ISU World Ice Dance silver medalists Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier (CAN) danced off with their fifth Skate Canada International title as the competition at the second ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event concluded Sunday in Halifax (CAN). The Ice Dancers did not disappoint and ended the event on a high note with their dazzling performances.

Hot favorites Gilles/Poirier of Canada tangoed to their fifth Skate Canada crown in style. To the delight of the home crowd, Marjorie Lajoie/Zachary Lagha made it a 1-2 for Canada at the Scotiabank Center. Evgeniia Lopareva/Geoffrey Brissaud of France claimed their fourth ISU Grand Prix bronze medal.

Gilles/Poirier turned in a beautiful dance to “Tango on a G-String” and “A Whiter Shade of Pale” that went by too fast. The dance was packed with intricate footwork, spins and lifts and the 2024 ISU World silver medalists collected the highest degree of difficulty for four elements. The Canadians earned 128.40 points for a total of 214.84 points. 

Gilles/Poirier (CAN) - ISU Grand Prix Skate Canada 2024 Halifax - ©International Skating Union (ISU)

“We’re just really pleased with how this week has gone. We really trusted our training every step of the way. We didn’t get ahead of ourselves. And we’re able to perform to really comfortable, solid programs that we feel set us up well for the rest of the season,” Poirier said. “We felt so comfortable out on the ice and really allow each moment to come to us. That’s just a feeling that we want to remember as we go into our competitions for the rest of the season.”

Lajoie/Lagha’s powerful performance to “Sound of Silence” was highlighted by difficult steps and innovative lifts that were rated a level three and four. The ISU Grand Prix Finalists collected 122.56 points and accumulated 199.90 points overall. 

“It (the silver medal) means a lot,” Lajoie said. “We’re very happy with today. Yesterday wasn’t exactly what we wanted to do but to come back like we did today and to finish second, we are very pleased and happy.”

Lajoie/Lagha (CAN) - ISU Grand Prix Skate Canada 2024 Halifax - ©International Skating Union (ISU)

Lopareva/Brissaud went into a totally different direction with their interesting techno routine. The French couple earned a level four for the twizzles, lifts and their spin to score 117.49 points. Overall, Lopareva/Brissaud netted 194.25 points to take their fourth bronze medal on the ISU Grand Prix circuit. 

“We are happy to get this medal because the season started well for us,” Brissaud said. 

 “We really liked how we felt in this competition,” Lopareva added. “We were confident, well placed on the ice and we’ll try to keep this feeling for our second Grand Prix next week.”

Lopareva/Brissaud (FRA) - ISU Grand Prix Skate Canada 2024 Halifax - ©International Skating Union (ISU)

Natalie Taschlerova/Filip Taschler (CZE) moved up one spot to fourth with another beautiful performance to “Porcelain” and “In this World” (189.60 points). Emilea Zingas/Vadym Kolesnik (USA) finished fifth at 189.41 points ahead of Oona Brown/Gage Brown (USA) on 179.14 points.

Gilles/Poirier pocketed 15 points for the ISU Grand Prix standings for their victory and want to book their spot in the ISU Grand Prix Final at the Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki (FIN). Lajoie/Lagha (13 points) are headed next to the Cup of China in Chongqing, while Lopareva/Brissaud (11 points) will take the ice again as soon as next week at their home event Grand Prix de France in Angers. 

For full entries, schedules & results, see the ISU Grand Prix Event Page & ISU GP Skate Canada Event Page & Official Skate Canada Event Website. 

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 Skate Canada International is as follows

Friday, Oct 25: Pairs & Women’s Short Programs

Saturday, Oct 26: Rhythm Dance, Men’s Short Program, Pairs & Women’s Free Skating

Sunday, Oct 27: Men’s Free Skating & Free Dance

Follow the ISU Grand Prix events:

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

1. 25 - 27 Oct 2024                       Skate Canada International in Halifax (CAN)
2. 01 - 03 Nov 2024                      Grand Prix de France in Angers (FRA)
3. 08 - 10 Nov 2024                      NHK Trophy in Tokyo (JPN)
4. 15- 17 Nov 2024                       Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki (FIN)  
5. 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)