Amber Glenn (USA) feels like a guest at the Japanese National Championships competing against five Japanese Women, but she skated to the top of the Short Program in Grenoble. Japan’s Mone Chiba came second followed by Hana Yoshida. Hot favorite Kaori Sakamoto faltered and will have to fight back in the Free Skating. 

Glenn opened her program to “This Time” with a triple Axel but then slipped and almost fell right afterwards. The Grand Prix de France Champion went on to complete a triple flip-triple toe combination and a triple loop, but they were somewhat shaky. The spins and footwork were strong and the Cup of China Champion scored 70.04 points. 

“I felt very tense after the triple Axel when I almost fell on my face and it freaked me out a lot mentally,” Glenn said. “I’m not hurt, I’m OK, it just freaked me out and I held back on the next two jumps. They were not close to my best but I fought through it mentally to stay on my feet. It has been a rough day for a lot of us, I think it’s a bit past our bedtimes with the jet lag and this is my first time at the Grand Prix Final. 

“I kind of have the same feeling as my first Worlds, it’s weird because you work so hard to qualify for that and then you are here and it’s really strange. So I’m just glad I’m getting that entire experience.” 

Amber Glenn (USA) recovered from an early slip to head the standings following the Short Program © ISU

Chiba gave a delightful performance of her program to “Last Dance” by Donna Summer, completing a triple Lutz-triple toe, double Axel and excellent spins. She only slightly under-rotated her triple flip. The 2024 ISU Four Continents Champion scored 69.33 points. 

“I enjoyed my performance, but I think that I put too much attention to each element,” Chiba said. “Tomorrow in the free skate I would like to enjoy more. My goal (for the Final) is to do my performance without any mistakes, both in short and the free skate.”

Mone Chibe (JPN) is hoping for a mistake-free performance in the free skate to push for gold © ISU

Yoshida’s sophisticated performance to “Dark Clouds” included a double Axel and difficult spins and footwork but she stepped out of her triple Lutz-triple toe combination. The Finlandia Trophy Champion netted 64.23 points. 

“My jumps were not bad, I landed them all but made some mistakes,” Yoshida commented. “I think my combination was high enough but the timing of getting out of a jump and landing was not right and that in my opinion was the reason I stepped out. I’m quite surprised (to place in the top three) but my expectations for this event have not changed. I still plan to just focus on my free program and skate it clean.” 

Three-time World and defending ISU Grand Prix Final Champion Kaori Sakamoto sits in fourth on 63.98 points after falling on her combination jump. Rino Matsuike (JPN) finished fifth on 62.63 points and Wakaba Higuchi (JPN) came sixth on 61.61 points.

For full entries, results and further information visit the ISU Grand Prix Final event site.

What and when 

The schedule of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final is as follows:

Thursday, December 5: Junior Pairs, Junior Women’s Short Programs, Junior Ice Dance Rhythm Dance, Pairs & Women’s Short Programs
 Friday, December 6: Junior Men’s Short Program, Junior Women’s Free Skating, Rhythm Dance, Pairs Free Skating, Men’s Short Program    
 Saturday, December 7: Women’s & Junior Men’s Free Skating, Junior Free Dance, Junior Pairs Free Skating, Free Dance, Men’s Free Skating
 Sunday, December 10: Exhibition Gala

How did Skaters qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final?

Skaters/Couples competed in two events and collected points towards the qualification for the Final. Check out the complete ISU Grand Prix Standings:

Women               Men       Pair Skating       Ice Dance

For further information see the General Announcement of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. Please visit the ISU Grand Prix page for full entry lists and further information regarding the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series.

Follow the ISU Grand Prix events:

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

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

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final: 

• 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.