Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri (ITA) in the Ice Dance Free Dance at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in France, Angers © ISU
ISU World silver medalists Charlene Guignard/Marco Fabbri claimed their third ISU Grand Prix at the Grand Prix de France in Angers (FRA) Saturday. The Grand Prix de France is the third of six events in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series . The World’s top skaters competed in the series hoping to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2023/24 in Beijing (CHN) on December 7-10.
Guignard/Fabbri (ITA) shine bright once more
ISU World silver medalists Charlène Guignard/Marco Fabbri of Italy shone again and danced to a confident victory. Canadians Laurence Fournier Beaudry/Nikolaj Soerensen took the silver and the bronze went to Evgeniia Lopareva/Geoffrey Brissaud of France. It was exact the same podium at the Grand Prix de France a year ago.
Guignard/Fabbri put out a mesmerizing performance of their dance to “The Theory of Everything”, executing effortlessly intricate footwork and difficult lifts.
The European Champions collected a level four for the twizzles, the lifts and the spins, while the step sequences were rated a level three. The Italian Champions set a seasons best of 127.92 points and totaled 214.54 points.
“It is great (to win in France again) and most of all we feel very happy about our performances because we felt that we improved a lot of things compared to our last competition,” Fabbri shared.
“We felt from the first practice really at ease on the ice.”
He elaborated on the choice of music from the soundtrack “The Theory of Everything”.
“This year we wanted to go back to something more natural for us, something that could allow us to express more our true feelings on the ice. The story we portray on the ice, is “The Theory of Everything” (from the movie), so it's basically the connection between two people.”
Fournier Beaudry/Soerensen’s dramatic dance to “Notre Dame de Paris” was highlighted by beautiful lifts and a level-four dance spin.
Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Nikolaj Soerensen (CAN) in the Ice Dance Free Dance at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in France, Angers © ISU
The couple achieved a season’s best with 124.17 points which added up to 205.15 points overall.
“We are just so happy again to be able to perform this free dance in front of an amazing crowd,” Soerensen said.
“It's a program that really showcases our strengths and we just enjoyed so much. It was really a joy to be able to catch the moment and build on that momentum that this free dance gives us emotionally.”
Evgeniia Lopareva/Geoffrey Brissaud’s intense program to music by Sergei Rachmaninov featured level-four lifts and twizzles.
Evgeniia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud (FRA) in the Free Dance at the ISU Grand Prix in France, Angers © ISU
The French Champions earned 113.87 points for a total score of 190.82. They took home their second consecutive Grand Prix bronze medal this season and their third Grand Prix bronze of their career.
“We are super happy to skate today and we work a lot on the connection, so today it was a good performance. Skating in France is always something special for us and we continue to improve this free dance,” Brissaud said.
Christina Carreira/Anthony Ponomarenko (USA) remained in fourth place with another strong performance to the music from “Perfume – The Story of a Murderer” (186.70 points) while Marie-Jade Lauriault/Romain Le Gac (CAN) placed fifth with their dance “Corpse Bride” on 182.61 points. 2023 ISU World Junior silver medalists Hannah Lim/Ye Quan (KOR) moved up from eighth to sixth place (173.85 points).
Guignard/Fabbri collected 15 points for the ISU Grand Prix standings and will compete again at NHK Trophy, the last event of the series. Fournier-Beaudry/Soerensen take their 13 points to the Grand Prix Espoo in Finland and want to qualify for their second consecutive Final there. Lopareva/Brissaud have 22 points from their two events which may not be enough to reach the Final.
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series consists of six events: Skate America, Skate Canada International, Grand Prix de France, Cup of China, the Grand Prix Espoo (FIN) and NHK Trophy (JPN). Skaters collect points to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2023/24 in Beijing (CHN).
ISU Grand Prix Standings
For full entry lists and further information regarding the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series please visit here.
All Media Accreditations details and deadlines for the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series can be found here.
Where to Watch
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events will be live streamed with English commentary on the official ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating YouTube Channel in most countries. Find out Where to watch the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating competitions.
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ISU Grand Prix Schedule
The schedules of each ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events are available below:
20 - 22 Oct, 2023 Skate America, Allen (Texas, USA)
27 – 29 Oct, 2023 Skate Canada International, Vancouver (CAN)
03 - 05 Nov, 2023 Grand Prix de France, Angers (FRA)
10 - 12 Nov, 2023 Grand Prix Cup of China, Chongqing (CHN)
17 - 19 Nov, 2023 Grand Prix Espoo, Espoo (FIN)
24 - 26 Nov, 2023 NHK Trophy, Osaka (JPN)
07 - 10 Dec, 2023 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, Beijing (CHN)
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