FIGURE SKATING
Boyang Jin (CHN) grabs Short Program lead as favorites falter at ISU Grand Prix de France
01 Nov 2024
Boyang Jin (CHN) grabbed the lead in the Men’s Short Program that was full of surprises at the ISU Grand Prix de France in Angers on Friday.
Reminding us to expect the unexpected in the Men’s Short Program, Jin skated into the lead ahead of Aleksandr Selevko of Estonia and Japan’s Kazuki Tomono while some hot favorites faltered.
Jin is a two-time World bronze medalist from 2016 and 2017 but has struggled with injuries and inconsistency in the past few years. On Friday night in Angers, he was on form and put out a clean performance to “Fought and Lost”, completing a quadruple toeloop, triple Axel and triple Lutz-triple toe to score 88.12 points.
Boyang Jin (CHN) put injury and inconsistency behind him to put in a clean performance which placed him in the lead after the Short Program © ISU
“I am very surprised as my condition wasn’t that great when I came here,” Jin revealed.
“I didn’t expect to skate as well as I did. Today was good and I hope to skate even better in the Free Skating. I really like my music, I feel very comfortable with it and the lyrics reflect my situation.”
Selevko delivered an expressive Blues program to “Why’d You Lie” that was highlighted by a triple Axel, triple Lutz-triple toeloop and two level-four spins. The only glitch came when he touched down with his hand on the quadruple toeloop. The 2024 ISU European silver medalist posted a season’s best of 85.73 points.
Aleksandr Selevko (EST) posted a season's best score with an emotional and expressive skate to 'Why'd You Lie' © ISU
“It is the first time for me to be on the Grand Prix podium and I tried to show my best,” Selevko noted.
“My program was not perfect and it is a big surprise to me. I am happy to be second but more importantly I was happy after my program. I like to show my emotions and give energy to the audience.”
Tomono landed a quad Salchow-double toeloop combination and triple Axel, but stumbled out of his quad toe. The 2022 ISU Four Continents silver medalist scored 83.45 points.
Kazuki Tomono (JPN) lies in third place after his Short Program despite a hip injury which has reduced his jump training © ISU
“I had injured my right hip joint and couldn’t train jumps. So I had fun to try jumping. I feel like I still did a good job in this condition,” Tomono said.
“Last time I was here two years ago for the Grand Prix and got a medal. Actually, I’ve been many times in third place and if I want to aim for the Grand Prix Final, the results have to be better.
“I try to remain relaxed and do my best to continuously improve.”
With the scores so close, a lot can happen in the Free Skating on Saturday. Andrew Torgashev (USA) came fourth at 81.54 points followed by Koshiro Shimada (JPN) at 80.42 points. Mikhail Shaidorov (KAZ) rounds up the top six at 79.89 points.
The pre-event favorite, two-time and reigning ISU European Champion Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA), faded to eighth with 74.90 points after missing two jumps. However, at the 2024 ISU World Championships, the Frenchman moved up from 19th place after the Short Program to earn the bronze medal.
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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