# Lia Pereira

Lia Pereira (born March 5, 2004) is a Canadian single skater and pair skater. With her skating partner, Trennt Michaud, she is the 2025 Four Continents bronze medalist, a three-time Grand Prix medalist (including gold at the 2023 Grand Prix de France), the 2022 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb bronze medalist, and a three-time Canadian national medalist.

## Personal life

Pereira was born on March 5, 2004, in Milton, Ontario, Canada.
In September 2023, she began commerce studies at the University of Guelph's Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics.

## Career
### Early years

Pereira began learning to skate in 2012. During the 2017–18 season, while still competing at the pre-novice level as a singles skater, she formed a pairs skating partnership with James Robart-Morgan. Pereira/Robart-Morgan qualified to the 2018 Canadian Novice Championships, where they finished ninth. The partnership ended after one season, and she made her novice debut as a singles skater in the 2018–19 season. In an early international foray, she won the gold medal at Skate Milwaukee on the 2018 North American Series. Pereira was sixteenth at the 2019 Canadian Novice Championships.
In her second season as a novice, Pereira was the silver medallist at the 2020 Skate Canada Challenge in that category. She went on to win the bronze medal at the 2020 Canadian Novice Championships. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, both domestic and international competitions were heavily impeded, as was skater training. Pereira moved up to the junior level, with her most notable competition being a virtual Skate Canada Challenge, where she won the bronze medal.

### 2021–22 season

With the resumption of international junior competition, Pereira began her international junior debut at the Cranberry Cup International in Norwood, Massachusetts, placing fifth in the junior women's division. She was then assigned by Skate Canada to make her Junior Grand Prix debut at the 2021 JGP Russia in Krasnoyarsk. After finishing tenth overall, she called it "an amazing experience," adding "I learned a lot more about myself about how to handle the pressure of an event like this."
Pereira competed at the senior level domestically, coming tenth in her debut at the 2022 Canadian Championships. She was chosen to represent Canada at the 2022 World Junior Championships, alongside national junior champion Justine Miclette. Both she and Miclette were first sent to the International Challenge Cup, where Pereira finished sixth, including a third-place finish in the free skate. She achieved personal best scores in the short program and overall at the World Junior Championships, where she finished fourteenth overall despite being twelfth and thirteen in the two segments.

### 2022–23 season

Pereira again opened her season at the Cranberry Cup International, winning gold in the junior women's competition. Returning as well to the Junior Grand Prix, she finished sixth at the 2022 JGP France in Courchevel, setting a new personal best score in the free skate in the process. She was then assigned to make her senior international debut at the 2022 CS Finlandia Trophy, where she placed fifteenth.
In the midst of her singles career, Pereira also received an opportunity to return to pairs skating, opting to form a partnership with three-time national silver medallist Trennt Michaud following the retirement of his previous partner Evelyn Walsh. She was sought out on the recommendation of coach Alison Purkiss, who had previously coached her with Robart-Morgan in novice pairs. Pereira/Michaud made their competitive debut at the Skate Ontario sectional qualifier in November, winning the gold medal. They went on to win the final national qualifying event, Skate Canada Challenge, as well. Pereira said afterward that they were "just growing together and each competition is a new learning experience." Pereira finished eighth in the senior's women event at Challenge, qualifying to the national championships in two disciplines. Shortly thereafter, Pereira/Michaud were assigned to make their international debut at the 2022 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb. 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.
Due to the scheduling of the 2023 Canadian Championships, Pereira was required to compete two short programs and two free skates on consecutive days. On the first day, she finished second in the women's short program with a score of 61.21 points, 7.11 points behind the reigning national champion, her longtime friend and training partner Madeline Schizas. Pereira/Michaud were fourth in the pairs short program, 1.01 points behind third-place Laurin/Éthier. She dropped to fifth in the women's event after the free skate, then taking "an afternoon nap" before returning for the pairs finale. There, Pereira/Michaud overtook Laurin/Éthier for the bronze medal. She said afterwards that as this was still only their fourth competition as a team, "we're learning a lot every time we come out." The team was assigned to compete at both the 2023 Four Continents and World championships.
At the Four Continents Championships in Colorado Springs, Pereira/Michaud placed fourth in the short program with a clean skate. 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. Pereira said that she was uncertain whether she would continue competing as a singles skater in future seasons. Concluding their season at the 2023 World Championships in Saitama, Pereira/Michaud ranked sixth overall, including a notable fourth-place finish in the free skate segment of the competition. This was Pereira's first visit to Japan.

