Espoo, Finland

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Mihara WOMEN

Mai Mihara of Japan wins gold during the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating at Espoo (FIN) © ISU

Japan’s two-time ISU Four Continents Champion Mai Mihara overtook reigning ISU World silver medalist Loena Hendrickx of Belgium in the Women’s Free Skating to claim her second ISU Grand Prix gold medal this season. Mana Kawabe, also from Japan, picked up the bronze. Mihara and Hendrickx qualified for the ISU Grand Prix Final. 

Mihara put out a passionate performance to “El Amor Brujo”, completing three clean triple jumps as well as exquisite spins and footwork. However, two triples were underrotated and she popped the flip. The MK John Wilson Trophy Champion netted 130.56 points for the Free Skating and moved up from second to first place at 204.14 points total. 

“Today with my free skating I have a lot of regrets, but I am happy to go to the Grand Prix Final. I hope by then I overcome the obstacles and will get my level up and will become a stronger person,” Mihara said. 

“I was not in my best condition, but from now on I would really want to show my best, especially at the Grand Prix Final,” she added. 

Coach Mitsuko Graham had sent her off with a pad on her back and surprised her with her cold hands. 

“At this ice rink, and in Finland, it is much colder than in Japan. Already in the short program, when Ms Graham held my hands, they were really cold and after my performance, I really wanted to warm her hands,” Mihara told the amused press. 

The Japanese Skater advances with two victories and the maximum of 30 points to the Final. 

Skating to “Heaven” and “Fallen Angel” by Karl Hugo, Hendrickx nailed a triple Lutz-triple toe combination, a triple flip and Salchow, but she singled an Axel and fell on an underrotated triple Lutz. The Belgian Champion collected a level four for her spins and footwork. 

Hendrickx WOMEN

Loena Hendrickx of Belgium takes silver during the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating at Espoo (FIN) © ISU

She ranked third in the segment with 129.03 points and slipped from first to second at 203.91 points. Hendricks collected 13 points in Espoo and with the 15 points for her victory at the Grand Prix de France advances with 28 points to the Final. 

“The aim was so far away before I started the season. I never thought I’d get the chance to be in the Grand Prix Final and I am proud I achieved this,” the Belgian Champion said. 

She and her team again had made changes to her music, which consists now of two pieces that were especially composed for her. 

“We wanted to expand the artistry of the program, the accents and the nuances,” the Grand Prix de France Champion said. “The first part is in heaven: an angel struggles with her saints. The second part is ‘Fallen Angel’, it has more accents and more power and emotions. It is really unique that this music has been especially made for me.”

Kawabe’s performance, to “Drowning” by Anne Sila, included four clean triple jumps and she got a season’s best of 130.38 points. She was second in the Free Skating and remained in third at 197.41 points overall. 

Kawabe WOMEN

Mana Kawabe of Japan takes bronze during the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating at Espoo (FIN) © ISU

“I was quite nervous, but I was able to be myself and show my program today,” Kawabe said. 

“In my free skating I found a lot of things to improve. There were some underrotations and I hope to make no mistakes next time. And I want to practice my triple Axel.” 

Two-time ISU Four Continents Champion Rika Kihira (JPN) moved up from sixth to fourth at 192.43 points.  Madeline Schizas (CAN) came fifth (187.84 points) while 2022 ISU World Junior bronze medalist Lindsay Thorngren dropped from fourth to sixth (183.23 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.

Subscribe to the ISU YouTube Channel to receive all the latest videos and follow the conversation with #GPFigure.

 

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.