The Grand Prix Final, a significant figure skating event before the Olympics, kicks off in Nagoya, Japan this Thursday. This competition marks the final gathering of the world’s top skaters before the Winter Games in northern Italy.
During the regular season of the Grand Prix of Figure Skating, held in October and November across the globe, skaters can participate in up to two out of the six events. Points earned from these competitions determine the six qualifiers in each discipline (men’s, women’s, pairs, and ice dance) for the Final. The Final brings together the best skaters, providing insight into potential medal contenders at the upcoming Olympics.
Canada secured two entries for the Grand Prix Final, with no Canadian singles skaters making it to the event. However, strong contenders in partner events include Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, ranked fourth in ice dance, and Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps, ranked fifth in pairs.
The pairs to watch for the gold at the Final are Japan’s Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, who have been dominant in recent competitions. Gilles and Poirier, aged 34 and looking at potentially their last season together, have shown consistency with podium finishes in various championships.
In ice dance, the U.S. duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates are the team to beat, having claimed multiple world titles and Grand Prix Final victories. Another noteworthy Canadian team is Laurence Fournier-Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, who have excelled this season after joining forces.
In the men’s event, American skater Ilia Malinin is a standout performer, maintaining an unbeaten streak for over two years. The 21-year-old athlete is anticipated to shine at the Grand Prix Final and has plans to attempt a challenging quad axel jump.
With strong contenders from Japan and the U.S., the women’s event is shaping up to be competitive, with skaters like Mone Chiba, Kaori Sakamoto, Amber Glenn, and Alysa Liu in the spotlight. The event will be live-streamed by CBC Sports, offering fans the opportunity to witness the thrilling competitions unfold.
For further insights and predictions on the top medal contenders, viewers can watch a video featuring analysis from CBC Sports experts Asher Hill and Kaetlyn Osmond.