### 2023–24 season

In advance of the 2023–24 season, Pereira opted to focus only on competing in pairs, explaining that "after our success last season, we have big goals together, so I want to put my 100 per cent all into that." 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."
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. 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. 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. 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."
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.
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.
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.
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. 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."

### 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. 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. 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.
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.
Upon arrival in Seoul 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 Pereira's first international championship medal.

## Programs
### With Michaud

| Season | Short program | Free skating | Exhibition |
| 2024–2025 | Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing) by Louis Prima performed by Anita O'Day choreo. by Jean-Luc Baker, Olivia Smart, Alison Purkiss | Tango Jalousie by Jacob Gade performed by Sakari Oramo & Vienna Philharmonic Por una Cabeza (from Scent of a Woman) by Carlos Gardel & Alfredo Le Pera performed by John Williams, Itzhak Perlman, & Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Tango Jalousie by Jacob Gade performed by Sakari Oramo & Vienna Philharmonic choreo. by Madison Hubbell, Adrián Díaz, Alison Purkiss | Sparkling Diamonds (from Moulin Rouge!) performed by Nicole Kidman |
| 2023–2024 | River by Bishop Briggs choreo. by Alison Purkiss, Asher Hill | Gladiator Slaves to Rome Honor Him Now We Are Free by Hans Zimmer & Lisa Gerrard choreo. by Madison Hubbell, Adrián Díaz | Stick Season by Noah Kahan Lift Me Up (from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) by Rihanna |
| 2022–2023 | Where We Come Alive by Ruelle choreo. by Alison Purkiss | Singapore Drink Up Me Hearties Yo Ho (from Pirates of the Caribbean) by Hans Zimmer choreo. by Alison Purkiss | Goo Goo Muck by The Cramps Bloody Mary by Lady Gaga |

### Singles

| Season | Short program | Free skating |
| 2022–2023 | Stand by Me by Florence and the Machine choreo. by Asher Hill | Ochi Chernye (Dark Eyes) by Yevhen Hrebinka choreo. by Asher Hill |
| 2021–2022 | Listen to Your Heart by Per Gessle choreo. by Asher Hill | Ochi Chernye (Dark Eyes) by Yevhen Hrebinka choreo. by Asher Hill |

## Competitive highlights

* GP – Event of the ISU Grand Prix Series
* JGP – Event of the ISU Junior Grand Prix Series
* CS – Event of the ISU Challenger Series
* C – Event was cancelled

### Pair skating with Trennt Michaud

Competition placements at senior level :
| Season | 2022–23 | 2023–24 | 2024–25 |
| World Championships | 6th | 8th | TBD |
| Four Continents Championships | 4th | 5th | 3rd |
| Canadian Championships | 3rd | 2nd | 2nd |
| Grand Prix Final | | 6th | |
| GP Cup of China | | | 3rd |
| GP France | | 1st | 5th |
| GP Skate America | | 2nd | |
| CS Golden Spin of Zagreb | 3rd | | |
| CS Nebelhorn Trophy | | 4th | 5th |
| Skate Canada Challenge | 1st | | |

### Single skating

International :
| Event | 20–21 | 21–22 | 22–23 |
| CS Finlandia | | | 15th |
| International: Junior ||||
| Junior Worlds | | 14th | |
| JGP France | | | 6th |
| JGP Russia | | 10th | |
| Challenge Cup | | 6th | |
| Cranberry Cup | | 5th | 1st |
| National ||||
| Canadian Champ. | C | 10th | 5th |
| SC Challenge | 3rd J | 4th | 8th |
| C = Cancelled J = Junior ||||

