An essential series of competitions leading up to the upcoming Winter Olympics commences this Friday with the start of the 2025-26 Grand Prix of Figure Skating series in Angers, France.
For those unfamiliar, the figure skating season consists of two main parts. The first part, featuring the Grand Prix tour, spans from now until late November with six meets held in various countries worldwide. Following the Grand Prix of France, upcoming events include the Cup of China, Skate Canada International in Saskatoon, competitions in Japan, the United States, and Finland.
Skaters can participate in two of these events, accumulating points based on their placements. The top six competitors in each discipline – men’s, women’s, pairs, and ice dance – will then be invited to the prestigious Grand Prix Final in early December in Japan. This event serves as a preview of potential medal contenders for the Winter Olympics in northern Italy.
The primary objective for Canada’s figure skaters this season is to reclaim a spot on the Olympic podium after being shut out in 2022. Notably, Canadian pairs and ice dance teams are expected to be strong contenders for medals in Milan this February.
Among these teams are Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps, the 2024 world champions, who are anticipated to lead Canada’s pairs competition. Additionally, Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, four-time world medallists, are poised to showcase their skills in ice dance.
As the season progresses, the performances of these Canadian skaters will determine the national representatives for the Winter Olympics, following the national championships in early January.
Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps, in particular, have shown promise in recent seasons, with notable achievements in various competitions. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, their determination and skill have established them as strong contenders in the figure skating world.
The upcoming Grand Prix of France will provide an early indication of the form of top skaters, including Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps in the pairs event, and other notable competitors in ice dance and singles competitions.
Viewers can catch the action of the Grand Prix of France through CBC Sports’ live coverage, starting with the women’s short program on Friday at noon ET. The event promises thrilling performances and sets the stage for an exciting figure skating season leading up to the Winter Olympics.
By staying tuned to the Grand Prix series, fans can witness the journey of these talented athletes as they strive for excellence on the ice.
