Two weeks ago, Deanna Stellato-Dudek/Maxime Deschamps found themselves on the podium for the first time at a Grand Prix event. And this week, they are going into Grand Prix de France as the favorites for gold. It’s an exciting pairs event in Angers this week, with a few pairs with the potential to get themselves a first career medal.
2022 Grand Prix de France predictions
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GOLD Deanna Stellato-Dudek/Maxime Deschamps CAN - If the silver at Skate America two weeks ago announced them as a bona fide contender for a World medal this season, a win this week in France could solidify their place as one of the best pairs in the world this year. Their improvements over the past season are very visible, and they are the class of the field here.
SILVER Rebecca Ghilardi/Filippo Ambrosini ITA - A win at John Nicks and then another win at US Classic, Ghilardi/Ambrosini start their post-Olympic season off looking as good as they ever have in their career. And in their seventh season together, they are really gelling as a pair. They’ve got a great shot at standing on their first Grand Prix podium here this week.
BRONZE Karina Safina/Luka Berulava GEO - In their first competition of the season, Safina/Berulava want to capitalize off of their fourth-place finish at Worlds last season. But because we have yet to see them this season, there is certainly a question mark on what they will bring in their season debut.
4. Annika Hocke/Robert Kunkel GER - Injuries and illness derailed their Olympic season last year, and they have come back to this season looking like a team on a mission. Their two Challengers this season have been strong, as they’ve earned some of the best scores of their careers.
5. Camille Kovalev/Pavel Kovalev FRA - Sixth at Nebelhorn and then a win at French Masters, the new French champions hope to establish themselves even more this season.
6. Oceane Piegad/Denys Strekalin FRA - Though they had a rough debut at Nebelhorn Trophy, they redeemed themselves at French Masters and beat Kovalev/Kovalev in the free skate there. It may be another close one this week to determine the top French pair team.
7. Maria Mokhova/Ivan Mokhov FRA - Fourth at Skate America, it wasn’t quite the skates that they had hoped to put down in their Grand Prix debut. They will be looking ot improve on those performances this week in their second Grand Prix.