Lia Pereira

Early years

Pereira began figure skating in 2012.^[1] She made her novice debut as a singles skater in the 2018–19 season. In an early international foray, she won the gold medal at Skate Milwaukee on the 2018 North American Series.^[4] Pereira was sixteenth at the 2019 Canadian Novice Championships.^[5]

In her second season as a novice, Pereira was the silver medalist at the 2020 Skate Canada Challenge.^[6] She went on to win the bronze medal at the 2020 Canadian Novice Championships.^[7] With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, both domestic and international competitions were heavily impeded, as was skater training. Pereira moved up to the junior level, with her most notable competition being the virtual 2021 Skate Canada Challenge, where she won the bronze medal.^[8]

2021–22 season: Junior international debut

With the resumption of international competitions, Pereira made her junior international debut at the Cranberry Cup International in Norwood, placing fifth in the junior women's division.^[9] She was then assigned by Skate Canada to make her ISU Junior Grand Prix debut at the 2021 JGP Russia in Krasnoyarsk. After finishing tenth overall, she called it "an amazing experience," adding, "I learned a lot more about myself [and] about how to handle the pressure of an event like this."^[10]

Pereira competed at the senior level domestically, coming tenth in her debut at the 2022 Canadian Championships. She was chosen to represent Canada at the 2022 World Junior Championships, alongside junior national champion Justine Miclette.^[11] Due to concerns related to the Omicron variant, the World Junior Championships could not be held as scheduled in Sofia in early March and were rescheduled for mid-April in Tallinn.^[12] Pereira was first sent to the International Challenge Cup, where she finished sixth, including a third-place finish in the free skate.^[13] She achieved a personal best of 158.86 points at the World Junior Championships, where she placed fourteenth overall.^[14]

2022–23 season: Partnership with Trennt Michaud

Pereira opened her season at the Cranberry Cup International, winning gold in the junior women's event.^[15] Returning as well to the ISU Junior Grand Prix series, she finished sixth at the 2022 JGP France in Courchevel, setting a new personal best in the free skate.^[16] She was then assigned to make her senior international debut at the 2022 CS Finlandia Trophy, where she placed fifteenth.^[17]

In the midst of her singles career, Pereira received the opportunity to form a pairs partnership with three-time national silver medalist Trennt Michaud, following the retirement of his previous partner, Evelyn Walsh. She was sought out on the recommendation of coach Alison Purkiss.^[18] Pereira/Michaud made their competitive debut at the Skate Ontario sectional qualifier in November, winning the gold medal.^[19] They went on to win the final national qualifying event, the Skate Canada Challenge. Pereira said afterwards that they were "just growing together and each competition is a new learning experience."^[20] Pereira finished eighth in the senior women's event at the Skate Canada Challenge, qualifying for the national championships in two disciplines.^[21] Shortly thereafter, Pereira/Michaud made their international debut at the 2022 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb. Fourth after the short program, they rose to third place in the free skate, winning the bronze medal and securing the minimum scores to compete at future ISU championships.^[22]

Due to the scheduling of the 2023 Canadian Championships, Pereira was required to compete two short programs and two free skates on consecutive days. On the first day, she finished second in the women's short program with a score of 61.21 points, 7.11 points behind the reigning national champion Madeline Schizas.^[23] Pereira/Michaud were fourth in the pairs short program, 1.01 points behind third-place finishers Laurin/Éthier.^[24] She dropped to fifth in the women's event after the free skate, then taking an afternoon nap before returning for the pairs final.^[25] There, Pereira/Michaud overtook Laurin/Éthier for the bronze medal. She said afterwards that because this was only their fourth competition as a team, "we're learning a lot every time we come out."^[24] The team was assigned to compete at both the 2023 Four Continents Championships and the 2023 World Championships.^[26]

At the Four Continents Championships in Colorado Springs, Pereira/Michaud placed fourth in the short program with a clean skate.^[27] They were fourth in the free skate as well, with their only error being Michaud doubling their planned triple Salchow. They both indicated that they were pleased with how the competition had gone, as they continued to gain experience.^[28] Pereira said that she was uncertain whether she would continue competing as a singles skater.^[27] Concluding their season at the 2023 World Championships in Saitama, the duo ranked sixth overall, including a notable fourth place finish in the free skate. This was Pereira's first visit to Japan.^[29]

