ISU European Champions Victoria Sinitsina/Nikita Katsalapov of Russia won gold for the second successive year at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Rostelecom Cup Saturday in Moscow. Tiffani Zagorski/Jonathan Guerreiro (RUS) finished runners-up to claim the third Grand Prix medal of their career, while Anastasia Skoptcova/Kirill Aleshin (RUS) climbed the Grand Prix podium for the first time to take bronze.
Tiffani Zagorski and Jonathan Guerreiro (RUS), Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov (RUS) and Anastasia Skoptcova and Kirill Aleshin (RUS) at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (RUS)©International Skating Union (ISU)
Sinitsina/Katsalapov debuted their new Free Dance to “Smile” and “Come Together” in front of a crowd and started strongly with excellent twizzles, spectacular curve lift and stationary lift. The 2019 World silver medalists went on to produce a smooth serpentine step sequence and combination spin, collecting a level four for them as well as for the twizzles and the first two lifts.
Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov (RUS) finished more than 10 points clear © International Skating Union (ISU)
However, the Russian Champions struggled with the rotational lift that was rated only a level one. Sinitsina/Katsalapov scored 126.38 points for their Free Dance for a total score 217.51.
“It was our first full competition and full run-through of the free dance and we really felt the support of the crowd,” Sinitsina said. “Unfortunately, we made an error on the lift. We hope to improve and to skate without mistakes next time.”
Zagorski/Guerreiro put out a powerful performance to “I’m a Survivor”, completing innovative lifts and intricate footwork. The National bronze medalists picked up a level four for their lifts, the spin, and the one foot step sequence for a Free Dance score of 122.45 points. Overall the 2018 Olympians accumulated 206.91 points.
Tiffani Zagorski and Jonathan Guerreiro (RUS) took silver medal with their routine to 'I'm a Survivor' © International Skating Union (ISU)
“It is our third Grand Prix medal, but we’d never got a medal at our home Grand Prix in Moscow,” Guerreiro said. “We think we gave two good performances. We feel like it is a breakthrough for us to show the program the way it is supposed to be.”
Skoptcova/Aleshin’s passionate dance to “Never Tear Us Apart” included five level-four elements. The 2018 ISU World Junior Champions were awarded 119.50 points for an overall total of 199.25.
“For us it is very important and exciting, because this is our first (senior) Grand Prix medal,” Skoptcova said. “Obviously the Grand Prix format is different this year, but nevertheless there were strong couples competing and they were not only from Russia.”
Anastasia Skoptcova and Kirill Aleshin (RUS) claimed their first senior Grand Prix medal with a passionate routine © International Skating Union (ISU)
Elizaveta Khudaiberdieva/Egor Bazin (RUS) moved up from fifth to fourth with an interesting dance that tells the story of an old couple looking back at their lives (193.18 points). Annabelle Morozov/Andrei Bagin (RUS) placed fifth with a smooth performance to “Terra Rossa” on 191.00 points, while Alexandra Nazarova/Maxim Nikitin (UKR) remained in sixth place at 188.25 points.
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ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2020
- 2020 Guaranteed Rate Skate America, Las Vegas (USA) – October 22-24
- Shiseido Cup of China, Chongqing (CHN) – November 6-8
- Rostelecom Cup, Moscow (RUS) – November 20-22
- NHK Trophy, Osaka (JPN) – November 27-29
- ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finalpostponed
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final that was to be held as an Olympic Test Event on December 10-13 has been postponed. The ISU, in consultation with all stakeholders and considering the pandemic developments, is evaluating the continuation of the 2020/21 season.
About ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 (previously known a s the ISU Champions Series) and consists of six invitational international senior events and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Due to the current situation, the usual selection criteria do not apply. Please see the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating page for further information.