Torino, Italy

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Four-time World Champions Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron of France danced to a narrow lead in the Rhythm Dance at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Torino (ITA) Friday. Defending ISU Grand Prix Final Champions Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue (USA) are just a little over a point behind in second place while Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA) came third in the first segment of the Ice Dance event. The competition was very close with the top five teams being separated by less than three points.

Gabriella PAPADAKIS Guillaume CIZERON FRA RD JGPFSF ITA 2019 International Skating Union ISU   1192332452

Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron of France 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)

Performing to “Fame”, Papadakis/Cizeron produced excellent twizzles and a stationary lift that merited a level four while the Finnstep pattern and the Pattern Dance type step sequence were rated a level three. However, Papadakis stumbled in the midline step sequence. The five-time European Champions scored 83.83 points.

“We were looking for music in the summer, because the theme is musicals. And we found that Fame from the eighties. We love the idea, looking for music and designing the costumes,” Papadakis said. “We had a couple of mistakes in the step sequence, which explains why we didn’t get that much of the scores, but we’ve had high scores in the previous Grand Prix, and it’s fine, we might just be tired from the last two Grand Prix competitions. We will do better tomorrow, to improve and prepared,” she continued.

Madison HUBBELL Zachary DONOHUE USA RD JGPFSF ITA 2019 International Skating Union ISU   1192333107

Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue of USA  2019©International Skating Union (ISU)

Hubbell/Donohue’s Marilyn Monroe themed dance to “My Heart Belongs To Daddy” and “Let’s Be Bad” was highlighted by a straight line lift and a precise Finnstep Pattern. The 2019 World bronze medalists picked up 82.72 points.

“I think once you get to the Grand Prix Final there’s such a curated group of skaters it’s always going to be really close. I think everyone skated really well, pretty strong performances from what I see, but it was a tough panel and not everyone got the levels they were hoping for,” Hubbell shared. “From a performance standpoint I think it’s what we’ve been working towards - being able to push through the whole program and not even think about fatigue but just really being committed to the character, and more so than the character, being committed to performing with each other,” Donohue added. 

Madison CHOCK Evan BATES USA RD JGPFSF ITA 2019 International Skating Union ISU   1192332385

Madison Chock/Evan Bates of USA 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)

Chock/Bates put out a characteristic dance to “Too Darn Hot” and picked up a level four for the lift and the twizzles for a score of 81.67 points. “It feels great to be at this event. It’s such a prestigious event, arguably the most prestigious of the whole season in a non-Olympic year, and it’s just wonderful to be here among the best in the world. We’ve had a great season thus far and we got a season’s best in the short. We’ll have to look at the protocols to see where we can get some more points but overall we’re happy with how we skated,” Bates told the press.

2019 World silver medalists Victoria Sinitsina/Nikita Katsalapov (RUS) are not far behind in fourth place after he stumbled on a twizzle (81.51 points). Alexandra Stepanova/Ivan Bukin (RUS) follow in fifth place on 81.14 points and Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier (CAN) finished sixth (79.53 points). 

Schedule of the event

Saturday, December 7: Men’s Free Skating, Junior Pairs & Men’s Free Skating, Junior Free Dance, Free Dance & Ladies Free Skating

Sunday, December 8: Exhibition Gala

Where to watch and follow the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2019?

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Viewers will be able to watch the Series either via their national broadcaster / channel. For countries where there are no broadcasters, the ISU will offer a live stream on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. For the first time the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final live stream on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel will include English commentary.

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