Who’s Who of the 2017 Grand Prix Series, Part 1: Ice Dance

Instead of weekly previews for each Grand Prix event, this year we will write introductions for each discipline as a whole (time permitting). Here’s Part 1 of our Grand Prix previews, covering the glamorous field of ice dance!

For those not in the know, ice dance is loosely based on ballroom dancing. Skaters are scored on step sequences, lifts, spins, and twizzles. Teams compete with a short dance and free dance; the short dance has a predetermined style of music and step sequence patterns. The theme for the 2017-18 season short dance is Latin, and the pattern dance is the Rhumba.

Ice dance in the past 4 years has seen both the rapid rise of a talented young team and the triumphant return of decorated veterans. There is no doubt right now that the top two spots in the world are occupied by Canadians Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, 2010 Olympic Champions and reigning World Champions, and the French team of Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron, World Champions in 2015 and 2016. While these two teams battle it out for gold, a whole host of other teams, each with their own individual flair, have a chance at the no.3 position. The Grand Prix series will serve as building blocks for these teams as they set their sights on the Pyeongchang Olympics, only 4 months away. Here’s a look at some of the top teams on the Grand Prix, as well as several other teams worth watching, regardless of their chances at medals.

TESSA VIRTUE / SCOTT MOIR

• Representing: Canada

• Ages: 28/30

• ISU Personal bests: SD 82.43, FD 117.20, total 198.62

• ISU Season’s best: 195.76

• Notable titles: 2010 Olympic Champions, 2014 Olympic Silver Medalists, 3-time World Champions, 3-time Four Continents Champions, 2016 Grand Prix Final Champions, 7-time Canadian National Champions

• Programs: SD - Sympathy for the Devil/Hotel California/Oye Como Va; FD - Moulin Rouge

• Grand Prix events: Skate Canada, NHK Trophy

Legends of modern ice dance, Virtue/Moir have been skating together for 20 years, and it shows in their spotless skating skills, emotional connection, and pristine unison on the ice. Virtue/Moir first burst onto the international scene with a 6th-place finish at the 2007 World Championships, and have since followed up their stellar debut with 7 World medals (3 of them gold), the Olympic title in 2010, and Olympic silver medals in 2014, among countless other accolades. After taking a 2-year break following the 2014 Olympics, they returned to competitive ice in the 2016-17 season, remaining undefeated at every competition they entered and setting new world records for the short dance and combined total score. Starting their third Olympic season with a strong win at Autumn Classic International, a Challenger Series event, Virtue/Moir aim to dominate once again. Barring major mistakes, they are likely to win both of their Grand Prix events and qualify for the Final, where they will face off against their younger training mates, Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron of France. The fight for gold between these two teams is fierce, and while Virtue/Moir currently have the advantage, they are not invulnerable and will need to iron out any remaining technical issues as they aim for the Grand Prix Final and Olympic titles.

Random off-ice facts: Scott opened a skate shop with his uncle and works there when he goes home to visit his family. Tessa has a jewelry line with Hillberg and Berk.

GABRIELLA PAPADAKIS / GUILLAUME CIZERON

• Representing: France

• Ages: 22/22

• ISU Personal bests: SD 78.26, FD 119.15, total 196.04

• ISU Season’s best: 188.25

• Notable titles: 2015 & 2016 World Champions, 2017 World Silver Medalists, 3-time European Champions, 2016 Grand Prix Final Silver Medalists

• Programs: SD - Shape of You/Thinking Out Loud; FD - Moonlight Sonata

• Grand Prix events: Cup of China, Internationaux de France

Papadakis/Cizeron rocketed to prominence in the 2014-15 season following a coaching change to Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon, former Canadian ice dance champions. A talented but inconsistent team before then, Papadakis/Cizeron shocked the skating world by winning the 2015 European and World titles. Gabriella then suffered a concussion and was forced to miss the first half of the 2015-16 season, but the team came back strong in the second half, winning their second straight European and World titles in 2016 by a wide margin. It looked like smooth sailing for the team for the rest of the Olympic cycle, but the return of Tessa Virtue/Scott Moir gave Papadakis/Cizeron serious rivals for ice dance’s major titles. In three direct matchups between the two teams during the 2016-17 season, Virtue/Moir came out on top every time; however, after mistakes from Virtue/Moir, Papadakis/Cizeron defeated them in the free dance at 2017 Worlds, setting a world record score in the process. Papadakis/Cizeron shine in the free dance, where they are known for their abstract, lyrical style, but the short dance is often their weakness. They began their international season at Finlandia Trophy, placing first despite an uncharacteristic fall in the free dance. Papadakis/Cizeron are likely to win both of their Grand Prix events and qualify for the Final, but they will need flawless performances if they hope to win against Virtue/Moir.

