Born on August 22, 1996 in Belleville, Ontario, Michaud’s skating journey would span multiple partnerships, ups and downs, national titles, international podiums, and ultimately a long-cherished Olympic appearance at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Early Years: Discovering the Ice
Michaud’s introduction to skating was unorthodox. Unlike many elite figure skaters who glide into the sport as prodigies from the moment they lace on blades, Michaud’s first foray into skating was somewhat reluctant. Growing up in Belleville and later training in regions like Trenton and Brantford, Ontario, Michaud initially struggled with basic skating skills, so much so that he was even removed from Timbit hockey for his lack of skating proficiency as a young child. This moment, humorous in hindsight, foreshadowed the paradox at the heart of his skating identity: a boy who didn’t skate well enough for hockey would one day skate among the world’s best in pairs.
Rather than deter him, this early challenge ignited a deeper relationship with the ice. Beginning his training in 2004 at roughly age 8, Michaud found an environment where the stroke of each blade cut toward incremental progress instead of deflation. In the years that followed, he embraced the discipline of figure skating, and competed in various early categories: novice singles (placing eighth at the 2013 Canadian Championships) and novice pairs (second place with Judith Murtha-Anderson).
This period laid essential groundwork – not in spectacular triumph, but in learning. Michaud was learning how to compete, how to deal with pressure, and, most importantly, how to work in tandem with partners on elements that require impeccable trust, balance, and timing. These early experiences shaped his trajectory as a pair skater, a discipline that demands not just individual skill but seamless collaboration.
Partnerships and Progress: The Walsh Years
Michaud’s first long-term pair partnership was with Evelyn Walsh beginning in 2016. With Walsh, Michaud achieved early national success, capturing the 2017 Canadian national junior title and finishing as high as fifth at the World Junior Championships—a remarkable result for a relatively new duo. As they transitioned to senior competition, Walsh and Michaud quickly established themselves as contenders on the Canadian domestic scene, becoming three-time Canadian national silver medallists. Internationally, they were awarded bronze at the 2022 Four Continents Championships, highlighting their capacity to contend against top-tier pairs from Asia and the United States.
Michaud’s partnership with Walsh exemplified his emergence as a pairs competitor capable of blending athletic strength with technical precision. Their work together laid the foundation for his career’s next chapter and demonstrated his ability to rise through the ranks toward consistent global competitiveness.
A New Chapter: Forming the Partnership with Lia Pereira
In August 2022, Michaud’s career entered a pivotal new chapter when he teamed up with Canadian singles skater Lia Pereira. Pereira, born in 2004, had been a promising singles skater who brought a distinct artistic quality and competitive maturity to their partnership. The pairing was unconventional: Pereira had limited pairs experience, while Michaud was searching for a partner after Walsh’s retirement. Despite this, their early chemistry and complementary skills generated buzz within the skating community.
Their progression was swift. Just four months after forming their partnership, they debuted internationally at the 2022 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb, capturing bronze and achieving the minimum technical scores necessary to compete at ISU Championships. This initial success showcased the pair’s potential to navigate early challenges and quickly cohere into a team capable of competing on the world stage.
The duo’s first Canadian Championships together demonstrated early promise but also the typical learning curve experienced by a new pair: they placed fourth in the short program and narrowly missed the podium overall. Nonetheless, their commitment to growth became immediately apparent through steady improvement and an evolving competitive presence.
Rising Through the Ranks: Grand Prix Success
The 2023–24 season marked a major breakthrough for Pereira and Michaud. Competing on the prestigious ISU Grand Prix circuit, they made an impressive debut at Skate America, medalling with silver—a significant accomplishment for a relatively new pair and a testament to their competitive maturation. Shortly after, they captured gold at the 2023 Grand Prix de France, earning international acclaim and qualifying for the ISU Grand Prix Final, where they finished in the top six globally.
This period was transformative. It served as a vivid illustration of the pair’s evolving synergy: Michaud’s strength and technical acumen combined with Pereira’s expressive performance quality and jump prowess. Throughout this phase, they demonstrated consistency in elements like twist lifts, throw jumps, and side-by-side jumps—elements that distinctly reflect confidence and technical readiness for the sport’s highest stages.
Their results also reinforced that the partnership was not merely competitive but elite-caliber. These Grand Prix achievements, particularly the gold in France, underscored that Pereira/Michaud were emerging not just as national leaders but as international medal contenders.
Continued Growth: Competitive Highlights in 2024–25
The 2024–25 season further affirmed the pair’s upward trajectory. At the 2024 Nebelhorn Trophy, they faced a challenging short program but rallied in the free skate to climb in the standings—an early sign of their resilience. On the 2024–25 Grand Prix circuit, they returned to France as defending champions, ultimately finishing fifth overall, and placed third at the Cup of China, adding another Grand Prix medal to their résumé.
