Madison Chock and Evan Bates (USA) in the Ice Dance at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Espoo (FIN) © ISU
ISU World Champions Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA) danced off with the lead as the first day of competition at Grand Prix Espoo concluded Friday in Espoo (FIN) with the Rhythm Dance. The Grand Prix Espoo is the fifth of six events in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series 2023/24 . The series features the best Figure Skaters of the world that compete and collect points towards the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2023/24 in Beijing (CHN) on December 7-10.
Chock/Bates (USA) dance to lead
ISU World Champions Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA) danced to the lead with Canadians Laurence Fournier Beaudry/Nikolaj Soerensen coming second. To the delight of the home crowd, Finland’s Juulia Turkkila/Matthias Versluis are currently sitting in third.
Dancing to “Another One Bites the Dust”, “Who Wants to Live Forever” and “I Want It All” by Queen, Chock/Bates turned in a smooth performance that was highlighted by well synchronized twizzles and midline steps, as well as a whirling rotational lift.
The 2023 ISU Four Continents Champions collected a level four for the twizzles, the midline step sequence and the lift, while the pattern dance step sequence was rated a level two. The couple scored 85.61 points, a new season’s best.
“We are very proud of today's performance. We had a lot of fun performing from start to finish.
“It was a joy to be back here in Finland and perform for all of you. We think we're trending in the right direction for the start of our season,” Chock shared.
Bates enjoys the 80s theme of the Rhythm Dance this season. “The theme this year has really grown on me.
“I think that the 80s in particular has been really fun because it feels like we're stepping into character-driven pieces a lot more,” he explained.
Fournier Beaudry/Soerensen completed a level-four straight line lift and level four twizzles in their “Top Gun” program, but the pattern dance step sequence and his part of the diagonal step sequence merited a level two. Nevertheless, the ISU Four Continents silver medalists posted a season’s best of 82.62 points.
Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Nikolaj Soerensen (CAN) in the Ice Dance at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Espoo (FIN) © ISU
“Today went really well. We keep performing a little bit better competition after competition. We just stay really present through each element. It was really fun,” Soerensen noted.
“80s specifically, I love it. I like everything 80s,” the Ice Dancer added.
Turkkila/Versluis’ dance “Tell It to My Heart”, “I’ll Always Love You” and “Prove Your Love” featured a level-four stationary lift, smooth twizzles that were rated a level three and four and a level-three partial step sequence. The midline step sequence garnered only a level one.
Juulia Turkkila and Matthias Versluis (FIN) in the Ice Dance at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Espoo (FIN) © ISU
The ISU European bronze medalists still set a season’s best of 77.65 points.
“We were able to keep calm and enjoy every moment of the performance,” Versluis said. “It was very nice to have the home crowd clapping from the beginning. It gave us a lot of energy.
“We feel it was a big step up already from Finlandia Trophy and we are very happy that we can show improvement in every competition.”
Turkkila said: “We are looking forward to tomorrow's Free Dance and just enjoying the atmosphere and home crowd is one goal.
“We want to show our best, but we also want the music to guide us and show our beautiful skating.”
Christina Carreira/Anthony Ponomarenko (USA) are ranked fourth at 74.58 points. Emilia Zingas/Vadym Kolesnik (USA) follow in fifth (72.13 points) while 2023 ISU World Junior Champions Katerina Mrazkova/Daniel Mrazek (CZE) finished sixth (70.59 points).
For full results of the ISU Grand Prix Espoo see here.
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
The General Announcement of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series is available here on the ISU website. The individual announcements are published on the ISU Event section under each dedicated Grand Prix event (filter with the relevant Event Series.
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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)
About ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 (previously known as 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 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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