GP France Ice Dance Predictions

[gsk8]

The Grand Prix de France ice dance event features an interesting mix of established contenders, returning veterans, and up-and-coming teams.

The table below ranks the entries by their 2025–26 Season's Best total score (ISU international competitions only). The Personal Best (PB) total scores are also reflected.

Barring injury or major mistakes, Fournier Beaudry/Cizeron are the clear favorites.

• Who do you see joining them on the podium?
• Reed/Ambrulevicius, Davis/Smolkin, and Carreira/Ponomarenko are separated by just over four points in season best. Which team comes out on top?
• Which team do you think is most likely to outperform its Season Best ranking?
• What's your podium prediction?

Team	Country	SB	PB
Laurence Fournier Beaudry / Guillaume Cizeron	FRA	230.81	230.81
Allison Reed / Saulius Ambrulevicius	LTU	204.66	204.66
Diana Davis / Gleb Smolkin	GEO	203.39	203.39
Christina Carreira / Anthony Ponomarenko	USA	200.56	204.88
Jennifer Janse van Rensburg / Benjamin Steffan	GER	192.31	192.31
Eva Pate / Logan Bye	USA	186.96	191.20
Sofia Val / Asaf Kazimov	ESP	181.45	181.45
Leah Neset / Artem Markelov	USA	176.27	179.38
Celina Fradji / Jean-Hans Fourneaux	FRA	165.37	165.37
Louise Bordet / Martin Chardain	FRA	153.58	154.79

 

[lariko]

Davis/Smolkin will medal, no doubt about it, but if they win gold... lord in heavens...

 

[NYscorp6]

The fix is already in.
Carrying over from last year.

I’m rooting for Zingas & Kolesnik.

 

[elektra blue]

Davis/Smolkin will medal, no doubt about it, but if they win gold... lord in heavens...

ain't happening in this universe and in France. the gold i mean

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

The fix is already in.
Carrying over from last year.

I’m rooting for Zingas & Kolesnik.

Which particular 'fix' are you referencing?

Do you mean you're rooting for Zingas/ Kolesnik to win their GPs? Z/K are not assigned to GP France, which I thought is the field we're discussing, as the lineup is posted above by @gsk8.

ETA:
BTW, if you're a huge fan of Z/K, there's a sit down interview with them at Benoit's rink in Italy, posted on YouTube 3 days ago. Well worth taking a look at. You can find it in new season U.S. ice dance thread. I didn't have a chance to post it in their fan fest.

Back to GP France ice dance discussion...

 

[gsk8]

I’m rooting for Zingas & Kolesnik.

Great team and I love them! But they are not competing at GP France

 

[4everchan]

25 points in PB is a huge difference in figure skating. In singles, it's 2.5 quads... . or 3 triple axels... but in ice dance it's WOW. I mean, if we only look at BV, FBC could pretty much omit all their lifts in the FD and win.

On top of that, I think they will do a very nice waltz. If they don't, who can ?

The Lithuanians performed very well last year because they had to qualify for the games and they were ready early. This was key for them and will be key if they want to finish second here. They are one of the teams who could sell these 80s, 90s themes well. Can they sell waltz ?

The Georgians have improved a lot last year. Their scores reflected that improvement but also the push for a Georgian team medal. Not sure about them and the waltz. However, MFD will definitely find ways to hide the waltz with any of her teams needing to hide it

I much prefer CPOM and would like them to medal here. If there is any genetics at play, Pono will do a beautiful waltz I can see this theme being a good one for them. Before the rise of their teammates who have been already mentioned in this thread though they are not competing, they were going to be the top American team upon Chock and Bates's absence. However, they start the season battling to remain USA's #2. Will there be a push to position them or will they be dropped ?

I know... this is speculation but after an Olympic cycle, there is always some ruffling in the ice dance rankings... so I am looking forward to this season. I am actually very impatient about it

 

[lariko]

ani't happening in this universe and in France. the gold i mean

Imagine if they did, lol. But I can't see it either. Question is who is on the chopping block for them to medal, R/A or C/P.