## Detailed results
### Pair skating with Trennt Michaud

ISU personal best scores in the +5/-5 GOE System :
| Segment | Type | Score | Event |
| Total | TSS | 194.67 | 2023 Grand Prix de France |
| Short program | TSS | 66.90 | 2024 Cup of China |
| Short program | TES | 37.59 | 2023 World Championships |
| Short program | PCS | 30.73 | 2024 Cup of China |
| Free skating | TSS | 128.70 | 2023 Grand Prix de France |
| Free skating | TES | 67.54 | 2023 Grand Prix de France |
| Free skating | PCS | 62.16 | 2023 Grand Prix de France |
Results in the 2022–23 season :
| Date | Event | SP | SP | FS | FS | Total | Total |
| Date | Event | P | Score | P | Score | P | Score |
| Nov 30 – Dec 3, 2022 | 2023 Skate Canada Challenge | 2 | 61.49 | 1 | 120.73 | 1 | 182.22 |
| Dec 7–10, 2022 | 2022 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb | 4 | 61.13 | 3 | 115.75 | 3 | 176.88 |
| Jan 9–15, 2023 | 2023 Canadian Championships | 4 | 64.60 | 3 | 111.93 | 3 | 176.53 |
| Feb 7–12, 2023 | 2023 Four Continents Championships | 6 | 65.31 | 4 | 127.69 | 4 | 193.00 |
| Mar 20–26, 2023 | 2023 World Championships | 6 | 65.31 | 4 | 127.69 | 4 | 193.00 |
Results in the 2023–24 season :
| Date | Event | SP | SP | FS | FS | Total | Total |
| Date | Event | P | Score | P | Score | P | Score |
| Sep 20–23, 2023 | 2023 CS Nebelhorn Trophy | 4 | 62.38 | 2 | 126.56 | 4 | 188.94 |
| Oct 20–22, 2023 | 2023 Skate America | 2 | 63.22 | 2 | 119.37 | 2 | 182.59 |
| Nov 3–5, 2023 | 2023 Grand Prix de France | 1 | 65.97 | 1 | 128.70 | 1 | 194.67 |
| Dec 7–10, 2023 | 2023–24 Grand Prix Final | 6 | 61.78 | 6 | 123.38 | 6 | 185.16 |
| Jan 8–14, 2024 | 2024 Canadian Championships | 2 | 66.04 | 2 | 127.10 | 2 | 193.14 |
| Jan 30 – Feb 4, 2024 | 2024 Four Continents Championships | 6 | 59.89 | 5 | 122.16 | 5 | 182.05 |
| Mar 18–24, 2024 | 2024 World Championships | 9 | 64.83 | 7 | 122.10 | 8 | 186.93 |
Results in the 2024-25 season :
| Date | Event | SP | SP | FS | FS | Total | Total |
| Date | Event | P | Score | P | Score | P | Score |
| Sep 18-21, 2024 | 2024 CS Nebelhorn Trophy | 7 | 57.04 | 3 | 119.24 | 5 | 176.28 |
| Nov 1-3, 2024 | 2024 Grand Prix de France | 3 | 64.38 | 5 | 106.29 | 5 | 170.67 |
| Nov 22–24, 2024 | 2024 Cup of China | 3 | 66.90 | 3 | 121.84 | 3 | 188.74 |
| Jan 14–19, 2025 | 2025 Canadian Championships | 2 | 70.43 | 1 | 134.53 | 2 | 204.96 |
| Feb 19–23, 2025 | 2025 Four Continents Championships | 3 | 69.79 | 3 | 128.61 | 3 | 198.40 |

### Single skating

2022–23 season :
| Date | Event | Level | SP | FS | Total |
| January 9–15, 2023 | 2023 Canadian Championships | Senior | 2 61.21 | 7 104.62 | 5 165.83 |
| October 4–9, 2022 | 2022 CS Finlandia Trophy | Senior | 8 56.98 | 18 85.09 | 15 142.07 |
| August 24–28, 2022 | 2022 JGP France | Junior | 10 50.63 | 6 103.96 | 6 154.59 |
| August 11–14, 2022 | 2022 Cranberry Cup International | Junior | 1 56.41 | 1 112.64 | 1 169.05 |
| 2021–22 season ||||||
| Date | Event | Level | SP | FS | Total |
| April 13–17, 2022 | 2022 World Junior Championships | Junior | 12 58.69 | 13 100.17 | 14 158.86 |
| February 24–27, 2022 | 2022 International Challenge Cup | Junior | 7 48.08 | 3 100.43 | 6 148.51 |
| January 6–12, 2022 | 2022 Canadian Championships | Senior | 13 48.37 | 9 95.99 | 10 144.36 |
| December 1–5, 2021 | 2022 Skate Canada Challenge | Senior | 10 48.85 | 3 111.39 | 4 160.24 |
| September 15–18, 2021 | 2021 JGP Russia | Junior | 9 53.51 | 11 88.92 | 10 142.43 |
| August 11–15, 2021 | 2021 Cranberry Cup International | Junior | 6 44.52 | 5 85.38 | 5 129.90 |
| 2020–21 season ||||||
| Date | Event | Level | SP | FS | Total |
| January 8–17, 2021 | 2021 Skate Canada Challenge | Junior | 4 49.27 | 4 87.58 | 3 136.85 |