Chongqing, CN (November 23, 2024) – Ice dancers Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha continued to delight spectators with their one-of-a-kind programs at the sixth and final ISU Grand Prix of the season, taking place in Chongqing, China, earning them a second consecutive silver medal. Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud also delivered two solid performances on Friday and Saturday to claim bronze in the pairs event.
Lajoie of Boucherville, Que., and Lagha of Saint-Hubert, Que., kicked off the event with their Austin Powers inspired rhythm dance, which earned them a season’s best score of 81.53. Despite their nerves, the team managed to deliver a flawless free dance and capped off the event with a new season’s best of 205.16, only 4 points behind World bronze medalists Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri of Italy (209.13). Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko of the United States completed the podium (198.18).
“It was a fun week but really stressful when we skated,” said Lajoie. “I’m really happy with how we fought through it, and we delivered a really good free dance so I think we’re pretty satisfied with the competition overall.”
In the pairs competition, Pereira of Milton, Ont., and Michaud of Brantford, Ont., were seeking redemption after a disappointing free skate at the Grand Prix de France left them in fifth place overall. The duo also set two new season’s best scores, as well as a new personal best in the short to claim bronze with a total of 188.74 points.
2023 Grand Prix Final silver medalists Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii of Italy finished first with a total of 211.05 points, followed by Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin of Germany (209.36).
“Definitely an improvement in both the short and the long this week. We practiced really well this week so that’s always a confidence booster for what we’re trying to do. We want to keep pushing our programs to show what we’re doing in practice, so it was a great week for us in that sense,” said Michaud.
Two-time Canadian Champion Madeline Schizas of Oakville, Ont. placed 7th overall in the women’s event. Amber Glenn of the United States claimed her second consecutive Grand Prix gold medal, followed by Mone Chiba of Japan and Chaeyeon Kim of Korea.
Canada’s sole entry in the men’s event, Wesley Chiu, of Vancouver, B.C. unfortunately had to withdraw from the competition due to an injury.
The next international event for Canadian skaters will be the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final which is set to take place in Grenoble, France from December 5-8, 2024.
For full results, please click here.