The 2024 Finlandia Trophy, a premier event on the ISU Grand Prix of Winter Olympic Figure Skating circuit, kicked off with a dazzling performance from Canada’s Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxima Deschamps. The pair, who are the reigning world champions in pairs Winter Olympic figure skating, stunned the crowd at the Helsinki Ice Hall on Friday, 15 November, with their Beyoncé-inspired short program to Crazy in Love. The program showcased their supreme skill, artistry, and connection, establishing them as the team to beat as they aim for Olympic glory in Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026.

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A Strong Start: Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps Dominate the Ice

From the moment Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxima Deschamps took to the ice in Helsinki, they were in a league of their own. The pair’s Winter Olympic Figure Skating short program was a masterclass in technical precision, synchronized artistry, and dynamic energy. Their Beyoncé-inspired routine, which has met with widespread acclaim for its creativity and flair, earn them an impressive 75.89 points. While this was just under two points shy of their career-best score achieve at the 2024 World Championships, it marked a significant improvement in their performance from their previous outing at Skate Canada International earlier this season, where they earned a score of 73.35 points.

Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps’ flawless execution of all their elements contributed significantly to their strong standing. The technical panel awarded them level fours on all their elements, and the judges were equally generous, awarding high grades of execution (GOE) for their key elements. The Canadian pair’s opening move, a level-four triple twist lift, was particularly exceptional, earning them their highest GOE score of the night. Following that, they executed a stunning Group 4 lift, a throw triple loop, and a smooth death spiral, each of which garnered high praise from the judges.

Their score of 75.89 is a significant improvement on the 73.35 points they earned earlier this season, reflecting the progress they’ve made in the past few weeks. Stellato-Dudek expressed her satisfaction with the performance, saying, this year, we’ve put out pretty decent short programs, but this is by far our best one.

The Road to the Winter Olympic: Stellato-Dudek’s Ambitious Winter Olympic 2026 Goal

Stellato-Dudek’s goal of making her Winter Olympic 2026 at the age of 43 is already making headlines, and for good reason. Should she compete in the Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026, she would be just shy of 43 years old, making her one of the oldest athletes in history to compete in the Winter Olympic figure skating events.

While the notion of an Olympic debut at that age is rare, it’s clear that Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps have what it takes to defy the typical age expectations in Winter Olympic figure skating. After taking a break from the sport for several years, Stellato-Dudek returned to the competitive circuit in 2017 with Deschamps. Since their return, the pair has been on an upward trajectory, steadily climbing the ranks of the ISU Grand Prix circuit. You Can Read Ilia Malinin: A Rising Star in Winter Olympic Figure Skating

Their 2024 World Championship victory was a pivotal moment in their careers, but Stellato-Dudek’s eyes are now firmly fixed on the ultimate prize—the Winter Olympic. She has been vocal about her desire to compete in the Olympic and is undeterred by the challenges of competing at an age when many athletes retire. I’ve always dreamed of representing Canada at the Olympic, and now, I feel more motivated than ever to make it happen, Stellato-Dudek remarked in a recent interview.

The pair’s success at the Finlandia Trophy suggests that their Olympic aspirations are within reach. Stellato-Dudek’s experience and maturity, combined with Deschamps’ innovative choreography and technical expertise, make them a force to be reckoned with in the pairs Winter Olympic figure skating competition.

The Evolution of Their Free Program: A New Chapter in their Routine

While the short program at the Finlandia Trophy was a resounding success, Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps are not resting on their laurels. According to Deschamps, they have already made substantial improvements to their free program since their last Grand Prix appearance. We’ve made some changes to the free program, Deschamps said. We changed the order of elements and adjusted the choreography sequence. It should look pretty different, and we hope to show a good version of it on Sunday.

This continual refinement of their program showcases their commitment to improving every aspect of their performances. Their free program will be a crucial element of their overall score, and given their work in the past few weeks, they are expected to present an even stronger and more polished performance in the coming days.

Stellato-Dudek also shared that she and Deschamps had focused particularly on improving their difficult elements from Skate Canada International, a competition that revealed some minor inconsistencies. These challenges are expected to be addressed during their free program performance at Finlandia.

The Race to the Winter Olympics: Ghilardi/Ambrosini and Pavlova/Sviatchenko’s Quest for Glory

While Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps took a commanding lead in the short program at Finlandia Trophy 2024, they are far from complacent. Their rivals are no slouches, and the competition remains fierce. The Italian pair of Rebecca Ghilardi and Filippo Ambrosini are close behind, sitting in second place with a score of 67.43 points, over eight points behind the Canadians. Ghilardi and Ambrosini, who have been steadily improving over the years, are strong contenders in the world of pairs Winter Olympic figure skating. Their short program at the Finlandia Trophy was clean and elegant, demonstrating their technical prowess, but they are still chasing the level of performance that Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps have set.

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In third place, with a score of 61.29 points, is the Hungarian team of Maria Pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko. This pair is another rising force in pairs skating and has been improving steadily. Their program, while not as technically refined as the top two pairs, shows promise. Their strong lift technique and throw elements are noteworthy, and they will be hoping to improve their standing with a strong free program performance.

The Growing Rivalry: The Impact of Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps on Global Pairs Winter Olympic figure skating

Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps have not only established themselves as leading figures in the sport, but they have also set a benchmark for other pairs to strive for. Their combination of flawless technical execution and emotional performance has redefined what it means to be at the top of the pairs Winter Olympic figure skating game.

One of the most notable aspects of their skating is their chemistry and partnership. Their ability to skate in perfect harmony, making their lifts and throws look effortless, is a testament to their years of training and dedication. What sets them apart is their ability to convey emotion through their movements. In their Crazy in Love short program, their performance was not only about technical mastery but also about connecting with the audience. It’s this combination of artistry and athleticism that makes them such a compelling pair to watch.

Their influence on global pairs skating is evident in the increasing number of rising stars who are incorporating emotional storytelling into their routines. Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps have helped elevate the artistic side of the sport while maintaining a strict focus on technical precision.

Looking Ahead: The Road to Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026

As the Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026 game draw closer, all eyes will be on Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps. Their impressive short program at Finlandia Trophy has solidified their position as one of the top teams in the sport, and their sights are set firmly on the Olympic.

With the Winter Olympic 2026 looming, Deanna Stellato-Dudek is acutely aware that time is ticking. But as she continues to perform at a high level, her age is no longer seen as a disadvantage. Instead, it has become a symbol of determination and perseverance. Her goal of becoming an Olympic debutant at 43 may seem unconventional, but if their performance at Finlandia Trophy is anything to go by, she and Deschamps have the skills, work ethic, and passion to make history.

As they prepare for the upcoming Grand Prix Final and the Winter Olympic, the journey for Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps is only just beginning. Fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating what the pair will bring to the ice in Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026 as they continue to challenge the limits of figure skating and push the boundaries of what is possible.