Rebecca Ghilardi and Filippo Ambrosini (ITA) compete in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Espoo (FIN) © ISU
Rebecca Ghilardi/Filippo Ambrosini of Italy skated to the lead in the Short Program and held on to their chance to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Anastasiia Smirnova/Danylo Siianytsina (USA) follow in second place while Georgia’s Anastasiia Metelkina/Daniil Parkman came third.
Skating to “Somebody To Love” and “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen, Ghilardi/Ambrosini produced a triple twist, double Axel, throw triple Lutz and collected a level four for the lift and the side by side combination spin. The Italian silver medalists posted a personal best score with 67.31 points.
Sporting a moustache, Ambrosini took on the role of Freddie Mercury.
“We enjoyed skating our program. I represent Freddie Mercury and we feel this program, this music,” he said.
The Italians know the chance is there to make it to the Final which is held in their home country next month.
“It is a big opportunity for us (to make the Grand Prix Final) and we’d like to reach this goal,” Ghilardi said.
“We just want to skate and be happy about our performance. Today we reached this goal. We’ve worked very hard for it and work is paying off. We hope to go to Torino.”
Smirnova/Siianytsina’s program to “Sound of Silence” featured a triple twist, throw triple Salchow and side by side triple Salchow, but Smirnova touched down with her hand. Nevertheless, the ISU World Junior Championships competitors achieved a personal best score of 63.01 points.
Anastasiia Smirnova and Danilo Siianytsia (USA) in action during the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating at Espoo (FIN) © ISU
“This is our first Grand Prix on the senior circuit and we are pretty excited and especially about getting our season’s best,” Siianytsina said.
The couple had to withdraw from the ISU Grand Prix Skate America earlier this season.
“I pulled my groin and couldn’t do anything,” he explained.
Metelkina/Parkman put out a solid program to “I’ll Take Care of You”, which was highlighted by a triple twist and reverse lasso lift. However, the side by side triple Salchow was slightly underrotated and Metelkina stepped out of the landing of the throw triple flip. The Georgians set a season’s best with 62.59 points.
Anastasiia Metelkina and Daniil Parkman (GEO) at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Espoo (FIN) © ISU
“Today not everything worked out 100 per cent, but it is a step up from our last Grand Prix. We hope to continue the same way, to go up step by step,” Parkman said.
The couple still can qualify for the Final if they finish first or second - and ahead of Ghilardi/Ambrosini.
“We don’t really have it (the Grand Prix Final) on our mind, we just try to skate our best,” Parkman pointed out.
Alisa Efimova/Ruben Blommaert (GER) are within striking distance of the podium at 62.46 points, followed by Daria Danilova/Michel Tsiba (NED) on 56.41 points.
Schedule of the event
The schedule is as follows:
Friday, November 25: Pairs, Women’s & Men’s Short Programs, Rhythm Dance
Saturday, November 26: Pairs, Women’s & Men’s Free Skating, Free Dance
Sunday, November 27: Exhibition Gala
The Grand Prix Espoo in Espoo (FIN) November 25-27 is the sixth and last event in the 2022/23 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series.
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 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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