WATCH: The stars are back on the ice in Kelowna

• What's the difference between an Olympics and a live show?
• Injury goes with the territory in this sport

The Stars On Ice are back.

After the two-year enforced layoff because of the pandemic, some of the biggest names in the sport assembled on the Prospera Place ice Wednesday night.

The show was co-headlined by skating icons Kurt Browning and Elvis Stojko, and featured many of the country’s top skaters including three-time Olympic medalist and World Champion Kaetlyn Osmond.

“It’s remarkable, I definitely missed it,” Osmond told Ara from 103.1 Beach Radio. “It’s so incredible to be able to travel across Canada again.”

Osmond, who bounced back from a near career-ending injury and two surgeries in 2014, describes the Olympics and the Stars On Ice show as two very different experiences.

“The Olympics are very much like, ‘I’m stressed that I’m not going to actually get what I’m wanting to do here,’ but they’re very, very fun. Being able to perform in a show in front of a live audience, it’s amazing to be so close to them and really connected.”

The Stars On Ice tour is the latest chapter on a journey that has seen Osmond move into the coaching field following a glittering competitive career that saw her earn three Olympic medals: the individual bronze at the Pyeongchang Winter Games in 2018, along with gold in the team event, to add to her silver in the team competition from four years earlier in Sochi. She was world champion in 2018 and a silver medalist in 2017.

In any endeavour that requires such commitment and sacrifice, it sure helps knowing what you want. Osmond had it all figured out in kindergarten.

“I knew from the moment I was four or five years old; there’s a funny picture of me when I was in kindergarten, on career day, and I was dressed up in a little yellow dress and said, ‘this is what I’m going to be, I’m going to be a figure skater.’

Given the inevitable hardships that come along in making it to the top, Osmond has a message for anyone thinking and dreaming about achieving what she’s done.

“Injuries come with any sport … so probably expect it. But have a passion for it. You’re probably not going to like it 99 per cent of the time but as long as you love it, or love a part of it, it’ll help push away [the tough times.]

“I never thought I was ever going to be at the ability of making to an Olympic team … so to be able to be back and do what I’ve done, it’s about having a strong team around me and having a lot of fun doing it.”

Osmond, Browning and Stojko are joined by Jeffrey Buttle, Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje and social media sensation Elladj Baldé on their tour. Also, after competing at the recent Olympic Games, 2022 Canadian Champions Piper Gilles & Paul Poirier are in the spotlight, as well as Kirsten Moore-Towers & Michael Marinaro and others.