Anna Shcherbakova (FSR) clinched a narrow lead in the Ladies Short Program as the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2021 in Stockholm (SWE) opened Wednesday. Japan’s Rika Kihira sits in second while Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (FSR) came third.
Skating to “O doux printemps d’autrefois”, Shcherbakova produced a double Axel, triple flip and triple Lutz-triple loop combination. The 2020 European silver medalist picked up a level four for her spins and a level three for her step sequence to set a new personal best of 81.00 points.
Shcherbakova claimed a new personal best score of 81.00 to top the standings ©International Skating Union (ISU)
“I was nervous, controlled every movement and I am happy that all elements were successful,” the 16-year-old said. “Most of all I am satisfied with the jump combination, because it was the most difficult and most important element of the program. The support from the audience is very important. I know, that there’s a big support now, a lot of people write that they support me from their homes. It is also very important for me. But I miss full stands of people supporting you before the start and during the performance. Maybe on this reason I was very nervous, but I understand why the restrictions are needed”, she added.
Rita Kihira finished just behind Shcherbakova in Stockholm on 79.08 points ©International Skating Union (ISU)
Kihira, who skated last out of the 38 competitors, opened her performance to “The Fire Within” with a triple Axel, but it was slightly under-rotated (landed “on the quarter“) as was the back end of her triple flip-triple toe combination. The two-time ISU Four Continents Champion went on to complete a triple Lutz as well as level-four spins and footwork for a score of 79.08 points.
“I’m glad I was able to land all my jumps today. I also was able to keep my focus during the steps and spins. The only thing is that my flip-toe was not the best jumps I could have done,” Kihira noted. “The World Championships is a big competition, but we only had the All Japan Nationals before this. It was not easy to keep my motivation up. We did not have any place to show ourselves so it was difficult to get a sense of satisfaction and sometimes it was not very enjoyable. But I am glad I did not give up and kept on training,” she explained.
Tuktamysheva’s performance to “Lovely” by Billie Eilish and Khaled was highlighted by a triple Axel, triple Lutz-triple toeloop combination, a triple flip as well as by level-four spins. The 2015 World Champion picked up 78.86 points.
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva sits third after the Ladies Short Program ©International Skating Union (ISU)
“It've been long since I've been to Worlds and Europeans so it meant even more for me to do a clean skate. Raising my fist at the end of the program - it was my best skate this season and am thrilled it happened here at Worlds”, the 2015 European Champion shared. “The triple Axel right now is in a good working condition, I worked on it a lot, I knew there was still the whole program to come and I was only feeling relieved after the triple flip when all the jumps were behind me”, she added.
Karen Chen (USA) turned in a clean performance that included a triple Lutz-triple toeloop combination for 74.40 points. Yelim Kim (KOR) is not far behind in fifth place at 73.63 points with another clean performance. Kaori Sakamoto (JPN), who also delivered a strong Short Program, sits in sixth at 70.38 points.
Karen Chen's strong performance earned her 4th place with 74.40 points ©International Skating Union (ISU)
Bradie Tennell (USA) reduced her combination to triple Lutz-double toe to finish seventh (69.87 points) while Alexandra Trusova (FSR) stumbled on her triple Lutz to place a disappointing 12th (64.82 points). Two-time World medalist Satoko Miyahara (JPN) fell on her triple Lutz and is currently ranked 16th (59.99 points).
Maé Bérénice Meité (FRA) suffered an injury when falling in the Short Program and had to withdraw. Yi Christy Leung (HKG) withdrew before the Short Program citing injury.
Mae Berenice Meite was forced to withdraw after suffering an injury during her performance ©International Skating Union (ISU)
For more information, full entry lists and results please see the ISU website and the official event website. Follow the discussion on social media using #WorldFigure and #FigureSkating.
