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Knierim Frazier USA Norwood Oct22 Pairs Free 1435698760

Despite ranking second in the Free Dance, Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA) earned their first ISU GP title since 2015  © ISU

Three-time ISU World medalists Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA) danced off with the third Skate America title of their career. However, silver medalists Kaitlin Hawayek/Jean-Luc Baker (USA) were less than a point behind their compatriots, while Canadians Marie-Jade Lauriault/Romain Le Gac took the bronze, the first Grand Prix medal of their career.

Chock/Bates debuted their new Free Dance to “Film III”, “Les Tectoniques” and “Fem III” by Canadian musician Jorane and earned a level four for their twizzles, the dance spin and curve lift and a level three for the diagonal step sequence. However, his part of the one foot step sequence garnered only a level one and the Americans did not get credit for their choreo step sequence. As a result, Chock/Bates were ranked second in the Free Dance at 120.17 points, but remained in first place at 202.80 points total.

While the couple earned their third Skate America title and fourth Grand Prix title in total, it was their first since 2015.

“Overall we are pleased with how our first competition of the season went. To perform the free dance was a joy. We have a few technical details that need some work - like a missing element – but we’ll put that back in and we’ll be on our way,” Chock commented.

Hawayek Baker USA Norwood Oct22 Free 1435938033

Hawayek/Baker (USA) won the Free Dance segment with a personal best to secure second place at their home event © ISU

Hawayek/Baker put out an emotional performance to “Requiem” and “Sofia” by Askjell Solstrand, producing five level-four elements. The 2014 ISU Four Continents Champions won the Free Dance segment with a personal best score of 122.95 points and claimed silver with 202.07 points. They had won a Grand Prix in 2018 and were second at the domestic Grand Prix Skate America in 2020.

“Today we were very aligned, very grounded going into the event and we really performed,” Hawayek said.

“This season we’re stepping into a new place. We’re owning what we’re doing and believing that what we’re doing is good enough to be the best in the world.

“We were really happy with the response today, not even score-wise, but the atmosphere we were feeling we created when we finished our program. It was a joy to skate here in Norwood.”

Lauriault Le Gac CAN Norwood Oct22 Free 1435938589

Husband-and-wife team Lauriault/Le Gac (CAN) came close to a personal best to win their first Grand Prix mdeal © ISU

Lauriault/Le Gac entertained the crowd with their “Pink Panther” routine and collected a level four for their combination lift and twizzles. However, their choreo step sequence received no value and they got a deduction for an extra element. Nevertheless, the husband-and-wife team came close to their personal best with 106.18 points for the Free Dance and accumulated 178.30 points overall to take bronze.

“It’s really special,” Le Gac shared. “Since our last Grand Prix three years ago we came here with another mindset to reach for a new goal and to get a medal. We are happy we reached that goal by doing what we were doing in practice. We really felt the support of the crowd here and it was a special moment for us.”

Loicia Demougeot/Theo Le Mercier (FRA) moved up from sixth to fourth with their Free Dance at 170.89 points. Holly Harris/Jason Chan (AUS) came fifth (170.20 points) while 2022 ISU Four Continents silver medalists Kana Muramoto/ Daisuke Takahashi (JPN) slipped from fifth to sixth (169.68 points).

Competition concludes Sunday with 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.

Subscribe to the ISU YouTube Channel to receive all the latest videos and follow the conversation with #GPFigure.

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 as 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.