Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier overcome shaky free dance to notch sixth consecutive Skate Canada gold
In an exhilarating display of tenacity and skill, Canadian ice dance duo Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier have made history by becoming the first team to secure six consecutive titles at the Skate Canada International. On Sunday, November 2, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the pair managed to keep their winning streak alive, despite a challenging performance in the free dance segment.
The four-time world medallists faced a series of errors during their routine but demonstrated remarkable composure, ultimately finishing with a total score of 202.89 points. They edged out the silver medallists, Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius, who scored 200.92. This latest victory marks an impressive milestone for Gilles and Poirier, whose victory streak dates back to 2019.
Competing in front of a home crowd, Gilles and Poirier displayed an emotional connection in their performance, although the routine was marred by a critical moment during their curved lift. Unfortunately, Gilles struggled to properly place her blades on Poirier’s bent upper thigh, resulting in a loss of nearly four points in total. However, the duo’s experience and flair shone through, securing their top spot on the podium.
In a strong showing, Canadian teammates Marjorie LaJoie and Zachary Lagha climbed from fourth to seize the bronze medal, posting a score of 192.41 points. This adds to the excitement of an already thrilling competition, with Gilles and Poirier’s record-breaking achievements underscoring the rich legacy of ice dance in Canada.
Looking back at their journey, previous champions like Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz claimed five titles here between 1994 and 1998, while the legendary Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir dominate the history books with seven victories from 2007 to 2017. This win is Gilles and Poirier’s eighth Grand Prix title overall, further cementing their reputation as a leading force in professional figure skating.
As interest in the sport continues to grow, fans across the globe eagerly anticipate what the future holds for these artistic athletes. More updates on their next performances will follow, adding to the unfolding narrative of the ever-evolving world of figure skating.
