Ottawa, ON: A pair of junior champions were crowned Sunday as the opening weekend of the 2021 Skate Canada Challenge virtual competition came to a close.

In the opening event of the day, Sara-Maude Dupuis of Montréal, Que. laid down a near-flawless free program to win junior women’s gold.

Sitting in seventh spot after the short program, Dupuis scored 94.44 for a 143.32 total to get to the top of the virtual podium.

Melody Zhu of Vancouver, B.C. secured the silver medal with 140.53, while Lia Pereira of Milton, Ont. earned 136.85 to take bronze.

Dupuis finished 10^th at the novice level at the 2020 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships.

The junior men’s event capped off competition Sunday night, with Rio Morita of Vaughan, Ont. winning gold. Just like Saturday’s short program, Morita had the top score in the free program with 123.36 for a two-day total of 186.95, finishing in front of Matthew Newnham of Edmonton, Alb. (179.65). Wesley Chiu of Vancouver, B.C. vaulted from fifth to third with 179.30.

Skate Canada Challenge is being held over two weekends and features the top junior and senior skaters from across Canada. Next weekend, three senior events – men’s, women’s and ice dance – will be contested, along with the junior ice dance competition.

The event is being live streamed to a worldwide audience, with viewers from more than 20 countries tuning in over the first three days.

For results and event information, please visit the Skate Canada Challenge event page.

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For Information: 

Emma Lindblad, Communications Coordinator
+1 (613) 747-1007 ext. 753
elindblad@skatecanada.ca