 

[SmileHappy34]

I would say Fourner Beaudry and Cizeron will win. Only way not if injured or don't show up or withdraw.
2nd and 3rd is the interesting factor.
It could go to Reed and Ambrulevizlctus , Davis Smolkin , and Carriera and Ponomarenko.

I put C/P 2nd and D/S 3rd with R/A 4th.
2nd -4 th could be any of them.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Thankfully, the list of competitors is posted above or I would have had trouble deciphering R/A. First mention of abbreviated last names or their first names (Allison/ Saul) always helps prior to using last initials shorthand.

Why the reference to 'chopping block,' @lariko (similar to @NYscorp6's earlier reference, 'the fix is in')? Apparently, these catchphrases are in reference to Fournier-Beaudry/ Cizeron being difficult to beat. While there does tend to be rep judging in fs, especially in ice dance, I don't see any 'fix' associated with FB/C's wins last season. They had an absolutely iconic FD. Yet, in the early going last season, they did not receive great scores for their RD.

I recall, many of us wondering how Laurence & Guillaume would be able to make their different styles work. We already knew they both have exquisite skating skills, but dissimilar styles, with Laurence more athletic, and Gui more lyrical. They did a lot of on-ice exploration together, and then they found this absolutely amazing music. Too many people were caught up in it being the soundtrack from a movie called The Whale, when it is not about an actual whale, but about emotional and familial issues of an obese man. However, what the movie is about had nothing to do with FB/C selecting the music. It's about the beauty and depth of the music itself. That is what FB/C plumbed, extracted, and found a way to bring to life on the ice.

Hopefully, Allison & Saul will bring inspired material similar to last season and NOT the season before last (I'm somewhat surprised they decided to return after it looked like Allison was signalling her retirement). They are most entertaining when they hit the groove of the vibes they perform so well. They have some tech weaknesses, but they are generally well-liked by judges when they have good material. I do not think 'chopping block' has any relevance to them vs FB/C. Neither do I see any validity to 'chopping block' in connection with CPom's chances to medal at GP France, in competition against FB/C.

It's a new season and a new quad. Everyone has an opportunity to do their best. But not every team are equal in ability. Music and choreo will be key, even for FB/C, btw. Hopefully, FB/C will be able to find something as unique and compelling as The Whale soundtrack. It's not a given that they will, but I am hopeful of seeing them continue to further advance the discipline with their talent and innovative choices. Everyone is arriving at the starting gate, and the race for dominance will soon begin. It's not necessarily a given what will happen.

 

[4everchan]

I hate to say it for those who don't like Laurence and Guillaume, but they are the absolute best ice dancers on the circuit this year, and by far.
I won't go into what happened last year because it' s not relevant to this thread. But clearly, if there is a fix in this season of GP in ice dance, it will not be related to FBC. I am looking forward to discovering what is going on in that department . Who will suddenly get the favour of the judges in this new cycle ? We already have a replacement for Chock and Bates for the USA podium chances... will a Canadian team be propped up too for medal chances in the absence of Piper and Paul ? Those are interesting things that will unfold this season. I would have liked for Lauriault and Le Gac to compete in GP France as they did represent France a while ago.. but they are not there.. so we won't know if they will be Canada's number 1 or if they will fall behind one of the brand new teams...

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

For sure, with their track record and top-notch skills, FB/C are favored to win. But once again, music and choreo are key factors to overall success. Has anyone yet seen any of the programs of the GP France ice dance field?

I heard on a recent podcast that Neset/Markelov have a very good FD to Phantom of the Opera, with choreo by Nikolai Morozov. I'm glad to hear this program is being praised ahead of its competitive debut.

