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Guignard Fabbri ITA GP France Day 2 Charlene Guignard/Marco Fabbri (ITA) won their first ISU Grand Prix gold in Angers © ISU 

Two-time ISU European bronze medalists Charlene Guignard/Marco Fabbri of Italy danced to their first ISU Grand Prix gold medal at the Grand Prix de France in Angers (FRA) on Saturday – ten years after they first competed on the circuit. Canadians Laurence Fournier Beaudry/Nikolaj Soerensen claimed the silver medal and France’s Evgeniia Lopareva/Geoffrey Brissaud took the bronze, the first ISU Grand Prix medal of their career. 

Guignard Fabbri ITA GP France Day 2 2 Guignard/Fabbri (ITA) have been competing on the Grand Prix circuit for 10 years © ISU

 Overnight leaders Guignard/Fabbri put out a passionate performance to “My Love Will Never Die” that was highlighted by fast-paced footwork and innovative lifts. The Italian Champions collected a level four for the spin and the lifts while the twizzles were graded a level four and three. Guignard/Fabbri scored 124.43 points and accumulated 207.95 points overall. 

Guignard Fabbri ITA GP France Day 2 3 The Italian pair won both the Rhythm and Free Dance to secure top spot at the Grand Prix de France © ISU

 

It is a really emotional moment for us, this is our first victory in the Grand Prix series,” Fabbri shared. We felt really good in the first three minutes, but the last minute was a bit difficult, we were a bit tired. The Free Dance needs more work, it is physically demanding,” he explained. 

“This year, considering that we’ve been skating for very long time, we wanted to show something that we never did before. We really tried to give a different impact in the Rhythm Dance but also in the Free Dance especially,” Fabbri continued.

Fournier Beaudry Soerensen CAN GP France Day 2 Laurence Fournier Beaudry/Nikolaj Soerensen (CAN) picked up their first Grand Prix silver in Angers © ISU

 Fournier Beaudry/Soerensen had chosen a Western inspired dance that featured difficult lifts and steps. The couple from Montréal got a level four for their lifts and his twizzles while the one foot step sequence and the dance spin garnered a level three. The Canadians were awarded 119.55 points for the Free Dance which added up to 201.93 points overall. They took home their first Grand Prix silver medal following four bronze medals in previous seasons. 

Fournier Beaudry Soerensen CAN GP France Day 2 2 Fournier Beaudry/Soerensen (CAN) ended the Ice Dance competition with 201.93 points overall © ISU

 “For us it’s very special to earn this silver medal, it is our first Grand Prix silver medal. We have high aspirations, we want to go to the Grand Prix Final, and we are one step closer to our goal for this season,” Fournier Beaudry told the press. 

Lopareva/Brissaud danced to an Edith Piaf medley, completing three level-four elements to score 113.98 points. They totaled 187.15 points. 

Lopareva Brissaud FRA GP France Day 2 Evgeniia Lopareva/Geoffrey Brissaud (FRA) gave the home fans something to celebrate with bronze in the Ice Dance competition © ISU

 I feel super gifted for this season that we are able to skate to Edith Piaf. I am in love with this program, and in love with Edith Piaf,” Lopareva noted. “We are super glad to skate this program in France and to win our first Grand Prix medal in France. We feel this program, we feel the crowd. It was an amazing day full of emotions,” she continued. 

Demougeot le Mercier FRA GP France Day 2Loicia Demougeot/Theo Le Mercier (FRA) ended in fourth place at their home Grand Prix © ISU

 Loicia Demougeot/Theo Le Mercier (FRA) remained in fourth place at 179.76 points followed by Eva Pate/Logan Bye (USA) on 174.03 points and Maria Kazakova/Georgy Reviya (GEO) in sixth at 173.05 points. 

  The Grand Prix de France in Angers (FRA) November 4-6 is the third of six events in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating.

More than 150 Skaters/Couples representing 29 ISU Members have been invited to the series. The maximum number of entries for each event is 12 Ladies, 12 Men, 8 Pairs and 10 Ice Dance couples. 

The General Announcement of the 2022/23 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series is available here. The individual announcements are published under the respective events. Full entry lists and further information are available on the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series page.

 

Selection Criteria

In order for a Skater/Couple to be eligible to compete at an ISU Grand Prix event, a minimum total score must have been achieved in the 2021/22 or current 2022/23 season in an ISU event (Grand Prix, Junior Grand Prix, Championships) or a Challenger Series event. Exceptions apply to host country Skaters, previously ranked Skaters or split ranked Couples who return with new partners. The minimum total score is 3/5 of highest score per discipline at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2022 and are as follows: Women: 141.65, Men: 187.49, Pairs: 132.65, Ice Dance: 137.89.

Following the IOC recommendation and in order to protect the integrity of ice skating competitions and for the safety of all the participants of international ice skating competitions, the ISU Council based on Article 17.1.q)i) of the ISU Constitution, agreed that with immediate effect and until further notice, no Skaters belonging to the ISU Members in Russia (Russian Skating Union and the Figure Skating Federation of Russia) and Belarus (Skating Union of Belarus) shall be invited or allowed to participate in International ice skating competitions including ISU Championships and other ISU Events. The same applies to Officials listed in the respective ISU Communications and/or Regulations under Russia and Belarus (see ISU Communication 2469).

 

Grand Prix Standings

Men                  Women             Ice Dance         Pair Skating

Where to Watch

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events will be live streamed on the official ISU YouTube Channel in most countries. Find out where to watch the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating competitions.

Subscribe to the ISU YouTube Channel to receive all the latest videos and follow the conversation with #GPFigure.

ISU Grand Prix Schedule

The schedules of each ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events are available below:

21 - 23 Oct, 2022          Skate America, Norwood (USA)

28 – 30 Oct, 2022         Skate Canada International, Mississauga (CAN)

04 - 06 Nov, 2022         Grand Prix de France, Angers (FRA)

11 - 13 Nov, 2022         MK John Wilson Trophy, Sheffield (GBR)

18 - 20 Nov, 2022         NHK Trophy, Sapporo (JPN)

25 - 27 Nov, 2022         Grand Prix Espoo, Espoo (FIN)

08 - 11 Dec, 2022         Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, Torino (ITA)

 

About ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 (previously known a s the ISU Champions Series) and consists of six invitational international senior events and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The top six of the past World Championships are seeded. Competitors collect points in their Grand Prix events towards the qualification for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Only the top six Skaters / Couples in each discipline can qualify for the Final.