How this figure skating season will 'set the stage' for Canada's next Olympic generation

It’s Day 1 of the school year.

Freshmen are just stepping onto campus, wide-eyed about the next four years. Some seniors have returned for a victory lap. Juniors are back in a familiar place, now experienced and knowledgeable on how to proceed.

Smush it all together, and the atmosphere feels light. Opportunities abound. Some will succeed and others will fail, but that will all be determined in due time.

That’s where we find Canadian figure skating as a new season — and a new Olympic quadrennial — begins with the Grand Prix de France on Friday. The Skate Canada International follows the week after. Live coverage of both events will be available CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem, starting Friday at noon ET / 9 a.m. PT.

“Going into this season, it's really just taking it in and enjoying the time and enjoying the training and the ups and downs and just being back on the circuit and getting to do a home nationals this year,” said Gabrielle Daleman, a figurative senior on the team who returned in 2025 after two seasons away.

“It's just really taking in those moments because I am close to the end. I don't know how much longer my body wants to keep doing this. I would always do it for the rest of my life if I could. So just really being grateful for every moment.”

Canadian figure skater Gogolev still discovering full potential after breakout season

Daleman, the 28-year-old Torontonian, said her confidence, something she views as a conscious being — “she likes to come and go” — is high.

Especially since the weight of an Olympic year is now gone.

“I can't lie. I really did not enjoy it last season. I went into it and I was like, ‘Oh, I'm just going to take it every moment.’ No, we were stressy. We were depressy. We were lemon zesty. That's