Loena Hendrickx (BEL) soared to the top of the Women's Short Program standings in Angers © ISU
World silver medalist Loena Hendrickx (BEL) won the Women’s Short Program as the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event Grand Prix de France opened Friday in Angers (FRA).Hendrickx (BEL) took the lead with a solid outing ahead of Korea’s Yelim Kim. Mana Kawabe of Japan finished third.
Skating to “Si Mama” and “Mi Gente”, Hendrickx put out a strong performance that was highlighted by a triple flip, double Axel, triple Lutz-triple toe combination and two level-four spins. The Belgian Champion scored 72.75 points.
The World silver medalist was the only skater to score above 70.00 in the Short Program © ISU
“I really enjoyed skating in France again and I’m satisfied with my performance. It was not the best, I can do better and I’ll save it for later,” Hendrickx shared. “It is good for your confidence to have a good competition before the first Grand Prix. I had a really strong Short Program at the Nebelhorn Trophy. The Free Skating was so-so, I knew what to work on and hopefully I can be satisfied with my free skating tomorrow.”
Yelim Kim (KOR) was happy with her Short Program after finishing in second place © ISU
Kim landed a triple Lutz-triple toe, double Axel and triple flip in her program to “Mercy” by Max Richter to earn 68.93 points. “I am happy with my performance today as I did a clean Short Program. I trained my steps, spins and jumps after Finlandia Trophy and more parts of my program to become better. I want to do what trained in this competition,” the 2022 ISU Four Continents bronze medalist noted.
Mana Kawabe's Billie Eilish-inspired routine earned her third place in the Short Program © ISU
Kawabe’s performance to a medley of Billie Eilish songs included a double Axel, triple Lutz-triple toe and triple flip. The 2021 NHK Trophy silver medalist set a new season’s best of 68.83 points.
“I was really nervous, but I was able to do in the performance everything I practiced and I am satisfied about that,” Kawabe commented. “Regarding the success rate of my triple Axel, it is not yet good enough to put into my program,” she added.
Audrey Shin (USA) finished the Short Program in fourth place © ISU
Audrey Shin (USA) placed fourth with 64.27 points while Rion Sumiyoshi (JPN) came fifth (64.10 points). 2022 ISU Four Continents silver medalist Haein Lee (KOR) is currently ranked sixth after missing her planned triple loop (62.77 points).
The Grand Prix de France in Angers (FRA) November 4-6 is the third of six events in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating.
More than 150 Skaters/Couples representing 29 ISU Members have been invited to the series. 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
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 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.
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