With the exception of World champions Deanna Stellato/Maxime Deschamps, who are here to defend their Skate Canada International title, the pairs field in Halifax this week looks very wide open. It’s a field that also includes multiple current and former national champions, many of whom have made big splashes at some point over the past few seasons.
Skate Canada International predictions
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GOLD Deanna Stellato/Maxime Deschamps CAN - It was here last year where a lot of the magic started for their World Championships title run. They put down two performances in front of the home crowd that they didn’t replicate until Worlds, which was, once again, at home. So they know how to skate to an excited home audience, and they should have a pretty smooth road to their second title here this week.
SILVER Annika Hocke/Robert Kunkel GER - They started with a fifth-place finish at Lombardia Trophy in September, where the struggles were on their side-by-sides. But they come into this season after a career-best fifth at Worlds last season, and if they can figure out those solo jumps, they are very much podium material this week.
BRONZE Ekaterina Geynish/Dmitrii Chigirev UZB - Formerly representing Russia, Geynish/Chigirev are in their first season skating for Uzbekistan. And as former Russian pair skaters, they bring what you would expect—strong side-by-sides, good throws, and solid pairing skills. They took bronze at John Nicks Invitational in September and will look for their first GP medal here.
4. Anastasiia Golubeva/Hektor Giotopoulos-Moore AUS - If they put down their best, the Australians will absolutely be on the podium. But they aren’t known for their competition-to-competition consistency, and so that’s always a bit of a wildcard. Unlike the other pairs, it’s the twist that they have the most problems with. So if the side-by-sides hit, don’t be surprised if they grab their first GP medal after two fourth-places last season.
5. Ioulia Chtchetinina/Michal Wozniak POL - In their second season together, the Polish champions have already come into this season looking stronger than they finish last year. As with many of these pairs, their side-by-sides will determine their fate; where they stand after the short could be a big predictor of how their competition goes.
6. Emily Chan/Spencer Howe USA - It’s felt like a long road back for a pair that looked like they were on their way to some breakthrough skating. After taking fifth at 2023 Worlds, they were almost completely out of last season because Howe was recovering from shoulder surgery. They eventually made it to Worlds and finished 12th, and started this season with a fourth-place finish at Shanghai Trophy. For them right now, it’s less the individual elements, but whether they can string them together for two entire programs.
7. Kelly Ann Laurin/Loucas Ethier CAN - Their season has started off solidly, and after bronze at Canadian Nationals and a berth to Worlds last season, they are looking to improve on it this season. They were fourth at John Nicks Invitational last month.
8. Daria Danilova/Michel Tsiba NED - Their improvements over the past few seasons have been evident, and last year showed some of the best skating of their career. They have yet to replicate that this season, with a fourth place at Tayside Trophy two weeks ago as their season debut.