Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) wins the Women’s Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Beijing, China © ISU
Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) claimed the Women’s Grand Prix Final crown as the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final continued Saturday in Beijing (CHN). The ISU Grand Prix Final features the best six Skaters/Couples in each discipline of the Grand Prix events competing against each other for the first time this season. “James Bond” Nakata soars to gold
Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) takes Grand Prix Final crown
Two-time and reigning ISU World Champion Kaori Sakamoto of Japan had set out this season to win the ISU Grand Prix Final, the only ISU title she still was missing and she realized her goal in style. Two-time ISU World medalist Loena Hendrickx of Belgium edged newcomer Hana Yoshida of Japan for the silver medal by just 0.20 points.
(L-R) Silver medalist Loena Hendrickx (BEL), gold medalist Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) and bronze Hana Yoshida (JPN) © ISU
Sakamoto hit a double Axel, triple Lutz and Salchow to start her program to “Feeling Good”, but then she stumbled on the triple flip. The Olympic bronze medalist recovered to land a triple flip-triple toe combination as well as a double Axel-triple toe-double toe and a triple loop-double toe.
She earned a level four for her spins and footwork for a season’s best Free Skating score of 148.35 points. Sakamoto netted 225.70 points overall for a confident victory with more than 20 points to spare.
“I had quite a lot of power and ended up making a mistake in my flip because I rushed it a bit, but I was able to add a double toe to my loop,” Sakamoto said.
“I was really happy to be able to win against myself. It’s the fact that I have some weaknesses which makes me want to work hard.
“This year, I had a good start with the Grand Prix. So I really wanted to keep it going like that. Being able to get first place everywhere until the Final became a strength for me. It will give me confidence going forward.”
Hendrickx’s upbeat disco medley “Break My Soul” featured a triple Lutz-triple toe and two more clean triples, but she doubled the second Lutz and a flip was slightly underrotated (q).
Loena Hendrickx (BEL) in the Women’s Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix Final in Beijing, China © ISU
The Belgian ranked fourth in the Free Skating with a score of 130.11 points but overall remained in second place at 203.36 points.
“I’m definitely not satisfied. I felt shaky from the beginning, going into the first steps into my Lutz, and I forgot some steps. I tried to focus on the jump, and I managed it as well. And then again, on the choreo sequence, I forgot steps. I don’t know why. It was kind of a blackout today,” Hendrickx shared.
“It’s nice to have a medal, but I think for me the performance is more important than having a medal. I would rather have a bronze medal with good skate.”
Yoshida opened her performance to “Shakuhachi” and “La terre vue du ciel” with a slightly underrotated triple Axel and went on to reel off seven more triple jumps.
Hana Yoshida (JPN) in the Women Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Beijing, China © ISU
The Cup of China Champion ranked second in the Free Skating with a personal best of 142.51 points and moved up from fourth to third place at 203.16 points.
“Today’s performance felt really good, so I’m happy that I was able to win a medal,” Yoshida said. “Today I was able to deliver what I’ve been practicing, so I think I improved.
“It was a dream for me to compete on this stage. I’m really happy even just by skating here. Today, second by second, I skated with that feeling of happiness.”
Nina Pinzarrone (BEL) gave a solid performance but nevertheless slipped from third to fourth place (194.91 points). Isabeau Levito (USA) was much improved over the Short Program. She ranked third in the Free Skating and finished fifth overall at 191.86 points. Rion Sumiyoshi (JPN) came sixth (180.39 points).
Full results are available here.
Schedule of the event
Friday, December 8: Junior Rhythm Dance, Pairs Free Skating, Junior Women’s Free Skating, Women’s Short Program & Rhythm Dance
Saturday, December 9: Junior Free Dance, Junior Pairs & Junior Men’s Free Skating, Free Dance, Women’s & Men’s Free Skating
Sunday, December 10: Exhibition Gala
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series consisted of six events: Skate America, Skate Canada International, Grand Prix de France, Cup of China, the Grand Prix Espoo (FIN) and NHK Trophy (JPN).
A total of 154 Skaters/Couples competed in the series: 46 Men, 43 Women, 29 Pairs and 36 Ice Dance couples.
The General Announcement of the 2023/24 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.
ISU Grand Prix Standings
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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Selection Criteria
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).
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