In the world of figure skating, careers often unfold in unpredictable arcs – marked by early promise, struggles with discipline changes, moments of breakthrough, and the ever-present demand for reinvention. For Lia Pereira, a Canadian figure skater born on March 5, 2004, the journey from a promising singles competitor to one of Canada’s most compelling pairs athletes encapsulates both the rigors of high-performance sport and the grace with which an athlete can evolve.
Early Life and Skating Origins
Lia Pereira’s skating roots trace back to her hometown of Milton, Ontario, where she first stepped onto the ice in 2012. From a young age she displayed a combination of natural athleticism and aesthetic sensitivity – qualities that would serve her well as her ambitions increased. With Portuguese heritage and a love for both artistic expression and competitive excellence, Pereira’s early development was characterized by steady progress through the novice ranks as a singles skater.
In the 2018–19 season she began to make her presence known internationally, capturing gold at Skate Milwaukee and participating in novice national competitions. Even at this early stage, the signs of her commitment and competitive spirit were evident as she navigated the challenges of national and North American competitions. The onset of the global COVID‑19 pandemic temporarily disrupted the trajectory of many athletes – Pereira included – but she emerged from this period with a growing resolve to excel in her sport.
Transition from Singles to Pairs Skating
For many athletes, the decision to switch disciplines can be daunting. For Pereira, this shift was not only a technical recalibration but also a transformation of identity as a skater. After an initial pairs partnership in 2017–18 with James Robart‑Morgan, she focused primarily on the singles discipline. However, the resurgence of her pairs ambitions in 2022 marked a pivotal moment in her career.
Her pairing with Trennt Michaud, a seasoned Canadian pairs competitor, would prove to be a decisive turning point. Michaud brought experience from his previous team, and Pereira contributed youthful athleticism and fresh impetus. Guided by coaches including Alison Purkiss, Nancy Lemaire, and Michael Marinaro, the duo quickly developed a synergy that combined technical skill with expressive performance—key elements in successful pairs skating.
In their early competitions together, the team demonstrated promise. They began to refine difficult technical elements—twists, lifts, and side‑by‑side jumps—that would soon allow them to compete meaningfully on both national and international stages. Their evolution from novice pairing to top-tier competitors unfolded with remarkable speed, setting the stage for breakthrough performances.
Breakthrough on the International Stage
The 2023–24 season marked Pereira and Michaud’s Grand Prix debut, signaling their arrival among the world’s pairs elite. Their silver medal at Skate America—a remarkable achievement for a relatively new tandem—showcased not just technical proficiency but competitive poise under pressure. This result was followed by a strong performance at subsequent international events, strengthening their reputation as skaters to watch.
In 2025, the pair continued their upward trajectory. They secured a bronze medal at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, an important milestone as Pereira’s first major international championship medal. This podium finish, achieved in Seoul, confirmed their ability to deliver under world-class scrutiny. They also competed at the 2025 World Championships in Boston, placing eleventh—a respectable showing that underscored both their potential and areas for refinement.
Through these performances, Pereira’s growth as a skater was evident not only in her scores but in her stage presence. The transition from promising newcomer to consistent Grand Prix contender demanded adaptability and her embrace of innovative choreography reflected her willingness to explore varied artistic expressions.
The 2025–26 Season: National Triumph and Olympic Debut
The 2025–26 season proved to be the most consequential yet in Pereira’s career. After beginning the season at events like the CS Nebelhorn Trophy, the team gradually built momentum through the Grand Prix circuit. Strong performances earned them placements at Skate Canada International and the Finlandia Trophy, further cementing their readiness for high-stakes competition.
One of the defining moments of this season was the pair’s performance at the 2026 Canadian Figure Skating Championships. Entering as underdogs against the reigning world champions, Deanna Stellato‑Dudek and Maxime Deschamps, Pereira and Michaud delivered a poised free skate that overtook expectations and secured them the Canadian national title. This victory was significant on multiple fronts: it affirmed their growth, solidified their status as Canada’s top pairs team, and secured their place on Team Canada for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
At the Olympics – a global stage where athletic dreams are both realized and challenged – Pereira and Michaud showcased their competitiveness. Their short program at the Games was nothing short of spectacular, earning a personal best and placing them third heading into the free skate. For a pair competing in their Olympic debut, this placement captured the imagination of fans and experts alike.
Although their free skate included uncharacteristic mistakes that dropped them to eighth overall, their overall Olympic performance remains emblematic of resilience and ambition. Competing under immense pressure in front of the world’s eyes, Pereira embraced both her achievements and the learning moments – the dual realities that define elite sport.
Technical and Artistic Strengths
One of Pereira’s enduring strengths is her adaptability across skating elements. Whether executing throws, twists, lifts, or synchronized side‑by‑side jumps, her technical development has grown consistently over the past several seasons. These physical skills, paired with her expressive interpretation of choreography, enable performances that resonate with judges and audiences alike.
The choice of music and thematic direction in the 2025–26 season further illustrated this growth. Their short program to Jessie Ware’s “Say You Love Me” balanced emotional nuance with technical fluidity, while their free skate set to selections from Gladiator allowed for dramatic intensity and dynamic transitions. Such programming choices reflect a strategic understanding of how musicality and technical execution coalesce in competitive scoring.
Beyond technical skill, Pereira’s artistic maturity has become increasingly apparent. Whether interpreting contemporary pieces or more classical scores, she brings a thoughtful presence to each performance – one that communicates narrative and connects with audiences. This evolution is not incidental, but rather the product of dedicated work with top choreographers and coaches, demonstrating her commitment to refining both the athletic and the expressive aspects of her craft.
Partnership with Trennt Michaud: A Symbiotic Rise
The partnership between Pereira and Trennt Michaud is central to her success. While Pereira brought raw talent and ambition, Michaud contributed experience and strategic insight from his own competitive past. Their collaboration is rooted not only in technical alignment but in shared values of work ethic and mutual respect.
As both have noted in interviews, their relationship on and off the ice contributes to performance chemistry and resilience under pressure. Training environments in Brantford and Milton, Ontario, have become laboratories for innovation and growth – a place where repetition, creativity, and mutual trust fuel progress.
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