The last two pairs to hold the World title will face off in the first Grand Prix of the season, and that’s so exciting. Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara (2023, 2025) and Deanna Stellato/Maxime Deschamps (2024) are jockeying for an early top spot in what looks to be a tight race for the Olympic podium this year. And as we’ve already seen this season, the pairs discipline has really taken off this season, with a number of phenomenal competitions already during the Challenger Series.
2025 Grand Prix de France predictions
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GOLD Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara JPN - Their start this season has ben strong, perhaps the strongest they’ve ever came out of the gates in their career, hitting 140+ in both of their free skates in the Challenger Series. What is always crucial for them are their side-by-side jumps, and if they can get those in check, get ready for some more big scores.
SILVER Deanna Stellato-Dudek/Maxime Deschamps CAN - Gold at John Nicks Challenge over a month ago, the three-time Canadian champions have had time to refine everything ahead of their Grand Prix debut. They know this is an opportunity to make a splash against Miura/Kihara. Like Miura/Kihara, key for them will be the side-by-sides, and you better believe they will be looking at the component comparison between them and the reigning World champs.
BRONZE Katie McBeath/Daniil Parkman USA - The improvements from McBeath/Parkman have been visible this season, and they have already scored higher in both of their Challengers than they did all of last season on the international circuit. Their goal is to continue to make their case as one of the top American pairs, and they will be looking for their first Grand Prix medal together here in Angers.
4. Maria Pavlova/Alexei Sviatchenko HUN - Eighth at Worlds last season, Pavlova/Sviatchenko is the only pair here to have not yet competed this season. They are known to be consistent skaters, but their issue has often been their components, which has been the difference between them being on or off the podium.
5. Audrey Shin/Balazs Nagy USA - Shin/Nagy are coming off the disappointment of not qualifying the third pair spot for the US at the Olympic Qualifying Event (the US is currently the third alternate based on their placement at that competition). You have to wonder how that has affected them this season. They have had a month to shake off that event, and will be looking to reestablish their narrative for the season.
6. Camille Kovalev/Pavel Kovalev FRA - Just missing out on an automatic berth for France for the Olympic pairs event by one spot, Kovalev/Kovalev has looked stronger this season than they did last year. There is a strong likelihood that France will get that spot as the first alternate, and they are the most likely to fill that spot for France. They will be looking to ensure their placement as the top French pair this week.
7. Aurelie Faula/Theo Belle FRA - Eighth here last year at their home Grand Prix, the French silver medalists were 15th at Nebelhorn and put down a couple of solid programs in August at French Masters, where they finished behind Kovalev/Kovalev.
8. Megan Wessenberg/Denys Strekalin FRA - American skating fans will know the name Megan Wessenberg—she skated singles for the US years ago, even taking sixth at Skate America in 2018. Since she retired from singles, she’s skated with a couple other pairs partners. She comes into this season skating for France with Denys Strekalin, and they were 17th at Nebelhorn Trophy last month.