Nathan Chen holds a four-point lead after the Short Program © International Skating Union
Two-time World Champion and hot favorite Nathan Chen (USA) took the lead in the Men’s Short Program in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Grenoble, France on Friday. Russia’s Alexander Samarin currently sits in second followed by Kevin Aymoz of France.
Performing to ‘La Boheme’, Chen nailed a quadruple-triple toeloop combination and a quadruple flip, but stumbled on his triple Axel. Two spins and the footwork merited a level four and the U.S. Champion scored 102.48 points.
“I’m happy to be in this position. However, the program was a little shaky. The Axel, I obviously did a mistake, the (first) toe a little forward on the landing, but beyond that I think it’s a good second run of the Short Program. Obviously, work has to be done, but it’s exciting to be in this position,” Chen said.
Russia's Alexander Samarin earned 82.50 points to place second © International Skating Union
Samarin’s program to ‘Blues for Klook’ featured a quadruple Lutz-triple toeloop combination, a quadruple flip and level-four spins and steps. However, the 2019 European silver medalist stepped out of his triple Axel. He picked up 98.48 points, a season’s best.
“I really enjoyed performing here. There were some mistakes, but overall I am satisfied, as a lot worked out as planned. The important thing for tomorrow is to keep the focus and show what I can do in training,” he said.
Aymoz opened his routine to Prince’s ‘The Question of U’ with a quadruple toeloop and landed a triple Axel, but then fell on his triple Lutz to earn 82.50 points.
“I am happy to be in the top three, because that was my goal. Even with the mistake I made I am quite happy with what I did,” the Frenchman said.
Kevin Aymoz of France performed to Prince’s ‘The Question of U’ © International Skating Union
Shoma Uno (JPN) landed a quad flip but missed his quad toe and triple Axel to come fourth (79.05 points). Morisi Kvitelashvili (GEO) placed fifth on 78.79 points while Romain Ponsart (FRA) is currently ranked sixth on 77.48 points.
Overall, 59 skaters/couples representing 13 ISU members compete at Internationaux de France November 1-3. The top six qualifiers of the Grand Prix series in each discipline will proceed to the Final in Torino (ITA), December 5 to 8, 2019. Full entry lists, results, the General Announcement of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series are available on isu.org.
Where to watch and follow the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2019?
Viewers will be able to watch the Series either via their national broadcaster / channel and for countries where there are no broadcasters, the ISU will offer a live stream on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel as of season 2019/20. You will find the full list in the Where to watch news here.
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