At the 2025 Canadian Championships, the pair continued to impress domestically, finishing second behind the veteran team of Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps. Their performance there, however, was notable for achieving over 70 points in the short program—a personal milestone.
Their competitive highlight of the season was undoubtedly the 2025 Four Continents Championships in Seoul, South Korea, where they won bronze with a score of 198.40—his first ISU Championship medal with Pereira and a personal international milestone. Despite health challenges leading up to the event, they executed two strong programs and proved that their competitive mettle was both deep and adaptable.
Later that season, at the 2025 World Championships in Boston, the pair placed eleventh overall. While not the podium finish they had hoped for, the experience contributed to their competitive growth and provided valuable exposure to the world’s most demanding field of pairs skaters.
2026 Season: Peak Performance and National Glory
The 2025–26 season represented perhaps the most significant period in Michaud’s career to date, culminating in both national triumph and Olympic qualification. After competing at early events like the 2025 Nebelhorn Trophy and the Finlandia Trophy, Pereira and Michaud placed among the top contenders and continued to refine their programs.
The highlight came at the 2026 Canadian National Skating Championships in Gatineau, Quebec, where they won their first senior national title. Entering the competition in second place after the short program, they delivered an exceptional free skate, scoring 135.03 and securing the gold ahead of Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps—long-time rivals on the domestic circuit. This victory was not merely symbolic: it earned them a spot on Canada’s Olympic team and the opportunity to represent their country on figure skating’s most revered stage.
Michaud spoke openly about what the title meant to him—a moment years in the making, shaped by countless hours on the ice, the support of his coaches and family, and the resilience honed through prior setbacks. Local community stories similarly highlighted the communal pride behind his Olympic qualification, including efforts to help his mother attend the Olympics—an emotional testament to the broader network of encouragement around his career.
The Olympic Experience: Milano Cortina 2026
For most athletes, the Olympics represent the summation of years of dedication, the pinnacle of sporting achievement. For Michaud, the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo were both a personal milestone and an opportunity to perform on the world’s grandest stage in front of a global audience.
In the team event pairs segment, Pereira and Michaud placed fifth, contributing valuable points to Team Canada. Michaud reflected on the experience as both exhilarating and profound—skating alongside other elite athletes within the unique dynamic of Olympic competition.
In the individual pairs event, their Olympic campaign specifically resonated on Sunday, February 15, 2026, when they delivered a personal-best short program score of 74.80, placing them third after the short segment. Their program reflected refined athleticism, confident technique, and artistic nuance—placing them ahead of some of the world’s most established pairs.
Despite this dramatic ascent, their free skate did not unfold as they had hoped. Errors on key elements—such as the throw triple loop, side-by-side triple salchow, and death spiral—contributed to a final placement of eighth overall. These results, while not podium-winning, represented a significant Olympic debut for the duo, showcasing their capacity to contend with the sport’s elite. Michaud himself characterized the experience as encouraging, pointing to what the pair learned and the foundation it laid for future competitions.
Technical Style, Programs, and Skating Identity
One of the defining aspects of Michaud’s skating is his ability to blend technical precision with expressive performance quality. Over the 2025–26 season, their programs featured music ranging from contemporary selections like Jessie Ware’s “Say You Love Me” to sweeping cinematic scores from Gladiator. These music choices allowed Pereira and Michaud to present a wide emotional palette—from lyrical sensibilities to dramatic intensity—enhancing their connection with audiences and judges alike.
Their short program showcased crisp elements executed within tight musical phrasing, while their free skate capitalized on expansive choreography, moments of artistic storytelling, and technically demanding lifts and transitions. Such versatility reflects not only Michaud’s skating maturity but also his partnership with Pereira, whose complementary skill set amplifies their competitive identity.
Beyond the Competitions: Personal Character and Legacy
Trennt Michaud’s story extends beyond medals and rankings. It is the story of a boy who couldn’t skate well enough for hockey becoming one of Canada’s most promising pairs competitors – a narrative that illustrates how early challenges can shape long-term resilience.
Michaud’s dedication to the sport also manifests in his broader personal pursuits. Outside elite competition, he enjoys activities such as disc golf – showing a multifaceted life that balances intense athletic commitment with relatable leisure and community engagement.
Moreover, his journey reveals his lasting impact on Canadian figure skating. By consistently pushing technical boundaries, mentoring younger skaters through his example, and representing his country at the Olympic level, Michaud embodies the values of perseverance and sportsmanship. His influence helps inspire the next generation of Canadian pairs skaters who may, like him, one day chase international medals and Olympic dreams.
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