Amber Glenn (USA) amazed in a nerve-racking Women’s Free Skate not only for the Cup of China podium but also for the last spots in the ISU Grand Prix Final. The women delivered extraordinary performances on Saturday in Chongqing, triple Axels included at the Huaxi Cultural And Sports Center.

Amber Glenn (USA) shines golden 

Amber Glenn (USA) soared to gold and jumped right into the ISU Grand Prix Final with a career-best performance. Japan’s Mone Chiba claimed the silver and a ticket to Grenoble as well. Chaeyeon Kim of Korea rose from fourth to third to earn the bronze medal. 

Glenn stood in second place following the Short Program, but the top three skaters were virtually tied. They knew, there was no room for error and not only the Cup of China podium, but also the ISU Grand Prix Final was at stake. Glenn came out and showed nerves of steel. Skating to “I Will Find You The Return”, the Grand Prix de France Champion nailed a beautiful triple Axel and reeled off six clean triples as well as difficult spins and footwork. The U.S. Champion achieved a personal best score of 144.70 points and moved up to first place with 215.54 points overall. 

Amber Glenn of the United States competes in the Women's Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China in Chongqing © ISU

“I'm very excited that I've been able to show consistency throughout these Grand Prix and the season so far and that was my main goal,” Glenn said. “I would say today I felt at about 75% out there especially towards the end I was struggling a bit but I'm really happy with how I was able to keep myself mentally very focused and I feel like I was rewarded for that which is very exciting.” 

She qualified for the ISU Grand Prix Final for the first time in her career and will face five Japanese women in Grenoble.

“I'm just so thrilled to be competing against such incredible athletes that I respect and think are absolutely amazing," she said. "It's unreal to me to be considered at that standard and at that level. And I'm just excited to go out there and try and do the best I can. And it all comes down to that day. So my expectations are for me to continue putting that percentage, 5% or 10% in more so I can get to that 100% by the time we get to Worlds.” 

First Grand Prix Final and second Grand Prix silver for Chiba

Overnight leader Chiba took the ice last, right after Glenn had skated lights out. The 2024 ISU Four Continents Champion remained composed and produced seven clean triples and excellent spins in her elegant performance to “Ariana Concerto No. 1”. The only glitch came when the NHK Trophy silver medalist unexpectedly fell in the step sequence. Chiba set a season-best 141.05 points for a total of 211.91. She slipped to second place to take her second ISU Grand Prix silver medal.

“The Free Skating was better than at NHK Trophy and I kept my smile from the beginning to end of the program,” Chiba said. “All the seven jumps got a positive grade of execution and all jumps were fully rotated. I made a mistake in the step sequence. I lost my balance. This is something I should improve for the Grand Prix Final.”

She is now looking forward to her first ISU Grand Prix Final. 

“First of all I want to be healthy for the Grand Prix Final," she said. "It is important to keep a good condition as we will have the Japanese Nationals after the Final. I willl eat well and sleep well to keep my condition and enjoy the Grand Prix Final.”

Mone Chiba of Japan competes in the Women's Free skating at Huaxi Cultural And Sports Center in Chongqing © ISU

Kim’s performance to “Whispers From The Heart” and “Love Dance” featured six clean triple jumps. With a season-best 139.20 points, the 2024 ISU World bronze medalist pulled up to third with 208.47 points overall. 

“Today I am in third place and I see progress compared to previous competitions,” Kim said. “Now I will train hard towards the next competitions. This season my goal is to learn something new and train in a different way so I can improve my steps, jumps and spin quality. That is my goal.” 

South Korea's Kim Chae-yeon competes in the Women's Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China in Chongqing © ISU

Rion Sumiyoshi (JPN) missed a triple loop and slipped to fourth at 202.45 points. Rinka Watanabe (JPN) landed a slightly under-rotated triple Axel but fell on two jumps to finish fifth (196.95 points). Kimmy Repond (SUI) turned in a season-best performance to place sixth on 195.91 points. 

Glenn advances with the maximum of 30 points to the ISU Grand Prix Final. Chiba joins her with 26 points. 

For full entries, schedules & results, see the ISU Grand Prix Event Page &  ISU Grand Prix Cup of China Event Page .

Check out the ISU Grand Prix Standings to find out who is on their way to qualify for the Final:

Men     Women    Pair Skating    Ice Dance

What & When

The schedule of the Cup of China is as follows

Friday, Nov 22: Rhythm Dance, Women’s, Men’s & Pairs Short Programs
Saturday, Nov 23: Free Dance, Women’s, Men’s & Pairs Free Skating
Sunday, Nov 24: Exhibition Gala

Follow the ISU Grand Prix events:

The schedules of each ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event are available below:

1. 18 - 20 Oct 2024                      Skate America in Allen, TX (USA)
2. 25 - 27 Oct 2024                      Skate Canada International in Halifax (CAN)
3. 01 - 03 Nov 2024                     Grand Prix de France in Angers (FRA)
4. 08 - 10 Nov 2024                     NHK Trophy in Tokyo (JPN)
5. 15- 17 Nov 2024                      Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki (FIN)  
6. 22 - 24 Nov 2024                     Cup of China in Chongqing (CHN)

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final: 

1. 05 - 08 Dec 2024                        Grenoble (FRA)

About ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating

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. The top six of the past World Championships are seeded. Competitors collect points in their events towards the qualification for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Only the top six Skaters / Couples in each discipline can qualify for the Final.