2023–24 season: Two Grand Prix medals and Grand Prix Final debut

In advance of the 2023–24 season, Pereira opted to focus only on competing in pairs, explaining that "after our success last season, we have big goals together, so I want to put my 100% all into that."^[30] At their first competition, the 2023 CS Nebelhorn Trophy, Pereira/Michaud came fourth, 0.07 points behind German bronze medalists Hocke/Kunkel. Following the event, she commented that "the whole experience was really enjoyable and we're happy with both of our programs and the outcome."^[31]

Pereira/Michaud were invited to make their ISU Grand Prix debut at the 2023 Skate America. She remarked on the occasion that "this time last year I was watching the Skate America pairs event to learn the pair rules, so to be here is pretty cool." They skated a clean short program, placing second in the segment, producing a clean triple twist, a side by side triple toe loop and a throw triple loop to post a season's best of 63.22 points.^[32] They won the silver medal, after placing second in a free skate, which included a clean triple Salchow, a triple twist and a throw triple Salchow, despite Pereira falling on the double Axel in a sequence with a triple toe loop.^[33][34][35] At their second assignment, the 2023 Grand Prix de France, Pereira/Michaud skated a clean short program that included a set of triple toe loops, a triple twist, a throw triple loop and multiple level four elements. They achieved a new personal best of 65.97 points, coming 0.66 points ahead of the pre-event favourites, the reigning European champions Conti/Macii of Italy.^[36] In the free skate, Michaud fell on the double Axel at the end of his jump combination and stepped out of his triple Salchow, but the team still set another personal best to win that segment, which included a clean triple twist, a throw triple loop and a throw triple Salchow. This was their first Grand Prix gold medal.^[37][38] Michaud commented afterwards that "to know that what we've been putting into is paying off is a super rewarding feeling,"^[39] and added that they "still have things to improve on.”^[40]

The team's results qualified them for the 2023–24 Grand Prix Final in Beijing.^[41] Pereira/Michaud finished sixth in the short program, after Pereira fell on the throw triple loop, which she called an untypical error.^[42] They were sixth in the free skate as well after a lift error, which Michaud said he was annoyed by, but added that "overall, we are pretty pleased." Pereira viewed it as a new experience for the team to be coming back after a disappointing short program.^[43][44]

Following the conclusion of the Grand Prix series, Pereira and Michaud opted to revise their "River" short program to a softer version with different choreography, based on feedback from judges and other coaches. They finished second in the short program at the 2024 Canadian Championships, narrowly behind reigning national champions Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps. Jump and throw issues in the free skate saw them more distantly second in that segment, winning the silver medal.^[45]

Michaud injured his back shortly after the national championships, limiting the team's training ahead of the 2024 Four Continents Championships, where they finished fifth after performing downgraded content in the free skate.^[46] At the 2024 World Championships held on home ice in Montreal, Pereira/Michaud placed ninth in the short program, having skated cleanly but receiving only a level one on the triple twist.^[47] In the free skate, despite Pereira falling on the throw triple loop, they were seventh in that segment, moving up to eighth overall. Pereira called the fall "quite disappointing, just because we hoped for such a great moment, but there's still a lot of great things I can take away from this. It's an experience I'll remember forever."^[48][49]

2024–25 season: Grand Prix bronze and Four Continents bronze

Pereira/Michaud began the season at the 2024 CS Nebelhorn Trophy. They struggled in the short program, coming seventh in that segment, but came third in the free skate and rose to fifth place overall.^[50] On the 2024–25 Grand Prix series, the team entered the 2024 Grand Prix de France as the defending champions, which Pereira cited as a new experience. Third in the short program with a clean performance, the free skate proved more difficult for the team, with Pereira falling on both the throw triple loop and the throw triple Salchow. They dropped to fifth place overall.^[51] At their second assignment, the 2024 Cup of China, the team fared better, placing third in both segments (including a personal best score in the short program), and won the bronze medal.^[52] During the short program, the team completed a triple twist, a throw triple Salchow, and a side-by-side triple Salchow, setting a personal best of 66.90 points.^[53] During the free skate, the team performed a side-by-side triple Salchow, a triple twist, a throw triple Salchow and level four twists. However, Pereira missed the throw triple loop, while Michaud stumbled on a double Axel.^[54] Pereira called it a "steppingstone" week.^[55]

