Canadian pair Pereira, Michaud in 1st place after short program at Skate Canada International

Our next team also represent Canada, 22-year-old Leah Pereira and 30-year-old Trent Michaud. Trent Michaud. The choreography in this short program done by Madison Hubbell, and Ian Diaz, Ice Dancers, their season's best in the short program, 74.70, get ready to be entertained. It was so good. The success of the World Championship, they're that much better, gaining confidence. Vegas says they've raised the bar for themselves and their expectation is just higher. They see the possibility when they come to these events. They know that they can be the best and they skate like they're the best. When we watch them, we don't have any doubt. It's entertainment from the beginning to the end, it's wonderful skating skills, they're capitalizing on everything that the judges and the technical panel are looking for. I was impressed with Trent because this type of music is maybe not down his you know his alley or was in the past and he did a really good job. I thought I mean she's a star as you said. Absolutely. Here, triple twist, all four features, cleanly executed in a level four, huge positive grade of execution. This, really where they set themselves apart from the field, always in the short program in particular, so close together, their jumps so well executed. This, their group three lift, such a difficult entry, change of position, difficult one-hand hold. In their difficult dismount, this used to be a question mark for Leah and Trent, not anymore. Here they're forward inside Death Spiral. I thought every element so seamlessly moved into the next one with wonderful transitions. Such performance from both. We find ourselves, most people watch the woman in Pairs or Ice Dance, but when you watch Trent, he's performing right along with her. I loved it. They were a good team last year. I think they're entering being a great team this year. Yes, like I said, they are so thrilled with third at Worlds, but they don't want to be third at Worlds. They want to be first at Worlds. There you go. Well, let's take a look at their short program score. A new season's best, 77.06. And they are all in the Kiss and Cry thrilled with that number, with that skate, as they take the lead with one team to come. Firmly setting themselves apart from the rest of the field thus far. Well deserved.