Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA) impressed with fast twizzles and footwork at Skate America in Norwood, MA (USA) © ISU
Three-time World medalists Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA) danced into the lead in the Rhythm Dance followed by teammates Kaitlin Hawayek/Jean-Luc Baker. Canadians Marie-Jade Lauriault/Romain Le Gac came third in the segment.
Chock/Bates had picked a remix of “Let’s Dance” by David Bowie and impressed with their fast twizzles, footwork and overall interpretation. The 2022 ISU World bronze medalists collected a level three and four for the twizzles and a level three for the pattern dance step sequence and midline step sequence, while the rotational lift was graded a level two. The two-time ISU Four Continents Champions scored 82.63 points.
“We really liked the Rhythm Dance that we created this summer. We feel it has got loads of potential,” Bates said.
“This is our first outing and we had a few technical issues, especially in the lift. But it was still a good start and it’s wonderful to be here at Skate America,” he continued.
Kaitlin Hawayek/Jean-Luc Baker (USA) set a season's best in front of their home crowd at the Skating Club of Boston © ISU
Hawayek/Baker’s upbeat dance to “Cuban Pete”, “Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps” and “El Cumbanchero” featured level-three footwork and a level-three straight line lift. The 2018 ISU Four Continents Champions set a season’s best of 79.12 points.
“It was such a fun crowd today,” Hawayek observed.
“It’s really special to be in front of American crowd and we definitely felt the support from everybody else: there were some Japanese fans in the crowd as well. It’s great to see people being able to come and visit competitions again.”
Lauriault/Le Gac (CAN) posted a personal best in the Rhythm Dance at the opening event of the 2022/23 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating © ISU
Dancing to Mambo and Rhumba, Lauriault/Le Gac produced level-four twizzles, rotational lift and pattern dance step sequence to post a personal best score of 72.12 points.
“We were very happy with our performance today and our preparation from our last competition. We did what we do in practice and we enjoyed skating in Boston,” Le Gac commented.
Holly Harris/Jason Chan (AUS) are not far behind in fourth place at 71.58 points, followed by 2022 ISU Four Continents silver medalists Kana Muramoto/Daisuke Takahashi (JPN) on 69.67 points.
Competition continues Saturday with the Women’s Short Program, Pairs & Men’s Free Skating and concludes Sunday with the Ice Dance and the Women'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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