Piper Gilles

Piper Gilles

Canadian formerly American figure skater
Date of Birth: 16.01.1992
Country: Canada

Content:
  1. Early Career
  2. Partnership with Zachary Donohue
  3. Transition to Canada
  4. Early Success in Canada
  5. Breakthrough Season
  6. Continued Success
  7. Olympic Season
  8. Post-Olympic Career

Early Career

Piper Gilles, a Canadian-born figure skater, began her career in the United States. She initially specialized in singles skating but transitioned to ice dance at the age of 12. Her first partnership was with Timothy McKernan, with whom she won a silver medal at the U.S. Junior Championships and a bronze medal on the ISU Junior Grand Prix.

Piper Gilles

Partnership with Zachary Donohue

In 2008, Gilles teamed up with Zachary Donohue. Together, they earned two bronze medals at the U.S. Junior Championships and qualified for the Junior Grand Prix Final. However, Gilles' illness prevented their participation in the Final, and they missed out on both junior world championships.

Transition to Canada

After Donohue decided to switch partners in 2010, Gilles struggled to find a new partner in the United States. In 2011, she relocated to Canada and joined forces with Paul Poirier, whose previous partnership with Vanessa Cron had recently ended.

Early Success in Canada

Gilles and Poirier's first season together resulted in a bronze medal at the Canadian National Championships. They were unable to compete internationally during the 2011-2012 season due to a quarantine period associated with Gilles' change in sporting citizenship.

Breakthrough Season

The 2014-2015 season proved to be a breakthrough for the pair. They won the silver medal at the Autumn Classic International, finished second at two Grand Prix events, and secured a spot in the Grand Prix Final. Gilles and Poirier continued their strong performance at the Canadian National Championships, where they became vice-champions. They went on to win a silver medal at the Four Continents Championships and finished sixth at the World Championships.

Continued Success

In subsequent seasons, Gilles and Poirier continued to improve their results. They placed third at Skate America, won a bronze medal at the Trophée Éric Bompard, and earned a top-five finish at the Four Continents Championships. At the World Championships, they improved their personal bests in all three segments and placed eighth overall.

Olympic Season

During the 2017-2018 Olympic season, Gilles and Poirier won a bronze medal at the Nebelhorn Trophy, placed third at the Canadian National Championships, and finished tenth at the Four Continents Championships. At the World Championships, they secured a spot in the top eight.

Post-Olympic Career

After the 2018 Olympics, Gilles and Poirier continued to compete successfully. They won a bronze medal at the Autumn Classic International and finished fourth at the Grand Prix Final. They also placed third at Skate Canada and fifth at the Four Continents Championships.

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