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The Grand Prix de France showcased exceptional talent, particularly from Canadian figure skating pair Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps. They secured the silver medal in the pairs event, demonstrating their skill and determination on the ice. Their combined score of 197.66 points, including a noteworthy 123.40 in the free skate, solidifies their position among the world’s elite pairs.
This performance follows their victory as the 2024 world champions.
Japanese pair Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara excelled with a total score of 219.15, earning the gold medal. Despite encountering challenges, including a misstep on their initial jump combination, they maintained a significant lead over competitors, winning by a margin of 21 points.
The bronze medal was claimed by Hungary’s Maria Pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko, who finished with 192.76 points.
Highlights from the ice dance competition
The ice dance segment featured Canadian skaters Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac, who achieved a sixth-place finish in the rhythm dance with a score of 73.75.
As the competition progresses, the free dance is scheduled for Sunday, with the leading team, Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson from Great Britain, currently in the top position at 84.38 points. Close behind are Lithuania’s Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius in second with 80.98, and France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron in third with 78.00.
Changes and challenges in the ice dance
Fournier Beaudry, from Montreal, made headlines earlier this year by partnering with two-time Olympic medalist Cizeron. This partnership followed a challenging period, as her previous partner, Nikolaj Sorensen, received a six-year suspension due to serious allegations.
An arbitrator later lifted that suspension, allowing Fournier Beaudry to refocus on her skating career.
Men’s and women’s individual performances
In the men’s short program, American star Ilia Malinin, known as the quad god, dominated the competition with a score of 105.22.
He executed an impressive quadruple flip and a challenging quadruple lutz-triple toeloop combination, culminating in a dramatic backflip. Following him were Georgia’s Nika Egadze in second place with 95.67, and Japan’s Kao Miura with 87.25.
In an unexpected turn, Ami Nakai triumphed over three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto in the women’s competition. In her first senior Grand Prix event, Nakai achieved a stunning score of 227.08, including a personal best of 149.08 in the free skate. Her performance featured a challenging triple axel, though she experienced a slight balance issue upon landing. Sakamoto, despite her errors, secured second place with a score of 224.23, while Rion Sumiyoshi earned the bronze medal with 216.06.
The Grand Prix de France is the opening event of a series of six, leading to a championship finale in December. This series serves as a vital benchmark for elite skaters preparing for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February.
