Madeline Schizas of Oakville, Ont., is the leader after the women’s short program at the Canadian figure skating championships.
The 18-year-old scored 72.05 points for a virtually flawless skate to Dulcea Si Tandra Mea Fiara, doing a double fist pump when she finished in front of no audience at TD Place Arena.
Veronik Mallet from Sept-Iles, Que., is second with 59.35, while two-time Olympian Gabrielle Daleman is third (58.48).
Watch live coverage of the event on CBCSports.ca, the CBC Sports app and CBC Gem continuing with the pairs short program at 5:30 p.m. ET and the men’s short program at 6:50 p.m. ET.
The championships determine the Olympic team for Beijing. Canada has just one spot in women’s singles at the Games, which was clinched by Schizas’ 13th-place finish at the world championships last spring.
The trials are being held in front of no fans in Ottawa due to the rise of COVID-19 cases in Ontario. The provincial government recently ruled that major events could have no more than 1,000 people in attendance.
WATCH | Schizas soars to lead:
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Madeline Schizas holds a 12.7 point lead at the National Figure Skating Championships in Ottawa. 5:25
The short programs for men, ice dance and pairs are later Friday.
The Olympic team will be named Sunday.
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