FIGURE SKATING
Amber Glenn (USA) hits triple Axel to take Short Program lead at ISU Grand Prix de France
01 Nov 2024
Amber Glenn (USA) jumped to the lead as the ISU Grand Prix de France kicked off with an exciting Women’s Short Program Friday in Angers (FRA). The ISU Grand Prix de France is the third event of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series 2024/25.
Glenn hit a triple Axel to earn a strong lead in what was an exciting Women’s Short Program over 2024 ISU World bronze medalist Chaeyeon Kim of the Republic of Korea and Japan’s Wakaba Higuchi.
Glenn skated with power and was committed from the first to the last step to her performance to “This Time” by Janet Jackson. It was indeed Glenn’s time on the ice in Angers: she nailed her triple Axel, a triple flip-triple toe and triple loop and picked up a level four for her spins and footwork. The US Champion set a new personal best with 78.14 points.
A committed performance from Amber Glenn (USA) featuring a triple Axel earned her a personal best and the lead after the Short Program © ISU
“I did my job, and I'm going to do it again tomorrow,” a very happy Glenn said.
“Lombardia [Trophy] was a big confidence boost for sure. I have been really working on the mental aspect during the summer, so Champs Camp went great, Lombardia went pretty well, and today, even though I was extremely nervous – the first really big event of the season, every year I've done Skate America, so not doing it was very strange.
“I've been ready since Skate America to do this event, so I felt really good coming in from my experience in Lombardia and just my everyday training.”
Skating to “Tron: Legacy” and dressed in a cool black outfit like the hero from the sci-fi movie, Kim turned in an excellent performance as well that featured a triple Lutz-triple toe combination, triple flip and double Axel. The Korean Skater scored 70.90 points, a season’s best.
Chaeyeon Kim (KOR) took inspiration from sci-fi movie Tron: Legacy to keep the nerves at bay and take second place © ISU
“I was very nervous today,” Kim admitted. “I think I was a little bit slow in my program but my score was good. This music [choice] is 100% Benoit [choreographer Benoit Richaud]. I worried a little bit about this program at first try but I think score was not bad. I watched the movie 10 times and like the woman in the movie I tried to be more powerful,” she explained.
Higuchi interpreted “Dune”, completing a double Axel and difficult spins. However, she under-rotated the back end of her triple Lutz-triple toeloop combination. Nevertheless, the 2024 Skate America Champion slightly surpassed her previous season’s best with 66.98 points and now is an excellent position to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix Final in the Free Skating on Saturday.
Skate America Champion Wakaba Higuchi (JPN) took a step towards the ISU Grand Prix Final with her interpretation of Dune © ISU
“I felt my moves were quite good, but the two jumps I felt like there was not enough rotation, maybe, so I was a bit worried about that,” Higuchi shared.
“Winning Skate America was a good experience, of course, but I tried not to overthink it and I also tried not to think too much about the Final. I really tried to focus on what I was doing during my practices, and just skate as usual.”
Sarah Everhardt (USA) and Rion Sumiyoshi (JPN) remain in medal contention as they are less than a point away from third place at 66.95 and 66.88 points respectively. 2023 ISU Grand Prix Finalist Nina Pinzarrone (BEL) came sixth after she stepped out of her combination jump (62.72 points). 2022 ISU Grand Prix Final Champion Mai Mihara (JPN) doubled her flip to come seventh (61.12 points) while 2023 ISU European Champion Anastasiia Gubanova (GEO) fell on her triple Lutz and sits in ninth (56.77 points).
For full entries, schedules & results, see the ISU Grand Prix series page, ISU Grand Prix de France event page and the official Grand Prix de France website.
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 Grand Prix de France is as follows:
Friday, Nov 1: Pairs & Women’s Short Programs, Rhythm Dance, Men’s Short Program
Saturday, Nov 2: Pairs, Women’s & Men’s Free Skating, Free Dance
Sunday, Nov 3: Exhibition Gala
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.
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