Trennt Michaud

2016–17 season: Canadian junior national title

In 2016, Michaud teamed up with Evelyn Walsh, coached by Alison Purkiss and Margaret Purdy in London, Ontario.^[1] Making their international debut, they placed eleventh at a Junior Grand Prix (JGP) competition held in late September in Tallinn, Estonia, and fifth the following month at a JGP event in Dresden, Germany. In January 2017, they won the junior pairs' title at the Canadian Championships and were named in Canada's team to the 2017 World Junior Championships in Taipei. Competing in Taiwan, they placed sixth in the short program, fifth in the free skate, and fifth overall.^[4]

2017–18 season

In the 2017–2018 season, Walsh and Michaud participated in two events on the Junior Grand Prix circuit, winning the bronze medal at JGP Riga Cup and placing fourth at JGP Croatia Cup.^[4]

Competing as a senior pair at the 2018 Canadian Championships, they placed fifth overall. At the 2018 World Junior Championships, the pair placed fifth in the short program, sixth in the free skate, and sixth overall.^[4]

2018–19 season: Senior international debut

Competing as seniors internationally in the 2018-19 season, Walsh/Michaud made their debut on the Challenger series at the Nebelhorn Trophy, where they placed seventh. For the Grand Prix series, Walsh and Michaud were initially assigned to 2018 Skate Canada International and subsequently added to the 2018 Skate America event following the withdrawal of the Chinese team of Li/Xie. They placed eighth at Skate America, following rough programs where Walsh fell five times, but fared better at Skate Canada International, finishing in fifth place.^[5][6]

At the 2019 Canadian Championships, Walsh/Michaud placed second in both programs, winning the silver medal behind Moore-Towers/Marinaro. Walsh, commenting on their struggles at their first two competitions that season, said, "we do truly believe everything happens for a reason." Michaud remarked that their expectations had changed considerably from the previous season when they were happy to finish fifth.^[7] They were assigned, alongside Moore-Towers/Marinaro, to compete at the Four Continents and World Championships.^[4]

Competing at Four Continents, they were in sixth place after the short program but fell to seventh overall after finishing eighth in the free skate with a performance that included an aborted lift.^[8] At the World Championships, they placed twelfth. Walsh and Michaud also worked on the Netflix series Spinning Out, serving as skating doubles for leads Kaya Scodelario and Evan Roderick.^[9]

2019–20 season

For their free program, Walsh/Michaud worked with retired Canadian pairs champion Eric Radford as choreographer.^[9] Walsh/Michaud made their debut at the 2019 CS Finlandia Trophy, where they placed sixth.^[10] At the 2019 Skate Canada International, their first Grand Prix assignment, they were eighth.^[11] At the 2019 Rostelecom Cup, they were fifth in the short program with a new personal best.^[12] Seventh in the free skate, they were sixth overall.^[13]

Following the conclusion of the Grand Prix series, Walsh and Michaud consulted with 2014 Olympic pairs champion Maxim Trankov to improve pair elements, in particular their triple twist lift. Skating at the 2020 Canadian Championships, they placed third in the short program, less than a point behind second-place Ilyushechkina/Bilodeau.^[14] Second in the free skate despite some under rotations on their jumps, they won their second consecutive national silver medal. Walsh called it"the peak, I think, of our season so far, and this is exactly where we wanted to be at this point."^[15]

Walsh/Michaud placed sixth at the 2020 Four Continents Championships, again ahead of Ilyushechkina/Bilodeau.^[16] Consequently, they were afterwards assigned to Canada's second pairs berth at the 2020 World Championships in Montreal.^[17] However, the championships were cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.^[18]

2020–21 season

After the initial lockdowns, Walsh and Michaud were among the elite athletes who were cleared to train through future lockdowns.^[19] Walsh/Michaud were assigned to the 2020 Skate Canada International, but this event was also cancelled as a result of the pandemic.^[20] The team was scheduled to participate in the virtual Skate Canada Challenge in December, but Walsh sprained her ankle and was off the ice for two weeks, causing them to miss the filming period.^[21]

Despite this, on February 25th, Walsh and Michaud were announced as part of the Canadian team to the 2021 World Championships in Stockholm.^[22] They placed twelfth at the World Championships.^[23]

