Turin (Italy) (AFP)
Despite a very unusual mistake, the four-time French ice dance world champion Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron settled at the top of the Grand Prix final in Turin after the rhythmic dance on Friday.
Gabriella Papadakis briefly lost her balance in the middle of the program, which cost a few points to the French duo who, with 83.83 points, stayed a good distance from his world record set last month at the NHK Trophy in Japan. (90.03 points).
The 2018 Olympic vice champions, who were dancing to the music of "Fame", still took first place ahead of Saturday's free program. They beat two American duos: Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue (82.72 points), who won last year, and Madison Chock and Evan Bates (81.67).
The French, who have not lost since the Olympics in South Korea, were absent last year in the final of the Grand Prix.
For women, the top three places are Russians after Friday's short program.
Olympic and world champion Alina Zagitova is second with 79.60 points but she is well ahead of Alena Kostornaia (85.45 points). Third place is occupied by Anna Shcherbakova.
After dominating the short program on Thursday, the Chinese couple Sui Wenjing and Han Cong, two-time world champion, are favorites to win this Friday after the free program, but three Russian duos are on their heels
Dance on Ice - Rhythmic Dance:
1. Gabriella Papadakis / Guillaume Cizeron (FRA) 83.83 pts
2. Madison Hubbell / Zachary Donohue (USA) 82.72
3. Madison Chock / Evan Bates (USA) 81.67
4. Victoria Sinitsina / Nikita Katsalapov (RUS) 81.51
5. Alexandra Stepanova / Ivan Bukin (RUS) 81.14
6. Piper Gilles / Paul Poirier (CAN) 79.53
Short program ladies:
1. Alena Kostornaia (RUS) 85.45 pts
2. Alina Zagitova (RUS) 79.60
3. Anna Shcherbakova (RUS) 78,27
4. Bradie Tennell (USA) 72.20
5. Alexandra Trusova (RUS) 71.45
6. Rika Kihira (JPN) 70.71
© 2019 AFP