Canadian figure skater Gabrielle Daleman is making a strong bid for a medal at the Four Continents Championships in Beijing. The two-time Olympic competitor from Newmarket, Ontario, delivered a clean short program, landing three triple jumps and earning a score of 67.69 points. This performance placed her in fourth position going into the free skate event on Friday. The top three spots were held by Japanese skaters, with Ami Nakai leading with 73.83 points, followed by Yuna Aoki (71.41) and Mone Chiba (68.07), all set to compete at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Daleman, who missed several seasons due to a back injury and ankle surgeries, is participating in only her second international competition since her return. Despite her aspirations to secure a spot at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games, it was Madeline Schizas who earned the lone spot for Canada. Schizas clinched her fourth national title at the Canadian championships, while Daleman settled for a silver medal.
In other events, ice dancers Alicia Fabbri and Paul Ayer, the two-time national bronze medallists, found themselves in fourth place after the rhythm dance segment. Meanwhile, American ice dancers Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik led a U.S. sweep, with Zingas and Kolesnik scoring 79.97 points in the rhythm dance.
The competition at the Four Continents Championships continues with the free dance and women’s free skate on Friday, followed by the men’s short program and pairs free skate on Saturday. The event concludes on Sunday with the men’s free skate.