In regard to predictions, it's usually based on a combo of factors: prior stats; rep status; matchups; material; judging & tech panel makeups; who I would like to medal/ win vs who is most likely to medal/ win. The intangibles are what's difficult to factor in. Anything can happen, including revising my predictions. At this juncture, taking a swipe, without having seen any programs, I'll say:

Laurence/ Gui
Diana/ Gleb
Car/Pom
Allison/ Saul
Neset/ Markelov
van Rensburg/ Steffan
Pate/Bye
Fradji/Fourneaux
Val/ Asimov
Bordet/ Chardain

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I would have liked for Lauriault and Le Gac to compete in GP France as they did represent France a while ago.. but they are not there.. so we won't know if they will be Canada's number 1 or if they will fall behind one of the brand new teams...

Umm, my take is that Lauriault/Le Gac may be able to medal at Cdn Nats or come in 4th or 5th there. It will be determined by whether they have as good material as they had last season after switching to IAM Ontario. Plus, whether or not their skillset has improved.

ETA:
BTW, LaLe had good programs last season, and overall better results and more competitions than their prior season. They were 6th at GP France; 7th at SC; medaled at Challenger Series events, also took silver at Lake Placid; gold at SC Challenge; and bronze at Canadian Nats, shuttering Fabbri/ Ayer's hopes to make the Olympic team. Still, most tellingly, LaLe placed 14th at the recent Olympics, and 13th at Worlds...

They have skating skills weaknesses, thus, I do not see LaLe ever becoming Canada's #1. My bet is on Marjo/JL 'Bakerie' as Canada's #1. I see Bakerie winning Canadian Nats, with Lim/Lagha 2nd, possibly LaLe or Alicia/Marko 'Alma' 3rd, etc.

 

[NanaPat]

Why the reference to 'chopping block,' @lariko

Lariko was clearly talking about the teams expected to rank 2-4, not the team expected to rank first. She asks which of R/A and C/Pom will be off the podium (sacrificed on the chopping block) to allow D/S to medal.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Lariko was clearly talking about the teams expected to rank 2-4, not the team expected to rank first. She asks which of R/A and C/Pom will be off the podium (sacrificed on the chopping block) to allow D/S to medal.

Ah, thanks for the explanation. It wasn't exactly crystal clear to me as stated. Hmm, still I personally do not see why Allison/Saul [R/A] and C/Pom would be referenced as 'sacrificed on the chopping block to allow Diana & Gleb [D/S] to medal.' My impression of these teams differs.

R/A do not have the best skating skills, but they are a fun and popular team with the right material. They were fortunate last season to get an early start and to have good material, which helped their confidence. They were treated very well by judges last season. Meanwhile, D/S showed a lot of improvement, but it didn't translate into judges particularly favoring them in close contests. If D/S have good material and show even more improvement this season, I believe they would deserve to be ahead of R/A and C/Pom, without it being seen as 'sacrificing' either of the latter two teams. In any case, once again, placements should boil down to strength and impact of material.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

At this juncture, taking a swipe, without having seen any programs, I'll say:

Laurence/ Gui
Diana/ Gleb
Car/Pom
Allison/ Saul [R/A]

Just that quickly, I'm back to adjust my predictions. It really depends on who chooses the best material, and who manages the RD Golden Waltz best. R/A generally finished in front of Car/ Pom last season, so that may continue this season. In that case, R/A third and Car/Pom fourth.

 

[elektra blue]

Imagine if they did, lol. But I can't see it either. Question is who is on the chopping block for them to medal, R/A or C/P.

i think it's down to who performs better between C/P and DS for the bronze, i think silver is also a lock. if C/P get good programs then they have the edge on the georgians

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Well, of course, Allison/ Saul [R/A], were treated extremely well by the judges last season, and they had fun, entertaining programs. We'll see if they can repeat that joie de vivre this season. Their 2024-25 FD was awful, which contributed to them missing the cut at 2025 Worlds. Yet, that dire circumstance somehow jump-started them to pick better music & choreo for 2025-26. Then, their early start having to fight for an Olympic spot at the Beijing qualifier energized them and worked to their advantage leading into the Olympics.

