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Yelim Kim (KOR) took the lead as the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships kicked off in Colorado Springs (USA) with the Women’s Short Program on Thursday.

The 2022 ISU Four Continents bronze medalist is followed closely by teenage challengers Isabeau Levito (USA) and Korean teammate Chaeyeon Kim.

Yelim Kim put out a strong performance to “Mercy” by Max Richter that was highlighted by a triple Lutz-triple toe, triple flip, double Axel as well as two-level four spins and level-four footwork. The NHK Trophy Champion posted a new season’s best of 72.84 points.

Yelim Kim KOR

Yelim Kim (KOR) posted a season's best to lead the Women's competition after the Short Program © ISU

“I was so, so nervous before, but I did an almost clean program and I am happy about that,” the Korean skater noted.

“Since Colorado Springs is high-altitude, I was focusing more on stamina. [For the Free Skate] I want to have a good performance, a good score and hopefully be on the podium.”

Levito skated last, and although the pressure was on, the 15-year-old kept her nerves under control and hit a triple flip, double Axel and her triple Lutz-triple toe combination in the second half of her Flamenco-style program to “Una Noche Mas”. The ISU Grand Prix Final silver medalist picked up 71.50 points.

Isabeau Levito USA 4cont Colorado short Feb23 1464608146

Isabeau Levito (USA) kept her nerves under control to move into second place as she skated last of the 23 competitors © ISU

“I haven't had time to reflect on my program so I don't have much to say about it right now. But, for the most part, I am satisfied with my performance,” the 2022 ISU World Junior Champion commented.

“I definitely feel like Nationals was a very stressful event; I had a lot of pressure and I had a very fixed goal in mind. Nationals was not really a warmup because it was very difficult - but I feel like I learned a lot from Nationals. It was such a great experience and I am very glad to have had that experience prior to this competition.”

Chaeyeon Kim, like Levito, is competing in her first senior-level ISU Championship and turned in a clean program to “Everybody Knows”, landing a triple Lutz-triple toe, double Axel and triple flip. She earned a level four for her spins and footwork for a season’s best score of 71.39 points.

Chaeyeon Kim KOR 4cont Colorado short Feb23 1464598868

Chaeyeon Kim (KOR) produced a clean Short Program to take third place in her first senior ISU championship © ISU

“This is only my second senior [international] competition, so I was very nervous,” the 16-year-old admitted.

“I did a clean program and I am very happy. [In the Free Skating] I just want to do my best and skate a perfect program. That is my goal.”

The Women ranked fourth to sixth are only half a point apart and remain close to the podium. Amber Glenn (USA) is in fourth place at 69.63 points, Bradie Tennell (USA) in fifth (69.49 points) and 2022 Four Continents silver medalist Haein Lee (KOR) in sixth (69.13 points).

Schedule of the event

The schedule of the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships is as follows:


Thursday, February 9:             Women’s & Men’s Short Programs
Friday, February 10:                Pairs Short Program, Rhythm Dance & Women’s Free Skating
Saturday, February 11:            Pairs & Men’s Free Skating
Sunday, February 12:              Free Dance & Exhibition Gala

 

For full entries and results, please see the ISU event page and the official website. Follow the discussion on social media using #4ContsFigure and #FigureSkating. 

 

Where to watch the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships 2023:

The ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships will be live streamed on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. Geo-restrictions will apply in markets where TV rights are in place. You will find the full list in the Where to Watch news here.

Subscribe to the Skating ISU YouTube Channel to receive alerts when the live streams start and when new videos are posted.