#FigureSkating 

 

Wakaba Higuchi (JPN) reacts to her winning performance at the ISU Grand Prix Skate America in Allen, TX on Saturday © ISU

Wakaba Higuchi (JPN) came out on top as the Women’s competition at the ISU Grand Prix Skate America concluded Saturday in Allen, TX (USA) with a Free Skating finale full of twists and turns.

Wakaba Higuchi (JPN) earns first ISU Grand Prix title  

Japan’s Wakaba Higuchi has an ISU World silver medal under her belt and was on the silver-medal winning Japanese figure skating team at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, but she had not won an ISU Grand Prix title. The 23-year-old changed that in Allen, taking the gold and her first ISU Grand Prix medal in three years.

Teammate Rinka Watanabe made it one-two for the Japanese women by taking the silver medal. Overnight leader Isabeau Levito (USA) settled for bronze.

Higuchi stood in fourth place following the Short Program, but was close to the podium. Skating to “Nature Boy” and “Running Up That Hill”, the 2018 ISU World silver medalist completed five clean triple jumps and level-four spins. Her only error came when she stepped out of a triple Lutz. Higuchi netted 130.81 points to win the Free Skating and the title with 196.93 points.

Higuchi has been competing on the ISU Grand Prix circuit since 2016, and 2024 Skate America was her 14th event and her first win.

“I think I felt the strongest in my first season on the Grand Prix circuit and I was aiming for the gold in that season,” Higuchi said. “So I'm really surprised to get my first win at this competition. I really wasn't expecting it and I did make some mistakes today, but I think that the score was much higher than I had anticipated.”

Watanabe impressed with her sophisticated tango “Maria de Buenos Aires” that included five clean triple jumps. The spins and footwork were rated a level three. The 2024 ISU Four Continents bronze medalist scored a season's best with 128.68 points and was third in the Free Skating, as in the Short Program. Overall, she moved up to second place at 195.22 points.

 

 

 Rinka Watanabe (JPN) finished third in both the Short Program and Free Skating to place second overall Saturday at Skate America © ISU

“I was aiming for the podium at this competition so I'm very happy that I was able to achieve that,” Watanabe said.

Watanabe has landed the triple Axel in the past, as Higuchi has, but opted against going for it Saturday.

“This past summer in competitions, I have skated with three triple Axels in one event. So I came into this event thinking maybe I will include one, but including many triple Axels requires a lot of stamina, and I need to get much more consistent before I can think about that. I have still one month to go until the Grand Prix of China, and all my other jumps are getting more and more consistent, so I might be thinking about the triple Axel at some point this season.”

Levito had to skate last. Her elegant performance to “Liebestraum” by Franz Liszt was highlighted by excellent spins and triple jumps, but some jumps were under-rotated and she fell on a triple Lutz attempt. The 2024 ISU World silver medalist was fifth in the Free Skating with 126.40 points and slipped from first to third at 194.83 points overall.

 

Isabeau Levito (USA) was fifth in Free Skating to finish third overall at Skate America in Allen, TX on Saturday © ISU

“I could have skated better today, but I'm glad I'm on the podium and I'm glad for the elements that I did do,” the 17-year-old said. “Despite my fall in the second half, I did feel very grounded and confident during my performances despite a lot of pressure, so I feel prepared for (the ISU Grand Prix in) Finland knowing that I have a great training plan and training team and that I can do better at Finland.”

The 2024 European bronze medalist Nina Pinzarrone (BEL) turned in the second best Free Skating performance of the night and pulled up one spot to fourth (193.61 points). Bradie Tennell (USA) dropped from second to fifth place at 192.04 points, while Elyce Lin-Gracey (USA) placed sixth in her senior-level Grand Prix debut (183.94 points).

Higuchi collected 15 points for the ISU Grand Prix and has a very good chance to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix Final at her second event, Grand Prix de France. Watanabe (13 points) is scheduled to compete at Cup of China, while Levito (11 points) will go to Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki.  

For full entries, schedules & results, see the ISU Grand Prix Event Page & ISU GP Skate America Event Page & Official Skate America Website.

Check out the ISU Grand Prix Standings to find out who is on their way to qualify for the Final (data will be available after the conclusion of the first event):

Men      Women            Pair Skating      Ice Dance

 

What & When

The schedule of Skate America is as follows:

Friday, Oct 18: Pairs & Women’s Short Programs

Saturday, Oct 19: Rhythm Dance, Pairs Free Skating, Men’s Short Program & Women’s Free Skating

Sunday, Oct 20: Men’s Free Skating & Free Dance, Exhibition Gala  

 

Follow the ISU Grand Prix Series

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.