Random off-ice facts: Guillaume is a part-time model. He sometimes designs the team’s costumes.

MAIA SHIBUTANI / ALEX SHIBUTANI

• Representing: USA

• Ages: 23/26

• ISU Personal bests: SD 77.97, FD 115.26, total 191.85

• ISU Season’s best: N/A

• Notable titles: 2016 World Silver Medalists, 2011 & 2017 World Bronze Medalists, 2016 & 2017 US Champions, 2016 Four Continents Champions

• Programs: SD - Mambos by Perez Prado; FD - Paradise

• Grand Prix events: Rostelecom Cup, Skate America

The Shibutanis, fondly known as the ShibSibs, are a brother-sister team who have been skating together since they were children. Emerging onto the senior circuit after a promising junior career, they won a surprise bronze medal at the 2011 World Championships, but were unable to meet high expectations in the seasons afterwards. Just when it seemed like their career had stagnated, the Shibutanis resurged with a brilliantly emotional free dance to Coldplay’s “Fix You” in the 2015-16 season, winning their first National title, silver medals at the 2016 World Championships, and establishing themselves as the USA’s top ice dance team. However, technical struggles throughout the 2016-17 season have left them in a somewhat vulnerable position; although they defended their National title and won another bronze medal at 2017 Worlds, it was not without mistakes. The fight for the no.3 spot after Virtue/Moir and Papadakis/Cizeron will be intense, with several teams in the mix and no way to predict how it will all go down. The Shibutanis will face off against the Russian team Ekaterina Bobrova/Dmitri Soloviev on their home turf at Rostelecom Cup, and against Italians Anna Cappellini/Luca Lanotte and Canadians Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier at Skate America. As the Shibutanis have not participated in any pre-Grand Prix competitions, Rostelecom Cup will give us the first look at their new programs.

Random off-ice facts: The ShibSibs have an active social media presence on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. They often post vlogs on their Youtube channel, giving fans a backstage glimpse of skating events.

MADISON CHOCK / EVAN BATES

• Representing: USA

• Ages: 25/28

• ISU Personal bests: SD 79.05, FD 113.31, total 189.01

• ISU Season’s best: N/A

• Notable titles: 2016 World Bronze Medalists, 2015 World Silver Medalists, 2-time Grand Prix Final Silver Medalists, 2-time Four Continents Silver Medalists, 2015 US National Champions

• Programs: SD - Aguanile/Che Lio/Vivir mi vida; FD - Imagine

• Grand Prix events: Cup of China, Internationaux de France

Although they were the USA’s top ice dance team in the 2014-15 season, winning the National title and silver medals at 2015 Worlds, mistakes at both the Grand Prix Final and the World Championships last season kept Chock/Bates far off the podium, and domestically, they’ve been playing catch-up to the resurgent Shibutani siblings. When they’re on, however, Chock/Bates are a powerful and technically competent team that are more than capable of climbing back onto major international podiums. Known for their athletic style and Madison’s in-your-face expressiveness, Chock/Bates are right in the mix for the hotly-contested third-place spot in the world. Like the Shibutanis, they have not yet competed this season, and will debut their new programs at Cup of China, their first Grand Prix event. They will face Papadakis/Cizeron at both Cup of China and Internationaux de France, as well as Bobrova/Soloviev in China and Weaver/Poje in France.

Random off-ice facts: Madison designs the team’s costumes. Both partners own poodles.

KAITLYN WEAVER / ANDREW POJE

• Representing: Canada

• Ages: 28/30

• ISU Personal bests: SD 76.73, FD 113.83, total 190.56

• ISU Season’s best: 173.56

• Notable titles: 2014 World Silver Medalists, 2015 World Bronze Medalists, 2-time Grand Prix Final Champions, 2-time Four Continents Champions, 2-time Canadian National Champions

