The last time a Frenchman won the Grand Prix in France, Jacques Chirac was still the French president. It was 2006 when Brian Joubert won Trophee Eric Bompard, and three name changes later, the possibility of another French skater win the men’s event is the highest it’s been since. This week at 2022 Grand Prix de France, Adam Siao Him Fa has a good look at that title, with a couple of Japanese men hot on his heels.
2022 Grand Prix de France predictions
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GOLD Adam Siao Him Fa FRA - Already with two wins this season, Siao comes in with a new coaching setup and looking at a lot of potential for this next Olympic cycle. He has been finding his way and his voice over the past few years, and this one could be his best yet - and it might start with his first Grand Prix title (and his first Grand Prix medal of any kind).
SILVER Sota Yamamoto JPN - A win at Chubu Regionals came with not only a few clean quads but also an upgrade - he tried a quad flip in the free skate, a new element he’s experimenting with this year. It’s been a long road back from injury for Yamamoto, and it’s been filled with inconsistency. France this week will be a test of whether that skate at Regionals was a fluke.
BRONZE Kazuki Tomono JPN - Fourth at Nebelhorn, Tomono has been on shuffling between great performances and subpar ones. His biggest issues often come from doubling his quads, which just blows up his base value and tanks his scores. At his best, he could win this whole thing, but it may be too early in the season for him to be totally clean.
4. Sihyeong Lee KOR - Lee took silver at Nebelhorn Trophy to start the season, and he’s hoping that he can find some of the form that he had earlier last season. He has been the second in command among the Korean men, and he’s gotten steadily stronger the past few years. He makes his Grand Prix debut this week.
5. Sena Miyake JPN - Eighth at Skate America two weeks ago, Miyake has shown some signs of brilliance, and he’s also brought his own flair to his skating and his programs. He’s got an outside shot at a medal this week if he can put together some consistent programs here.
6. Lukas Britschgi SUI - In his second Grand Prix in as many weeks, Britschgi brings a sixth-place finish from Skate Canada into GP France. He’s been having a banner season so far, including a silver at Budapest Trophy with some of the best skating of his career.
7. Ivan Shmuratko UKR - After an emotional World Championships, Shmuratko has started his season with some of the best skating in his career. With his home base still in the middle of war, he’s relocated to Germany to train, and he makes his Grand Prix debut in France this week.
8. Wesley Chiu CAN - The Canadian bronze medalist just came off a sixth-place at Skate America, where he skated a very strong free skate and showed off some solid all-around skating. He could be in the top half again this week.
9. Mihhail Selevko EST - His 11th-place at Skate America was nowhere near what he is capable of. He really has the opportunity to make a splash if he can put it together.
10. Nika Egadze GEO - Egadze comes to France with a win at Denis Ten Memorial. He has been up and down during his career, and could really end up in a big range of results.
11. Luc Economides FRA - Second at Trophee Metropole Nice to Siao, Economides has made some progress over the past few seasons nationally, most recently taking bronze at French Nationals last season.
12. Landry Le May FRA - Le May is making his Grand Prix debut after a second place finish at French Masters.