A performance seemingly meant to be a “release” after the pressure of the Olympics… became the most replayed moment of the Games. When Ilia Malinin and Isabeau Levito stepped onto the ice together, the atmosphere instantly changed. It was no longer a lighthearted exchange – but an explosive burst of energy. Each jump was so precise that it was as if they were listening to the same heartbeat, not just the same music. Two very different journeys – one carrying the burning desire for redemption, the other shining after countless silent efforts – intersected for a few minutes, leaving the entire audience breathless. Spectators continue to debate: was it just top-level skill… or a special connection forged under the pressure of the Olympics? Just watching a clip will make you understand why – regardless of who won the medal – that night seemed to belong to them.
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating – the sport’s premier series traversing the globe – continues this weekend with Skate Canada, the third of six regular season events leading up to December’s Grand Prix Final.
Two-time reigning world champion Ilia Malinin looks to win a 12th consecutive individual competition, a streak that began in December 2023. Malinin won the Grand Prix Series opener in France two weeks ago by a sizable 40.05 points.
He will qualify for the Grand Prix Final with a win in Canada and would also likely get in with a top-three result this weekend. Malinin’s top rivals, including 2022 Olympic silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama of Japan, aren’t entered in Skate Canada. Malinin will likely face them at the Grand Prix Final in an Olympic preview.
In the women’s event, 2024 World silver medalist Isabeau Levito also competes for the second time on the Grand Prix this fall.
Levito finished fourth at a deep event in France two weeks ago with her best total score in more than two years. Levito must make the podium this week — and likely must finish first or second — for a realistic chance to qualify for the Grand Prix Final.
This week’s headliner is 17-year-old Ami Nakai, who won her senior Grand Prix debut in France with the world’s best score this season. The Skate Canada field also includes two more Americans bidding to make the three-woman Olympic team: 2018 Olympian Bradie Tennell and 2025 U.S. bronze medalist Sarah Everhardt.
Canada’s biggest stars lead the fields in pairs (2024 World champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps) and ice dance (four-time world medalists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier).
