World champion figure skater Deanna Stellato-Dudek is making a national switch, returning to the United States after seven seasons competing for Canada. She is teaming up with Danil Siianytsia to form a new pairs partnership.
Stellato-Dudek, a 43-year-old from Chicago, previously represented the United States in women’s singles over 25 years ago before transitioning to Canada’s program in 2019 to skate alongside Maxime Deschamps. Deschamps retired from competitive figure skating in July.
In 2024, at the age of 40, Stellato-Dudek became the oldest woman to clinch a world figure skating title with Deschamps under Canada’s flag. The duo also secured the 2024 Four Continents title and three Canadian championships. Stellato-Dudek later acquired Canadian citizenship to qualify to represent Canada at the Olympics.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the new partnership, Stellato-Dudek stated, “I’m incredibly excited to embark on this new journey with Danil and deeply appreciate the unwavering support from my fans. I am fully committed to making you proud and representing the USA with utmost dedication.”
Reflecting on her career, she added, “My skating journey has taken me on unexpected paths, but it all began for me in the United States. I am thankful for the experiences throughout my career and look forward to the collaborative potential with Danil.”
Following a challenging lead-up to her anticipated Olympic debut, Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps placed 11th at the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics. The pair faced setbacks when Stellato-Dudek suffered a head injury during training shortly before the pairs event. Despite receiving medical clearance just days before competing, a fall in the short program dashed their medal hopes.
Siianytsia, aged 25 and born in Dnipro, Ukraine, has been representing the United States in pairs competitions since 2017, previously skating with Anastasiia Smirnova.
Stellato-Dudek and Siianytsia will train in Colorado Springs under the guidance of Olympic coach Drew Meekins in preparation for the 2027 U.S. Figure Skating Championships qualifying season.
