The road to the upcoming Winter Olympics kicks off this Friday with the commencement of the 2025-26 Grand Prix of Figure Skating series in Angers, France. The figure skating season is divided into two parts, with the Grand Prix tour being the foundation of the first part before the national and world championships take place in January.
Over the next few weeks until late November, six competitions will be held across various countries, starting with the Grand Prix of France, followed by events in China, Canada, Japan, the United States, and Finland. Skaters can participate in two of these events, accumulating points based on their performance. The top six in each discipline – men’s, women’s, pairs, and ice dance – will earn invitations to the prestigious Grand Prix Final in Japan in early December, offering a glimpse of the top contenders for the Winter Olympics in northern Italy.
Canada aims to reclaim its position on the Olympic podium after being shut out in 2022. The country’s best medal prospects lie in the partner events at the upcoming Winter Olympics. Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps, the 2024 world champions, are set to lead Canada’s pairs competition, while Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, four-time world medallists, will headline the ice dance teams.
The national championships in early January will determine the Canadian representatives in the women’s and men’s events. Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps, who clinched Canada’s first world title in two decades in 2024, faced setbacks last season due to health issues and inconsistent performances. Despite their challenges, they remain strong contenders for the upcoming competitions.
In addition to Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps, Gilles and Poirier, the leading Canadian ice dancers, have shown consistency at world championships. Their achievements and resilience make them noteworthy competitors in the upcoming season. Other Canadian contenders to watch include Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha, Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud, and Laurence Fournier Beaudry, who now represents France.
The Grand Prix of France will feature competitive matchups, including the pairs event with Japan’s Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, and the ice dance competition with Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac. Notable skaters like Ilia Malinin, Adam Siao Him Fa, Kaori Sakamoto, and Alysa Liu are expected to showcase their skills in the men’s and women’s events.
CBC Sports will provide live coverage of the Grand Prix of France, starting with the women’s short program on Friday at noon ET, followed by the pairs short program. Viewers can catch the action and follow the results through the streaming schedule and list of entries on the official ISU website.