Two-time World Champion Nathan Chen (USA) flew high at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, taking his third consecutive title with almost 44 points to spare, setting new record scores en route. Olympic Champion Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan settled for the silver and France’s Kevin Aymoz claimed the bronze in what was his debut in the Grand Prix Final.
Nathan Chen of USA 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
Chen had drawn to skate last and had to wait until the sweepers cleaned the ice of hundreds of toys that were thrown for Hanyu. Unfazed, the two-time World Champion reeled off five quadruple jumps – quad flip-triple toe, quad Lutz, quad toe-Euler-triple Salchow, quad Salchow and another quad toe in his program to “Rocketman” with music by Elton John. He also landed a triple Axel, triple Lutz-triple toe and got a level four for his spins. The U.S. Champion posted a new highest score in the Free Skating with 224.92 points as well as overall with 335.30 points.
“It felt amazing, I got pretty gassed at the end of my program so I guess I need to work on my stamina a little bit, but overall I’m really happy to be here, I’m really thrilled with the score. It’s awesome experience and exposure for me to be able to compete against these amazing guys and every time it’s a lot of fun for me, so I’m happy to be here and excited to keep moving forward”, Chen said.
Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
Hanyu, who celebrated his 25th birthday on the day of the competition, went for five quads as well. He opened his performance to “Origin” (“Art on Ice” with a quad loop and followed up with a quad Lutz and three more quadruple jumps. However, the two-time World Champion singled his Axel. The current World silver medalist earned 194.00 points and totaled 291.43 points to remain in second place.
“I'm really satisfied that I could land the clean quad Lutz in my program. I’m also happy about the quad loop. I also felt the connection with the audience. I’m satisfied with the first half of the program but regret about the second half. I was too tired in the end that I wasn’t able to hang on to the ending pose,” Hanyu commented. “I want to be better. Nathan (Chen) makes me stronger and makes it more fun to skate.”
Kevin Aymoz of France 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
Aymoz turned in an expressive program to “Lighthouse” by Patrick Watson that featured a quadruple toeloop-triple toeloop combination as well as five clean triples including two Axels. The only glitch came when he fell on the second quadruple toeloop. The French Champion set a new personal best of 178.92 points and accumulated 275.63 points overall. “It was a great experience to be here. I’m a little confused to be here. I never imagined to be next to these two guys,” Aymoz said. “My goal coming here was to get 95 in the short and 175 in the free and I did better in both. I wasn’t thinking about the place just the score,” he continued.
Alexander Samarin (RUS) moved up one spot to fourth at 248.83 points. Boyang Jin (CHN) came fifth (241.44 points) while Dmitri Aliev (RUS) dropped from fourth to sixth (220.04 points).
Schedule of the event
Sunday, December 8: Exhibition Gala
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. 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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Highlights, clips, interviews, behind the scenes:
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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
