Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) leads in the Women’s Short Program in the World Figure Skating Championships in Saitama (JPN) © ISU
Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) stormed to the lead as the ISU World Figure Skating Championships continued with the Women’s Short Program on Wednesday in Saitama.
Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) leaps to the lead
Reigning World Champion Kaori Sakamoto of Japan came out at her best in the Short Program on home ice, storming to the lead with a new season’s best score. Korea’s ISU Four Continents Champion Haein Lee came in second while ISU Grand Prix Final Champion Mai Mihara of Japan is currently ranked third.
Sakamoto delivered when it counted and put on an energetic performance in front of a home crowd to “Rock With U” and “Feedback” by Janet Jackson, hitting a double Axel, triple Lutz, triple flip-triple toe combination as well as level-four spins and footwork. The 2022 Olympic bronze medalist earned 79.24 points.
“I hit a plateau with my short program score this season, so I am very happy with my score today, leading into my free skate,” Sakamoto said.
“It’s been a very long time since Japan has had a competition where the audience can cheer. It reminded me of Worlds four years ago, and during today’s six-minute warm up I was a little nervous, but also excited to finally feel this atmosphere again.
“For the free skate I want to keep my concentration until the very end and hopefully end with a perfect performance,” she added.
Lee looked very strong as well. Her performance to “Storm” by Eric Radford included a triple Lutz-triple toe, double Axel and triple flip. The Four Continents Champion picked up a level four for her spins and a level three for her step sequence to achieve a personal best with 73.62 points.
Haein Lee (KOR) in the Short Program in the World Figure Skating Championships in Saitama (JPN) © ISU
“First of all, I was just really happy to have made it to Worlds. When I practiced I felt very happy, even when I fell, I was just happy because I could go to Worlds,” Lee said. “Winning the Four Continents really helped me to get more confidence, but also put some pressure on me.”
Mihara’s emotional performance to “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence” was highlighted by a triple flip, double Axel and excellent spins. The only glitch was a slight underrotation of the back end of her triple Lutz-triple toe combination. The 2022 ISU Four Continents Champion scored 73.46 points.
Mai Mihara (JPN) in the Women’s Short Program World Championships in Saitama (JPN) © ISU
“I was the most nervous among all of this season’s competition. When I heard my name announced, I felt so moved and had tears in my eyes. In that situation, I felt grateful that I was able to skate at this place, and thought that I had no choice but to skate with all my might,” Mihara said.
“For the first time in a long time, I was so nervous that my legs were shaking. I’m happy that I was able to skate through jumps, spins, and steps.”
ISU Grand Prix Final silver medalist and 2022 ISU World Junior Champion Isabeau Levito (USA) burst on to the senior World Championship with a strong program to “Una Noche Mas” to come fourth with a personal best of 73.03 points. 2022 World silver medalist Loena Hendrickx (BEL) fell on her triple Lutz-triple toe combination to finish fifth, but remains close to the podium with 71.94 points. Niina Petrökina (EST) rounds up the top six with a clean performance (68.00 points)
Skaters/Couples need to have obtained a minimum total technical score in Short Program and Free Skating in order to compete at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships.
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).
Schedule of the event
The schedule of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships is as follows:
Wednesday, March 22: Pairs & Women’s Short Programs
Thursday, March 23: Pairs Free Skating & Men’s Short Program
Friday, March 24: Rhythm Dance & Women’s Free Skating
Saturday, March 25: Free Dance & Men’s Free Skating
Sunday, March 26: Exhibition Gala
For full entries and results, please see the ISU event page and the official website. Follow the discussion on social media using #WorldFigure and #FigureSkating.
Where to watch the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2023:
The ISU World Figure Skating Championships will be live streamed on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. Geo-restrictions will apply in markets where TV rights are in place. You will find the full list on the Where to Watch webpage here.
Subscribe to the Skating ISU YouTube Channel to receive alerts when the live streams start and when new videos are posted.
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