Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier are gearing up for what could potentially be their final competitive season on the ice, but they are approaching it with a focused mindset rather than viewing it as a farewell tour. Their primary objective as they kick off their season at Skate Canada International in Saskatoon is to secure a medal at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February.
Emphasizing the significance of this Olympic season, Poirier expressed their determination to stand on the podium in Milan without dwelling on the broader scope of their careers. With an impressive track record, having clinched medals in three consecutive world championships, including a bronze in 2023 and back-to-back silvers, the duo is considered strong contenders for gold in Milan.
Although Gilles and Poirier, who will both be 34 at the time of the Milan Games, are fully focused on their current pursuits, their long-time coach Carol Lane anticipates that this season may mark their final one together. The skaters are revisiting their acclaimed “Vincent” free dance program from the 2018-2019 season, aiming to infuse it with new elements and a fresh perspective as they prepare for the Olympic stage.
Reflecting on their Olympic journey thus far, Gilles and Poirier recall their eighth-place finish at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games as a proud moment for them as first-time Olympians. Their experience shifted in 2022 when they faced higher expectations after securing their first world championship medal but landed in seventh place in Beijing, attributing the outcome to excessive pressure and losing sight of their motivations.
Looking ahead, the duo is concentrating on the immediate challenge at Skate Canada International, where they aim to secure a sixth consecutive title. Taking each season as it comes since the 2022 Olympics, Gilles and Poirier are adopting a present-focused approach without getting caught up in distant possibilities.
In contrast, Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps are set to showcase their groundbreaking assisted backflip, a move that made history when they executed it in competition earlier this season. The duo, who claimed silver at the Grand Prix de France, will be competing in their second Grand Prix event, demonstrating their innovative and age-defying skills on the ice.
In the men’s event, Ilia Malinin, the reigning two-time world champion from the United States, leads a competitive field that includes Canadian talents like Roman Sadovsky and the resurgent Stephen Gogolev. Meanwhile, the women’s competition features rising star Ami Nakai of Japan, who will aim for another Grand Prix victory after an impressive debut and will face off against Canadian standout Madeline Schizas.
As the skating season unfolds, the stage is set for exhilarating performances and fierce competition among the world’s top figure skaters in pursuit of Olympic glory.
