Deanna Stellato-Dudek switches back to U.S. for figure skating

Pairs' figure skater Deanna Stellato-Dudek is returning to compete for the U.S. after a stint representing Canada, during which she became the oldest woman to win a world figure skating title and the oldest Olympic figure skater since 1936. Stellato-Dudek, 43, will pair with Danil Siianytsia in hopes of qualifying for the January 2027 U.S. Championships. "My journey in this sport has taken me places I never could have imagined, but the United States is where it all began for me," Stellato-Dudek said in a press release. "I’m grateful for everything I’ve experienced throughout my career and excited about what Danil and I can build together.” Stellato-Dudek, a suburban Chicago native, came up as a singles skater, winning silver at the 2000 World Junior Championships before retiring in 2001 after several hip injuries. She returned to skating in 2016, switching to pairs and teaming with 2014 U.S. Olympian Nathan Bartholomay. In 2019, she teamed with Canadian Maxime Deschamps, and later earned Canadian citizenship in December 2024 to become Olympic eligible for that country. Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps won the world title in 2024 in Montreal, making Stellato-Dudek, then 40, the oldest female figure skating world champion. Stellato-Dudek sustained a head injury in practice leading up to the Milan Cortina Olympics, causing her and Deschamps to miss the Olympic team event. They made it back for the pairs' event, finishing 11th. Deschamps announced his retirement in July. Alysa Liu takes figure skating competition break, eyes return next season Alysa Liu is taking time to recalibrate, “then I’ll be back.” Nick Zaccardi ,