China’s Han Yan, who came back after sitting out one season, sprang a surprise by winning the Men’s Short Program at Shiseido Cup of China in Chongqing on Friday. Teammate Boyang Jin came second and Italian Matteo Rizzo ranks third after the first day of competition.
Han Yan (CHN), with coach coach Shuguang Jia, returned from taking a season out to finish top of the Short Program standings in Chongqing © International Skating Union
Performing to 'A Thousand Years', Yan produced a triple Axel, triple Flip-triple toe combination and a triple Lutz as well as three level-four spins. The former Chinese champion earned 86.46 points.
“I am just very happy to be here. I said I want to come back, and I want to fulfil my promise. The short program was not perfect, there were some small mistakes, but it was exciting for me to perform in competition again and I enjoyed the welcome of the spectators and the judges,” Yan said.
Two-time World bronze medalist Jin fell on his opening quad Lutz in his routine to 'First Light' but recovered to land a somewhat shaky quad toe-double toe combination and a triple Axel as well as level-four spins and steps to score 85.43 points.
“I had too much power going into my first jump, I lost control and fell. Overall I felt very positive, but I did not quite show my training level today,” Jin told the post-event press conference.
Boyang Jin (CHN) fell during his routine but recovered to lie in second place after the Short Program © International Skating Union
Rizzo hit a quadruple toeloop, triple Axel but then missed his triple Lutz and had no combination. The 2019 European bronze medalist nevertheless managed a season’s best with 81.72 points.
“It is great to be back in China, it is already the second time for me this season. As for my performance, obviously I am not happy with what I’ve done. I made huge mistake. But I’m happy with the beginning of the program, it was quite strong,” the Italian noted.
Matteo Rizzo (ITA) reached a season best at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating - Shiseido Cup of China 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
Camden Pulkinen (USA) finished fourth on 78.92 points while 2018 ISU Grand Prix Finalist Keegan Messing (CAN) is sitting in fifth (76.80 points). Skate Canada bronze medalist Keiji Tanaka (JPN) rounds up the top six with 74.64 points.
Overall, 60 skaters/couples representing 11 ISU members compete at Shiseido Cup of China November 8-10. The top 6 qualifiers of the Grand Prix series in each discipline will proceed to the Final in Torino (ITA), December 5 to 8, 2019. Full entry lists, results, the General Announcement of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series are available on isu.org.
Current ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Standings Men.
Where to watch and follow the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2019?
Viewers will be able to watch the Series either via their national broadcaster / channel and for countries where there are no broadcasters, the ISU will offer a live stream on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel as of season 2019/20. You will find the full list in the Where to watch news here.
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ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2019/20
Skate America - Las Vegas (USA) – October 18 – 20
Skate Canada International – Kelowna (CAN) – October 25 – 27
Internationaux de France – Grenoble (FRA) – Novembre 1 – 3
SHISEIDO cup of China – Chongqing (CHN) – November 8 – 10
Rostelecom Cup – Moscow (RUS) – November 15 – 17
NHK Trophy – Sapporo (JPN) – November 22 – 24
ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final (Senior & Junior) – Torino (ITA) – December 5 – 8
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 (previously known as the ISU Champions Series) and consists of six international senior invitational events and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The skaters are seeded and invited to the six Grand Prix of Figure Skating events based on the results of the previous ISU World Figure Skating Championships. Competitors collect points in their ISU Grand Prix 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.
