Reigning pairs world champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps will lead Canada’s contingent into next week’s ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.
Stellato-Dudek, who is from Chicago but representing Canada, and Deschamps, from Vaudreuil-Dorion, Que., enter the event scheduled for Dec. 5-8 in Grenoble, France, as the top-ranked pairs team.
The duo posted wins at both their appearances on the circuit this season, topping the podium at Skate Canada International and the Finlandia Cup.
Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps took the bronze medal at last year’s Grand Prix final.
WATCH | Stellato-Dudek, Deschamps earn Finlandia Cup gold:
Deanna Stellato-Dudek and pairs partner Maxime Deschamps skated to a winning score of 207.44 to win the Finlandia Trophy pairs title in Helsinki Sunday.
Ice dancers Piper Gilles of Toronto and Paul Poirier of Unionville, Ont., return to the final after placing third in 2023 and will be joined by Marjorie Lajoie of Boucherville, Que., and Zachary Lagha of St-Hubert, Que.
Gilles and Poirier won gold at Skate Canada and silver at Finlandia, while Lajoie and Lagha won silver at Skate Canada and silver at the Cup of China.
In junior competition, Jazmine Desrochers of Mississauga, Ont., and Kieran Thrasher of Amherstburg, Ont., will compete in ice dance while Julia Quattrochi of Laval, Que., and Simon Desmarais of Carignan, Que., skate in pairs.
WATCH | Gilles, Poirier claim ice dance silver in Helsinki:
Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Canada skated to a final score of 200.79 Sunday at the Finlandia Trophy good enough for a silver medal.