Loena Hendrickx (BEL) competes at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating at Espoo (FIN) © ISU
Reigning ISU World silver medalist Loena Hendrickx of Belgium topped the Women’s Short Program, edgingahead of Japan’s two-time ISU Four Continents Champion Mai Mihara by a mere 1.30 points. Mana Kawabe, also from Japan, sits in third.
Hendrickx opened her performance to “Si Mama” and “Mi Gente” with a triple flip, and followed up with a double Axel and triple Lutz-triple toe, but the toe was slightly underrotated. The 2022 Grand Prix de France Champion picked up a level four for her spins and footwork to score 74.88 points.
Hendrickx looked sharp on the ice, although she did not feel the best prepared.
“I was satisfied with my performance today, especially since I had a hard time working towards this competition. I felt a little ill last week and my blood results were not very good, so I had to take a little bit of rest,” the Belgian Champion revealed.
Skating to “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence”, Mihara nailed a double Axel, triple flip and triple Lutz-triple toe, but like Hendrickx got a “q” for the toe. The 2022 MK John Wilson Trophy Champion earned a personal best of 73.58 points.
Mai Mihara of Japan performs at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating at Espoo (FIN) © ISU
It was an emotional performance for the Japanese Skater.
“The music was chosen by (choreographer) David Wilson, and he told me to put all my feelings into it and to reflect my whole life in this short program,” Mihara explained.
“When the choreography begins it shows how I struggled in my life, but then as the music goes on, when the step sequence comes and the music goes toward the peak of the program, that part shows how happy I feel to skate, to be here, to be back in the scene.
“As I feel all this, I couldn’t help crying in the step sequence, but in the end I was really happy that I was able to concentrate and to put in all the feelings into the program.”
The Free Skating shapes up as a battle between the two top skaters who each have a Grand Prix gold medal under their belts.
“I’ll try to do my best - and the best will win,” Hendrickx said.
Kawabe landed a double Axel, triple Lutz-triple toe and a slightly underrotated triple flip in her program to songs by Billie Eilish. The 18-year-old scored 67.03 points.
Mana Kawabe of Japan at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating at Espoo (FIN) © ISU
“The flip was not ideal, but overall I did my best and feel quite satisfied,” Kawabe said.
“I’ve been practising the free skating much more than the short program, because I’m a little bit worried about my free skating. I’ve been focusing on not repeating the same mistakes.”
ISU World Junior bronze medalist Lindsay Thorngren (USA) came fourth with a season’s best of 65.75 points while Madeline Schizas (CAN) ranked fifth at 65.19 points.
Schedule of the event
The schedule is as follows:
Friday, November 25: Pairs, Women’s & Men’s Short Programs, Rhythm Dance
Saturday, November 26: Pairs, Women’s & Men’s Free Skating, Free Dance
Sunday, November 27: Exhibition Gala
The Grand Prix Espoo in Espoo (FIN) November 25-27 is the sixth and last event in the 2022/23 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series.
More than 150 Skaters/Couples representing 29 ISU Members have been invited to the Series. 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
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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