• Programs: SD - Beautiful Life/Dirty Dancing 2; FD - Spartacus

• Grand Prix events: Skate Canada, Internationaux de France

A veteran team loved by fans for their passion and innovative free dances, Weaver/Poje were often left playing second fiddle to Virtue/Moir in the past. It seemed their time had come in the post-Sochi era, when they emerged as one of the top ice dance teams in the world following silver medals at the 2014 World Championships. However, despite winning the Grand Prix Final two years in a row in 2014 and 2015, technical mistakes at Worlds - as well as the unexpected rise of Papadakis/Cizeron - left Weaver/Poje without their coveted World title. Seeking a change, they switched coaches and began to revamp their skating from scratch in the 2016-17 season. Although they did not qualify for the Grand Prix Final or medal at major international competitions last season, Weaver/Poje are still very much in the mix to challenge for podium spots. They debuted their new programs this season at Autumn Classic International, placing second behind Virtue/Moir. Weaver/Poje will face Virtue/Moir and Americans Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue at Skate Canada, and Papadakis/Cizeron and Chock/Bates at Internationaux de France.

Random off-ice facts: Kaitlyn was born in Texas and moved to Canada in order to compete with Andrew.

EKATERINA BOBROVA / DMITRI SOLOVIEV

• Representing: Russia

• Ages: 27/28

• ISU Personal bests: SD 76.18, FD 111.76, total 186.68

• ISU Season’s best: 181.92

• Notable titles: 2013 World Bronze Medalists, 2013 European Champions, 5-time European Medalists, 6-time Russian National Champions

• Programs: SD - Latin Lover/Dance/Quand je vois tes yeux; FD - Oblivion/Beethoven’s Five Secrets

• Grand Prix events: Rostelecom Cup, Cup of China

Bobrova/Soloviev’s career has seen its share of dramatic ups and downs. European Champions and World Bronze Medalists in 2013, they finished 5th at the Sochi Olympics, missed the 2014-15 season due to injury, and made a strong return in 2015-16 only to miss the 2016 World Championships due to a failed drug test for Ekaterina. Bobrova/Soloviev were eventually allowed to return to competition after WADA clarified their position on meldonium, and the team had solid showings in the 2016-17 season, placing 4th at the 2016 Grand Prix Final, 3rd at the 2017 European Championships, and 5th at the 2017 World Championships. Along with a multitude of other teams, they are in the mix for that no.3 spot, and kicked off this season with a gold medal at Ondrej Nepela Trophy. Bobrova/Soloviev will face the Shibutanis and Canadians Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier at Rostelecom Cup, and Chock/Bates and Papadakis/Cizeron at Cup of China.

ANNA CAPPELLINI / LUCA LANOTTE

• Representing: Italy

• Ages: 30/32

• ISU Personal bests: SD 75.65, FD 112.07, total 186.64

• ISU Season’s best: N/A

• Notable titles: 2014 World Champions, 2014 European Champions, 5-time European Medalists, 2015 Grand Prix Final Bronze Medalists, 5-time Italian National Champions

• Programs: SD - Kaboom/Skip to the Bip/1008 Samba; FD - La Vita e Bella

• Grand Prix events: NHK Trophy, Skate America

Another veteran team, fan favorites Cappellini/Lanotte are loved for their charisma and fun personalities in both competitions and galas. They excel at playing characters in their programs, seen especially in programs such as last season’s whimsical “Charlie Chaplin” free dance. Cappellini/Lanotte were the surprise winners of both the European and World Championships in 2014, and although they have not climbed to such heights again since, they have remained one of the world’s top teams and have consistently medaled at the European Championships for the last five seasons in a row. Unfortunately, Anna suffered a hand injury before this season began, and the team was forced to withdraw from their pre-Grand Prix competitions. They will make their season debut at NHK Trophy, where they will face Virtue/Moir and Hubbell/Donohue; at Skate America, they will compete against Gilles/Poirier and the Shibutanis.

Random off-ice facts: Anna married Italian pairs skater Ondrej Hotarek in 2015. Luca is a proud father.

