Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier are embarking on what might be their final competitive season on the ice, but they are not approaching it as a farewell campaign. The Canadian ice dance duo is gearing up to kick off their season at Skate Canada International in Saskatoon with their sights set on a singular objective – clinching a medal at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February.
“This is an Olympic season, and this is an Olympics where we want to be on the podium,” expressed Poirier. “I don’t think we’re trying to put it into perspective within our broader career, whether it’s our last one or not.”
With an impressive 15 seasons together under their belt, Gilles and Poirier have solidified their position among the elite in the world of ice dance and are considered genuine contenders for gold in Milan. Their track record includes podium finishes at three consecutive world championships, securing a bronze in 2023 followed by consecutive silver medals behind American duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates.
Approaching their 34th birthdays in Milan, both skaters are fully focused on the present, even though their longtime coach, Carol Lane, anticipates that this season may mark their swan song. “I’d be very surprised if they decided to carry on,” Lane remarked. “This will be the end, yeah. This will be the last season. A lot of last things this year, so it’s very poignant and it makes you realize 14 years goes by in a blink.”
If this season indeed marks their final dance together, there is a sense of coming full circle for Gilles and Poirier. The duo is revisiting their emotionally charged and beloved “Vincent” free dance program from the 2018-19 season, aiming to infuse it with new life. Termed “Vincent Reimagined,” the program retains its familiar theme and music while incorporating significant changes to reflect their growth as skaters and individuals.
Their Olympic journey has seen them through two previous Games, with an eighth-place finish in Pyeongchang in 2018 and a seventh-place finish in Beijing in 2022 after securing their first world championship medal. Reflecting on their past experiences, Gilles acknowledged the challenges they faced and emphasized the importance of maintaining confidence and trust in their training moving forward.
Looking ahead, Gilles and Poirier are concentrating on the immediate task at hand – Skate Canada International – where they have the opportunity to clinch a record sixth consecutive title at SaskTel Centre. Taking a one-season-at-a-time approach post-2022 Olympics, the pair is embracing the present without dwelling too much on the future.
While Gilles and Poirier are focused on their journey, Lane is preparing herself for the emotional weight of potentially bidding farewell to the duo. “I’m treating it as a celebration,” she reflected. “I shall be very sorry not to have them in the rink. They’ve been a delight, an absolute delight.”
In the men’s category, the United States’ Ilia Malinin, a two-time reigning world champion, leads a strong field, with Canadian skaters Roman Sadovsky and Stephen Gogolev poised for an intriguing showdown. The women’s event features rising star Ami Nakai of Japan aiming for back-to-back Grand Prix victories after an impressive debut, alongside Canadian standout Madeline Schizas.
The upcoming season promises excitement and challenges as skaters from around the world prepare to showcase their talents on the ice, setting the stage for thrilling performances and fierce competition.