FIGURE SKATING
Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) turns on style in Women’s Short Program at ISU Grand Prix Skate Canada
25 Oct 2024
The reigning, three-time ISU World Champion Kaori Sakamoto of Japan skated to the lead in the Short Program in style. Alysa Liu (USA) started her comeback with a bang by coming second, while Switzerland’s Kimmy Repond is currently ranked third.
Sakamoto showed off her elegance and maturity in her sophisticated Tango routine to “Resurreccion del angel” and “La muerte del angel” and threw in her trademark huge double Axel, a triple Lutz, triple flip-triple toe and level-four spins and footwork. The 2022 Olympic bronze medalist picked up a season’s best of 74.97 points.
Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) - ISU Grand Prix Skate Canada 2024 Halifax - ©International Skating Union (ISU)
“I think that performing to a tango music is very difficult,” said Sakamoto. “You need to really aim to be on the beat of the music, but yet, in between being on the beat of the music, if you're not careful what you are doing, then it seems like it just sort of flows without the proper accentuations. So that is really difficult for me to do.”
What a way to start the comeback on the ISU Grand Prix circuit for Liu! The 2022 ISU World bronze medalist had to skate first but put out a confident performance to “Promise” that featured a triple Lutz, double Axel and difficult spins and steps. Like Sakamoto, she only slightly under-rotated her triple flip-triple toe combo. Liu earned 67.68 points.
Alysa Liu (USA) - ISU Grand Prix Skate Canada 2024 Halifax - ©International Skating Union (ISU)
“I’m really, really shocked actually,” said the 19-year-old Liu. “I didn’t know what my placement would be similar to Budapest (ISU Challenger Event). I really wasn’t too focused on placement and I don’t think I am going to be too focused on placement for the rest of the season either. I’m just going to focus on trying to get back into skating shape and making sure I can do my programs to the extent and to the performance level that I want to make them. It’s crazy that I’m in second.”
Performing to “Mother Nature” and dressed in a stunning blue-turquoise costume, Repond nailed a triple flip-triple toe, double Axel and triple Lutz to achieve a new season’s best of 66.94 points.
“I was really happy with my skates, especially with my jumps,” the 2023 ISU European bronze medalist said. “I know that my spins weren’t as good as I can do them. I got really nervous before the first spin, I don’t know why. But overall I’m really happy with my performance and I’m super happy to be on the podium after the short program. It was really exciting to skate today because the audience was really cool. They were very supporting and I really enjoyed skating.”
Kimmy Repond (SWI) - ISU Grand Prix Skate Canada 2024 Halifax - ©International Skating Union (ISU)
ISU Grand Prix Final bronze medalist Hana Yoshida (JPN) is not far behind in fourth place with a season’s best of 65.32 points. To the delight of the home crowd at the Scotiabank Center, Canadian Champion Madeline Schizas skated very well to place fifth (65.28 points). Elyce Lin-Gracey (USA) rounded up the top six at 58.64 points.
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 Skate Canada International is as follows
Friday, Oct 25: Pairs & Women’s Short Programs
Saturday, Oct 26: Rhythm Dance, Men’s Short Program, Pairs & Women’s Free Skating
Sunday, Oct 27: Men’s Free Skating & Free Dance
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)
