Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha concluded their second participation in the Grand Prix Final in fourth place in ice dancing on Saturday, just ahead of their compatriots Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, in Grenoble.
Posted at 4:17 p.m.
Fourth after the rhythmic dance presented on Friday, the Quebecers added 122.11 points to their total at the end of the free program.
After the competition, Marjorie Lajoie mentioned that she was more nervous than the day before at the Patinoire Pôle Sud. She even felt tired during the warm-up period, but everything cleared up when their free dance began.
During the program, we really managed to connect and put the nervousness aside. We were able, as in rhythmic dance, to enjoy the moment. I felt really good and I’m very happy with the result.
Marjorie Lajoie
Even though it was the fifth performance of the day, this free dance allowed them to maintain fourth place with a total of 199.84 points.
“We are very satisfied. 122 points is difficult to get after a short program of 77 points. We are super happy! » added Zachary Lagha.
The reigning world champions, Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates, won with a total of 219.85. Leading after the rhythm dance, their free dance was the highest rated of the day at 132.12.
PHOTO DENIS BALIBOUSE, REUTERS
-Americans Evan Bates and Madison Chock
As in the last Grand Prix Final, the Italians Charlène Guignard and Marco Fabbri follow in second place with 206.11 points. The British Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson obtained bronze with their 205.18 points.
After a poor performance in rhythm dance, Canadians Paul Poirier and Piper Gilles managed to recover by signing the second best result in the free dance, 127.12. They concluded the competition with a total of 199.27 points, 0.57 points behind Lajoie and Lagha.
PHOTO DENIS BALIBOUSE, REUTERS
Canadians Paul Poirier and Piper Gilles
Last year, on the occasion of their very first Grand Prix Final, they did not experience the event in the same way, in Beijing. They were then ranked sixth.
“We managed the time difference less well, we were more stressed and we enjoyed the moment less. Here, it was the first time this season where we felt good in our two programs. We skated well and had a great experience in general,” mentioned Marjorie Lajoie.
The duo will now prepare for the Canadian Championships which will take place at Place Bell, in Laval, from January 14 to 19.
