Canadian ice dancers Gilles, Poirier question judging after falling shy of medal at Grand Prix Final
Piper Gilles couldn’t hide her disappointment as the scores flashed on the screen at the Grand Prix Final in Nagoya, Japan. Partnering with Paul Poirier, they executed what was arguably their cleanest free dance of the season. Notably, this level of performance previously secured the duo’s presence on the world podium for three years running. Despite their electric showing, the judges rendered their verdicts differently, leaving the talented Canadians just shy of a medal.
“It definitely is disheartening. We can’t lie, we’re human,” Gilles expressed. “We skated two successful programs, and emotionally and physically, we felt so powerful, only to be left questioning what we’re doing—if it’s enough?” Their finish put them fourth, narrowly trailing Britain’s Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson by a mere 0.06 points.
Terms like “frustration” filled the air, as Gilles was joined by fans and pundits alike who argued their skating quality and creativity were superior. “You can see that the speed is just not as comparable,” commented Kaetlyn Osmond, a former Canadian skater, after the performance.
Gilles took to social media to voice her concerns in a candid and powerful manner, tagging the International Skating Union (ISU) as she sought to bring light to perceived inconsistencies in scoring. Even light-hearted comments, such as her dog’s account weighing in, illustrated the widespread disappointment with judging practices.
Gilles and Poirier, heralded as Canada’s prime ice dancing candidates for the Milan Cortina Games, endure mounting pressure as skate season nears its halfway point. With such aspirations, Gilles feels the weight of advocating for fairness within the sport—a daunting task all too familiar among figure skaters. “If no one does it, nothing will change,” she remarked.
Poirier also stressed the need for clarity and consistency in judging, presenting an uphill battle for athletes aiming for Olympic success. “The benchmark is always moving, making it very difficult to determine areas for improvement,” he noted.
As the season progresses, Gilles and Poirier remain focused, now mapping out a clear strategy with their coaches and Skate Canada. Their goal? To hone in on their performances and prepare for competition at the Olympic Games. “We have a vision of who we are as skaters,” Poirier affirmed, full of determination.
