Three weeks in, and with several skaters returning to their second assignments of the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix, we finally start to see potential qualifications – and one sure lock-in – for what is sure to be a fantastic Grand Prix Final in a few week. With some of the most exciting routines and storylines in play, Skate Canada was a fantastic third installment of the series.
Let’s see who shone and who we can look forward to returning later this season!
Men’s
The USA’s Ilia Malinin was the talk of the town once again, taking the gold with a total score of 333.81 points. After a strong showing in Angers two weeks ago, he posted a new world record with his free skate score of 228.97. Given Malinin’s undeniably dominant position in the field, this confirms his place in the Grand Prix Final.
76 points behind him came Aleksandr Selevko of Estonia with one of the best short programs of his career, and Japan’s Kao Miura took the bronze after his compatriot Kazuki Tomono’s errors in the free skate cost him dearly given his strong silver medal position after the short.
Women’s
Mone Chiba of Japan won her first every Grand Prix title when she took the gold with 217.23 points after a delightful short program which put her in the lead, and an enqually enchanting free skate. In silver, the USA’ Isabeau Levito medalled for the first time this GP series with 209.77 points, a stronger showing following her fourth place finish in Angers.
Chiba’s countrymate Ami Nakai added a solid bronze (203.09) to the gold she earned in France. Though her total score was 24 points less than her previous triumphant first place finish, it’s been a phenomenal start to the season to the young skater and it is now likely that Nakai will have a place in the Grand Prix Final.
Pairs
Hometown duo Deanna Stellato‑Dudek & Maxime Deschamps won gold (213.40), despite going into the free skate in second place. German pair Minerva Fabienne Hase & Nikita Volodin took silver with a total of 207.18. followed by the USA’s Ellie Kam & Danny O’Shea (199.11). Even with three GPs to go, it’s incredibly unlikely that Stellato‑Dudek / Deschamps’ won’t have a place in the Grand Prix Final.
Hase / Volodin’s strong short program was utterly delightful, and whilst Stellato‑Dudek / Deschamps remains strong favourites going into the GPF, if the German pair can strengthen their free skate further, they could be a true medal threat this Olympic season.
Ice Dance
Canadian legends Piper Gilles & Paul Poirier took gold with 202.89 points and an utterly magical free dance which saw the pair returning to their famous routine set to ‘Vincent’ by GOVARDO. Though a uncharacteristically shaky lift meant that their free skate was not as flawless as fans are used to, it was still enough for the pair to take gold on home ice.
Beloved Lithuanian pair Allison Reed & Saulius Ambrulevicius took silver (200.92) after winning the free skate and put themselves in a strong position for a place in the Grand Prix Final in the process, whilst Canadian pair Marjorie Lajoie & Zachary Lagha claimed bronze (192.41) in their first outing this Grand Prix season.
Overall
As we reach the halfway point of the season, excitement abounds for what this means for the Grand Prix Final and crucial run up to Milano-Cortina. Will Isabeau Levito manage to make it to the GPF or will she be one of the strongest alternates? Where does a clean Gilles / Poirer stand versus Chock / Bates, Fournier-Beaudry / Cizeron and Fear / Gibson? Can Stellato‑Dudek / Deschamps build themselves up over the rest of the season to challenge Miura / Kihara or Metelkina / Berulava for gold? And is the men’s Olympic medal podium really down to who is fighting for second and third?
All we can say is, bring on the second half of the Grand Prix series!