Two weeks ago, Ami Nakai announced her arrival to the senior international circuit in a big way—by winning in her Grand Prix debut and, in doing so, beating three-time World champion Kaori Sakamoto. She’s back for more potential glory this week, with another set of World medalists in the mix. As it’s been the past few weeks, in addition to the event itself, there are intriguing national-level matchups that will have implications to Olympic spots later this season.
2025 Skate Canada predictions
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GOLD Mone Chiba JPN - The World bronze medalist comes in having took gold at Kinoshita Group Cup and silver at Nebelhorn Trophy. Her two internationals have been more than solid, and she looks ready to make it to the top of the Grand Prix podium after three silvers last season, including one at the Final. The showdown between her and Nakai will be intriguing given the dynamics of the Nakai-Sakamoto matchup two weeks ago.
SILVER Ami Nakai JPN - Can lightning strike twice in three weeks? Or is it even lightning at all? Nakai’s senior international debut has been stunning so far, with a silver at Lombardia Trophy and then that phenomenal skate at Grand Prix de France to win the title there. If her triple axel rotation is there again this week, a podium finish is very much within reach. A medal finish will be very good for her chances at qualifying for the Final.
BRONZE Isabeau Levito USA - Fourth two weeks ago in a very competitive Grand Prix de France, Levito scored one of the highest scores of the season there and will be looking for a similar showing here this week. She should look to that short program combo for inspiration, because it was one of her cleanest 3-3s in recent memory. In addition to the fight for the podium, this week will also be about the three-way battle among the American women.
4. Sarah Everhardt USA - Right at the 200-point mark at Lombardia Trophy against a very competitive field, Everhardt will be knocking on the door for the podium again this week. She was just off the podium in her two Grand Prix events last season, and she’s never very far from breaking through to the medals.
5. Lara Naki Gutmann ITA - She held her own in early December against a very strong field at Lombardia Trophy, and she will be looking to do it again in another deep field. She is perhaps the most under-the-radar (if you can call her that) of all of the medal contenders here, but she’s found a consistency so far this season that she never had before. She will need to be clean in both programs to be part of this group.
6. Bradie Tennell USA - It’s been a tale of rotations for Tennell. And her success this week—and where she stacks up against Levito and Everhardt—will likely hinge on how well she can get those jumps around. We’ve seen her once on the Challengers this season, and that was a fifth-place finish at Kinoshita Group Cup earlier in September.
7. Yuna Aoki JPN - This is the first we’ve seen of Aoki in international competition this season. And in the domestic events we’ve seen from her so far, she’s been searching for some of that consistency and intensity that took her all the way to a Grand Prix podium finish last season.
8. Sara-Maude Dupuis CAN - Triple axel in hand, Dupuis has announced herself as a bonafide contender for the Canadian title this season. The matchup between her and Madeline Schizas will be closely watched, as Dupuis looks to make a statement in her home Grand Prix. She’s got the stronger early season performance so far between the two.
9. Madeline Schizas CAN - It’s been difficult to pinpoint where her consistency is this season. Toward the end of last season, it felt like she had found a new gear, but that hasn’t translated yet this season, as she’s hit strong short programs without converting in strong free skates. The Canadian women’s field has gotten much deeper in a very short amount of time, and there’s no better time than now for her to start discovering her form.
10. Mariia Seniuk ISR - A late substitute after Nina Pinzarrone withdrew, Seniuk makes her Grand Prix debut after some solid scores on the Challenger Series.
11. Ahsun Yun KOR - One of last year’s breakout skaters, Yun hasn’t had quite as strong of a season so far. She was fifth at Trialeti Trophy three weeks ago.
12. Uliana Shiryaeva CAN - Ninth at Canadians last season, Shiryaeva makes her Grand Prix debut at home as the host pick. It’ll the biggest competition of her career so far.