Canada’s Gilles, Poirier Lead After Rhythm Dance at Skate Canada International
In an electrifying atmosphere at Saskatoon, Canadian ice dance superstars Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier have set the stage ablaze as they take the lead after the rhythm dance portion of the Skate Canada International. The formidable duo, proud recipients of four world medals, amassed a striking score of 85.38 points, exhibiting skill and chemistry that left the audience in awe during their Grand Prix season opener on Saturday.
Gilles and Poirier reign supreme over a competitive field, edging past the Lithuanian pair of Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius, who delivered a commendable performance for a second-place score of 80.89, and the American duo of Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, who tied with them on points but fell short in tiebreak criteria. Close behind, fellow Canadians Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha secured fourth with a score of 75.95.
The stakes are high for Gilles and Poirier as they pursue a historic sixth consecutive Skate Canada title this season. The thrilling conclusion—the free dance program—is set to captivate audiences on Sunday at 1:40 p.m. ET, with live coverage streamed on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem.
After amassing mesmerizing performances over their 15-year partnership, Gilles and Poirier are recognized as elite contenders, not only for this week’s title but also as gold medal hopefuls for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Games in February. Their impressive track record includes a bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships and consecutive silver medals behind American rivals Madison Chock and Evan Bates.
Meanwhile, in the men’s competition, American world champion Ilia Malinin takes a commanding lead with a score of 104.84, showcasing his title as the “Quad God.” The excitement builds with Stephen Gogolev leading the Canadian contingent, standing in seventh after scoring 86.13.
This remarkable event also features a pairs competition set to thrill fans, starting with the free program at 7 p.m. ET, as Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps position themselves to challenge for medals. Keep your eyes peeled as the world’s finest figure skating talents vie for glory in Saskatoon.
