Kao Miura (JPN) achieved a personal best to lead the Men's Short Program at Skate America in Norwood, MA (USA) © ISU
2022 ISU Four Continents bronze medalist Kao Miura of Japan grabbed a narrow lead over Korea’s 2022 ISU Four Continents Champion Junhwan Cha in the Men’s Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix Skate America in Norwood, MA (USA). 2022 ISU European silver medalist Daniel Grassl (ITA) came third.
Miura hit a quadruple Salchow-triple toe loop, triple Axel and quadruple toe loop in his Tango routine and achieved a new personal best score of 94.96 points.
“Today was very good. I was in top shape and my body moved as I wished,” the 17-year-old commented.
“I’m telling myself why I am sitting here. It is because I did everything I should on the ice and this is the result. Coming in I tried to be confident and it worked for me.”
Junhwan Cha (KOR) celebrated his 21st birthday by taking second place with his Michael Jackson program © ISU
Cha opened his expressive Michael Jackson program with a quad Salchow and followed up with a triple Lutz-triple loop combination and level-four spins and footwork. However, the Korean Champion stepped out of his triple Axel. Cha, who celebrated his 21st birthday the day of the competition, picked up a season’s best of 94.44 points.
“I am pretty happy with my performance today. I had mistakes on my jumps, but I really tried my best and worked hard until program finished,” Cha noted.
“Because I have competition today I was trying not think about my birthday. But since the morning at the rink people congratulated me and it was a great experience for me to compete on my birthday. I am happy to skate well at Skate America with my Michael Jackson program.”
Daniel Grassl (ITA) lies third at Skate America with a program that he only changed a week ago © ISU
Grassl’s program to “Silhouette” by Aquilo included a quadruple Lutz, triple Axel and triple Lutz-triple toe. The Italian Champion picked up 88.43 points. He had changed the program only a week before the competition began.
“I had difficult moments with myself and I wanted something characteristic that represents all the difficulties I had,” Grassl explained.
“So I asked Jason [Brown, his choreographer] if we can try something new and when we were at Japan Open we started the choreography. The program is one week old.”
2022 ISU World Junior Champion Ilia Malinin (USA) fell on his quadruple toe loop and slightly underrotated his quad Lutz (q) to finish fourth at 86.08 points. Roman Sadovsky (CAN) is currently ranked fifth (78.15 points) followed by Sena Miyake (JPN) on 77.87 points.
Competition resumes Saturday with the Rhythm Dance, Women’s Short Program, Pairs & Men’s Free Skating.
Skate America in Norwood (USA) October 21-23 is the first of six events in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series.
More than 150 Skaters/Couples representing 29 ISU Members have been invited. The maximum number of entries for each event is 12 Ladies, 12 Men, 8 Pairs and 10 Ice Dance couples.
The General Announcement of the 2022/23 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series is available here. The individual announcements are published under the respective events. Full entry lists and further information are available on the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series page.
Selection Criteria
The Skaters are seeded and invited to the six Grand Prix of Figure Skating events based on the results of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2022. Skaters/Couples who have placed 1 to 6 in each of the four categories are seeded and assigned to two events. Skaters/Couples who have placed 7-12 at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships are selected for two ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events, and Skaters with a top 24 Seasonal Best Scores (from the 2021/22 season) as well as those placed in the top 24 of the ISU World Standings can also be invited. If available, medalists from the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships can also be selected.
In order for a Skater/Couple to be eligible to compete at an ISU Grand Prix event, a minimum total score must have been achieved in the 2021/22 or current 2022/23 season in an ISU event (Grand Prix, Junior Grand Prix, Championships) or a Challenger Series event. Exceptions apply to host country Skaters, previously ranked Skaters or split ranked Couples who return with new partners. The minimum total score is 3/5 of highest score per discipline at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2022 and are as follows: Women: 141.65, Men: 187.49, Pairs: 132.65, Ice Dance: 137.89.
Following the IOC recommendation and in order to protect the integrity of ice skating competitions and for the safety of all the participants of international ice skating competitions, the ISU Council based on Article 17.1.q)i) of the ISU Constitution, agreed that with immediate effect and until further notice, no Skaters belonging to the ISU Members in Russia (Russian Skating Union and the Figure Skating Federation of Russia) and Belarus (Skating Union of Belarus) shall be invited or allowed to participate in International ice skating competitions including ISU Championships and other ISU Events. The same applies to Officials listed in the respective ISU Communications and/or Regulations under Russia and Belarus (see ISU Communication 2469).
Grand Prix Standings
Men Women Ice Dance Pair Skating
Where to Watch
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events will be live streamed on the official ISU YouTube Channel in most countries. Find out where to watch the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating competitions.
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ISU Grand Prix Schedule
The schedules of each ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events are available below:
21 - 23 Oct, 2022 Skate America, Norwood (USA)
28 – 30 Oct, 2022 Skate Canada International, Mississauga (CAN)
04 - 06 Nov, 2022 Grand Prix de France, Angers (FRA)
11 - 13 Nov, 2022 MK John Wilson Trophy, Sheffield (GBR)
18 - 20 Nov, 2022 NHK Trophy, Sapporo (JPN)
25 - 27 Nov, 2022 Grand Prix Espoo, Espoo (FIN)
08 - 11 Dec, 2022 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, Torino (ITA)
About ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating
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. The top six of the past World Championships are seeded. Competitors collect points in their Grand Prix events towards the qualification for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Only the top six Skaters / Couples in each discipline can qualify for the Final.
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