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Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) at the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating (FRA) 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
The ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating series 2019/20 started with a bang in Courchevel (FRA). Men’s champion Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) and Ladies champion Kamila Valieva (RUS) landed quads in their Free Skating. The winners in all three categories celebrated their maiden victory on the circuit.
Kagiyama (JPN) takes gold with 34 points to spare
Kagiyama took a confident lead in the Short Program and then extended his lead with a strong Free Skating performance to music from the “Tucker” soundtrack that featured two quadruple toeloops. The 16-year-old, whose coach and father is a two-time Olympian, claimed gold with 34 points to spare and a total of 234.87 points.
“I feel I have improved in my jumps and have gained in my expression of the music,” Kagiyama said. He added that it is his goal for this season to compete at the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final, the ISU World Junior Championships and the Youth Olympic Games.
Aleksa Rakic (CAN) turned in two solid programs to earn his first medal on the ISU Junior Grand Prix (200.71 points). Andrei Kutovoi (RUS), who had missed the jump combination in the Short Program, surged from ninth to third in his debut at the ISU Junior Grand Prix with a superb performance to “Les Miserables” (198.06 points).
A total of 20 Junior Men competed in the event.
ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Standings Men
Valieva (RUS) joins Ladies quad club
Valieva has joined the exclusive Ladies quad club by landing a quadruple toeloop in her Free Skating set to “Exogenesis Symphony” by Muse. The Muscovite followed up with five triples, but missed a triple flip. The 13-year-old stood in third place following the Short Program as she fell on her triple Lutz, but secured victory with 200.71 points. “I could have skated much better, but overall I am happy for today,” Valieva said. “I told myself I had to do it (the quad toe) and I went for it like I did in training,” she added.
Seoyeong Wi (KOR) earned the silver medal after coming fourth in her two Junior Grand Prix events last year. The 14-year-old shone the Short Program to “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” as well as in the Free Skating to “Amelie” with clean performances and totaled 191.07 points. Maiia Khromykh, who trains together with Valieva under Eteri Tutberidze, Sergei Dudakov and Daniil Gleikhengauz, won the Short Program but slipped to third after falling on an underrotated triple Lutz and a triple loop-double toe combination (179.32 points).
Seoyeong Wi (KOR), Kamila Valieva (RUS) and Maiia Khromykh (RUS) at the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating (FRA) 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
35 Junior Ladies participated in the event.
ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Standings Ladies
Shanaeva/Naryzhnyy dance to gold
Elizaveta Shanaeva/Devid Naryzhnyy (RUS) celebrated their first Junior Grand Prix victory. The Muscovites were edged in the Rhythm Dance by Loicia Demougeot/Theo Le Mercier (FRA) by 0.02 points, but overtook the French with a confident Free Dance to “Riverby Bishop Brings”. The team scored 163.90 points.
„This victory in Courchevel is a good start for us to aim for a leading position. After coming home, we’ll analyze everything and fix our deficits. Before our second event, we want to work on our musicality, emotions, technique and other nuances that make the program complete,” Shanaeva commented. “This victory is very important to us and motivates us,” Naryzhnyy agreed.
Elizaveta Shanaeva/Devid Naryzhnyy (RUS) at the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating (FRA) 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
Demougeot/Le Mercier delivered a strong performance to “Carmen” in the Free Dance and looked also good in their Rhythm Dance to “Ain’t Misbehavin’” to earn the silver medal, their first medal on the Junior circuit. They collected 161.01 points.
Ekaterina Katashinskaia/Aleksandr Vaskovich (RUS) celebrated a successful debut on the ISU Junior Grand Prix with the bronze medal (151.65 points).
A total of 18 Junior Ice Dance couples competed in Courchevel.
Loicia Demougeot Theo and Le Mercier (FRA), Elizaveta Shanaeva and Devid Naryzhnyy (RUS), Ekaterina Katashinskaia and Aleksandr Vaskovich (RUS) at the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating (FRA) 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
The ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series continues next week with the event in Lake Placid (USA). For full entry lists, results, the General Announcement of the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series and further information please visit here.
Junior Grand Prix livestream
The ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating events are live streamed on the official ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating YouTube Channel. Additionally, all performances since 2011 are available on demand.
Where to watch and follow the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2019?
Live stream: ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating YouTube Channel
Video on Demand: ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating YouTube Channel
Subscribe to the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating YouTube Channel to receive alerts when the live streams start and when new videos are posted.
Highlights, clips, interviews, behind the scenes:
YouTube: ISU Junior Grand Prix
Facebook: @ISU Figure Skating
Twitter: @ISU_Figure
Follow the conversation with #JGPFigure.
ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2019
Courchevel, France - August 22 to 24
Lake Placid, USA - August 29 to August 31
Riga, Latvia – September 5 to 7
Chelyabinsk, Russia - September 12 to 14
Gdansk, Poland - September 19 to 21
Zagreb, Croatia – September 26 to 28
ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final – Torino, Italy - December 5 to 8
