Audrey Shin (USA), Mariah Bell (USA) and Brady Tennell (USA) at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (USA) 2020 © International Skating Union (ISU)
Mariah Bell (USA) claimed her first ISU Grand Prix title at Guaranteed Rate Skate America in Las Vegas (USA) Saturday. Teammates Bradie Tennell and Audrey Shin collected the silver and bronze medals.
Overnight leader Bell started her entertaining ABBA medley well with a double Axel-triple toe combination. The National silver medalist followed up with five more clean triples and two level-four spins. However, she missed her last jump, a triple Lutz attempt. Bell ranked fourth in the Free Skating with 136.25 points, but overall held on to first place with 212.73 points.
“It was a little shaky and I felt a little bit stiff but I'm excited to be able to get my long program out kind of in a competition setting,” the newly minted Skate America Champion said. “I am walking away from this performance a little bit disappointed but at the end of the day I can be proud. I think it (the Abba medley) is something that is definitely a little out of my comfort zone but I do feel pretty natural doing it. I have a lot of room to grow, as we all do,” she added.
Mariah Bell (USA) at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (USA) 2020 © International Skating Union (ISU)
Skating to “Sarajevo” by Max Richter and “Dawn of Faith” by Eternal Eclipse, Tennell produced five clean triples including a triple Lutz-triple toe combination and level-four spins and footwork. The 2020 Four Continents bronze medalist only stumbled on a triple Salchow and underrotated a triple toe. Tennell won the Free Skating segment with 137.78 points and accumulated 211.07 points overall to repeat as the Skate America silver medalist.
“I'm really happy with how today's skate went. I think it was a very good first showing of this program and there is room to grow. I am very excited to continue to work on it and go home training and to improve,” Tennell commented.
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Bradie Tennell (USA) at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (USA) 2020 © International Skating Union (ISU)
Shin delivered a smooth and technically solid performance to the “Modigliani” soundtrack by Guy Farley that featured a triple Lutz-triple toe, double Axel-triple toe, triple Salchow as well as three more triples. She picked up 136.38 points and totaled 206.15 to take bronze in her senior Grand Prix debut.
“I felt a little nervous before I stepped on to the ice today but I am glad that I landed everything and I put out a good performance today,” the 16-year-old shared. “Last year was a difficult year for me because I had an ankle surgery in May. I took a few months off because of it. Once I got on I had a lot of boot issues and blade issues but finally after a few months, before (the) Youth Olympic Games, I worked really hard and then after that I kept trying to improve my jumps and consistency, and getting those clean jumps in competition was a big goal.”
Audrey Shin (USA) at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (USA) 2020 © International Skating Union (ISU)
2017 National Champion Karen Chen finished fourth with a strong performance to “The Butterfly Lover” Concerto (204.90 points). Amber Glenn remained in fifth on 190.09 points while Shan Lin (CHN) moved up from seventh to sixth at 182.11 points.
For full results, entry lists and further information regarding the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series please visit: https://isu.org/GrandPrix.
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ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2020
- 2020 Guaranteed Rate Skate America, Las Vegas (USA) – October 22-24
- SHISEIDO Cup of China, Chongqing (CHN) – November 6-8
- Rostelecom Cup, Moscow (RUS) – November 20-22
- NHK Trophy, Osaka (JPN) – November 27-29
- ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final – Beijing (CHN)postponed
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final that was to be held as an Olympic Test Event on December 10-13 has been postponed. The ISU, in consultation with all stakeholders and considering the pandemic developments, is evaluating the continuation of the 2020/21 season, in particular the re-scheduling possibilities for the important Olympic Test Events.
About ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 (previously known a s the ISU Champions Series) and consists of six invitational international senior events and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Due to the current situation, the usual selection criteria do not apply. Please see the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating page for further information.