Canadian ice dancers Gilles and Poirier golden again, winning Grand Prix Espoo | CBC Sports

Canadian ice dancers Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier won the ISU Grand Prix Espoo on Saturday for their second victory of the season.

Skating to music from the “Evita” soundtrack, the world bronze medallists scored 219.49 points in Espoo, Finland — their best-ever international score. Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker of the U.S. were second (202.46), while Finland’s Juulia Turkkila and Matthias Versluis won the bronze (191.79).

“What worked well this week is how much we trusted our training and trusted each other,” said Poirier. `’We didn’t force anything and really let the skating happen by itself like we know how to do. We are really proud of our performance today.”

Gilles and Poirier opened the season with a victory at Skate Canada International last month. They’ll vie for gold at the Grand Prix Final next in two weeks in Turin, Italy.

WATCH | Gilles, Poirier top podium in Espoo: 

Canada’s Gilles and Poirier earn spot in Grand Prix final with win in Finland

The Canadian pair cruised to victory by taking the free dance and assuring themselves a place in the Grand Prix final.

Canadian Madeline Schizas finished fifth in women’s singles with 187.84 points.

Japan’s Mai Mihara won the gold  with 204.14, while Belgium’s Loena Hendrickx (197.41) claimed silver ahead of Japan’s Mana Kawabe (203.91).

WATCH | Mihara captures gold: 

Japan’s Mai Mihara skates the best free program at the Espoo Grand Prix

The Japanese skater performed a fantastic routine in the women’s free to grab the top spot in Finland.

Canada’s Keegan Messing finished eighth in his Grand Prix finale. The 30-year-old, who plans to retire after this season, had been fourth after Friday’s short program, but fell badly on his opening quadruple toe-loop, hitting the side of his head on the ice. He scored 205.02.

American Ilia Malinin captured the gold with 278.39 points after landing four quads in the free skate.

WATCH | Malinin wins men’s competition: 

Ilia Malinin lands 4 quads in men’s free to win Grand Prix Finland

The American put on a dominant display on his way to the title in Espoo.

The Grand Prix Espoo is the sixth and final Grand Prix of the season. Skaters are assigned to two Grand Prix events, and the top six in each discipline compete in the Grand Prix Final, Dec. 8-11 in Turin, Italy.

Competition in Espoo continues Sunday with the Gala, starting at 7 a.m. ET. Watch live coverage on CBCSports.ca, CBC Gem and the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android.