In early April, the picturesque town of Covilhã in the Serra da Estrela region hosted the 2025 Portuguese Championships in figure skating – a sport that remains relatively niche in Portugal but is slowly gaining traction among enthusiasts. Among the competitors was Caroline Grégoire, a resident of the Algarve, who captured the gold medal in the adult intermediate category. This achievement was even more remarkable as she is over 50 years old.
Caroline’s journey in skating began in her native Canada, where ice rinks are as common as parks. “I was just five when an ice rink opened just five minutes from my home,” she reminisces. From the outset, Caroline immersed herself in the sport, taking lessons from both group and private instructors. Over the years, she participated in numerous competitions, experiencing both the highs of victory and the lows of setbacks.
Following her heart, Caroline moved to Europe in 1993. Bizarrely, though she lived in Sweden for eight years, a country associated more with ice, she only skated three times. She then moved to the North of Germany with her trusty skates accompanying her, but never felt the urge to compete again.
Caroline first visited Portugal in 2017, and ice could not have been further from her mind when she decided to move here for the warm weather, after realising she could work remotely. So, she returned in 2018 and then, in 2019, bought a property between Lagoa and Carvoeiro and moved permanently.
It was when she started exploring Portugal that she visited some Christmas markets, which had ice rinks, that she rediscovered her love of ice. She was given a trip to Viseu and time on their ice rink as a Christmas gift. It was on this trip that her life changed when she discovered they had a figure skating club, which hosted national championships. A member of the club spotted her talent and they asked her to take part in the adult category, which is for ages 28+.
Caroline participated in the Portuguese Championships last year, where she won a silver medal, after falling while doing a pirouette, which she puts down to nerves. But it reignited her competitive spirit. “I had so much fun! I skated with a 31-year-old dress and my 40-year-old skates, all while being a proud member of the 50+ club!” Caroline says with a twinkle in her eye.
In her professional life, Caroline wears many hats as a coach, mentor, and keynote speaker on leadership, communication and resilience. “Having a hobby like figure skating beautifully complements my work,” she remarks. “It gives me the tools to develop a positive mental outlook and defeat challenges and nerves.” To keep fit, Caroline also enjoys walking along the coast and practising meditation. She is interested in health and mental well-being.
In her free time, Caroline is also a member of the Algarvians amateur dramatics group in the Algarve. She drew on her experience of performing quick costume changes in ice skating performances to assist the wardrobe department in their production of Sister Act. It was through this that she met choreographer Shelly, who helped her put together her routine.
She engages a personal trainer to help maintain her strength and agility, especially when approaching competitions, complementing her physical routine with cardio and choreography rehearsals in her living room.
Training for figure skating in the Algarve poses its challenges, as Caroline navigates the scarcity of ice rinks in the region. “I rejoice whenever I can skate at the Christmas market rink in Lagoa, but most often I must drive to Viseu or Covilhã—500 km away!” she explains. “Usually, I get to do the full program with the whole rink to myself a few hours before the competition. During my performance, a few things get improvised as well!”
In early April, the Portuguese Championships in figure skating (on ice) took place in Covilhã in the Serra da Estrela area. Caoline returned with a fresh outfit, new skates, but the same indomitable spirit and determination not to repeat the mistake. The competition requires you to perform one technical routine for which you are awarded points for your skating skills and the tricks you perform, like pirouettes and jumps. This time, there were no errors and she took the gold medal in her category.
Beyond the technical demands of the sport, Caroline expresses what keeps her enamoured with figure skating. “The wind in my face, gliding on the ice – it makes me feel free. The fusion of technical skill and artistry is what fascinates me the most,” she enthuses, describing how the sport intertwines strength with elegance and storytelling with speed.
Looking ahead, Caroline has ambitious plans. There are various training camps and competitions for adults throughout Europe, and she intends to participate in one in Montpellier, southern France, in July. Every year, there are competitions for adults in Oberstdorf, Germany. She missed registration this year, but she wants to compete next year. “It’s an opportunity to learn new skills and draw inspiration from fellow adult skaters,” she reveals. “I hope to inspire younger skaters and adults alike to pursue their passions,” she shares.
Caroline Grégoire’s triumph in the Portuguese Championships is a testament to her passion and resilience—an example for anyone who believes that age and circumstance should never be barriers to pursuing what you love. With her remarkable achievement, Caroline serves as an inspiring example that age and access to facilities, or lack thereof, need not hinder one’s passion.
