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Miura Kihara JPN Missisauga Oct22 Pairs Short 1437387673

Gilles/Poirier (CAN) retained their Skate Canada International title with an emotional Free Skate to songs from "Evita". © ISU

2021 ISU World bronze medalists Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier of Canada danced off with their third Skate Canada International gold medal. Great Britain’s Lilah Fear/Lewis Gibson collected the silver while Canadians Marjorie Lajoie/Zachary Lagha moved up one spot to take the bronze medal.

Gilles/Poirier turned in an emotional performance to songs from “Evita” that was highlighted by excellent twizzles and lifts. The Canadian Champions collected a level four for the lifts, twizzles and dance spin while the one-foot step sequence and midline step sequence were rated a level two and three. Gilles/Poirier scored 128.47 points for their Free Dance for a winning total of 215.70 points.

“We had an absolute blast performing our free dance for the first time,” Gilles told the press.

“I think we knew the moment when we started choreographing this program that it was going to be something special and it absolutely tells this beautiful story of this icon and her guidance with Che,” she continued.

“We've had the opportunity to compete for so many years, and I think in a lot of ways, it's not something we take for granted,” Poirier added.

“Each season and each moment is special and it creates a particular memory. I think, especially for us, we returned this season after the last Olympic cycle, really putting ourselves as people first and our joy of skating forward. That mindset was really critical in just creating the moment that we were able to have today between the two of us and between us and the audience as well."

Fear Gibson GBR Mississauga Oct22 Free 1437572832

Inspired by Lady Gaga, Fear/Gibson (GBR) won their first ISU Grand Prix silver medal to add to their two bronzes. © ISU

Fear/Gibson got the crowd going with their dynamic performance to “Born This Way” and “Million Reasons” by Lady Gaga. The 2022 Nebelhorn Trophy Champions posted a personal best score of 125.38 points which added up to 209.18 points overall. Following two bronze medal in the ISU Grand Prix series, this is their first silver.

“We both had so much fun performing today,” Gibson said. “It's always such a gift to get to skate to Lady Gaga as a free dance and it's super empowering music.”

Fear added: “For us this season, we are really motivated by the message of ‘Born This Way’, which I think speaks for itself and also by Lady Gaga as an artist, because we got to watch her live and she is so confident, she knows who she is and she's so inclusive to everyone that was there to see her. 

“For us, that really resonated and inspired us and it's a message that we really want to get across in our skating and in our performance.”

Lajoie Lagha CAN Mississauga Oct22 Free 1437572213

Lajoie/Lagha (CAN) climbed from fourth place after the Rhythm Dance to third to win their first ISU Grand Prix medal © ISU

Lajoie/Lagha had chosen a balletic program with “Nureyev” and turned in a smooth performance that included five level-four elements. The 2019 ISU World Junior Champions netted 119.55 points for a total score of 195.49 to win their first ISU Grand Prix medal at the senior level.

“It was really fun, and I'm very proud that we were able to deliver a great performance today in front of our home crowd. It felt amazing to do that. This is our first Grand Prix medal and we are so proud,” Lajoie commented.

Caroline Green/Michael Parsons (USA) slipped to fourth place with their dance to “Rhapsody In Blue” on 194.19 points. 2022 Skate America bronze medalists Marie-Jade Lauriault/Romain Le Gac (CAN) finished fifth with their entertaining “Pink Panther” program on 189.07 points, ahead of Emily Bratti/Ian Somerville in sixth (179.14 points).

Gilles/Poirier collected 15 points and their next event is the Grand Prix in Finland. Fear/Gibson have 13 points and will compete at their home Grand Prix in Sheffield, together with Lajoie/Lagha (11 points).

Skate Canada International in Mississauga (CAN) October 28-30 is the second of six events in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series.

More than 150 Skaters/Couples representing 29 ISU Members have been invited to the Series. The maximum number of entries for each event is 12 Ladies, 12 Men, 8 Pairs and 10 Ice Dance couples.

The General Announcement of the 2022/23 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series is available here. The individual announcements are published under the respective events. Full entry lists and further information are available on the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series page.

Selection Criteria

The Skaters are seeded and invited to the six Grand Prix of Figure Skating events based on the results of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2022. Skaters/Couples who have placed 1 to 6 in each of the four categories are seeded and assigned to two events. Skaters/Couples who have placed 7-12 at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships are selected for two ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events, and Skaters with a top 24 Seasonal Best Scores (from the 2021/22 season) as well as those placed in the top 24 of the ISU World Standings can also be invited. If available, medalists from the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships can also be selected.

In order for a Skater/Couple to be eligible to compete at an ISU Grand Prix event, a minimum total score must have been achieved in the 2021/22 or current 2022/23 season in an ISU event (Grand Prix, Junior Grand Prix, Championships) or a Challenger Series event. Exceptions apply to host country Skaters, previously ranked Skaters or split ranked Couples who return with new partners. The minimum total score is 3/5 of highest score per discipline at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2022 and are as follows: Women: 141.65, Men: 187.49, Pairs: 132.65, Ice Dance: 137.89.

Following the IOC recommendation and in order to protect the integrity of ice skating competitions and for the safety of all the participants of international ice skating competitions, the ISU Council based on Article 17.1.q)i) of the ISU Constitution, agreed that with immediate effect and until further notice, no Skaters belonging to the ISU Members in Russia (Russian Skating Union and the Figure Skating Federation of Russia) and Belarus (Skating Union of Belarus) shall be invited or allowed to participate in International ice skating competitions including ISU Championships and other ISU Events. The same applies to Officials listed in the respective ISU Communications and/or Regulations under Russia and Belarus (see ISU Communication 2469).

Grand Prix Standings

Men                  Women             Ice Dance         Pair Skating

Where to Watch

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events will be live streamed on the official ISU YouTube Channel in most countries. Find out where to watch the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating competitions.

Subscribe to the ISU YouTube Channel to receive all the latest videos and follow the conversation with #GPFigure.

ISU Grand Prix Schedule

The schedules of each ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events are available below:

21 - 23 Oct, 2022          Skate America, Norwood (USA)

28 - 30 Oct, 2022          Skate Canada International, Mississauga (CAN)

04 - 06 Nov, 2022         Grand Prix de France, Angers (FRA)

11 - 13 Nov, 2022          MK John Wilson Trophy, Sheffield (GBR)

18 - 20 Nov, 2022          NHK Trophy, Sapporo (JPN)

25 - 27 Nov, 2022          Grand Prix Espoo, Espoo (FIN)

08 - 11 Dec, 2022          Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, Torino (ITA)

 

About ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 (previously known as the ISU Champions Series) and consists of six invitational international senior events and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The top six of the past World Championships are seeded. Competitors collect points in their Grand Prix events towards the qualification for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Only the top six Skaters / Couples in each discipline can qualify for the Final.