There are a lot of new generation dance teams competing at 2022 Skate Canada International this week, with their sights set on the veterans in the field, former World bronze medalists Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier. For Gilles/Poirier, this is the first step in their road to the World podium and a shot at the World title; for the new generation, this is a way for them to announce their intentions to get themselves in the conversation during this new Olympic quad.
2022 Skate Canada International predictions
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GOLD Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier CAN - This is the first time in a long time where they have not had an international season-opener before their first Grand Prix event. Gilles/Poirier come into this post-Olympic season after an Olympics that was below their expectations. With the international fields as they stand this year, their ambitions to stand atop the World podium have never been more present for them. This competition will set the tone.
SILVER Lilah Fear/Lewis Gibson GBR - They scored big at Nebelhorn Trophy last month. And though we know that early season events are notoriously up-and-down when it comes to score calibration, that is still a great sign for Fear/Gibson as they try to find another gear this season to become more competitive with the very top teams in the world. Their matchup against Gilles/Poirier—and in Canada—this week will say a lot about where they stand in the judges’ eyes.
BRONZE Marjorie Lajoie/Zachary Lagha CAN - Breaking 200 for the first time in their career at Budapest Trophy two weeks ago, Lajoie/Lagha are coming in on the heels of two early-season wins. They have never medaled on the Grand Prix, and this will be their best chance yet to do so.
4. Caroline Green/Michael Parsons USA - After a stunning finish to their last season, where they won gold at Four Continents, Green/Parsons made a coaching switch during the off-season and have been looking to get back some of that momentum. But as with all coaching changes, the first season and the first competitions are always tougher to figure out, and they were fifth at Finlandia to start their season.
5. Marie-Jade Lauriault/Romain le Gac CAN - They are already proving to have one of the more audience-pleasing vehicles with their Pink Panther free dance, and that propelled them to bronze last week at Skate America. This field is similar in depth, and a few levels here and there will make the difference.
6. Emily Bratti/Ian Somerville USA - Their debut season last year was very strong, with a fifth-place finish at US Nationals and then another fifth at Four Continents. And they have entered their second season hoping to get more traction. They were fourth at Lombardia Trophy a few weeks back.
7. Holly Harris/Jason Chan AUS - A very solid fifth at Skate America last week, Harris/Chan have had a lot of early-season competitions already. They will be looking at Skate Canada as another step toward even more progress on the world stage this season.
8. Misato Komatsubara/Tim Koleto JPN - Seventh at US Classic earlier this season, the four-time Japanese champions are looking to hit their stride a little better in their first Grand Prix of the season.
9. Molly Cesanek/Yehor Yehorov USA - Like Green/Parsons, Cesanek/Yehorov made a coaching change over the off-season. They were tenth at Nebelhorn Trophy last month.
10. Mariia Nosovitskaya/Mikhail Nosovitskiy ISR - It’s been a busy season for them already - sixth at Budapest Trophy two weeks ago, and eighth at US Classic to start their season.