Two-time ISU World medalists Charlène Guignard/Marco Fabbri (ITA) redeemed themselves and struck gold at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China as the Ice Dance competition concluded with a beautiful Free Dance event. The Italians danced into their fourth ISU Grand Prix Final. Cup of China is the sixth and last event of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series 2024/25 and provides the last chance for skaters to qualify. 

Charlene Guignard/Marco Fabbri (ITA) back on top 

Two-time ISU European Champions Charlène Guignard/Marco Fabbri of Italy sought redemption after their disappointment at the ISU Grand Prix de France and they got it. The couple celebrated their fourth ISU Grand Prix title and return to the ISU Grand Prix Final. There, they will meet Canadians Marjorie Lajoie/Zachary Lagha, who picked up the silver medal in Chongqing. Christina Carreira/Anthony Ponomarenko (USA) collected the bronze, their second medal on the ISU Grand Prix this season. 

Italy's Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri compete in the Ice Dance Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China 2024 in Chongqing © ISU

It was not an easy competition for Guignard/Fabbri, who still had nightmares about their performance at the ISU Grand Prix de France where the Free Dance did not go well. But two weeks of hard work paid off and the Italians returned with new costumes and a fresh mindset on to the competitive ice. They showed their technical class and performance skills in their unusual “robot” program, portraying robots that discover human feelings.

Guignard/Fabbri earned a level four for the lifts, dance spin and twizzles. The two-time ISU World medalists scored 124.29 points and accumulated 209.13 points overall to win. 

“It was not the best performance ever today but I am personally still very happy as I said I skated really bad in France,” Fabbri said. “I was a little bit nervous, I didn’t know how my body and mind react. We had only two weeks after France and I couldn’t switch my mind off. We still had some bigger and smaller mistakes but overall it was good for us in this moment.”

They are now looking ahead to the ISU Grand Prix Final. 

“We made a lot of adjustments to the Free Dance between France and here. Now we just keep working on being more solid in everything,” Fabbri said. “There was not enough time for the changes to become solid. We are not going to change a lot now but we’ll try to improve the speed a little, make everything a bit smoother and feel more confident especially for the Free Dance.”

Lajoie/Lagha (CAN) turn stress into season-best performance

Lajoie/Lagha impressed with an emotional performance to “Sound of Silence” that was highlighted by smooth steps and beautiful lifts. The elements were graded a level three and four except for her part of the diagonal footwork. The 2023 ISU Four Continents bronze medalists set a season-best 123.63 points for 205.16 points overall. This was their second ISU Grand Prix silver medal this season. 

“We're very happy,” Lagha said. “I think I speak for everybody when I say that it was very, very stressful. It's always very stressful and it's a big mental fight to go out there and to skate. I'm just so happy that we got through it.”

Canada's Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha compete in the Ice Dance Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China 2024 in Chongqing © ISU

Carreira/Ponomarenko (USA) keep third place

Carreira/Ponomarenko brought passion on to the ice with their dance to "Carmen". The 2024 ISU Four Continents bronze medalists produced difficult footwork and lifts to net 118.96 points. They were ranked fourth in the Free Dance but remained in third place at 198.18 points. 

“I think it was a very stressful day,” Ponomarenko agreed. “This event was very intimidating. There were a lot of amazing teams and people putting up really amazing scores and having amazing programs. 

“Going in, we wanted to do our best, but we wanted to stay consistent, be in that top three that we solidified in the short (Rhythm Dance). Overall, we did our job, but I feel like we have a lot more to give in this free. I feel like there's a lot more that we can improve and work on, and we have a lot of time to do that."

Olivia Smart/Tim Dieck (ESP) finished fourth but were third in the Free Dance (120.56 points) with a season-best performance of their intriguing dance to “Dune” (196.52 points). The Finlandia Trophy bronze medalists Juulia Turkkila/Matthias Versluis (FIN) turned in a sophisticated Tango routine and came in fifth on 192.57 points followed by 2022 ISU Four Continents Champions Caroline Green/Michael Parsons (USA) on 189.86 points. 

Spain's Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck compete in the Ice Dance Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China 2024 in Chongqing © ISU

Guignard/Fabbri are now headed to the ISU Grand Prix Final with 28 points from their two events. Lajoie/Lagha will join them in Grenoble after collecting 26 points from the ISU Grand Prix circuit.  

For full entries, schedules & results, see the ISU Grand Prix Event Page & ISU Grand Prix Cup of China Event Page .

Check out the ISU Grand Prix Standings to find out who is on their way to qualify for the Final:

Men     Women    Pair Skating    Ice Dance

What & When

The schedule of the Cup of China is as follows

Friday, Nov 22: Rhythm Dance, Women’s, Men’s & Pairs Short Programs
Saturday, Nov 23: Free Dance, Women’s, Men’s & Pairs Free Skating
Sunday, Nov 24: Exhibition Gala

Follow the ISU Grand Prix events:

The schedules of each ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event are available below:

1. 18 - 20 Oct 2024                      Skate America in Allen, TX (USA)
2. 25 - 27 Oct 2024                      Skate Canada International in Halifax (CAN)
3. 01 - 03 Nov 2024                     Grand Prix de France in Angers (FRA)
4. 08 - 10 Nov 2024                     NHK Trophy in Tokyo (JPN)
5. 15- 17 Nov 2024                         Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki (FIN)  
6. 22 - 24 Nov 2024                     Cup of China in Chongqing (CHN)

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final: 

1. 05 - 08 Dec 2024                      Grenoble (FRA)

About ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 (previously known a s the ISU Champions Series) and consists of six invitational international senior events and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The top six of the past World Championships are seeded. Competitors collect points in their events towards the qualification for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Only the top six Skaters / Couples in each discipline can qualify for the Final.