Mai Mihara of Japan leads in the Women's Short Program in the ISU Grand Prix in Sheffield (GBR) © ISU
Reigning ISU Four Continents Champion Mai Mihara of Japan set the tone in the Women’s Short Program with her winning performance. ISU World Junior Champion Isabeau Levito (USA) is less than half a point behind. Anastasiia Gubanova of Georgia completes the top three of the day.
The enchanting Mihara put on a stellar performance to “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence” that was highlighted by a double Axel, triple Lutz-triple toe and level-four spins and footwork. Only the triple flip was somewhat wobbly. The two-time ISU Four Continents Champion earned 72.23 points.
Mihara admitted that she had to overcome her nerves in her first major competition this season.
“I was so nervous, but I was looking forward to skate here,” she said. “I am thinking about the next Olympics and I'd like to aim for it. Every year is very important, day by day I am enjoying and I am thinking about what I can do to improve my skating. This year I’m here at Grand Prix series. Today I skated in front of so many people, I am so grateful for that.”
Levito had opted for a Flamenco style routine with “Una Noche Mas” by Yasmin Levy, and produced a triple flip, double Axel and triple Lutz-triple toe to achieve a season’s best of 72.06 points.
Isabeau Levito (USA) competes in the Women's Short Program in the ISU Grand Prix in Sheffield (GBR) © ISU
Nevertheless, the 15-year-old feels this is not the best she can do.
“I have a mental vision of how I wanted so skate and I feel like I've yet to see it, but I felt very happy with how I did,” she said.
The Skate America silver medalist has a good chance to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix Final in her first senior-level season, and she seems unfazed.
“I don't think there is any additional pressure. I'm just very excited to come here and compete, and so far everything has been so wonderful,” she said.
Gubanova came to Sheffield to tell a story with a happy ending. Skating to “Historiette”, she landed a triple flip-triple toe, double Axel and triple Lutz. However, the combination spin was not her best. The Georgian Skater netted 66.82 points.
Anastasiia Gubanova of Georgia competes in the Women's Short program at the ISU Grand Prix in Sheffield (GBR) © ISU
“I really like it when the program has a storyline,” Gubanova said. “I'm skating a girl who, at the beginning of the program, is just living a happy life. In the second half there is an accident: the girl is in a coma. She is between life and death, strives towards the light, and in the end there is the sound of a deep breath and I am alive.”
Ekaterina Kurakova (POL) gave a solid performance to finish fourth at 63.46 points. Gabriella Izzo (USA) follows in fifth (62.92 points). Skate Canada bronze medalist Young You (KOR) came sixth at 61.21 points. She had told reporters that she had been sick before the event, and had even considered withdrawing.
Schedule of the event
The schedule is as follows:
Friday, November 11: Pairs & Men’s Short Program
Saturday, November 12: Women’s Short Program, Rhythm Dance, Pairs & Men’s Free Skating
Sunday, November 13: Women’s Free Skating, Free Dance, Exhibition Gala
The MK John Wilson Trophy in Sheffield (GBR) November 10-13, 2022, is the fourth of six events in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. Great Britain hosts an ISU Grand Prix (senior level) event for the first time.
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.
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 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.
.png)