MADISON HUBBELL / ZACHARY DONOHUE

• Representing: USA

• Ages: 26/26

• ISU Personal bests: SD 76.53, FD 108.37, total 180.82

• ISU Season’s best: 178.80

• Notable titles: 2014 Four Continents Champions, 4-time US National Bronze Medalists

• Programs: SD - Le Serpent/Cuando Calienta El Sol/Sambando; FD - Across the Sky/Caught Out in the Rain

• Grand Prix events: Skate Canada, NHK Trophy

Consistently the third-ranked American team for the last three seasons, Hubbell/Donohue are hungry this season and ready for more. Since switching coaches in 2015 to Dubreuil and Lauzon in Montreal - the same coaches as Virtue/Moir and Papadakis/Cizeron - Hubbell/Donohue have made steady upwards progress, culminating in a surprising third-place finish in the short dance at the 2017 World Championships. With a World medal within their grasp, the team made costly mistakes in the free dance and finished a devastating 9th. They are back this season to show what they’re capable of, winning a gold medal at the season-opening US International Skating Classic with strong performances. If Hubbell/Donohue can back up their captivating chemistry and expressiveness with consistent skating, they may be able to earn a place as one of the heavy hitters of the ice dance field. Hubbell/Donohue will compete against Virtue/Moir at both Skate Canada and NHK Trophy, as well as Weaver/Poje in Canada and Cappellini/Lanotte in Japan.

Random off-ice facts: Zach always brings the same pair of shoes and his lucky bracelet when he travels to competitions. Madison likes to bring her favorite food.

PIPER GILLES / PAUL POIRIER

• Representing: Canada

• Ages: 25/25

• ISU Personal bests: SD 72.83, FD 110.45, total 182.57

• ISU Season’s best: 172.26

• Notable titles: 2014 Four Continents Silver Medalists, 5-time Canadian National Medalists

• Programs: SD - Bossa Cubana/Gopher Mambo; FD - Film Noir Medley

• Grand Prix events: Rostelecom Cup, Skate America

Since teaming up in 2011, Gilles/Poirier have made a name for themselves as the team with unusual and sometimes downright weird programs. Their skating isn’t all just for show, though - in the last few seasons, they’ve steadily risen up the international ranks, medaling at several Grand Prix events and coming close to qualifying for the Final. Consistent performances in the future may establish them as a top-tier team. They started off this season with a bronze medal at Autumn Classic International behind Virtue/Moir and Weaver/Poje. Gilles/Poirier will face Bobrova/Soloviev and the Shibutanis at Rostelecom Cup, and the Shibutanis and Cappellini/Lanotte at Skate America.

Random off-ice facts: According to their ISU biography, Piper enjoys riding elephants, unicycling, and miming on street corners. Paul knows 3 languages (English, French, Spanish). Piper was born in the USA.

OTHER SKATERS TO WATCH

Charlene Guignard / Marco Fabbri (ITA): Assigned to Rostelecom Cup and Internationaux de France. 6-time Italian National Silver Medalists. Placed 11th at 2017 Worlds. Often just out of the medals at Grand Prix events, finishing 4th or 5th.

Isabella Tobias / Ilia Tkachenko (ISR): Assigned to NHK Trophy and Skate America. Teamed up in 2014. Ilia previously skated for Russia, Isabella for Lithuania. Placed 12th at 2017 Worlds.

Alexandra Stepanova / Ivan Bukin (RUS): Assigned to Rostelecom Cup and Internationaux de France. 2015 European Bronze Medalists, 3-time Russian National Medalists. Finished 10th at 2017 Worlds.

Victoria Sinitsina / Nikita Katsalapov (RUS): Assigned to NHK Trophy and Skate America. 2-time Russian National Medalists. Teamed up in 2014, after some considerable drama with their previous partners. Nikita was the 2014 Olympic Bronze Medalist with former partner Elena Ilinykh.

Alla Loboda / Pavel Drozd (RUS): Assigned to Skate Canada and Internationaux de France. 2-time Junior World Medalists in 2016 and 2017, making their senior debut this season.

Kaitlin Hawayek / Jean Luc Baker (USA): Assigned to Skate Canada and Skate America. 2014 Junior World Champions. An expressive and promising young team, hampered by illnesses and injuries in recent seasons.

Rachel Parsons / Michael Parsons (USA): Assigned to Rostelecom Cup and Skate America. 2017 Junior World Champions, making their senior debut this season. A technically strong team, one to look out for in the future.

Kana Muramoto / Chris Reed (JPN): Assigned to NHK Trophy and Skate America. Teamed up in 2015. Kana switched from singles to ice dance in 2014; Chris previously skated with his sister Cathy. Japan’s most successful ice dance team in recent years. Won silver at 2017 Nebelhorn Trophy.

Shiyue Wang / Xinyu Liu (CHN): Assigned to Cup of China and Skate America. China’s most successful ice dance team in recent years. Placed 16th at 2017 Worlds and won the 2017 Asian Winter Games. Known for their large height difference.