World Junior silver medalist Anna Shcherbakova of Russia continued her spectacular ascent, flying high to win her second Grand Prix gold at the Shiseido Cup of China on Saturday.
Japan’s two-time World medalist Satoko Miyahara skated to the silver medal while 2015 World Champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia moved up one spot in the Free Skating to claim the bronze.
Anna Shcherbakova (RUS) followed up her Skate America gold with another commanding performance at Chongqing © International Skating Union
Performing to Erik Satie’s 'Gnossienne No. 1' and Igor Stravinski’s 'Firebird', Shcherbakova reeled off a quadruple Lutz as well as a triple Lutz-triple loop combination and three more triples. However, the first quadruple Lutz in combination with a triple toe was under-rotated. The Russian champion collected a level four for two spins and scored 152.53 points. She accumulated 226.04 points overall, won with 15 points to spare and booked her spot in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.
“The free program was good, but not perfect, there were some mistakes,” the 15-year-old commented.
“I am very happy that I can go to the Grand Prix Final, that was my goal. I don’t know yet what my (program) content will be, but my goal will be as always to skate clean,” the Skate America champion added.
Miyahara’s expressive program to 'Schindler’s List' by John Williams and 'Prelude in C sharp minor' by Sergei Rachmaninov featured a triple Lutz-triple toeloop combination, two more clean triple jumps and difficult spins and footwork. Three jumps were under-rotated, though. Miyahara ranked third in the Free Skating with 142.27 points, but overall held on to second place at 211.18 points.
Satako Miyahara (JPN), placed second after the Free Skating, heads to Russia for next week's Rostelecom Cup © International Skating Union
“Today I felt my body very good, better than yesterday. But I was still trying too hard at the end of the program,” Miyahara shared.
“My next Grand Prix is in Russia next week. This is the first time for me to do two Grand Prix in a row and I am excited about that, but also need to take care of my body,” the two-time World medalist said.
Tuktamysheva nailed her trademark triple Axel twice in her upbeat routine to 'You Don’t Love Me', 'Petite Fleur' and 'Cat Groove' and followed up with four more clean triples. She only stepped out of a triple Lutz. The 2015 European Champion posted a season’s best of 143.53 points which added up to a total of 209.10 points.
“I feel much better today than yesterday and I’m happy with my skate,” Tuktamysheva told the press.
“I have only a small chance to go to the Grand Prix Final and maybe I will go to the Challenger event in Zagreb. I’ll try to skate well and prepare for the National Championships.”
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (RUS) has to wait and see whether her two third place finishes will carry her to Turin © International Skating Union
Young You (KOR) pulled up from seventh to fourth at 191.81 points. 2019 European Champion Sofia Samodurova (RUS) finished fifth at 185.29 points. Amber Glenn (USA) dropped from third to sixth after some errors (178.35 points).
ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Standings Ladies.
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. Cup of China is the fourth of six events in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. The next events Full entry lists, results, the General Announcement of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series are available on isu.org.
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.
