Andrei Mozalev of Russia skated to the lead as the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final opened Thursday with the Junior Men’s Short Program. Teammate Daniil Samsonov follows in second place and Japan’s Shun Sato came third.
Andrei Mozalev of Russia 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
Skating to the Russian rock opera “Yunona and Avos”, Mozalev landed a triple loop, triple Axel, triple Lutz-triple toe combination and collected a level four for two spins. The Croatia Cup Champion scored 82.45 points. “I feel very comfortable here at the Final. It is great to be here. I am happy with my skate, but there is always something that could be better. There is no limit to perfection,” Mozalev said. “I competed in Sochi at a Russian event and in Warsaw (Challenger Series event) . These were test events for me before the Final. I just did my job. I was skating senior and I did a (quad) toe instead of a triple loop as the first jump, because in seniors I can do a quad in the short program and I used that opportunity,” he added.
Daniil Samsonov of Russia 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
Samsonov fell on his opening triple Axel in his routine to “Rain, In Your Black Eyes” by Ezio Bosso, but recovered to produce a triple loop, triple Lutz-triple toe combination and level-four spins and footwork. The 14-year-old earned 77.75 points. “I’m as happy as I can be considering the fall. I tried to keep going and not lose too many points but just continue to the next elements,” he commented. “I was just a bit nervous to be skating in such a big competition in such a big arena with so many people. But, when you have a lot of people you have a lot of support too,” he continued.
Shun Sato of Japa 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
Sato put out a clean performance to “Arrivee des Camionneurs” by Michel Legrand that included a triple Axel, the triple loop and triple Lutz-triple toe combination to pick up 77.25 points. “I’m satisfied with my performance today. I think I did 80% comparing to perfection. I would like to get a medal, but first I need to do my best and stay calm and concentrated,” the JGP Lake Placid Champion noted.
Defending ISU Junior Grand Prix Final silver medalist Petr Gumennik (RUS) placed fourth at 72.16
points. 2019 World Junior bronze medalist Daniel Grassl (ITA) is currently ranked fifth on 71.95 points and Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) stand in sixth place (71.19 points).
Schedule of the event
Thursday, December 5: Junior Men, Junior Pairs & Junior Ladies Short Programs, Pairs & Men’s Short Program
Friday, December 6: Junior Rhythm Dance & Junior Ladies Free Skating, Rhythm Dance, Ladies Short Program, Pairs Free Skating
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 Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2019?
Viewers will be able to watch the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final on ISU Junior Grand Prix YouTube Channel or for viewers in Japan on TV Asahi and viewers in Korean on SBS.
English commentary will be included on the live stream.
Subscribe to the ISU Newsletter to receive the latest information and you can also subscribe to the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating YouTube Channel l to receive notifications when live streams start or new videos are published.
Highlights, clips, interviews, behind the scenes:
YouTube: ISU Junior Grand Prix
Facebook: @ISU Figure Skating
Twitter: @ISU_Figure
Follow the conversation with #JGPFigure.
ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2019
Courchevel, France - August 22 to 24
Lake Placid, USA - August 29 to August 31
Riga, Latvia – September 5 to 7
Chelyabinsk, Russia - September 12 to 14
Gdansk, Poland - September 19 to 21
Zagreb, Croatia – September 26 to 28
ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final – Torino, Italy - December 5 to 8
