Alena Kostornaia of Russia set a new record score to win the Ladies Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final Friday in Torino (ITA) ahead of teammates Alina Zagitova and Anna Shcherbakova.
Alena Kostornaia of Russia 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
Skating to “November” and “Departure” by Max Richter, Kostornaia reeled off a triple Axel, triple Lutz, triple flip-triple toe as well as exquisite spins and footwork. The 2018 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final Champion surpassed her own Short Program record score established at NHK Trophy with 85.45 points. “I’m very happy because I did my best, I tried to skate my program clean and I enjoyed it,” the 2018 World Junior silver medalist said. “When I step out on the ice I don’t think about numbers, I just do what I do and after that the judges decide. I don’t go for any records, I just skate,” she added when asked about setting a new record score.
Alina Zagitova of Russia 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
Zagitova gave an emotional performance to “Me Voy” by Jasmin Levy, completing a triple Lutz-triple loop combination, double Axel, triple flip as well as difficult steps and spins. The 2018 Olympic Champion picked up a season’s best of 79.60 points. “I got a season’s best score, and I’m happy about that. However, it is not my personal best so there is room to grow. I feel like I could have skated with more commitment. I was keeping the maximum of control and so I feel I was a bit tight,” the 2019 World Champion commented. “I already forgot that I’m the Olympic Champion. I started from scratch. I just want to go out and skate,” she continued.
Anna Shcherbakova of Russia 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
Shcherbakova’s performance to “Perfume. The Story of a Murderer” featured a triple Lutz-triple loop combination, a triple flip and double Axel as well as level-four spins and footwork. The 2019 World Junior silver medalist set a new personal best with 78.27 points. “I am in a very good mood after that skate, I felt very happy doing everything today. All practices had been really good so I could go into the program very calm and I am completely happy with everything I did today. They say you can’t win a competition on the short program but you can lose it, so this is a good starting point,” the Russian Champion shared.
Bradie Tennell (USA) sits in fourth on 72.20 points. 2019 World Junior Champion Alexandra Trusova (RUS) fell on her triple Axel to finish fifth on 71.45 points. Defending ISU Grand Prix Final Champion Rika Kihira (JPN) landed a shaky triple Axel but missed her triple flip-triple toeloop combination to place sixth on 70.71 points.
Schedule of the event
Saturday, December 7: Men’s Free Skating, Junior Pairs & Men’s Free Skating, Junior Free Dance, Free Dance & Ladies Free Skating
Sunday, December 8: Exhibition Gala
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. For countries where there are no broadcasters, the ISU will offer a live stream on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. For the first time the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final live stream on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel will include English commentary.
You will find the full list in the Where to watch news here.
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Highlights, clips, interviews, behind the scenes:
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ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2019/20
Skate America - Las Vegas (USA) – October 18 – 20
Skate Canada International – Kelowna (CAN) – October 25 – 27
Internationaux de France – Grenoble (FRA) – Novembre 1 – 3
SHISEIDO cup of China – Chongqing (CHN) – November 8 – 10
Rostelecom Cup – Moscow (RUS) – November 15 – 17
NHK Trophy – Sapporo (JPN) – November 22 – 24
ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final (Senior & Junior) – Torino (ITA) – December 5 – 8
