Growing up on a lake in Patchogue, New York, Gwendolyn Vignato first stepped on the ice at 2 years old. Those early glides sparked a love for the sport that would carry her to the 2026 Excel Series Final Competition, in which she recently placed fourth in the senior women's event.
 
Vignato, who represents The Skating Club of New York, was one of the first skaters to participate in the Excel program. The 19-year-old has competed in every Excel Series Final since its inception in 2018. SC of New York members Marc Weitzman and Elise Preston helped create the foundation for the Excel program.
 
"I had only recently landed a single Axel and double Salchow at the time and my coach, Tracy Doyle-Salerno, had heard about the new program through Marc Weitzman," Vignato said. "At the time, I knew I wanted to skate and was only able to take a few lessons a week due to cost and missing school and, until Excel, there didn't seem to be a place for me in the figure skating world. I decided to give it a try, and it turned out to be one of, if not the best, decision of my skating career."

 
The Excel program offered her the opportunity to train at her own pace, compete locally without missing school, and still chase the dream of qualifying for a national event.  
 
"Participating in Excel has been such a blessing," Vignato said. "It taught me that competitive skating isn't just about triple jumps or Level 4 spins — it's about showcasing what you can do and being passionate about it."
 
At this year's Excel Series Final event in Norwood, Massachusetts, she skated to "Time to Say Goodbye" by Andrea Bocelli, Matteo Bocelli and Hans Zimmer. This choice of music was deeply personal to Vignato as the music was a favorite of her grandmother, who passed away the night of her first competition of the season.
 
"Last fall, she helped me pick out my music and designed my dress with me," Vignato said. "Skating this program is like breathing. I couldn't have thought of a better way to honor her."
 
Her Italian-American heritage provided a unique connection to the song's dual meaning, as the English lyrics are sorrowful, while the Italian lyrics speak of hope and new beginnings, she explained. 
 
"My upbringing has taught me both views of the song and I have taken it to be my personal anthem for this season," Vignato said. "Looking back on how far I have come has been  emotional for me this season. This program has allowed me to pour my heart out and share my story with others."
 
In addition to training several hours a week, Vignato works as a skating coach part-time, teaching private lessons and Learn to Skate USA classes for the Long Island Skating Academy. Off the ice, she balances a full course load as a student at St. Joseph's University, where she is pursuing her master's degree in business administration and marketing through its honors program.
 
"Gwen is a dream student," her coach, Tracy Doyle-Salerno, said "She always comes to her training sessions prepared, focused and ready to learn. She leads by example and is a wonderful role model for the younger skaters at the rink, always carrying herself with kindness and a positive attitude."
 
Steven Rice has been part of Vignato's coaching team since 2021. He has witnessed her growth as a skater firsthand.
 
"The biggest difference in her skating has been the passion and confidence she has gained over the years by participating in the Excel Championships and Festival," Rice said. "Her love of the sport is contagious to all in the rink, which is wonderful to see."
 
Even though her Excel season has wrapped up, Vignato is not slowing down. In the coming months, she plans to compete in her first senior National Qualifying Series event and finish taking her ice dance tests. Post college, she intends to stay connected to the sport — as an ice rink owner and operator, as well as a director of a figure skating program.
 
As she steps into the next chapter of her skating journey, Vignato hopes her story encourages others to take their own leap.  
 
"Many adult skaters wonder if they're too old to try something new," Vignato said. "If you have a dream and don't chase it, you'll always wonder, what if? Success isn't just about medals. Sometimes it's about stepping out of your comfort zone."

 Click here for results at the 2026 Excel National Final and Festival.