The pairs field at Internationaux de France here is one with a lot of intrigue, because there isn’t one pair that is a clear favorite coming in. But the top four look to be two young Russian pairs and two established American pairs. So how will everyone stack up this week?
Internationaux de France predictions
Official hashtags: #IFP2019 #GPFigure
GOLD Anastasia Mishina/Aleksandr Galliamov RUS - They are the latest in a line of fantastic young pairs to come out of Russia. The World junior champions were undefeated last year on the international junior circuit, and they have already started off their first full senior season with a win at Finlandia Trophy, and they are very much in line for a shining debut on the Grand Prix this week.
SILVER Ashley Cain-Gribble/Timothy LeDuc USA - Skate America was supposed to be a real chance for the US champions to grab their second Grand Prix medal. Instead, they faltered in the free skate and finished off the podium in fifth. They were even only third best among the US pairs that were in that competition. But if there’s anything we know about them, it’s that they are resilient, and they will take every opportunity to prove people wrong. They have another great chance to medal this week.
BRONZE Daria Pavliuchenko/Denis Khodykin RUS - With a silver at Skate America, Pavliuchenko/Khodykin skated well but not spectacularly there. Even though they were technically strong, there was something about their free skate that didn’t really resonate with the audience or the judging panel. Without the component scores, it will be difficult for them to compete against the likes of Mishina/Galliamov and Cain-Gribble/LeDuc.
4. Haven Denney/Brandon Frazier USA - Their bronze at Skate America marked a resurgent start to their season, and they have really taken some great steps in their basics. Lion King was a showstopper for them a few years ago, and it has returned in an even better form to jumpstart this season for them. Another solid event for them this week will set them up well for US Nationals.
5. Minverva Fabienne Hase/Nolan Seegert GER - Fifth at Nebelhorn Trophy to start their season, the German champs have continued to show improvement since last season, where they were sixth at Europeans among some great pair teams.
6. Miriam Ziegler/Severin Kiefer AUT - It’s been an uneven start to their season, though from their 8th at Nebelhorn to their 4th at Finlandia, they are trending somewhat upward. Last season saw them gain the consistency that they had been missing in years past, and they will be looking to get that back again.
7. Camille Ruest/Andrew Wolfe CAN - Sixth at Skate America and seventh at US Classic, the Canadian bronze medalists have been on the comeback road after Ruest had surgery over the summer. But she are dealing with another injury in her hip that will make it tough for them to break into the top six.
8. Rebecca Ghilardi/Filippo Ambrosini ITA -