Canadian ice dance duo Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier are gearing up for what could potentially be their final competitive season, but they are not approaching it as a farewell campaign. Their primary focus as they kick off their season at Skate Canada International in Saskatoon is to aim for a podium finish at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Games in February.
Poirier emphasized their determination for Olympic success, stating, “This is an Olympic season, and this is an Olympics where we want to be on the podium.” The duo, entering their 15th season together, has established themselves as top contenders globally, having secured medals at the past three consecutive world championships.
While both skaters will be 34 at the Milan event, their coach Carol Lane foresees this season as their swan song. Lane expressed, “I’d be very surprised if they decided to carry on… This will be the end, yeah. This will be the last season.” As they revisit their acclaimed “Vincent” free dance program from the 2018-19 season, Gilles and Poirier are keen on delivering a fresh interpretation, titling it “Vincent Reimagined.”
Reflecting on their Olympic journey, the pair finished eighth at the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang before facing heightened expectations in 2022. Despite a seventh-place finish in Beijing, they have evolved both as athletes and individuals since then, focusing on their confidence and training to propel them forward.
Looking ahead at the current season, Gilles and Poirier are concentrating on the immediate task at Skate Canada International without dwelling too far into the future. Lane, on the other hand, is preparing herself for an emotional farewell, acknowledging the impact of their impending departure from the competitive scene.
In a separate development, Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps, after making history with an assisted backflip in competition, will be showcasing their skills at the upcoming Grand Prix event following their silver win at the Grand Prix de France. Additionally, the men’s and women’s events promise exciting competition with notable contenders such as Ilia Malinin, Roman Sadovsky, and Ami Nakai vying for top honors.