The road to the upcoming Winter Olympics kicks off with the start of the 2025-26 Grand Prix of Figure Skating series in Angers, France. This series is a crucial part of the figure skating season, divided into two segments: the Grand Prix tour and the national and world championships. Over the next few weeks, six meets will take place in various countries worldwide, including the upcoming events in China, Canada, Japan, the United States, and Finland.
Skaters can participate in two of these events, earning points based on their performances. The top six skaters in each discipline – men’s, women’s, pairs, and ice dance – will be invited to the Grand Prix Final in Japan in early December. This event serves as a preview of the top contenders for the Winter Olympics in northern Italy.
Canada’s figure skaters aim to return to the Olympic podium after being shut out in 2022. Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps are expected to lead Canada’s pairs competition, while Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier are key contenders in ice dance. The Olympic spots for women’s and men’s events will be determined after the national championships in January.
Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps have shown promise in previous seasons, winning Grand Prix assignments and capturing a world title. However, health issues and inconsistent performances have posed challenges. Gilles and Poirier, consistent performers at world championships, aim to continue their success after winning Grand Prix events and Four Continents championships.
The Grand Prix of France will feature top international skaters, including Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara in the pairs event and Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac in ice dance. American star Ilia Malinin headlines the men’s competition, while Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto leads the women’s event.
CBC Sports will provide live coverage of the Grand Prix of France, starting with the women’s short program on Friday at noon ET. Viewers can access the full streaming schedule and list of entries and results online.