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"I actually noticed the difference in volume from our announcement versus everybody else's. It was that noticeable," Stellato-Dudek said. “I felt stressed, and just wanted to do well."

Those nerves hardly showed as the Canadian pair picked up where they left off on home soil, placing first in the short program at Skate Canada International seven months after capturing world championship gold in Montreal.

Skating to a remix of Beyoncé’s "Crazy In Love," Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps scored 73.23 at Scotiabank Centre to kick off their second competition of the season.

"Going out there, being in front of our home crowd, for the first time since Worlds — that was great," Deschamps said. "We did a lot of stuff that we improved since the last competition, and we're happy with that."

A minor stumble on their throw triple loop prevented them from reaching their goal of "high 70s.�

But after claiming silver at the Nebelhorn Trophy in September, they’ll be in the driver’s seat to repeat as gold medallist at Skate Canada with an 8.41-point lead over the competition.

Annika Hocke and Robert Kunkel of Germany finished second (64.82) and Anastasia Golubeva and Hektor Giotopoulos Moore of Australia were third (64.81).

"We accomplished all the things that we wanted to accomplish here," Stellato-Dudek said. "But we didn't put the throw on the list, apparently."

The 41-year-old Stellato-Dudek — who’s from Chicago but is in the process of acquiring Canadian citizenship — and the 32-year-old of Vaudreuil-Dorion, Que., formed an unlikely partnership in 2019.

Stellato-Dudek left the sport for 15 years and returned in 2016 before eventually becoming Deschamps' ninth partner.

Now world champions, the ageless skaters insist they’re looking ahead with a razor-sharp focus on the 2026 Olympics.

But, with the help of sports psychologists, they’re also learning how to deal with their new reality and expectations as the best team in the world.

"I definitely feel the pressure, but pressure really comes from yourself,� Stellato-Dudek said. “I've always put pressure on myself, but I do feel it more this year, and I'm trying to work on it actually, because it's very hard."

Later Friday, Kaori Sakamoto of Japan dominated with a dynamic tango routine to take a hefty lead in the women’s short program.

The three-time world champion scored 74.97 ahead of Alysa Liu of the U.S. (67.68), who competed in her first Grand Prix event since retiring in April 2022. Kimmy Repond of Switzerland (66.94) was third.

Madeline Schizas of Oakville, Ont., finished fifth, falling just shy of the top three with 65.28 after a joyful, error-free skate to music from “The Lion King.�

After an up-and-down last season, the 21-year-old Schizas was all smiles when she nailed her first two jumps. At the end of the program, she pumped her firsts and exclaimed “Yes!� into the crowd.

"It was a good skate for me. Strong performance,� Schizas said. "I was happy with how it was going, but also it's a joyful piece of music. It's hard not to smile.�

Between using the same program over the show season and starting her season early, Schizas said she’s already nearing 20 Lion King performances.

“That's a big help. I know the music so well, and so all of that gives me confidence,� she said.

"I haven't watched the movie in its entirety. I'm just gonna fess that up.�

A year ago, Schizas posted a career-best during the long program at Skate Canada in Vancouver. She’ll hope for another stellar performance with a podium finish within reach in Halifax.

"It's so close here,� she said. “I'm right in the mix, I just gotta you know hang on for tomorrow."

Reigning national champion Kaiya Ruiter of Calgary was seventh (57.66), while Montreal’s Sara-Maude Dupuis placed ninth (54.15) in the 12-skater field.

Kelly Ann Laurin of Saint-Jerome, Que., and Loucas Ethier of St-Alphonse, Que., ranked last in the eight-team pairs competition (52.16).

The rhythm dance and men's short programs take place Saturday afternoon, followed by the pairs and women's free programs in the evening. The competition wraps up Sunday afternoon with the men's free skate and the free dance.

The Grand Prix, the top series in figure skating, consists of six events and a final. Skate Canada is the second of the event this year after the circuit kicked off at Skate America last week.

This report by °µÍø½ûÇø was first published Oct. 25, 2024.