Favorites Anastasia Golubeva/Hektor Giotopoulos Moore came from second place to win the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final Pairs title, the second in Australia’s history. Short Program leaders Sophia Baram/Daniel Tioumentsev (USA) took silver, bronze went to Cayla Smith/Andy Deng (USA).
Skating to “Sing Sing Sing” and “Mr. Pinstripe Suit”, Golubeva/Giotopoulos Moore produced a triple twist, a triple toe-triple toe-double toe, triple Salchow, throw triple loop and Salchow as well as two level-four lifts. The 2022 ISU World Junior silver medalists earned 121.18 points, just below their personal best, and totaled 181.37 points to emulate 2017 gold medalists Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya/Harley Windsor (AUS).
Delight Down Under: Anastasia Golubeva/Hektor Giotopoulos Moore strike gold for Australia © ISU
“We are satisfied, today we tried to do our best, 100 percent, because we could not perform well in the Short Program,” Golubeva said. “Today we tried to give all the strength we had to put into this program.”
Baram/Tioumentsev put out a solid performance to “Pilgrims on a Long Journey” and “Primavera” that was highlighted by a big triple twist, a triple Salchow-double Axel sequence, triple toe and throw triple loop. The JGP Ostrava Champions picked up a personal best of 113.16 points for their Free Skating but slipped to second overall with 176.78.
Sophia Baram/Daniel Tioumentsev (USA) train with World Champions Alex Knierim/Brandon Frazier (USA) © ISU
“We came to do our best, we were not looking for a placement,” Tioumentsev said. The couple train on the same ice and with the same coaches as the World Champions Alexa Knierim/Brandon Frazier (USA). “It motivates us every day and they give us some tips and help us through the season, we are really grateful for skating with them and the confidence they have given us,” Tioumentsev added.
Smith/Deng’s performance to “Angel et Demon” by Maxime Rodriguez included a side-by-side triple Salchow, a somewhat shaky triple toe-double Axel sequence and two level-four lifts. However, Smith fell on the throw triple Salchow. Nevertheless, the couple managed a personal best of 95.30 points, fourth in Free Skating, but enough to hold onto third place on 150.51.
Cayla Smith/Andy Deng (USA) recover from a fall to claim bronze © ISU
“Some things were good, some things we need to improve on, get more consistent, but overall, pretty good,” Smith said. She already has the next goals in mind: “A clean skate I would say! So gold for Nationals.”
Haruna Murakami/Sumitada Moriguchi (JPN) impressed with their side-by-side jumps triple Lutz and triple Salchow-triple toe-double Axel to finish fourth (149.03 points). Violetta Sierova/Ivan Khobta (UKR) placed fifth (143.06) ahead of Chloe Panetta/Kieran Thrasher (CAN, 130.89).
Schedule of the event
The schedule is as follows:
Thursday, December 8: Junior Men, Junior Pairs, Junior Women’s Short Programs, Pairs & Men’s Short Programs
Friday, December 9: Junior Rhythm Dance, Junior Women’s & Pairs Free Skating, Rhythm Dance & Women’s Short Program
Saturday, December 10: Men’s, Junior Pairs & Junior Men’s Free Skating, Junior Free Dance, Free Dance, Women’s Free Skating
Sunday, December 11: Exhibition Gala
The ISU Grand Prix series started with Skate America in Norwood (USA) and continued with Skate Canada in Mississauga, followed by the Grand Prix de France in Angers and the John Wilson Trophy in Sheffield (GBR). The series then stopped at NHK Trophy in Sapporo (JPN) and Grand Prix Espoo (FIN). Great Britain hosted an ISU Grand Prix event for the first time. A total of 151 Skaters/Couples representing 29 ISU Members competed in the series: 44 Men, 45 Women, 26 Pairs and 36 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)
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