ISU European Champions Aleksandra Boikova/Dmitrii Kozlovskii of Russia ruled in the Pairs Free Skating to take their second consecutive Rostelecom Cup title at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Moscow on Saturday. Compatriots Anastasia Mishina/Aleksandr Galliamov slipped to second while Apollinariia Panfilova/Dmitry Rylov, also of Russia, secured the bronze on their senior-level Grand Prix debut.
Aleksandra Boikova/Dmitrii Kozlovskii (RUS) Anastasia Mishina/Aleksandr Galliamov (RUS) Apollinariia Panfilova/Dmitry Rylov (RUS) at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (RUS) 2020 © International Skating Union (ISU)
Boikova/Kozlovskii were spectacular in their “James Bond” routine, producing a side by side triple Salchow, triple toe-double toe-double toe combination, triple twist and throw triple loop. The Russian Champions collected a level four for their difficult lifts, pair combination spin and the twist to score 154.27 points. They totaled 232.56 points.
Aleksandra Boikova and Dmitrii Kozlovskii (RUS) sealed victory with their spectacular 'James Bond' routine © International Skating Union (ISU)
“We are happy about the result and happy to return to the competition atmosphere,” Kozlovskii said. “We did not analyze a lot after the short program. We separate the short and the free program and after the short program we switched our mindset to the free skating.”
Boikova said: “You can always add emotions, improve the quality of the elements. While this was not the absolute best we can do, it was certainly a very good performance today.”
Skating to “Bohemian Rhapsody”, Mishina/Galliamov landed a triple twist, side by side triple toe, throw triple Lutz and loop. Their only mistake came on their triple Salchow-Euler-triple Salchow combination and it was costly as Mishina singled the second jump. The 2019 ISU World Junior Champions’ 146.46 points meant they slipped to second on 225.80 points overall.
Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov (RUS) took the silver medal © International Skating Union (ISU)
“Even a bad experience is an experience,” Mishina said. “Maybe we wanted to skate clean too much – not for the result, but for ourselves and to be pleased with ourselves. We were confident in our abilities and were in a good shape, but something did not go right.”
Panfilova/Rylov’s performance to “The Third Person” soundtrack featured impressive throws and lifts as well as a double Axel-Euler-double Salchow combination. But Panfilova fell on the triple Salchow while he doubled. The reigning ISU World Junior Champions received 136.23 points and remained in third place on 210.07 points.
“We are pleased with third place here and with the fact that we were able to pull ourselves together after the failed jump,” Panfilova said. “We were nervous, because the practice didn’t go that well. Nevertheless, I think we made a step forward.”
Apollinariia Panfilova and Dmitry Rylov (RUS) recovered from a fall to finish in third place © International Skating Union (ISU)
Iasmina Kadyrova/Ivan Balchenko (RUS) finished fourth in what was their debut in international competition with a solid skate and 204.67 points. The 2020 ISU World Junior bronze medalists Iuliia Artemeva/Mikhail Nazarychev came fifth (200.77 points).
For full entry lists and further information regarding the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series please visit: https://isu.org/GrandPrix. Follow the discussion on social media by using #FigureSkating #GPFigure.
Where to watch and follow the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2020
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating will be live streamed on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel.
Geo-restrictions will apply in markets where TV rights are in place. You will find the full list in the Where to Watch news here.
Subscribe to the Skating ISU YouTube Channel to receive alerts when the live streams start and when new videos are posted.
Stay connected with the ISU Social Media:
YouTube: Skating ISU
IG: @ISUFigureSkating
Facebook: @ISUFigureSkating
Twitter: @ISU_Figure
Follow the conversation with #GPFigure and #FigureSkating.
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 Finalpostponed
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.
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.