Sofia / Bulgaria

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Russia’s Alexandra Trusova edged teammate Alena Kostornaia to secure a narrow lead in the Junior Ladies Short Program as competition at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2018 resumed in Sofia (BUL) on Friday. Mako Yamashita of Japan is currently ranked third.

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Alexandra Trusova (RUS)

Trusova nailed a triple flip-triple loop combination, triple Lutz and a double Axel in her routine to ‘Big Spender’ and ‘Jumpin’ Jack’. The ISU Junior Grand Prix Final Champion collected a level four for her spins and a level three for the footwork to score 72.03 points.

“I am happy with my performance, but there is still room to grow, to improve the steps, spins and (ensure) that all jumps get a plus,” Trusova said.

“I have two quads (Salchow and toeloop) in my free skating and I want to land them and skate clean,” the 13-year-old added.

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Alena Kostornaia (RUS)

Kostornaia’s Tango program featured a triple Lutz, triple flip-triple toe, double Axel and three level-four spins. The 14-year-old earned 71.63 points.

“I am pleased overall with my program, but there is always something to improve. In my free skating I want to skate clean and I want the judges and the audience to enjoy it.”

Skating to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, Yamashita produced a triple flip-triple toe, triple Lutz and double Axel to set a personal best of 66.79 points.

“I really enjoyed skating today. In the free skating I’d like to enjoy skating like I did today,” Yamashita said.

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Mako Yamashita (JPN)

Rika Kihira (JPN) sits in fourth after falling on the back end of her triple flip-triple toe combination (63.74 points). Eunsoo Lim (KOR) placed fifth on 62.96 points while Stanislava Konstantinova (RUS) finished sixth (62.63 points).

The ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships continue tonight with the Junior Ice Dance Free Dance. For more information, full entry lists and results please see the event website and the official website. Follow the event on social media using the hashtags #WorldJFigure and #FigureSkating.