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The Grand Prix Final, the most significant figure skating event leading up to the Olympics, commences on Thursday in Nagoya, Japan. This competition marks the final gathering of the world’s top skaters before the Winter Games in northern Italy.
Here are the key points to be aware of:
Elite Competition:
The Grand Prix of Figure Skating season includes six global events in October and November. Skaters can participate in up to two of these events, earning points based on their placements. These points determine the qualifiers for the Final, with only the top six in each discipline — men’s, women’s, pairs, and ice dance — receiving invitations.
Due to skaters having the liberty to select which Grand Prix events to enter, the matchups throughout the season can vary. However, with the best skaters competing in Japan this week, the Final is expected to offer insight into the top contenders for Olympic medals in February.
Canadian Representation:
Canadian solo skaters did not qualify for the Final for the sixth consecutive time. Stephen Gogolev finished 13th in the men’s standings, while Madeline Schizas was 21st in the women’s standings. Despite this, Canada has strong contenders in the partner events, with Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier seeded fourth in ice dance, and Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps ranked fifth in pairs.
Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps, who clinched bronze at the Final two years ago, had a notable performance at the 2024 world championships in Montreal. However, health issues and inconsistent results hindered their performance last season.
Notable Competitors:
The favorites for the pairs gold at the Grand Prix Final are Japan’s Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara. Gilles and Poirier, who have been consistent performers, are also strong contenders. The dance team to watch is the U.S. duo of Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who have been dominant in recent competitions.
Another noteworthy Canadian team is Laurence Fournier-Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, who have been impressive in ice dance this season.
Top Contender:
American skater Ilia Malinin is a standout in the men’s event, aiming for his third consecutive Grand Prix Final title. Malinin has been unbeaten for over two years and is expected to showcase his skills, including attempting a quad axel jump.
Women’s Event:
Japanese skaters, particularly Mone Chiba and Kaori Sakamoto, are anticipated to perform well at the event. However, the U.S. boasts strong competitors in Amber Glenn and Alysa Liu, the reigning world champion.
How to Watch:
CBC Sports will be live-streaming all performances at the Grand Prix Final, starting with junior events on Thursday at 1:30 a.m. ET. Senior competition kicks off with the pairs short program at 5 a.m. ET and runs through Saturday.