Canadian ice dancers Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier avoided a costly deduction at the 2026 Winter Olympics after a costume piece came loose mid-routine, with quick action preserving their score and medal hopes heading into the final dance.
WEBDESK – MediaBites Editorial
Canadian ice dance pair Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier narrowly escaped a points deduction after a wardrobe malfunction during the rhythm dance event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
During their routine, a piece of Poirier’s arm cuff tore off and became tangled in Gilles’ tights while she was spinning on his shoulder. Olympic figure skating rules state that any costume item falling onto the ice can result in a deduction because of safety risks.
Gilles reacted quickly after landing, grabbing the loose fabric and hiding it behind her back before the final pose. The item never touched the ice, allowing officials to confirm no penalty.
The pair scored 86.18 points and remained in third place, keeping them in medal contention ahead of the free dance.
France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron lead the standings, followed by the United States duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates in second.
Wardrobe incidents are rare in Olympic skating but can significantly affect results. Gilles and Poirier, two-time world silver medalists, now head into the final segment hoping to focus on performance rather than the near mishap.
