Canada’s newest pairs duo, Eric Radford and Vanessa James, continued to impress at the Autumn International Classic on Friday, placing second in the free skate to finish their debut event second overall.
The pair received a free-skate score of 115.72 to bring their total to 184.01, well behind Japan’s Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara’s total of 204.06. The Japanese duo won both the short program and free skate, earning 131.74 in the latter.
Fellow Canadian duo Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps narrowly placed third with a score of 112.08, just 0.07 ahead of American pair Katie McBeath and Nathan Bartholomay.
Radford, a three-time Olympic medallist and two-time world champion, announced in April that he and James were coming out of retirement to compete together. James previously competed for France, topping the podium at European and Grand Prix Final championships, as well as earning bronze at worlds.
WATCH | Radford, James place 2nd in free skating pairs event:
![](https://thumbnails.cbc.ca/maven_legacy/thumbnails/798/651/RadJamesA.jpg?crop=1.777xh:h;*,*&downsize=510px:* 510w")
Toronto’s Vanessa James, who won a world championship bronze medal while skating for France and world champion Eric Radford of Balmertown, Ont., finished second in their international debut at the ISU 2021 Autumn Classic International in Pierrefonds, Que. 7:48
The news came ahead of the season leading up to the Beijing 2022 Olympics, where Canada is slated to send two pairs teams.
WATCH | Japanese duo victorious in pairs event:
![](https://thumbnails.cbc.ca/maven_legacy/thumbnails/671/698/Piper.jpg?crop=1.777xh:h;*,*&downsize=510px:* 510w")
Toronto’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Unionville, Ont., lead following the rhythm dance at the ISU 2021 Autumn Classic International in Pierrefonds, Que. 6:30
In the rhythm dance event, it was the Canadian duo of Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier who easily grasped the lead with a score of 83.35.
Spain’s Olivia Smart and Adrian Diaz posted the second highest score of 75.20, while the American pairing Caroline Green and Michael received a score of 73.93 to hold onto third place.
Canada’s Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha came in a close fourth, scoring 71.27.
WATCH | Canada’s Gilles, Poirier take lead in rhythm dance event:
![](https://thumbnails.cbc.ca/maven_legacy/thumbnails/593/571/Orzel_spins_still.png?crop=1.777xh:h;*,*&downsize=510px:* 510w")
Toronto’s Conrad Orzel scored 80.82 after his short program to lead at the ISU Autumn Classic International figure skating event at Pierrefonds, Quebec. 6:23
Meanwhile, Canadian Conrad Orzel took the lead in the men’s short program with a score of 80.82.
The Toronto native was the lone skater to not have any points deducted.
Bennet Toman placed second with a score of 63.30, while Beres Clements was finished third receiving a score of 55.48 from the judges.
Nam Nguyen and Samuel Angers both withdrew from the event.
WATCH | Toronto’s Orzel takes lead in short program:
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