11.02.2026 15:11
During the 2026 Winter Olympics, ice dancer Piper Gilles and her partner Paul Poirier faced a wardrobe malfunction during their performance. Poirier's cuff got caught on Gilles' tights during a spin.
The ice at the 2026 Winter Olympics was truly breathtaking. One of the most dazzling stars of the event, Canadian ice dancer Piper Gilles, shocked both the audience and the judges with a wardrobe malfunction during her routine. The incident, narrowly avoided by seconds, became one of the most talked-about moments of the competition.
In the rhythm dance competition held on Tuesday afternoon, Piper Gilles and her partner Paul Poirier took to the ice for a medal battle. However, an unfortunate moment occurred during their impressive performance. Poirier's cuff got caught on Gilles' tights during a turn. This situation could have led to a wardrobe malfunction penalty and a significant loss of points.
Just when everything seemed to be going wrong, Piper Gilles' reflexes came into play. The experienced athlete quickly caught the cuff without giving anyone a chance to notice and cleverly hid it behind her back. The duo completed their performance by striking a final pose as if nothing had happened.
If a piece of clothing had fallen onto the ice, a 1.0 point penalty would have been inevitable according to the International Skating Union (ISU) rules. However, the wardrobe malfunction moment did not reflect on the judges, and the Canadian pair completed their performance without penalty.
Gilles and Poirier finished the day in third place with a score of 86.18, securing a spot on the podium. This result positioned them as strong medal contenders before the free dance.
The duo, known for their successes, has been competing at the top of ice dance for a long time. The pair, who won a silver medal at the 2024 World Championships, has also achieved third place in the world twice. Having competed in the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics, Gilles and Poirier have managed to improve their rankings in each event.
Born in the USA, Piper Gilles has been competing for Canada since 2011 and is considered one of the country's most consistent athletes. Paul Poirier stands out as one of the most experienced names on the ice with four Olympic experiences.
This wardrobe malfunction on the ice has already etched its name among the unforgettable moments in Olympic history, while Piper Gilles' composure has garnered great praise on social media.