2021–22 season: Four Continents bronze

Walsh/Michaud's outlook heading into the Olympic season was complicated by the decision of their erstwhile choreographer, former World champion Eric Radford, to return to competition alongside new partner Vanessa James. With only two Canadian pairs berths available for the 2022 Winter Olympics, there was projected to be a fight amongst the top three Canadian teams. Walsh said, "anyone can come back into a sport. It's nothing against them. At the same time, we feel we're in a position to earn that Olympic spot, and that's what we’re chasing this year."^[24]

The team was scheduled to debut competitively at the 2021 CS Autumn Classic International but withdrew after Walsh came down with a chest infection that required two courses of antibiotics as treatment.^[24] At their first Grand Prix, 2021 Skate America, they placed eighth of eight teams.^[4] They were sixth of seven teams at the 2021 NHK Trophy, their second assignment.^[25]

At the 2022 Canadian Championships, Walsh/Michaud greatly improved on their performances earlier in the season and took the silver medal with second-place finishes in both segments. With Moore-Towers/Marinaro taking the gold medal, it was perceived that the choice for the second berth on the Canadian Olympic team would come down to Walsh/Michaud or James/Radford. The latter had withdrawn from the championships after placing fourth in the short program, having had limited training in the preceding weeks due to both skaters having COVID-19.^[26] The following day, the Canadian federation named James/Radford to the second spot.^[27] This choice was controversial, with many arguing that Walsh/Michaud had earned the assignment.^[28]

Walsh/Michaud were assigned to compete at the 2022 Four Continents Championships in Tallinn, where they placed second in the short program, taking a silver small medal. They dropped to third place in the free skate after jump and lift errors, winning the bronze medal overall. Michaud said afterwards that they had "been skating so well and training so well, and we're just disappointed that we couldn't fully show all of that today."^[29]

While the team's season was originally meant to be over, longtime training partners Moore-Towers/Marinaro withdrew from the 2022 World Championships due to Moore-Towers' mental health, and first alternates Walsh/Michaud were activated.^[30] As a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the International Skating Union banned all Russian and Belarusian skaters from competing at the World Championships. As well, the Chinese Skating Association opted not to send athletes to compete in Montpellier. As those countries' athletes comprised the entirety of the top five pairs at the Olympics, this greatly impacted the field.^[31] Walsh/Michaud placed eighth in the short program, sixth in the free skate, and sixth overall. Their placement, combined with the bronze medal for James/Radford, earned Canada three spots at the next year's championships.^[32][33]

End of partnership

Walsh and Michaud had been assigned to compete on the Grand Prix for the 2022–23 season, but on August 5, it was announced that she had decided to retire and focus on her university studies, while Michaud would seek to carry on with a new partner.^[34]

2022–23 season

Following a search, Michaud formed a new partnership with singles skater Lia Pereira. They made their competitive debut at the Skate Ontario sectional qualifier in November, winning the gold medal.^[35] Pereira/Michaud went on to win the final national qualifying event, Skate Canada Challenge. Pereira said afterwards that they were "just growing together, and each competition is a new learning experience."^[36] Shortly after that, they were assigned to make their international debut at the 2022 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb.^[35] Fourth after the short program, they rose to third place in the free skate, winning the bronze medal and securing the international minimum scores to compete at future ISU championships.^[37]

Pereira/Michaud attended their first Canadian Championships, an event that was noteworthy as Pereira opted to continue competing in the women's event as well. They placed fourth in the short program, 1.01 points back of third-place Laurin/Éthier. They rose to third place after the free skate, winning the bronze medal, despite Michaud making errors on both of his jumping passes. He said he was "a little upset with myself" for those mistakes, but added there were still "lots of positive outcomes."^[38] They were named to the Canadian teams for both the 2023 Four Continents and World championships.^[39]

At the Four Continents Championships in Colorado Springs, Pereira/Michaud placed fourth in the short program with a clean skate.^[40] They were fourth in the free skate as well, the 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.^[41] Concluding their season at the 2023 World Championships in Saitama, Pereira/Michaud ranked sixth overall, the same ordinal that Michaud had achieved with Walsh the previous year. This included a notable fourth-place finish in the free skate segment of the competition. Michaud said that their "short season has been amazing."^[42]

2023–24 season

At their first competition, the 2023 CS Nebelhorn Trophy, Pereira/Michaud came fourth, 0.07 points behind German bronze medalists Hocke/Kunkel. She commented after that the "whole experience was really enjoyable and we’re happy with both of our programs and the outcome."^[43]

