Deanna Stellato-Dudek ja Maxime Deschamps of Canada perform during pairs' free skating at the international figure skating competition Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (Mikko Stig/Lehtikuva via AP)

World pairs champs Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps withdraw from Grand Prix Final due to his illness

GRENOBLE, France (AP) — World pairs champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps of Canada withdrew from the prestigious Grand Prix Final on Monday because Deschamps is recovering from an illness and unable to compete.

Rebecca Ghilardi and Filippo Ambrosini of Italy will replace them. The select competition begins Thursday at the Patinoire Polesud with the pairs short program, and the medals will be decided after the pairs free skate on Friday night.

The Grand Prix Final is traditionally a preview of the world championship, which takes place in March in Boston.

Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps were among the favorites for the Grand Prix Final, which brings together the top six skaters and pairs in each discipline to conclude the Grand Prix season. The couple were third at the Grand Prix Final last year, then swept the Grand Prix of Finland and defended their Skate Canada title in front of home fans this season.

Ghilardi and Ambrosini were third at the Grand Prix of Finland and Grand Prix de France this season.

Deanna Stellato-Dudek ja Maxime Deschamps of Canada perform during pairs’ free skating at the international figure skating competition Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (Mikko Stig/Lehtikuva via AP)
Maxime Deschamps and Deanna Stellato-Dudek of Canada during the pairs short program at the international figure skating competition Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (Mikko Stig/Lehtikuva via AP)

___

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles