Several Canadians in Medal Hunt at Figure Skating Grand Prix Event in Finland
Canadian figure skaters are currently in strong positions to reach the podium across all disciplines after impressive performances in the short programs on Friday at the 2025 Finlandia Trophy. This highly-anticipated event has showcased the talent and tenacity of Canadian athletes seeking to make a mark in the competitive world of figure skating.
In the ice dance category, Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier earned a commendable second place by scoring 79.56 points in their rhythm dance to the upbeat “Supermodel [You Better Work]” by RuPaul. The accomplished duo, two-time world ice dance silver medallists, trail only behind Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron of France, who lead with a narrow margin of 79.89 points. Notably, Fournier Beaudry previously represented Canada and is channeling her skills into her new partnership with Cizeron, the 2022 Olympic champion.
Switching to the men’s short program, Stephen Gogolev displayed remarkable skill, landing two quad jumps and a triple axel. With a total of 89.35 points, he sits second, aiming for a personal best this season. Furthermore, his performance surpassed Olympic and three-time world silver medallist Yuma Kagiyama, who currently sits in third place after a few minor errors.
Madeline Schizas, a powerhouse in Canadian figure skating, also showed promise, landing herself in third place in the women’s short program with a score of 65.16 points. Leading the category is Amber Glenn of the U.S. with 75.72 points, highlighting the competitive nature of this event.
As for the pairs, Canada’s Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud are just four points shy of the podium in a tight race. They recorded 70.13 points, indicating that every performance counts during this critical event.
The Finlandia Trophy serves as the final qualifier for the Grand Prix series and the upcoming Grand Prix Final, adding excitement and intensity to an already pivotal competition. With selections for the Milan-Cortina Olympics looming and the national championships on the horizon, this is indeed a thrilling time for Canadian figure skating fans.
