Angers, France

Banner WSTSSC Long

#FigureSkating  

Guignard Fabbri ITA GP France Day 1

 Italian pair Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri claimed victory in the Rhythm Dance on the opening day in Angers © ISU

Two-time ISU European bronze medalists Charlene Guignard/Marco Fabbri of Italy came out on top in the Rhythm Dance, just edging Canadians Laurence Fournier Beaudry/Nikolaj Soerensen by a little over a point. France’s Evgeniia Lopareva/Geoffrey Brissaud  are currently ranked third.

Dancing to the Samba pieces “This Is” and “Pantera en Libertad” plus the Rhumba “I'm Crying (Mother's Tears)”, the Italian Champions picked up a level four for the straight line lift while the partial step sequence and the twizzles were rated a level three. Guignard/Fabbri scored 83.52 points.

Guignard Fabbri ITA GP France Day 1 3Guignard/Fabbri (ITA) take a lead of just over a point into Saturday's Free Dance after scoring 83.52 © ISU

I think we showed some improvements compared to the first competition this season and we are happy about it,” Fabbri said. Each competition has different judges, different levels and some judges appreciate more what you do, but overall at the end of our performance we felt that almost all the elements were better than at Lombardia Trophy.

“I can’t tell you why we had a lower score, we felt good on the ice. Honestly, I was expecting a bit more, but seen from the outside it was much better than one and a half month ago,” he continued.  

Fournier Beaudry Soerensen CAN GP France Day 1 Laurence Fournier Beaudry/Nikolaj Soerensen (CAN) danced to Gloria Estefan to claim second place © ISU

Fournier Beaudry/Soerensen’s dance to “Con Los Anos Que Me Quedan”, “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You” and “Conga” by Gloria Estefan included a level four stationary lift and level four twizzles, while the pattern dance step sequence was called a level two by the Technical Panel. The two-time ISU Grand Prix bronze medalists posted a personal best of 82.38 points. 

“We are very happy how we skated today in our first Grand Prix of the season, it was exciting,” Fournier Beaudy shared. “I think that we gave our best. We improved since our last competition in Finland and we are planning to improve from there. Tomorrow is another great day to perform for the audience.”

Lopareva Brissaud FRA GP France Day 1 Evgeniia Lopareva/Geoffrey Brissaud (FRA) delighted the home fans with a third place finish © ISU

 Lopareva/Brissaud put out a strong performance to the Rhumba “Paxi Ni Ngongo” and SambaMagalenha" that included a level-four lift and level-three twizzles. The French team netted 73.17 points.

“We are happy to perform in France for our first Grand Prix of the season. We skated pretty well, there were some tiny mistakes,” Brissaud told the press. “We want to show our progress. Last year it was more about technique, while this year it is more about the connection, more romantic and fluid,” he added. 

Demougeot le Mercier FRA GP France Day 1 Loicia Demougeot/Theo Le Mercier (FRA) secured a Rhythm Dance personal best on home ice © ISU

 Loicia Demougeot/Theo Le Mercier (FRA) finished fourth with another upbeat Latin dance with a personal best of 70.76 points. Eva Pate/Logan Bye (USA) are just behind the French in fifth place (69.46 points) followed by 2020 ISU World Junior silver medalists Maria Kazakova/Georgy Reviya (GEO) on 68.84 points.

 The Grand Prix de France in Angers (FRA) November 4-6 is the third of six events in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating.

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

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 a s 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.