Ice Dance – Moments of Greatness

In the lead-up to the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, I reached out to six of Canada’s top winter athletes with a simple but meaningful request: permission to photograph them during their training. My goal was to look beyond polished competition images and capture the unseen hours—the discipline, focus, and sacrifice that define the Olympic journey. Without hesitation, each athlete agreed, generously allowing me to spend several hours with them in their training environments and granting rare access to their daily routines.

Canadian hockey player Marie-Philip Poulin training at the Verdun Auditorium in preparation for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. (PHOTO: Greg Kolz)

Kim Boutin and Steven Dubois welcomed me to the Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal, where their short track training unfolded in intense, purposeful bursts. From meticulous warm-ups to high-speed repetitions, the session revealed the resilience and discipline required to perform in a sport where every fraction of a second matters. Being on the ice with them offered an unfiltered look at the hard work that fuels their success.

Canadian short track speed skater Kim Boutin training at the Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal, in preparation for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. (PHOTO: Greg Kolz)

Canadian short track speed skater Steven Dubois training at the Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal, in preparation for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. (PHOTO: Greg Kolz)

At the Scarboro Figure Skating Club, Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier opened the doors to their ice dance training. Their time on the ice was a blend of athletic precision and artistic expression—repeating elements, refining timing, and building connection through constant collaboration. These sessions highlighted the courage it takes to push creative and technical limits, season after season.

Canadian ice dancers Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier training at the Scarboro Figure Skating Club in preparation for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. (PHOTO: Greg Kolz)

At the Verdun Auditorium, Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey invited me to witness their dryland on on-ice training sessions. Away from the noise of competition, the focus was on strength, conditioning, and mental preparation. The intensity and commitment on display reflected not only their individual drive, but also the leadership and determination that have defined their careers.

Canadian hockey players Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey training at the Verdun Auditorium in preparation for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. (PHOTO: Greg Kolz)

It is incredibly special—and deeply humbling—to witness athletes who are literally the best in the world at what they do, quietly honing their craft through relentless discipline and determination, long before the spotlight arrives. In those unguarded moments, you see how the pursuit of excellence is built through repetition, sacrifice, and belief.

Through my camera, I aimed to document these moments as authentically as possible—capturing dedication in its rawest form. I am deeply grateful for the trust each athlete placed in me and for the openness with which they shared their preparation.

In just a few days from now, when these athletes step onto the Olympic stage in Italy, they will carry more than personal ambition with them. Canadians from coast to coast to coast will be cheering them on, inspired by their courage, resilience, and unwavering determination.

I sincerely hope you enjoy viewing these images as much as I enjoyed capturing them. Please join me in wishing Kim, Steven, Piper, Paul, Marie-Philip, and Laura—and all of Team Canada—the very best of luck as they take on the world in Milan. 🇨🇦

Recently, Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir announced their retirement from the sport of ice dance. In the days since, many articles have been written about the Canadian figure skaters whose on-ice partnership and off-ice friendship has spanned the past 22 years.

As someone who has had the pleasure and privilege of getting to know Tessa & Scott over the past several years, I too would like to share a few thoughts about this legendary duo.

With Glowing Hearts

Back in 2010, I served as a volunteer at the Vancouver Olympics and had the good fortune of attending more than 30 events throughout the course of the Games.

Unfortunately, I was not at the Pacific Coliseum on the final day of the ice dance competition, so I can’t claim to have witnessed Virtue & Moir’s historic gold medal performance in person.

Nevertheless, I had the pleasure of watching them skate in the Olympic Gala and later had a chance to congratulate them on their remarkable achievement when we crossed paths at the Vancouver airport following the Games.

When I first met Tessa & Scott, I was immediately struck by how gracious they were. At the time, I never could have imagined that I’d eventually go on to form a friendship with the pair and have the opportunity to document some of their most memorable accomplishments in the years that followed.

Combining Artistry & Athleticism

As a kid, I wasn’t an especially gifted athlete, but I loved staying active. That said, while most boys my age played organized sports like hockey, I took a slightly different approach by taking dance lessons instead.

Looking back on it now, I realize that much of my appreciation for figure skating, and ice dance in particular, stems from the nearly 15 years that I spent doing ballet, tap and jazz.

Dancers are not only trained to develop their strength and stamina, but also become skilled at expressing themselves through movement, and captivating the audience by making difficult maneuvers look effortless. Of course, the same can be said of competitive figure skaters.

In all my life, I’ve never seen anyone combine artistry and athleticism more perfectly than Virtue & Moir.

Making History

Since 2010, I’ve witnessed Tessa & Scott prepare for and compete at multiple events, including the ISU World Figure Skating Championships, the Canadian National Skating Championships, the Autumn Classic International, and the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games. I’ve also had the pleasure of watching them perform several times with Stars on Ice, the CNE, and The Thank You Canada Tour.

Like anyone who’s ever seen Tessa & Scott skate, I’ve always been in complete awe of their athletic abilities, their artistic talents, and their undeniable chemistry as a pair. Being rink-side when they won gold in PyeongChang was an almost spiritual experience.

As a photographer, it’s been exhilarating to document these performances, but the truth is, most of the credit for the resulting images is owed to the skaters themselves. As I often say, I just press a button; the athletes do all the work.

Setting the Stage

It’s very hard to describe the feeling of being in such close proximity to someone (or, in this case, a duo) who is quite literally the best in the world at what they do.

While millions of people have had the opportunity to watch Tessa & Scott compete, relatively few have had the chance to see first-hand all the hard work that goes into each of their performances.

As someone who has been offered this rare glimpse behind the scenes, I must say, watching Tessa & Scott practice is every bit as inspiring as watching them compete. Every movement has a purpose, every stroke is executed in perfect unison, and every lift seems to defy the laws of physics.

Pursuing Excellence

In recent years, I’ve often been asked what Virtue & Moir are like in person. For those who may be wondering, I can honestly say, without reservation or exaggeration, that Tessa & Scott are two of the nicest, most genuine people I’ve ever met.

Tessa is beautifully poised, brilliantly smart, and incredibly thoughtful. Scott is wickedly funny, extremely down-to-earth, and unfailingly supportive. Together, they possess a synergy that is as impressive as it is rare.

From the very first time that I met them until now, I have always been inspired by their unified and relentless pursuit of excellence.

Recognizing Greatness

In conclusion, I simply want to congratulate Tessa & Scott on a truly remarkable figure skating career and wish them continued success in their future endeavors.

I would also like to express my sincerest thanks to the pair for entrusting me to photograph them on and off the ice on so many special occasions. I cannot tell you what an honour it’s been.

Throughout their 22-year on-ice partnership, Tessa & Scott transcended their sport, and I have no doubt that they will each continue to make a significant and meaningful difference in the lives of everyone they cross paths with. Best of luck, you two!