Grand Prix de France once more is this season’s ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating opener and is taking place in Angers for the fifth year in a row.
When is it on?
Grand Prix de France begins Friday, 23 October with the rhythm dance and concludes Sunday, 25 October with the exhibition gala.
Who is skating?
Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA) had won the men’s title at the French Grand Prix three consecutive times until last year when he finished second. This season he will no doubt aim to regain his position on the top step on the rostrum even though he could only manage a fifth place at last month’s Nepela Memorial. Surprise 2026 Olympic champion Mikhail Shaidorov (KAZ) made his return to competition at the same event where he finished ahead of the Frenchman in third place. Aleksandr Selevko (EST) made a winning start to his season with victories at Cranberry Cup in August and Nebelhorn Trophy in September. Reigning Four Continents champion Kao Miura (JPN) should spearhead the Japanese challenge for medals in the men’s event. 2025 European silver medallist Nikolaj Memola (ITA) and 2024 World Junior champion Minkyu Seo (KOR) could also be in the shakeup for medals.
2026 Olympic bronze medallist Ami Nakai (JPN) is back to defend the women’s title she won in Angers last year. Her season began with a disappointing fourth at the Kinoshita Group Cup. Nina Pinzarrone (BEL) took bronze at the World Championships back in March and shortly after switched training locations to Colorado Springs in the United States of America. The Belgian was sixth at both Lombardia Trophy and Nepela Memorial last month. Yuna Aoki (JPN) missed out on selection to the Japanese Olympic and World team last season, but sensationally became Four Continents champion in January. She came seventh at the Kinoshita Group Cup earlier this season. 2023 European champion Anastasiia Gubanova (GEO) and 2026 European bronze medallist Lara Naki Gutmann (ITA) might also feature. Rion Sumiyoshi (JPN) is four bronze medals from four appearances at Grand Prix de France, but can she keep her streak going?
Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava (GEO) headline the pairs event. The 2026 European champions cruised to a win at Trialeti Trophy and will be gunning to capture the French Grand Prix for the first time in their careers. Aleksandra Boikova and Dmitrii Kozlovskii (AIN2)* look likeliest to spoil the Georgian’s party after their back-to-back wins at Kinoshita Group Cup and John Nicks Pairs International. Although they were unable to be selected for the 2026 Olympics, Jiaxuan Zhang and Yihang Huang (CHN) did ensure their country had a spot in Milan by winning the final Skating to Milano Figure Skating Qualifier last year. 2023 European bronze medallists Annika Hocke and Robert Kunkel (GER) get their season under way in Angers.
In 2025 Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron (FRA) made their spectacular international debut as a team in Angers and there was almost no stopping them after that as they went on to collect European, Olympic and World titles in unprecedented fashion. Barring disaster, the French are unlikely to be challenged at their home Grand Prix. Diana Davis and Gleb Smolkin (GEO) already have two wins under their belts this season from Kinoshita Group Cup and Trialeti Trophy. Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko (USA) nabbed the top spot at last month’s Nebelhorn Trophy.
Everything you need to know (and some things you did not) about the skaters, the competition schedule and results can be viewed here.
*AIN is the designation for athletes from countries sanctioned for breaking the Olympic Truce in 2022 by invading Ukraine.
When is the skating on?
Morning till afternoon in North America, afternoon till evening in Europe and evening till early morning in Asia. The times listed for Grand Prix de France are local and if you want to know what the time difference is between where you are and Angers then this link is your friend.
Where can I watch the pretty skaters?
Check out this link where you can find out where to watch the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix.
What are the hashtags?
#GPFigure #FigureSkating
