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To the delight of the home crowd, Chaeyeon Kim (KOR) skated to a confident lead in what was a high-quality Women’s Short Program at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships 2025 Friday at the Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul (KOR). Competition will be tough again in Sunday’s Free Skating with the medals at stake.

Brilliant Chaeyeon Kim (KOR) tops the Women’s Short Program 

The Women put out brilliance on ice in the Short Program, delivering many excellent performances and overcoming nerves. 

But only one can win and it was home star Chaeyeon Kim of Korea who continued her great form from the Asian Winter Games, where she won gold. Defending ISU Four Continents Champion Mone Chiba of Japan sparkled as well to come second ahead of up-and-coming Sarah Everhardt (USA). 

 Chaeyeon Kim (KOR) delights the home fans by taking the lead in the women's Short Program at the ISU Four Continents gold medalists in Seoul, Rep. Korea © ISU

Kim got the crowd going right away with her spectacular “Tron: Legacy” program, dressed in a cool black outfit, looking like she just had jumped out of the movie. She checked off her elements effortlessly, the triple Lutz-triple toe combination, the triple flip, double Axel, spins and footwork, cheered on by the enthusiastic crowd. The reward was a personal best score of 74.02 points. 

“Since I was performing for the home crowd, I was more nervous than usual and I’m happy to skate well today,” Kim said. “After winning gold at the Asian Winter Games, the expectations are higher and I was a bit nervous,” she admitted.

Now the focus shifts to the final on Sunday. 

“The Free Skating is physically more demanding than the Short Program, so I need to control my physical ability and I want to check my elements one by one in practice to bring out the most perfect program Sunday.”

Chaeyeon Kim (KOR) on her way to a commanding lead at the ISU Four Continents gold medalists in Seoul, Rep. Korea © ISU

Chiba brought a totally different vibe to the stadium with her upbeat “Last Dance” program. The ISU Grand Prix Final silver medalist danced over the ice, producing triple jumps and beautiful spins. However, the back end of the Lutz-toe combination and the triple flip were landed on the quarter, which cost a few points. Chiba earned 71.20 points. 

“Today’s Short Program was the most nerve wrecking I’ve ever done,” the 2024 ISU Four Continents Champion revealed. “Leading up to this event I participated in bigger competitions than at Four Continents and I always felt nervousness. Usually I perform not acknowledging the nervousness and fighting it on the ice today was a fight with myself.

“I didn’t make any big mistakes but there were some under-rotations. So it was not perfect and that’s something I regret. I was feeling off-axis in my jumps. I powered through in the Short Program. What I need to do is to focus on practice tomorrow and feel confident in each movement.” 

Mone Chiba (JPN): second after the women's Short Program at the ISU Four Continents gold medalists in Seoul, Rep. Korea © ISU

Everhardt, competing in her first senior-level season, confirmed her position as one to watch. Her fast-paced Irish-inspired “Reel Around the Sun” program featured a triple toe-triple toe combination, triple Lutz and difficult spins for a score of 67.36 points.  

The 18-year-old admitted she was also quite nervous. “I'm trying not to put a bunch of pressure on myself for this event, to maybe make it a little bit easier on myself, but I still feel pretty nervous going into the competition. I'm glad I was able to deliver and show a good program today.”

Everhardt has a plan for the rest of the competition. “Tomorrow, I think I'm just going to try and stay in the competition zone and try not to let myself relax. As for practice, I'll just do what I do at home and make sure everything feels all right and that everything's going well and do my best to prepare for Sunday.”

Sarah Everhardt (USA) performs at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Seoul, Rep. Korea © ISU

Alysa Liu (USA) continued her successful comeback this season, coming fourth on 67.09 points, less than half a point away from the podium. Bradie Tennell (USA) completed a strong showing by the US women to place fifth on 66.58 points and remains in medal contention. A lot can happen in the Free Skating on Sunday as the field is deep and the scores are close. 

What and when 

The schedule of the ISU Four Continents Championships 2025 is as follows:

• Thursday, February 20: Pairs Short Program, Rhythm Dance, Men’s Short Program
• Friday, February 21: Pairs Free Skating & Women’s Short Program  
• Saturday, February 22: Free Dance & Men’s Free Skating
• Sunday, February 23: Women’s Free Skating & Exhibition Gala

For more information, full entry lists and results, visit the ISU event page of the ISU Four Continents Championships 2025 and the official event website of the Championships. Follow the discussion on social media using #4ContsFigure and #FigureSkating.

Where to watch the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships 2025:

The ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships will be live streamed on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. Geo-restrictions will apply in markets where TV rights are in place. You will find the full list in the Where to Watch news here.

Subscribe to the Skating ISU YouTube Channel to receive alerts when the live streams start and when new videos are posted. 

Stay connected with the ISU: 

ISU website:                 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships 2025 

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