Kaori Sakamoto of Japan was at the top of her game at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Torino on Friday. The ISU World Champion setting a season’s best score to lead the Women’s event after the Short Program. Teammate Mai Mihara and Belgium’s World silver medalist Loena Hendrickx follow closely in second and third.
Sakamoto put out a confident performance to “Rock With U” and “Feedback” by Janet Jackson, highlighted by a double Axel, triple Lutz, triple flip-triple toeloop combination and level-four footwork. The 2022 Olympic bronze medalist scored 75.86 points.
World Champion Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) continues her impressive form in Torino © ISU
“The amount of my practices didn't change in the time until the Final but, I've increased my training slightly,” she said. “When I had time, I walked or used the train instead of taking the car. I just thought about moving my body even during the day, and I was conscious about moving (my body). So I feel like I got the movement of my body back.
“I understand that no matter how my short program goes, I have to do well at the Free Skate. So finishing my short program perfectly after a long time, although I’m relieved, tomorrow’s here soon so I want to focus and do my best going into tomorrow.”
Skating to “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence”, Mihara, who trains with Sakamoto, delivered as well, nailing a double Axel, triple flip and triple Lutz-triple toe combination as well as three level-four spins. The two-time ISU Four Continents Champion posted a personal best score with 74.58 points.
Mai Mihara (JPN) had 'so much pressure' but still posted a personal best © ISU
“I had so much pressure,” she said. “Today I didn’t see until right before my performance that I was going to skate last in this event and when I saw that I was going to skate last I was quite surprised and suddenly became nervous. Being the last skater in the women’s event and the last skater for the whole event today I really tried to stay focused and focus on how happy I am just to be here and be able to skate in this event.”
Hendrickx completed a double Axel, triple flip in her Latin style routine to “Si Mama” and “Mi Gente”, but she slightly underrotated the back end of the triple Lutz-triple toeloop combination. The Grand Prix de France Champion earned 74.24 points.
Loena Hendrickx (BEL) will hope to add to her World silver medal © ISU
The Grand Prix Espoo silver medalist said: “It could have been better but think I can be really satisfied with my skate today. My combination jump wasn’t clean, I felt it and saw on the points as well, but the rest - everything is level four and the other jumps were good so I can be very happy. I know I have to work on my triple-triple in the second half, it’s the first year I’m doing it. I’m glad I did it every competition, not perfect, but I’m looking forward for tomorrow.”
Rinka Watanabe (JPN) was the only skater to go for a triple Axel, but she slightly underrotated (q) and came fourth (72.58 points). Reigning World Junior Champion Isabeau Levito (USA) finished fifth (69.26) while Yelim Kim (KOR) popped her Axel and was sixth (61.55).
Schedule of the event
The schedule is as follows:
Thursday, December 8: Junior Men, Junior Pairs, Junior Women’s Short Programs, Pairs & Men’s Short Programs
Friday, December 9: Junior Rhythm Dance, Junior Women’s & Pairs Free Skating, Rhythm Dance & Women’s Short Program
Saturday, December 10: Men’s, Junior Pairs & Junior Men’s Free Skating, Junior Free Dance, Free Dance, Women’s Free Skating
Sunday, December 11: Exhibition Gala
The ISU Grand Prix series started with Skate America in Norwood (USA) and continued with Skate Canada in Mississauga, followed by the Grand Prix de France in Angers and the John Wilson Trophy in Sheffield (GBR). The series then stopped at NHK Trophy in Sapporo (JPN) and Grand Prix Espoo (FIN). Great Britain hosted an ISU Grand Prix event for the first time. A total of 151 Skaters/Couples representing 29 ISU Members competed in the series: 44 Men, 45 Women, 26 Pairs and 36 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)
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