Honestly, Car/Pom were in line over Green/ Parsons to lead U.S. ice dance post retirement of C/B. However, I never felt that Car/Pom would be the strongest U.S. ice dance team to consistently and capably challenge the rest of the world for major podiums. At this stage, I think Christina has somewhat surpassed Anthony in talent, after she was closely tutored and whipped into diva shape by Scott Moir and Madi Hubbell (when Anthony was rehabbing after surgery). Last season, Car/ Pom did not have good material, which is why they brought back their Perfume FD

There's a lot to be said for rep status in the minds of the judges, which is why I don't make my predictions based on who I would prefer to see on the podium. That would be FB/C; Diana/ Gleb; Neset/ Markelov ; R/A; Car/Pom, with the latter two placements adjusted based on which team has the strongest material.

 

[NanaPat]

Well, of course, Allison/ Saul [R/A], were treated extremely well by the judges last season, and they had fun, entertaining programs. We'll see if they can repeat that joie de vivre this season. Their 2024-25 FD was awful, which contributed to them missing the cut at 2025 Worlds. Yet, that dire circumstance somehow jump-started them to pick better music & choreo for 2025-26. Then, their early start having to fight for an Olympic spot at the Beijing qualifier energized them and worked to their advantage leading into the Olympics.

Honestly, Car/Pom were in line over Green/ Parsons to lead U.S. ice dance post retirement of C/B. However, I never felt that Car/Pom would be the strongest U.S. ice dance team to consistently and capably challenge the rest of the world for major podiums. At this stage, I think Christina has somewhat surpassed Anthony in talent, after she was closely tutored and whipped into diva shape by Scott Moir and Madi Hubbell (when Anthony was rehabbing after surgery). Last season, Car/ Pom did not have good material, which is why they brought back their Perfume FD

There's a lot to be said for rep status in the minds of the judges, which is why I don't make my predictions based on who I would prefer to see on the podium. That would be FB/C; Diana/ Gleb; Neset/ Markelov ; R/A; Car/Pom, with the latter two placements adjusted based on which team has the strongest material.

There's another factor that you haven't mentioned that can seriously affect the outcome of any skating competitions: whether competitors make a serious mistake. At 2025 worlds, both TURKKILA /VERSLUIS and REED/AMBRULEVICIUS fell on the midline step sequence in the RD. For a while it looked like T/V were not going to make the FD; it was only R/As similar fall that saved them. And then there was the time Paul Poirier clipped the boards with his skate and fell. Unless a skater/team is subject to frequent falls, I consider most of these are just "freak falls"; there may be any number of reasons (like ice conditions, adrenaline, illness, or lack of conditioning, etc) for these, but mostly I just consider them bad luck. I think it was bad luck (or some condition leading to the fall) that were the cause of R/As bad result at 2025 worlds, much more than poorly chosen programs.

 

[labgoat]

My comments
Laurence/ Gui - waltz will suit them better than last year's RD
Diana/ Gleb - solid skating skills that will show well with GW
Car/Pom - I hope they visit with his parents for GW tips. It seems really odd to see parents so uninvolved. Judges want to like them - they need to make or fake some more chemistry
Allison/ Saul - Congratulations to Saul on his recent marriage. Wonder if they will have a delayed start and if their team chemistry loses some juice.
JJ van Rensburg/ Steffan - consistently underrated, she has the most charisma and is the new Madi Chock, Ben is not far behind. If they can avoid silly errors they should rise. Hope their coaching stays intact as they need guidance for their height difference needed for GW tracking.
Neset/ Markelov - I expect continued improvement and waltz should really work for them.
Pate/Bye - we will see how invested they and their coaching team are this year
Fradji/Fourneaux - talent that is growing
Val/ Asimov - talent that is growing
Bordet/ Chardain - talent that is growing