Canada's first real training camp in three years this week in Mississauga, Ont., and there's finally a sense of normalcy that all the skaters said they feel.

"Being at worlds [last March in France] and then doing 'Stars on Ice' for a month, that was really the first time in two years we got to skate for a crowd . . . you really do forget how good that feels," Poirier said. "So, that definitely factored into our decision.

"More than anything, the second half of last season was really hard, it was really stressful, even just the stress of trying not to catch COVID, especially during nationals and leading up to the [Olympic] Games," he added. "It took an emotional toll. We got to the end of each performance, and it was almost this weird feeling of relief versus enjoying living in that moment. It was really not the fullness of competing and performing that we're used to feeling."

WATCH l Gilles, Poirier finish 5th at figure skating worlds:

Canadian figure skaters were among the hardest athletes hit by COVID-19, with most of their competitions erased over two seasons. Of the few competitions they did go, most, including the Beijing Games, were held in front of few to no fans — not ideal in a sport that's as much art as athleticism.

"More than anything, what we want to capture this season is to get to the end of every performance in