At the 2025 Canadian Championships, Pereira/Michaud came second in the short program, behind reigning champions Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps. Scoring 70.43 points, it was their first time breaking the 70 point threshold at either a domestic or international competition. Despite falling on the throw triple loop, the team went on to win the free skate over Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps, but remained second overall, winning their second silver medal.^[56][57]

Upon arriving in Seoul for the 2025 Four Continents Championships, Pereira became "violently sick" and was unable to participate in the first practice session. She felt comfortable to compete, and Pereira/Michaud placed third in the short program with a clean skate, only 0.13 points clear of Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps in fourth and 0.53 points behind Americans Kam/O'Shea in second. Their program included a triple toe loop as well as a throw triple loop, and they achieved a new personal best of 69.79 points.^[58] They placed third in the free skate as well, being overtaken by their Canadian teammates, but themselves surpassing the Americans. With an overall personal best of 198.40 points, Pereira/Michaud won the bronze medal.^[59] This was Pereira's first international championship medal.^[60][61]

At the 2025 World Championships in Boston, Pereira/Michaud placed tenth in the short program and thirteenth in the free skate, finishing the event in eleventh place overall.^[62] Reflecting on the season, Pereira shared: "We, of course, learned so much this year. You learn from your wins, and you also learn from your losses. Every competition is experience gained, and that’s something we really enjoy, growing from every opportunity we have."^[63]

2025–26 season: First national title, Milano Cortina Olympics, and World bronze

Pereira/Michaud opened their season by placing sixth at the 2025 CS Nebelhorn Trophy. They went on to compete in the 2025–26 Grand Prix series, placing fourth at the 2025 Skate Canada International and fifth at the 2025 Finlandia Trophy.^[62] In January, Pereira/Michaud competed at the 2026 Canadian Championships. They placed second in the short program and won the free skate, following an error-ridden program by heavy favourites, Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps. With this, they won their first national title.^[64] They were subsequently named to the 2026 Winter Olympic team.^[65]

On February 2, days before the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics Figure Skating Team Event, the Canadian Olympic Committee announced that Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps would be unable to participate, due to Stellato-Dudek sustaining an injury during training. As a result, Pereira/Michaud were selected to compete for Canada in both segments of the pairs portion in the team event.^[66] On February 6, Pereira/Michaud placed fourth in the short program with a score of 68.24, earning 7 points for Team Canada. They put out a clean program which featured good side-by-side triple toe loops and a throw triple loop. The triple twist, lift, footwork and death spiral were all graded a level four, but there were negative GOEs noted on the twist and flying camel spins.^[67] “We really put in a lot of work,” said Pereira. “I think today showed the work that we put in the usual elements that gave us some problems. Overall, I’m proud of both of us for handling our first team event together. We really felt the support from the box and the crowd.”^[68] The duo placed fifth in the free skate, earning 6 points for Team Canada and setting a new personal best of 134.42.^[69] During the short program of the individual event on February 15, Pereira/Michaud placed third, setting another personal best of 74.60.^[70] However the next day, the team struggled during the free skate, with Michaud taking a fall and Pereira slipping during the death spiral, placing tenth in that segment and dropping to eighth place overall.^[71][72][73]

The following month, Pereira/Michaud captured the bronze medal at the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships in Prague.^[74][75][76] This was the first World Championships medal for both Pereira and Michaud. They finished third in the short program and second in the free skate, winning small medals for both segments. During the short program, the team landed a clean triple toe loop and a throw triple loop, posting a new personal best of 75.52 points.^[77] During the free skate, Pereira/Michaud put out a performance that was highlighted by a triple twist, a triple toe loop-double Axel sequence and a throw triple Lutz, picking up another personal best of 140.57 points.^[78] “Those two programs are some of our favorite programs we’ve ever had,” said Michaud. “To finish both on such a high note was exactly what we came here to do. We knew if we did that, we could put ourselves into medal contention. I’m so proud of the two of us and also our team back home."^[79]