Jiaxuan Zhang/Yihang Huang (CHN) take Junior Pairs Short Program at ISU Grand Prix Final

FIGURE SKATING

Jiaxuan Zhang/Yihang Huang (CHN) take Junior Pairs Short Program at ISU Grand Prix Final

05 Dec 2024

Hot favorites Jiaxuan Zhang/Yihang Huang of China skated to a strong lead in the Short Program followed by Canada’s Jazmine Desrochers/Kieran Thrasher and Olivia Flores/Luke Wang (USA).

Skating to “Dive” by Ed Sheeran, Zhang/Huang completed a high triple twist, side-by-side double Axel and throw triple Salchow. The JGP Riga Champions picked up a level four for their side-by-side spin, the lift and the step sequence to score 62.94 points, a new personal best.

“I feel we performed well up to our training level. For the Free Skating, we hope to skate even better with more passion and show our very best,” Zhang commented.

“I am pretty satisfied,” Huang agreed. “We skated like we can do in practice and we have trained very hard. After our two Junior Grands Prix events we trained at home in China and we also competed at a national competition. It (the Junior Final) is a different competition with a lot of things going on. It is an honor for any athlete to participate in this event.”

Jiaxuan Zhang and Yihang Huang (CHN) set the standard in the Junior Pairs Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix Final in Grenoble © ISU

Desrochers/Thrasher produced a triple twist, level-four death spiral and lift in their routine to “Amelie”. However, Desrochers fell on the throw triple Salchow. The 2023 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final bronze medalists earned 55.28 points.

“We’re proud of what we did, I think the throw was unfortunate,” Desrochers said. “It became a lot stronger on the elements for us this year which is why it’s unfortunate, overall where happy with what we did. Placing second in the Short Program doesn’t change much for us, I’m sure Kieran is happy to not skate first because it cuts your warmup but we are just happy to build on our experience.”

Kieran Thrasher and Jazimine Desrochers (CAN) impressed in the Junior Pairs Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix Final in Grenoble © ISU

Flores/Wang’s performance to “Golden Slumbers” and “Carry That Weight” featured a double Axel and throw triple Salchow, but their triple twist and the footwork were somewhat shaky. The 2024 ISU World Junior silver medalists scored 52.04 points.

“We definitely had to fight for everything,” Wang admitted. “It was one of these days where just nothing felt easy. We did prepare really well for this competition and we fought through. It didn’t feel the entire best but we’re just happy to be here. Feeling the energy today was very different from what the juniors are expecting, but it’s a great crowd - thanks for coming and supporting and we’ll use that energy for Saturday.”

Romane Telemaque/Lucas Coulon (FRA) are not far behind in fourth place at 51.54 points. Sae Shimizu/Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda (JPN) are currently ranked fifth on 50.20 points, while Julia Quattrocchi/Simon Desmarais (CAN) came sixth on 47.70 points.

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

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

Check out the final ISU Junior Grand Prix Standings:

Men Women Pair Skating Ice Dance

The ISU Junior Grand Prix series consisted of seven events in Riga (LAT), Ostrava (CZE), Bangkok (THA), Ankara (TUR), Gdansk (POL), Ljubljana (SLO) and Wuxi (CHN).

More information about each ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating event: