Cheng Peng and Lei Wang (CHN) in the Pairs in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Espoo, Finland © ISU
Cheng Peng/Lei Wang (CHN) won the Pairs Short Program as the Grand Prix Espoo continued Friday in Espoo (FIN). The Grand Prix Espoo is the fifth of six events of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series 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.
Peng/Wang take Pairs Short Program
China’s Cheng Peng/Lei Wang won the Pairs Short Program, edging ISU European Champions Sara Conti/Niccolo Macii of Italy by less than one point. Minerva Fabienne Hase/Nikita Volodin of Germany came third in the first segment of the Pairs event.
Cheng Peng/Lei Wang, who just competed last week at their first ISU Grand Prix as a team in Chongqing, delivered a strong performance to “The Storm Driven Sea” that featured a side by side triple toe, triple twist, a throw triple loop. The Cup of China bronze medalists collected a level four for their spin, death spiral, step sequence and their lift to post a personal best with 65.25 points.
“We are pleased with today’s performance. This is our second time after Cup of China to compete and we feel we have improved,” Wang said at the post-event press conference.
“We hope to skate as well tomorrow in the free skating. Our goal is just to enjoy. When we have fun, everything will be fine,” he added.
Conti/Macii produced a triple twist, triple Salchow and level four lift and combination spin in their routine set to “Cavalleria Rusticana”. However, Conti touched down with her hand on the throw triple loop. The ISU World bronze medalists scored 65.00 points.
Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii (ITA) in the Pairs in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Espoo, Finland © ISU
“We are pretty happy, but it was not the best short program. We made a mistake on the throw and lost points in the steps and in the death spiral,” Conti said.
“Overall we feel better than in France. We are 0.25 points away from the top. We will do it tomorrow,” Macii shared.
It felt special for the couple to come back to the Metro Arena in Espoo, as they won their European title here in January.
“It’s great, but also strange, to come back to this venue that gave us so many great memories. But I keep telling myself, this is a new season,” Conti said.
Performing to “Stay” by Rihanna, Hase/Volodin completed a triple twist and triple Salchow, but Hase fell on the triple loop. The couple from Berlin, who compete in their first ISU Grand Prix event together, earned 63.59 points.
Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin (GER) in the Pairs in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Espoo, Finland © ISU
“We have mixed feelings on our performance today. The fall (on the throw loop) came as a surprise. I somehow slipped. The throw loop is usually a very secure element for us. Tomorrow we’ll fight for all the points that we can get.”
Skate Canada silver medalists Maria Pavlova/Alexei Sviatchenko (HUN) came fourth on 61.53 points followed by Brooke McIntosh/Benjamin Mimar (CAN) at 56.61 points.
For full results of the ISU Grand Prix Espoo see here.
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 towards to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2023/24 in Beijing (CHN).
ISU Grand Prix Standings
The General Announcement of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series is available here on the ISU website. The individual announcements are published on the ISU Event section under each dedicated Grand Prix event (filter with the relevant Event Series.
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)
About ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 (previously known as the ISU Champions Series) and consists of six invitational international senior events and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The top six of the past World Championships are seeded. Competitors collect points in their events towards the qualification for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Only the top six Skaters / Couples in each discipline can qualify for the Final.
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