Amber Glenn (USA) skated to her first ISU Grand Prix title and the first for an US woman in 14 years in a thrilling Women’s Free Skating in Grenoble (FRA) Saturday. 

Amber Glenn (USA) shines golden in Grenoble   

Amber Glenn (USA) shone golden in Grenoble and skated off with her first ISU Grand Prix title and the first for an American woman since Alissa Czisny won in 2010. Japan’s Mone Chiba collected the silver medal while her compatriot Kaori Sakamoto rose from fourth to claim the bronze. Both Glenn and Chiba were competing in their first ISU Grand Prix Final. 

Overnight leader Glenn skated last and she knew she had not much room for error after the strong performances that had preceded hers. The Grand Prix de France Champion opened her performance to “I Will Find You the Return” with a huge triple Axel and followed up with five clean triples jumps and difficult spins. The only glitch came when she doubled her Salchow. Glenn earned 142.03 points and totaled 212.07 points to win.

Amber Glenn (USA) retained her overnight lead with the highest Free Skate score of the competition to become the first American ISU Grand Prix Final gold medalist in 14 years © ISU

“This year started off with my first ever international gold and now this is going to be my fourth, which is so incredible to even say. And I'm just so honored and blessed to be considered at that top contention of competition,” Glenn shared. 

“It [winning] is still not real to me yet. I earned my first international gold this year in Bergamo [Lombardia Trophy] and I have been competing internationally since I was 13 and now I’m 25. Having all that experience that I do it means a lot,” she continued. 

Glenn, who had to overcome many difficulties on her path so success, had a message for everyone.

“Never give up. You never know what's going to happen. You can be at your lowest low, but you survived every single one of your darkest days so far, and you can continue to. I believe in you.“

Chiba delivered a beautiful performance to “Ariana Concerto No 1” that was highlighted by six clean triple jumps and excellent spins to score 139.52 points. The 2024 ISU Four Continents Champion accumulated 208.85 points overall to remain in second place. 

ISU Four Continents Champion Mone Chiba (JPN) came close to her personal best as she held on to second place © ISU

“I felt nervous as if I was doing a World Championship,” Chiba commented. 

“Yesterday I couldn’t read the audience’s reaction. Today I was careful to not make mistakes and do better. 

“I’m satisfied about today’s performance because I didn’t fall and could land the last flip and loop. That is why my score today was very good as I almost beat my personal best.”

Defending ISU Grand Prix Final Champion Sakamoto came back from disappointment in the Short Program to take third place. It was a new day and the three-time World Champion fought back, putting in an entertaining performance to “All That Jazz”. She produced triple jumps and fast spins but three jumps were under-rotated. The 2022 Olympic bronze medalist picked up 137.15 for her Free Skating and, with 201.13 points overall, moved up one spot to claim the bronze. 

Defending champion Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) bounced back from a disappointing Short Program with an entertaining Free Skate that earned her the bronze medal  © ISU

“Compared to the short program, I was able to approach it with more confidence and I was able to give it my all, with the feeling that I wanted to show what I had been practicing, so I am satisfied with today’s program,” Sakamoto noted. 

“Compared to the World Championship last year I think I still have a lot to learn, and I’m not completely free of stress so there are still some points where I’m not sure if I’ll be okay, but I think I’m doing pretty well.”

Wakaba Higuchi (JPN) pulled up from sixth to fourth with a strong Free Skating (195.96 points). Hana Yoshida (JPN) slipped from third to fifth at 194.02 points while Rino Matsuike (JPN) came sixth on 189.02 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.