Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha (CAN) lead in the Ice Dance Rhythm Dance at the ISU Grand Prix in Chongqing, China © ISU
Majorie Lajoie/Zachary Lagha (CAN) surprisingly took the lead as the Cup of China opened Friday in Chongqing (CHN) with the Rhythm Dance. The Cup of China is the fourth of six events of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series where the best Figure Skaters of the World compete and collect points towards the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2023/24 in Beijing (CHN) on December 7-10.
Lajoie/Lagha (CAN) lead the way in the Rhythm Dance
Canada’s Majorie Lajoie/Zachary Lagha edged teammates and top favorites Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier in the Rhythm Dance by just one point. Caroline Green/Michael Parsons came in third.
Lajoie/Lagha delivered an energetic performance to “Thriller” which was highlighted by intricate footwork and a rotational lift. The Skate America silver medalists collected a level four for the twizzles, plus the lift, while the pattern dance type step sequence and the midline step sequence merited a level three.
The team from Montréal set a season’s best of 82.02 points for a narrow lead in the first segment of the Ice Dance competition.
“We are very happy, we skated very good. We made the crowd happy, which is the most important for us especially with this program,” Lagha said.
“For us it wasn’t difficult to choose the music. I always wanted to skate to Michael Jackson even though the coaches were skeptical. We really enjoy this program,” he added.
Dancing to “No More I Love You’s” and “Addicted to Love”, Gilles/Poirier entertained the crowd and merited a level four for their rotational lift and a level three for the midline footwork. However, Gilles made a little error on the twizzles and their pattern dance type step sequence was rated a level two.
Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier (CAN) in the Ice Dance Rhythm Dance at the ISU Grand Prix in Chongqing, China © ISU
The two-time ISU World bronze medalists scored 81.04 points.
“Today was not our best skate,” Gilles admitted. “Our big focus of the program was to try to amplify the energy and performance. From what we’ve learned over the years, when you give too much, maybe you are not ready for that performance.
“I felt I gave too much, and so I wasn’t really grounded, and made a little mistake in the twizzles. Overall I think we did accomplish a bit more energetic (performance), so we are happy and looking forward to the free dance,” she said.
Green/Parsons had chosen yet a different style with the rock songs “Still Loving You” and “Rock You Like a Hurricane” by The Scorpions. The 2022 ISU Four Continents Champions collected level threes and fours for the elements for a season’s best score of 76.07 points.
Caroline Green and Michael Parsons (USA) in the Ice Dance Rhythm Dance at the ISU Grand Prix in Chongqing, China © ISU
“We debuted this program at Skate America and at that point it was two weeks old. So now it is four weeks’ old and we are happy with progress.
“We’re not yet where we want to be this season, but we are very happy with the progress we’ve made in a short amount of time,” Parsons said.
Eva Pate/Logan Bye (USA) finished fourth at 73.29 points followed by Emily Bratti/Ian Somerville (USA) on 71.17 points. Maria Kazakova/Giorgi Reviya (GEO) placed sixth (70.58 points).
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 towards to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2023/24 in Beijing (CHN).
ISU Grand Prix Standings
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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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