World champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps made headlines this past Sunday as they clinched the gold medal at the Finlandia Trophy, securing their spot at the prestigious figure skating Grand Prix Final. Held in Helsinki, this event saw Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps, hailing from Canada, overcoming challenges to achieve another notable victory.
After showcasing their talent during the short program, the pair entered the free skate with confidence. They finished the competition with a total score of 207.44 points, placing them well above their competitors. Notably, their performance included a challenging throw triple Lutz, which showcased their skill, though Stellato-Dudek stumbled at one point. Despite this minor setback, their cumulative score highlighted their dominance at this level.
Following Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps, Hungary's Maria Pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko secured the silver medal with 184.21 points, and Italy's Rebecca Ghilardi and Filippo Ambrosini took home the bronze with a score of 181.59. Fellow Canadians Kelly Ann Laurin and Loucas Éthier also competed admirably, finishing fourth with 178.57 points.
This win marks Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps’ second victory of the season, having previously triumphed at the Skate Canada International. Reflecting on their performance, Stellato-Dudek expressed, “We’d like to continue to improve. Every season is a different roller coaster ride, and this year is no different. This year we’re hoping to have a slow burn of an increase each competition, so every time get a higher and higher score, and so far it’s looking in the direction.” This sentiment captures the athletes' mindset as they prepare for future competitions, including the upcoming 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
Meanwhile, the ice dance event was equally thrilling, with Canadian duo Piper Gilles from Toronto and Paul Poirier from Unionville finishing with the silver medal after scoring 200.79 points. The pair initially led following the rhythm dance, but complications during their free dance caused them to drop from first to second place. They were edged out by Great Britain's Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson, who dazzled with their Beyoncé medley to earn the gold with 203.22 points.
Poirier expressed disappointment after their free dance, stating, “Today was a disappointing performance. We didn’t perform the way we wanted to, and we made a few mistakes, so not the skate we wanted. But we just have to take it as a learning opportunity as we head to the rest of the season.” The experience, he noted, would serve as motivation as they push forward.
The Finlandia Trophy is not just another stop on the figure skating circuit; it’s a significant event on the Grand Prix calendar. Athletes are not only vying for medals but also seeking points and prestige as they look toward qualifying for the season's climax—the Grand Prix Final.
With skaters from across the globe participating, the tournament provided thrilling moments from start to finish, emphasizing the competitive nature of the sport. The resilience demonstrated by Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps, along with the skill of Gilles and Poirier, ensures Canadian presence will be felt strongly as they head toward future challenges.
The results from the Finlandia Trophy suggest great things for Canadian figure skating as athletes gear up for more competitions this season. The talent pool is rich, and with competitions bound to get fiercer, fans are left excited about what’s yet to come on the ice.
