You are browsing the - website
Go to main contentGo to footerNavigation help Start of main content
commentsAccess the Comments section
Open in full screen mode
Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps during their free program at the ISU Grand Prix in Helsinki, Finland.
Photo : Getty Images / MIKKO STIG
Published yesterday at 3:09 p.m. EST
World pairs figure skating champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps withdrew from the Grand Prix final on Monday after the Quebecer fell ill.
The Italians Rebecca Ghilardi and Filippo Ambrosini will replace them.
The prestigious figure skating competition will begin Thursday, at the Patinoire Polesud, with the presentation of the short program among couples (New window)and the medals will be distributed after the free program (New window)scheduled for Friday evening.
The Grand Prix Final usually serves as a rehearsal for the World Championships, which will take place in March in Boston.
Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps were among the favorites to win the final, which brings together the six best skaters and couples in each discipline to close the Grand Prix season. The couple took 3rd place in the Grand Prix final last year, before winning the title at the Finnish Grand Prix and successfully defending their title at Skate Canada International, in front of their fans, earlier this season .
Ghilardi and Ambrosini finished 3rd at the Finnish and French Grand Prix earlier this season.
Sports Newsletter
Analysis, reviews and much more! Follow sports news beyond the results.
