Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier (USA) lead after the Pairs Short Program at Skate America in Norwood, MA (USA) © ISU
Reigning World Champions Alexa Knierim/Brandon Frazier (USA) skated into the lead in the Pairs Short Program at ISU Grand Prix Skate America in Norwood, MA (USA), followed by Canada’s Deanna Stellato-Dudek/Maxime Deschamps and Letizia Roscher/Luis Schuster of Germany.
Knierim/Frazier’s performance to “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” by Journey was highlighted by a high triple twist, a throw triple flip as well as a level-four Axel Lasso lift. The only glitch was a somewhat shaky set of triple toes. The U.S. Champions scored 75.19 points.
“To come out on competitive ice after the way we ended last season meant a lot to me personally. There was a lot of positivity out there tonight,” Frazier said.
“There are a lot of good things to take from this program, but we can do better. It was a little of a fight tonight, but it was our starting base,” he continued.
“We are very happy to be back on competitive ice,” Knierim shared. “It’s our first event this season. I felt calm and excited and warmed by the audience. It felt weird to compete again. When you compete everything feels high sensitivity and it’s been a while since I felt that.”
Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps (CAN) achieved a personal best in the short program to lie second © ISU
Skating to “Tango Oblivion”, Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps nailed a triple twist, side by side triple toes and throw triple loop to post a new personal best of 73.05 points.
“It’s our first Grand Prix event. It’s like a homecoming for me. I feel like at my wedding, I know everyone and people I don’t know are cheering for me also,” Stellato-Dudek said.
“It’s been a great experience and we’re very pleased with our performance and it’s our personal best for the short,” she added.
German junior champions Letizia Roscher and Luis Schuster (GER) made a solid debut in the senior ISU Grand Prix © ISU
Roscher/Schuster completed a triple twist and level-four reverse Lasso lift, but the side by side double Axel was slightly underrotated (q). The German Junior Champions, making their debut in the senior ISU Grand Prix, earned 54.87 points.
“It was a great experience for us,” Schuster told the press. “It was a little bit shaky but we did our best. It was not a clean skate, but we can be proud with all the new stuff for us. We‘re looking forward to the free program.”
Kelly Ann Laurin/Loucas Ethier (CAN) placed fourth on 52.59 points and Anna Valesi/Manuel Piazza (ITA) are currently ranked fifth on 49.93 points.
Competition resumes Saturday with the Rhythm Dance, Women’s Short Program, Pairs & Men’s Free Skating.
Skate America in Norwood (USA) October 21-23 is the first of six events in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series.
More than 150 Skaters/Couples representing 29 ISU Members have been invited. The maximum number of entries for each event is 12 Ladies, 12 Men, 8 Pairs and 10 Ice Dance couples.
The General Announcement of the 2022/23 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series is available here. The individual announcements are published under the respective events. Full entry lists and further information are available on the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series page.
Selection Criteria
The Skaters are seeded and invited to the six Grand Prix of Figure Skating events based on the results of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2022. Skaters/Couples who have placed 1 to 6 in each of the four categories are seeded and assigned to two events. Skaters/Couples who have placed 7-12 at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships are selected for two ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events, and Skaters with a top 24 Seasonal Best Scores (from the 2021/22 season) as well as those placed in the top 24 of the ISU World Standings can also be invited. If available, medalists from the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships can also be selected.
In order for a Skater/Couple to be eligible to compete at an ISU Grand Prix event, a minimum total score must have been achieved in the 2021/22 or current 2022/23 season in an ISU event (Grand Prix, Junior Grand Prix, Championships) or a Challenger Series event. Exceptions apply to host country Skaters, previously ranked Skaters or split ranked Couples who return with new partners. The minimum total score is 3/5 of highest score per discipline at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2022 and are as follows: Women: 141.65, Men: 187.49, Pairs: 132.65, Ice Dance: 137.89.
Following the IOC recommendation and in order to protect the integrity of ice skating competitions and for the safety of all the participants of international ice skating competitions, the ISU Council based on Article 17.1.q)i) of the ISU Constitution, agreed that with immediate effect and until further notice, no Skaters belonging to the ISU Members in Russia (Russian Skating Union and the Figure Skating Federation of Russia) and Belarus (Skating Union of Belarus) shall be invited or allowed to participate in International ice skating competitions including ISU Championships and other ISU Events. The same applies to Officials listed in the respective ISU Communications and/or Regulations under Russia and Belarus (see ISU Communication 2469).
Grand Prix Standings
Men Women Ice Dance Pair Skating
Where to Watch
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events will be live streamed on the official ISU YouTube Channel in most countries. Find out where to watch the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating competitions.
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ISU Grand Prix Schedule
The schedules of each ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events are available below:
21 - 23 Oct, 2022 Skate America, Norwood (USA)
28 – 30 Oct, 2022 Skate Canada International, Mississauga (CAN)
04 - 06 Nov, 2022 Grand Prix de France, Angers (FRA)
11 - 13 Nov, 2022 MK John Wilson Trophy, Sheffield (GBR)
18 - 20 Nov, 2022 NHK Trophy, Sapporo (JPN)
25 - 27 Nov, 2022 Grand Prix Espoo, Espoo (FIN)
08 - 11 Dec, 2022 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, Torino (ITA)
About ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 (previously known a s the ISU Champions Series) and consists of six invitational international senior events and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The top six of the past World Championships are seeded. Competitors collect points in their Grand Prix events towards the qualification for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Only the top six Skaters / Couples in each discipline can qualify for the Final.
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