Canadian ice dancers Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier delivered an outstanding performance at Skate Canada International in Halifax, capturing their fifth consecutive gold medal with a season-opening score of 214.84. This victory solidifies their place among Canadian ice-dancing legends, tying them with former champions Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz. “It’s a boost to our confidence,” Gilles said, crediting their early preparations this season. Their flawless “tango-essence” routine, set to Annie Lennox’s “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” showcased their artistry and technical prowess.
Canada’s Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha took the silver with a score of 199.90, while France’s Evgenia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud claimed bronze at 194.25 points. Gilles expressed pride in contributing to Canada’s legacy in ice dance and encouraged the next generation to continue the tradition.
In the men’s category, U.S. champion Ilia Malinin dominated with a score of 301.82, capturing gold after a thrilling free program that included a backflip. Malinin’s win comes on the heels of his recent Skate America victory, showing his resilience through back-to-back competitions. “I’m satisfied with my performance,” Malinin shared, despite a minor slip in his quad loop.
The next Grand Prix event, the Grand Prix de France, will take place from Nov. 1-3, continuing the excitement in the figure skating season.
Source: Swifteradio.com
