Japan’s Mai Mihara came out on top in what was a turbulent Women’s Free Skating with a lot of movement in the standings. Isabeau Levito (USA) rose from fifth to capture the silver medal and Loena Hendrickx of Belgium picked up the bronze, while reigning ISU World Champion Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) faltered on several jumps and dropped to fifth.
Mihara, who stood in second place following the Short Program, opened her passionate performance to “El Amor Brujo” with a double Axel and a triple Lutz-triple toeloop combination. Three more clean triples and level-four spins and footwork followed. However, the Grand Prix Espoo Champion underrotated a triple toe and fell out of a doubled loop. The two-time ISU Four Continents Champion scored 133.59 points and racked up 208.17 points overall to win on what was her debut at the ISU Grand Prix Final.
In a spin: Mai Mihara (JPN) celebrates her Grand Prix Final debut with gold © ISU
“It’s surprising for me, it’s unbelievable and I’m so happy to be here and I’m so grateful for to the audience and my coach and my family and all fans,” Mihara said. “I didn’t have that much confidence but my coach said that I’m the one who came with 30 points (from two Grand Prix victories) but am lucky having these 30 points and I had to concentrate going into the Final. My feeling was how I couldn’t make it to the podium until now and so I really practised hard and I tried to express my feelings of gratitude and happiness just being able to skate here.”
Levito’s performance to “My Sweet and Tender Beast” featured five clean triple jumps and difficult footwork, but she fell on an underrotated triple flip. The 2022 ISU World Junior Champion earned 127.97 points and with 197.23 points overall, moved up to second place.
Up and coming: 15-year-old Isabeau Levito (USA) soared from fifth to grab silver © ISU
“I’m very shocked,” the 15-year-old said. “When I was done with my program I didn’t expect to be in the placement I am now, and I am still not realizing yet. It’s so amazing and I’m so proud. I want to thank my coaches and everyone who helps me.”
Hendrickx had trouble right from the beginning of her routine to “Heaven” and “Fallen Angel” when she stumbled on her triple Lutz-triple toeloop combination. She recovered to produce a triple flip-double toe-double loop combination, but she missed a triple flip, and two more jumps were underrotated. The 2022 ISU World silver medalist ranked fourth in the Free Skating at 122.11 points but overall held on to the bronze medal with 196.35.
“I’m shocked too about the results today and also I’m really disappointed about my skate today. It wasn’t so good, I know I can do better,” Hendrickx said. “I’m happy am still in the third place and we will work further and hard to come back at the Europeans much stronger.”
World Champion Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) could only finish fifth after faltering on several jumps © ISU
Rinka Watanabe (JPN) came third in the Free Skating and was edged out of the podium by just 0.34 points (196.01 points) ahead of Sakamoto (192.56) and Yelim Kim (KOR, 180.58).
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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