Canadian ice dancers sit 1-2 after rhythm dance at Cup of China

Canadians are atop the ice dance standings in China.

Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha are in first place after the rhythm dance in Chongqing, scoring 82.02 points to hold the slight edge over Skate Canada champions Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, who scored 81.04.

Lajoie, of Boucherville, Que., and Lagha, of Saint-Hubert, Que., broke through last season with wins at the Budapest Trophy and Ondrej Nepela Memorial before placing second at nationals.

They finished second at Skate America this season behind only Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S., the reigning Olympic silver medallists.

Now, the 23-year-old Canadian duo are leading their more accomplished teammates in Gilles and Poirier, who claimed bronze at last year's worlds.

WATCH | Lajoi, Lagha in control at Cup of China:

Gilles, of Toronto, and Poirier, of Unionville, Ont., have won four consecutive Grand Prix events, including the final last season.

Meanwhile, Canadian pairs team Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps hold a solid lead after their free dance, scoring 70.39 points as they pursue a second straight Grand Prix victory after also winning Skate Canada.

WATCH | Gilles, Poirier 2nd after rhythm dance:

Stellato-Dudek, the 40-year-old born in Chicago, and Deschamps, a 31-year-old from Vaudreuil-Dorion, Que., sit ahead of second-place Italians Rebecca Ghilardi and Filippo Ambrosini at 66.33.

Madeline Schizas, the 20-year-old from Oakville, Ont. was seventh in the women's free dance with 61.53 points. World bronze medallist Loena Hendrickx of Belgium was first.

"I was a little early in time," Hendrickx said of the axel. "I was standing a bit longer before my axel and the concentration was gone, but I just have to jump anyway."

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