Skating Grand Prix 2025 – Coach Louise has been working on it…
I have been working on ISU Grand Prix Series of Figure Skating…
You may be aware that as well as being a figure skating and ‘all things’ fitness coach, I am also a TV sports commentator. I have been working as the Figure Skating Expert for Eurosport television channel for around 8 years now and I absolutely LOVE IT! Recently I worked on all the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix 2025 events.
Providing the figure skating commentary was a dream job for me when growing up watching endless hours of ice skating on TV, so I feel very privileged that it is a goal I was able to realise. I currently commentate alongside Simon Reed this season but I have also been partnered with the legend that is Chris Howarth and Oliver Wilson.
This season so far I have covered each of the 6 International Skating Union’s Grand Prix Series events and I am currently preparing for the Figure Skating Grand Prix Final, which is due to take place next week 3rd to 7th December 2025 in Nagoya, Japan.
There have been so many wonderful performances at the figure skating grand prix 2025 series but here are a few significant moments and highlights from each discipline:
Pairs
For me the short program of the Japanese Team Riku MIURA / Ryuichi KIHARA at the Grand Prix de France, has stuck with me. It was so dynamic, strong and impactful, it totally took me by surprise. I love their work but I particularly loved their program. Miura/Kihara won both their Grand Prix events.
I definitely did not enjoy seeing Camille KOVALEV from France sustain a shoulder injury in the NHK Grand Prix and which her the very best recovery.
We also saw the return of former Chinese Olympic Champions Wenjing SUI / Cong HAN, they came 3rd in both their Grand Prix Events. Sui/Han had previously retired from competition but returned this season ahead of the Olympic Games. I am excited to see how their work progresses. I am sure that by the Olympic Games in February, they will be in peak condition given that they have had such a long break from competition.
The Pair Teams who have qualified for the Grand Prix Final are:
- Riku MIURA / Ryuichi KIHARA
- Sara CONTI / Niccolo MACII
- Minerva Fabienne HASE / Nikita VOLODIN
- Anastasiia METELKINA / Luka BERULAVA
- Deanna STELLATO-DUDEK / Maxime DESCHAMPS
- Maria PAVLOVA / Alexei SVIATCHENKO
Men
It is hard not to mention how utterly wonderful and practically untouchable Ilia Malinin. He won both his Grand Prix events by a comfortable margin and also set a new world record in at the Skate Canada Grand Prix. He really has become this superhuman force and is in a league of his own.
Watching Kevin Aymoz win the Skate America Grand Prix was a beautiful sight. Kevin has had his highs and lows and as a fan of Kevin, we ride the emotional wave with him. For me his win was a true story of becoming, rising and resilience.
I was very sorry to see Deniss Vasiljev attending his competitions without a coach and hope that he is able to find a resolution soon.
The Men who have qualified for the Grand Prix Final are:
Ice Dance
The return Guillaume CIZERON with new partner Laurence FOURNIER BEAUDRY, has shaken up the order somewhat this season for the ice dancers. Guillaume is the current Olympic Ice Dance Champion, a title he achieved with the incomparable Gabriella Papadakis.
As a competitor, I used to train along side Gabi and Guillaume with our coach Romain Haguenauer. Initially, I was very apprehensive when hearing about his new pairing with Laurence. I need not worry because despite my initial reservations. This new partnership for me is beautiful. I will not say better because Papadakis/Cizeron to me were outstanding, but Fournier Beaudry/Cizeron are different, new and exciting.</p>
They won both their Grand Prix events and I feel we have yet to see their full score earning potential as the Rhythm Dance has yet to be judged without incidence. In France, Guillaume technically fell and they lost a lot of points. In the Finlandia Trophy a transition was called an element and therefore did not receive it’s full scoring potential. I hope by the Grand Prix Final, these “blips” will be ironed out so we are able to see how they fair properly and head to head with their main rivals.
We have also seen the return of former Olympic Team Medallists Maia SHIBUTANI / Alex SHIBUTANI. Their work didn’t leave a lasting impact on me. I feel there are stronger teams out there at present but perhaps with more training time and competitive experience, they will improve as the season continues.
SKIRTS!!!
I have been left shaken by the length of World Champion Madison CHOCK’s original Free Dance skirt. That also of Katerina MRAZKOVA from CZE. Honestly, both costumes look beautifully made but left me fearing for their lives as they navigated the length of the skirt, over faces and under blades. I found the skirts a distraction to the performances of two couples I enjoy watching immensely. Madison has since changed her costume completely and it seemed to work much better at Skate America, in my opinion.
Another costume point! Delighted to see Evgeniia LOPAREVA / Geoffrey BRISSAUD change the colour of their costume from red to blue for their Rhythm Dance. Why you may ask? Well the song they skate to is Blue Da Ba Dee by Eiffel 65 and they were wearing Red. Despite my lighthearted sense here, I actually LOVE this Rhythm Dance.
Also…
I really enjoyed both Rhythm Dance and Free Dance of Emilea ZINGAS / Vadym KOLESNIK. They took me by surprise as to how much they had improved.
Allison REED / Saulius AMBRULEVICIUS have been very consistent and on form – I prefer their RD but I still enjoyed their FD and work overall.
Watch out for the Freelance of Olivia SMART / Tim DIECK it is epic. Their RD is much improved so I feel like that they are the ‘dark horses” of the season. I am excited to see their progress over the season as I feel the best is yet to come.
Oh and let’s not forget Lilah FEAR / Lewis GIBSON!!! They are so entertaining and endearing. I am excited to see them next weekend 28th & 29th November at the British Championships. You can buy your tickets here or watch live here. They are building momentum and becoming superstars here in the UK with their collaboration with Cath Kidston and also Ben Sherman for the Team GB kit.
The Dancer Couples who have qualified for the Grand Prix Final are:
- Madison CHOCK / Evan BATES
- Laurence FOURNIER BEAUDRY / Guillaume CIZERON
- Lilah FEAR / Lewis GIBSON
- Piper GILLES / Paul POIRIER
- Allison REED / Saulius AMBRULEVICIUS
- Emilea ZINGAS / Vadym KOLESNIK
Women
I have loved seeing Kaori Sakamoto back on form. Particularly in Japan, I thought she was excellent. I feel she is skating with beautiful flow, maturity and consistency. She looks at ease on the ice and comfortable in her own skin out there.
Mone Chiba has shown great consistence being the only woman to win both her assignments. She is effervescent, exciting and a breath of fresh air to watch.
Amber Glenn for me has been fierce and for me in Finlandia in particular she was composed and impressive. She didn’t win but she seems very grounded and “in a good place” to address points lost and areas to work on ahead of the final.
I am saddened to see Loena Hendrickx needing to withdraw from her second Grand Prix. Recovering from injury is mighty tough, speaking from experience, so it is important she takes the time she needs to be both physically and mentally on form again. I wish her all the best and I’ll be cheering from the sidelines when we see her again.
