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Grand Prix Final in Turin: Decisive Showdown for Olympic Figure-Skating Favorites

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 at 12:49 GMT by NBC Sports

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Olympic & Paralympic Weekend Preview: Grand Prix Final to Decisively Sort Figure‑Skating Favorites

In a bustling schedule that pits the finest Olympic athletes against the world’s top Paralympic competitors, the coming weekend promises drama, record‑breaking performances, and a final showdown that could reshape the landscape of figure skating ahead of Paris 2024.

1. The Grand Prix Final: Turin’s Pala Alpitour Becomes the Arena of Champions

The International Skating Union’s Grand Prix Final is slated to take place from December 15–18 at Turin’s Pala Alpitour. The event is the culmination of the entire Grand Prix series and the single last opportunity for skaters to cement their standings before the Olympic cycle accelerates.

1.1 Who’s In the Running?

Men’s Singles

The competition will likely narrow the field to a front‑line of the top two or three men, each with a compelling narrative: Chen’s quest for a clean sweep, Hanyu’s legacy‑testing run, and Zhou’s bid to dethrone his rivals.

Ladies’ Singles

With Sakamoto and Zagitova both returning from a season of high‑profile successes, the podium is likely to be a tight race. Sakamoto’s flawless artistry and Zagitova’s explosive jumps are set to clash in a showdown for the top spot.

Pairs & Ice Dance

Pairs competition will feature Sui Wenjing / Han Cong (China), the reigning world champions, and Kobayashi / Kim (Japan), who delivered a near‑perfect performance at the Skate America.
In ice dance, the Shibutani brothers (USA) will confront the formidable Shibata / Kato (Japan), both of whom have consistently broken new ground in technical difficulty and musical interpretation.

1.2 What Does It Mean for Paris?

The Grand Prix Final acts as a de facto ranking system for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games. A podium finish at Turin can provide a psychological edge, a confidence boost, and potentially influence national team selections. As the article notes, “The competition will sort the figure‑skating favorites in a way that only the pressure of a Grand Prix Final can do.”

2. Paralympic Sports Spotlight: World‑Class Competition on a Global Stage

While figure skating draws headlines, the weekend also features several Paralympic sports where athletes vie for medals that will carry over into the Paris Paralympics.

2.1 World Para Athletics Championships (Madrid, Spain)

The 2023 World Para Athletics Championships, held from October 4–12 in Madrid, remain a key fixture in the season’s calendar. The championships feature 26 disability classes across track and field events. Highlights include:

• T12 100 m: The showdown between Duncan Thompson‑Jones (UK) and Jesse Robinson (USA), who both posted season‑best times in prior meets.
• F57 4×400 m Relay: The USA team’s attempt to break the world record, with former Olympic champion Troy Baker serving as team captain.
• T20 400 m: Rising star Marcos Alvarez (Spain) aims to defend his title after a silver medal in Beijing.

The article links to the World Para Athletics page, offering in‑depth athlete bios and statistics that illustrate how these competitors have fared in previous championships.

2.2 Para‑Cycling World Cup (London, UK)

The Para‑Cycling World Cup in London, scheduled for December 18–19, provides a platform for track and road cyclists across the B, H, C, and T categories to accumulate points. Key athletes include:

• Michele Guerra (Italy), a double world champion in the H2 category, who is seeking to extend his record in the 1,000‑meter pursuit.
• Olivia Fitzpatrick (USA), a rising star in the C5 classification, who has already broken national records in the 300‑meter time trial.
• Juan Alvarez (Spain), the C1 class, who has been dominant in the time trial at the World Championships.

The linked page on Para‑Cycling outlines the event’s format, the classification system, and the impact on Olympic qualification.

2.3 Para‑Swimming World Series (Fukuoka, Japan)

Although the main World Series rounds concluded earlier in the year, a smaller event in Fukuoka on December 20 is highlighted as a crucial tune‑up for swimmers preparing for Paris. Notable competitors:

• Sarah Miller (USA), the T34 50 m freestyle record holder, who is expected to defend her title.
• Sofia Gonzalez (Spain), a T53 200 m individual medley champion, who will be targeting a personal best.

The article provides a link to the International Paralympic Committee’s Para‑Swimming page, which details classification categories and world records.

3. Key Storylines & Predictions

1. Nathan Chen vs. Yuzuru Hanyu – The rivalry between the American and Japanese champions has intensified over the past season. Analysts predict a close final score, with Chen’s jump consistency against Hanyu’s artistic flair.

2. Sakamoto’s Pursuit of Olympic Dominance – After a stellar season, Sakamoto is aiming to prove she can outperform the Russian and other international rivals on a grand stage.

3. Para‑Athletics’ Emerging Contenders – With a relatively young field, athletes like Marcos Alvarez and Duncan Thompson‑Jones could surprise with new personal bests, pushing the sport toward greater visibility.

4. Para‑Cycling’s Classification Dynamics – The classification system will be in the spotlight, as athletes strive for world record performances that could secure quota spots for the Paris Games.

4. Conclusion

The weekend is set to be a fulcrum moment for both Olympic and Paralympic sports. Turin’s Pala Alpitour will host a Grand Prix Final that could redefine figure‑skating hierarchies heading into Paris 2024, while a spread of Paralympic events in Madrid, London, and Fukuoka will showcase the resilience and excellence of athletes across diverse classifications.

For fans, the combination of high‑stakes competition, record‑challenging performances, and the promise of future Olympic drama ensures that this weekend will be one to watch closely. As the article’s headline boldly suggests, the Grand Prix Final will sort the figure‑skating favorites—and the world of Paralympic sports will be simultaneously pushing boundaries and redefining possibilities.