Malinin Leads U.S. Into Grand Prix de France
Troy Schwindt
This weekend, October 17-19, the spotlight shines on Angers, France, as world champion Ilia Malinin spearheads the U.S. team at the highly anticipated 2025 Grand Prix de France, kicking off the thrilling ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating season. Malinin, a two-time Grand Prix Final champion, arrives with an impressive track record, having gone undefeated since the 2023 Grand Prix de France.
The Americans are bringing a formidable squad to the Grand Prix, featuring two women, three men, two pairs, and two ice dance teams. Notably, Malinin will compete with the reigning U.S. silver medalist Andrew Torgashev and the pewter medalist Maxim Naumov. Torgashev, who won his first Grand Prix medal last season, kicked off this year with a strong silver medal performance at the Nebelhorn Trophy.
In the women’s event, Isabeau Levito and Elyce Lin-Gracey will represent the U.S. Levito, returning from injury, impressed with her fourth-place finish at the 2025 World Championships, while Lin-Gracey, the reigning World Junior bronze medalist, gears up for her second Grand Prix season.
U.S. pairs duo Katie McBeath and Daniil Parkman and Audrey Shin and Balazs Nagy will also take to the ice. McBeath and Parkman, silver medalists at the last U.S. Championships, are looking to build on their recent podium finishes, while Shin and Nagy aim to strengthen their partnership.
On the ice dance front, Emily Bratti and Ian Somerville, along with Eva Pate and Logan Bye, are set to showcase their routines. Bratti and Somerville are seasoned competitors, striving to improve upon last year’s bronze medal at Grand Prix de France, while Pate and Bye, after clinching the Lombardia Trophy this fall, enter with high hopes.
The festivities commence Thursday, featuring the women’s and pairs short programs. The action continues Saturday with the rhythm dance and women’s free skate, culminating in the free dance and men’s free skate on Sunday. Don’t miss the recap on NBC Sports and live coverage through Peacock, ensuring skating fans won’t miss a moment of this exciting season!
