Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA) in the Men's Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating de France at Angers © ISU
ISU European Champion Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA) stole the show on home ice as the ISU Grand Prix de France in Angers continued Saturday with the Men’s Free Skating. The Grand Prix de France is the third of six events in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series with the best Figure Skaters of the World competing for points towards the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2023/24 in Beijing (CHN) on December 7-10.
Siao Him Fa (FRA) tops rival Malinin (USA)
ISU European Champion Adam Siao Him Fa of France triumphed over 2023 ISU World bronze medalist Ilia Malinin (USA) in what was an exciting battle between the top Men. Japan’s 2022 Olympic silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama earned the bronze in his comeback to the circuit after sitting out the past season due to injury.
Siao Him Fa put on an impressive performance of his program set to “Departure”, “The Quality of Mercy” and “Refuge”, telling the story of life. The defending ISU Grand Prix de France Champion reeled off four quadruple jumps and two triple Axels, as well as two more triples and level-four spins and steps. The French Champion posted a personal best of 205.71 points and racked up 306.78 points overall.
“When I started the program, I was shaking,” Siao Him Fa admitted. “But right after when I started the first movement of my program, in my mind, I was telling myself, OK, just stop thinking about competition, just enjoy.” And he did.
“It (to win) feels great, I still cannot realize what happened. The fact that the level this year at the Grand Prix in France was so high was motivating me. I really wanted to push myself over my limits and I really enjoyed to skate here tonight.”
Skating to the dramatic “Succession” soundtrack, Malinin landed four quads, as well and two triple Axels, one in a sequence with a triple Lutz.
Ilia Malinin (USA) in the Men's Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating de France at Angers © ISU
The US Champion collected a level four for his spins and footwork and scored 203.10. He just slipped behind Siao Him Fa with a total of 304.68 points.
“I am very happy with my skate today,” Malinin said. “My main goal was to try to have a solid base and to qualify for the final. And I think that I have achieved that here.”
“Quad God” Malinin had decided not to include his famous quadruple Axel in today's performance.
“When I was going on the ice, I think that it would have been best not to put it in. Because knowing that with the base value, and if I were to put it in and have negative GOE (grade of execution), it would have brought my score down even lower,” he explained.
Kagiyama’s program to “Rain, In Your Black Eyes” included a quad Salchow, quad toe-Euler-triple Salchow, but he popped an Axel. Nevertheless, he managed a new season’s best with 175.23 points and took the bronze with 273.14 points.
Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) in the Men's Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating de France at Angers © ISU
“I feel I made some mistakes in my performance and I'm very frustrated. And looking at the scores and also my performance, I think I've still a lot to work on to compete with the top two,” the 20-year-old said. “But those two skaters inspired me a lot to move on and to work for the future.”
2023 ISU European bronze medalist Lukas Britschgi (SUI) finished fourth at 263.43 points followed by Camden Pulkinen (USA) on 230.84 points. Luc Economides (FRA) pulled up from ninth to sixth place at 230.74 points.
Siao Him Fa now has 15 points for the ISU Grand Prix standings and will compete again next week at the Cup of China trying to secure his spot in the ISU Grand Prix Final. Malinin qualified for the Final with his gold from Skate America and his silver from France (28 points). Kagiyama (11 points) has his second event in Japan at NHK Trophy.
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series consists of six events: Skate America, Skate Canada International, Grand Prix de France, Cup of China, the Grand Prix Espoo (FIN) and NHK Trophy (JPN). Skaters collect points to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2023/24 in Beijing (CHN).
ISU Grand Prix Standings
For full entry lists and further information regarding the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series please visit here.
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Where to Watch
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events will be live streamed with English commentary on the official ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 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:
20 - 22 Oct, 2023 Skate America, Allen (Texas, USA)
27 – 29 Oct, 2023 Skate Canada International, Vancouver (CAN)
03 - 05 Nov, 2023 Grand Prix de France, Angers (FRA)
10 - 12 Nov, 2023 Grand Prix Cup of China, Chongqing (CHN)
17 - 19 Nov, 2023 Grand Prix Espoo, Espoo (FIN)
24 - 26 Nov, 2023 NHK Trophy, Osaka (JPN)
07 - 10 Dec, 2023 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, Beijing (CHN)
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