The journey towards the upcoming Winter Olympics kicks off this Friday with the commencement of the 2025-26 Grand Prix of Figure Skating series in Angers, France. The figure skating season is divided into two parts, with the Grand Prix tour being the foundation of the initial phase, while national and world championships take center stage in the latter part starting in January.
Over the next weeks until late November, six competitions will be hosted in various countries worldwide. Following the Grand Prix of France, the series will move on to Cup of China, Skate Canada International in Saskatoon, and then to Japan, the United States, and Finland. Skaters can participate in two events, accumulating points based on their performances. The top six in each discipline – men’s, women’s, pairs, and ice dance – will earn a spot in the prestigious Grand Prix Final in Japan in early December, offering a glimpse of potential Winter Olympics medal contenders in northern Italy two months later.
Canada’s focus this season is to reclaim a spot on the Olympic podium after being shut out in 2022. In Milan in February, the country’s best chances lie in the partner events. 2024 world champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps are anticipated to lead Canada’s pairs competition, while Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, four-time worlds medallists, are expected to shine in ice dance.
The qualification for the Olympics in the women’s and men’s events will be determined after the national championships in early January in Gatineau, Quebec. Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps, who grabbed Canada’s first world title in Montreal, have faced challenges in the previous season due to health issues and inconsistent performances, raising concerns about their age impact on their performance.
Gilles and Poirier, known for their consistency at world championships, have been successful in their career despite facing setbacks. Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha, as well as Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud, have also made notable achievements in the figure skating circuit. The Grand Prix of France will provide an early indication of the competitors’ form, featuring top skaters from various countries in different disciplines.
The men’s event will showcase American star Ilia Malinin, while the women’s competition will include Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto. CBC Sports will commence live coverage of the Grand Prix of France on Friday, starting with the women’s short program followed by the pairs short. Viewers can catch the action on CBC Sports and access the full streaming schedule for the event.
