Ilia Malinin (USA) in the Men's Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in France at Angers © ISU
ISU World bronze medalist Ilia Malinin (USA) edged ISU European Champion Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA) as the ISU Grand Prix de France in Angers continued Friday with the Men’s Short Program. The Grand Prix de France is the third of six events in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series with the best Figure Skaters of the world competing for points towards the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2023/24 in Beijing (CHN) on December 7-10.
Malinin clinches lead in Men’s Short Program
2023 ISU World bronze medalist Ilia Malinin (USA) edged reigning ISU European Champion Adam Siao Him Fa of France by just half a point for the lead in the Men’s Short Program. Japan’s 2022 Olympic silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama is currently ranked third.
Malinin put on a fierce performance of his “Malaguena” program, nailing a quad toe, triple Axel and quad Lutz-triple toe as well as level-four spins and footwork. However, the 2023 Skate America Champion probably got too excited when entering his step sequence and took a fall. He recovered instantly to complete the rest of the program and scored 101.58 points.
“Going into this competition it was a bit challenging because, the day before I had to leave, my blade broke,” the 2022 ISU World Junior Champion revealed. “So I had to change my blade, and that threw me off a little.
“But going into the practices I was feeling really confident and knew that I just had to trust the muscle memory and the training.
“There's a couple of small mistakes, but it happens. I was just too excited from what I did, and I just got a little bit ahead of myself,” he noted, referring to the fall. “It taught me that sometimes you just have to still be focused until the end of the program.”
Siao Him Fa landed a quad Lutz, triple Axel, as well as a quad toe-triple toe combination in his expressive routine to “The Prophet” by Gary Moore.
Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA) in the Men's Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in France at Angers © ISU
The ISU European Champion collected a level four for his steps and spins to set a new personal best score of 101.07 points. He broke the 100 points barrier for the first time in international competition.
“Today was really fun to skate. It was really stressful, because I was skating in my hometown, and it was a pleasure to skate here in France.
“As Ilia said, some little mistakes happen sometimes. But I kept going until the end of the program. I really enjoyed it,” the French Champion said at the post-event press conference.
Kagiyama had missed the past season, as he was recovering from injury but celebrated a strong comeback on the ISU Grand Prix circuit. Performing to “Believer” by Imagine Dragons, the 20-year-old reeled off a quad Salchow, triple Lutz-triple toe and triple Axel for a season’s best of 97.91 points.
Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) in the Men's Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in France at Angers © ISU
“After recovering from my injury, this was the first time for me to compete in the Grand Prix in a while. I was really excited and a little bit tense,” the 2022 Olympic silver medalist said.
“This French competition is a very high level, so I was wondering how far I could go. For the short program, I think I could put 100% of myself in it. And I'm relieved for that,” he continued.
2023 ISU European bronze medalist Lukas Britschgi (SUI) placed fourth at 86.94 points, just ahead of Stephen Gogolev (CAN) with 86.14 points. Camden Pulkinen (USA) rounds up the top six at 83.44 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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