Pereira and Michaud were invited to make their 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.^[44] They were second in the free skate as well, despite Pereira botching her jump combination and putting a foot down on a throw jump, winning the silver medal.^[45] At their second assignment, the 2023 Grand Prix de France, Pereira/Michaud skated a clean short program with a new personal best score of 65.97, coming 0.66 ahead of the pre-event favourites, reigning European champions Conti/Macii of Italy.^[46] In the free skate, Michaud fell on 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 as well, taking their first Grand Prix gold medal. Michaud said that "to know that what we've been putting into it is paying off is a super rewarding feeling"^[47] and added they "still have things to improve on.”^[48]

The team's results qualified them to the 2023–24 Grand Prix Final in Beijing. Pereira/Michaud finished sixth in the short program after Pereira fell on their throw jump, which she called an "untypical" error. They were sixth in the free skate as well after a lift error, which Michaud said he was "annoyed" by, but "overall, we are pretty pleased." Pereira viewed it as a new experience for the team to be coming back after a disappointing short program.^[49]

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 narrowly 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.^[50]

Michaud injured his back shortly after the national championships, limiting the team's training heading into the 2024 Four Continents Championships, where they finished fifth after performing "downgraded" content in the free skate.^[51]

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 1 on the triple twist.^[52] In the free skate, despite Pereira falling on a throw landing, they were seventh in the 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."^[53][54]

2024–25 season

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 overall.^[55] On the 2024–25 Grand Prix circuit, 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, with her falling on both throw jumps. They dropped to fifth overall.^[56] At their second assignment, the 2024 Cup of China, they fared better, placing third in both segments (including a new personal best in the short program) and winning the bronze medal. Pereira called it a "steppingstone" week.^[57]

At the 2025 Canadian Championships, Pereira/Michaud came second in the short program behind reigning champions Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps. Scoring 70.43 points, it their first time breaking the 70-point threshold at either domestic or international competition. They went on to win the free skate over Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps, despite a throw fall, but remained second overall and won their second consecutive silver medal.^[58][59]

Upon arrival in Seoul, South Korea for the 2025 Four Continents Championships, Pereira became "violently sick" and was unable to participate in the first practice session. She felt able 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 back of Americans Kam/O'Shea in second. They were third in the free skate as well, being overtaken by their Canadian teammates but themselves surpassing the Americans, and won the bronze medal with a new personal best score of 198.40. This was Michaud's second international championship medal, and the first for his partnership with Pereira.^[60]

Going on to compete at the 2025 World Championships in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, Perreira/Michaud placed tenth in the short program and thirteenth in the free skate, finishing the event in eleventh place overall.^[61]

Reflecting on the season, Perreira 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."^[62]

2025–26 season

Pereira/Michaud opened their season by placing sixth at the 2025 CS Nebelhorn Trophy. They then went on to compete on the 2025–26 Grand Prix series, placing fourth at 2025 Skate Canada International and fifth at the 2025 Finlandia Trophy.^[61]

In January, Pereira/Michaud competed at the 2026 Canadian Championships. They placed second in the short program and following an error-ridden free skate by heavy favourites, Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps, Pereira/Michaud won the free skate segment and won the gold medal overall.^[63] They were subsequently named to the 2026 Winter Olympic team.^[64]

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 Team Canada in the pairs portion of that event.^[65] On February 6, they placed fourth in the short program. “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," said Pereira. "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.”^[66]

The following month Pereira/Michaud captured the bronze medal at the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships. They finished third in the short program and second in the free skate. “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."^[67]

Senior level

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Results in the 2017–18 season ^[83]

Date	Event	SP		FS		Total
		P	Score	P	Score	P	Score
Nov 29 – Dec 3, 2017	2018 Skate Canada Challenge	2	62.30	2	114.60	2	176.90
Jan 8–14, 2018	2018 Canadian Championships	5	62.61	5	120.26	5	182.87

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Results in the 2018–19 season ^[83]

