Of all the pairs events on the Grand Prix this season, this is the one with no clear favorite for the title. Looking at these eight teams, it’s likely that three pairs are vying for the title, and so these three pairs are probably going to be the favorites for the podium as well. Two of these pairs—Rebecca Ghilardi/Filippo Ambrosini and Anastasiia Metelkina/Daniil Parkamn—are vying for the final spot at the Grand Prix Final.
2022 Grand Prix Espoo predictions
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GOLD Rebecca Ghilardi/Filippo Ambrosini ITA - It was a good idea to replace their side-by-side sals with side-by-side double axels last week at Warsaw Cup. The side-by-sides have always been an issue for them, but their overall consistency is what will make or break for them this season, especially as they are looking over their shoulders at the other up-and-coming Italian pairs. They are still favored to grab that final spot at the Final.
SILVER Alisa Efimova/Ruben Blommaert GER - In their first international season together, Efimova/Blommaert started off very well, taking silver at both Finlandia and Nebelhorn at the start of the season. But Skate Canada was a disappointment after they had to withdraw due to injury. It’s been a month since, and we’ll see if they have been able to get back to where they were in early October. If they can, they could even make a run for the title.
BRONZE Anastasiia Metelkina/Daniil Parkman GEO - Fourth at MK John Wilson Trophy, Metelkina/Parkman have shown some solid skating already this season. But they have yet to rediscover the form that they had this time last year.
4. Anna Valesi/Manuel Piazza ITA - One of a number of Italian pairs competing this season, Valesi/Piazza were fifth at Skate America and will be looking to improve on those performances to set themselves up for a good showing at Italian Nationals next month.
5. Anastasiia Smirnova/Danylo Siianytsia USA - The US junior champs two years ago, Smirnova/Siianytsia had to withdraw last minute at Skate America a few weeks back. They were seventh in their sole competition of the season so far at Finlandia Trophy.
6. Daria Danilova/Michel Tsiba NED - They were sixth at NHK Trophy last week and will be looking to finish ahead of their teammates, which will be important for them as they look to make it back to the World Championships.
7. Nika Osipova/Dmitry Epstein NED - The other Dutch pair team here, Osipova/Epstein come in with a silver at Ice Challenge a couple weeks ago. They could put up a good challenge to Danilova/Tsiba here.
8. Greta Crafoord/John Crafoord SWE - Barely off Greta Crafoord’s surgery when they competed at Skate America earlier this season, they were eighth there with two watered-down programs.