Isabeau Levito (USA) takes the lead in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in France, Angers (FRA) © ISU
Isabeau Levito (USA) took the lead with a stunning “snake dance” as the Grand Prix de France opened in Angers (FRA) Friday, with the Women’s Short Program. The Grand Prix de France is the third of six events in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series where the best Figure Skaters of the world compete and collect points towards the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2023/24 in Beijing (CHN) on December 7-10.
Isabeau Levito (USA) soars into lead
Isabeau Levito (USA) skated to a confident lead in the Women’s Short Program with five points to spare. ISU European Champion Anastasiia Gubanova of Georgia placed second, just ahead of Korea’s ISU World silver medalist Haein Lee.
Levito turned in a strong performance of her oriental themed “snake dance” program and did not hesitate to hypnotize the audience. The 2023 Skate America silver medalist hit a triple Lutz-triple toe, double Axel, triple flip, as well as level four spins and footwork to post a season’s best of 71.83 points.
“I felt like it was a much better program than I skated at Skate America. I'm happy with my improvement and I'm glad that there's still room to improve for my next competitions,” Levito said.
“Part of my goal going into this Grand Prix season was to achieve more than I did last year, to show improvement and to never just plateau in my progress,” she added.
Gubanova opened her stylish program to “Mojo” with a triple flip-triple toe combination and followed up with a double Axel, a triple Lutz and two level-four spins. However, the step sequence was rated a level two. The ISU European Champion scored 66.73 points.
Anastasiia Gubanova (GEO) in the Women's Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in France, Angers © ISU
“Today I'm very pleased with my short program, because everything worked out perfectly in the technical and the emotional side and, most importantly, I really enjoyed skating,” Gubanova said.
“The music was suggested by my choreographer Valentin Molotov. I really liked it from the beginning, because I thought it was very interesting and I've never heard it on the ice. Mounting the program was also fun. I'm very happy that we chose the style and this music.”
Skating to “Sirens” and “The Drink from God” Haein Lee took on the role of a mermaid and produced a double Axel and difficult spins and footwork, but underrotated her triple Lutz-triple toe combination, as well as her triple flip. Nevertheless, the ISU Four Continents Champion achieved a new season’s best with 66.30 points.
Haein Lee (KOR) in the Women's Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in France, Angers © ISU
“There's no mistake in my program today, so technically I'm happy, but I felt during my performance that my triple lutz-triple toe was not full rotated, so I will focus on that tomorrow,” Lee said.
“I want to show how mermaid moves (in my Short Program) and how I fight with enemies and my costume feels like a mermaid. I was focused on the choreography to express the mermaid movement,” she said.
Nina Pinazarrone (BEL) remains close to the podium in fourth place with a personal best of 65.74 points.
Rion Sumiyoshi (JPN) finished fifth on 61.72 points, just ahead of her teammate, 2018 ISU World silver medalist, Wakaba Higuchi (60.29 points).
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series consists of six events: Skate America, Skate Canada International, Grand Prix de France, Cup of China, the Grand Prix Espoo (FIN) and NHK Trophy (JPN). Skaters collect points to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2023/24 in Beijing (CHN).
For full entry lists and further information regarding the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series please visit here.
All Media Accreditations details and deadlines for the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series can be found here.
Where to Watch
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events will be live streamed with English commentary on the official ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 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:
20 - 22 Oct, 2023 Skate America, Allen (Texas, USA)
27 – 29 Oct, 2023 Skate Canada International, Vancouver (CAN)
03 - 05 Nov, 2023 Grand Prix de France, Angers (FRA)
10 - 12 Nov, 2023 Grand Prix Cup of China, Chongqing (CHN)
17 - 19 Nov, 2023 Grand Prix Espoo, Espoo (FIN)
24 - 26 Nov, 2023 NHK Trophy, Osaka (JPN)
07 - 10 Dec, 2023 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, Beijing (CHN)
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