Date	Event	SP		FS		Total
		P	Score	P	Score	P	Score
Sep 26–29, 2018	2018 CS Nebelhorn Trophy	5	51.85	7	101.86	7	153.71
Oct 19–21, 2018	2018 Skate America	8	44.71	8	84.35	8	129.06
Oct 26–28, 2018	2018 Skate Canada International	6	59.59	6	112.94	5	172.53
Nov 28 – Dec 2, 2018	2019 Skate Canada Challenge	2	56.24	1	104.42	1	160.66
Jan 13–20, 2019	2019 Canadian Championships	2	65.20	2	124.67	2	187.87
Feb 7–10, 2019	2019 Four Continents Championships	6	61.91	8	97.14	7	159.05
Mar 18–24, 2019	2019 World Championships	12	59.84	12	114.56	12	174.40

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Results in the 2018–19 season ^[83]

Date	Event	SP		FS		Total
		P	Score	P	Score	P	Score
Oct 11–13, 2019	2019 CS Finlandia Trophy	8	48.03	6	103.69	6	151.72
Oct 25–27, 2019	2019 Skate Canada International	8	56.09	7	108.57	8	164.66
Nov 15–17, 2019	2019 Rostelecom Cup	5	62.76	7	106.20	6	168.96
Nov 27 – Dec 1, 2019	2020 Skate Canada Challenge	2	63.04	2	116.34	2	179.38
Jan 13–19, 2020	2020 Canadian Championships	3	70.34	2	125.95	2	196.29
Feb 4–9, 2020	2020 Four Continents Championships	6	62.97	6	114.61	6	177.58

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Results in the 2020–21 season ^[83]

Date	Event	SP		FS		Total
		P	Score	P	Score	P	Score
Mar 22–28, 2021	2021 World Championships	12	59.41	12	116.83	12	176.24

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Results in the 2021–22 season ^[83]

Date	Event	SP		FS		Total
		P	Score	P	Score	P	Score
Oct 22–24, 2021	2021 Skate America	8	54.03	8	93.58	8	147.61
Nov 12–14, 2021	2021 NHK Trophy	6	56.97	6	111.01	6	167.98
Dec 7–11, 2021	2021 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb	8	59.31	10	109.56	9	168.87
Jan 6–12, 2022	2022 Canadian Championships	2	66.88	2	119.64	2	186.52
Jan 18–23, 2022	2022 Four Continents Championships	2	65.42	3	114.28	3	179.70
Mar 21–27, 2022	2022 World Championships	8	60.28	6	115.74	6	176.02

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Junior level

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Results in the 2016–17 season ^[83]

Date	Event	SP		FS		Total
		P	Score	P	Score	P	Score
Sep 28 – Oct 1, 2016	2016 JGP Estonia	9	46.46	11	76.37	11	122.83
Oct 5–8, 2016	2016 JGP Germany	8	49.02	5	94.90	5	143.92
Nov 30 – Dec 4, 2017	2018 Skate Canada Challenge	1	56.04	1	95.86	1	151.90
Jan 16–22, 2017	2017 Canadian Championships (Junior)	1	56.22	1	99.51	1	155.73
Feb 14–19, 2017	2017 Bavarian Open	2	55.26	1	100.24	1	155.50
Mar 15–19, 2017	2017 World Junior Championships	6	51.93	5	98.81	5	150.74

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Results in the 2017–18 season ^[83]

Date	Event	SP		FS		Total
		P	Score	P	Score	P	Score
Sep 6–9, 2017	2017 JGP Latvia	5	50.15	1	103.58	3	153.73
Sep 27–30, 2017	2017 JGP Croatia	7	49.12	4	101.20	4	150.32
Feb 14–25, 2018	2018 World Junior Championships	5	55.31	6	103.65	6	158.96

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Junior level

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Results in the 2014–15 season ^[84]

Date	Event	SP		FS		Total
		P	Score	P	Score	P	Score
Oct 1–5, 2014	2014 JGP Germany	7	41.61	4	84.46	5	126.07
Jan 19–25, 2015	2015 Canadian Championships (Junior)	2	42.74	4	76.38	4	119.12

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Results in the 2015–16 season ^[84]

Date	Event	SP		FS		Total
		P	Score	P	Score	P	Score
Sep 23–25, 2015	2015 JGP Poland	7	45.35	6	83.07	6	128.42
Jan 18–24, 2016	2016 Canadian Championships (Junior)	1	54.30	1	100.15	1	154.45
Mar 14–20, 2016	2016 World Junior Championships	13	44.05	–	–	–	WD

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