Minerva Fabienne Hase/Nikita Volodin of Germany struck gold again in the ISU Grand Prix Final after a fabulous display in the Pairs Free Skating. Japan’s reigning ISU World silver medalists Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara claimed the silver medal, while Anastasiia Metelkina/Luka Berulava of Georgia made history by winning the first medal in the ISU Grand Prix Final for their country, the bronze. 

Overnight leaders Hase/Volodin did it again, producing another excellent performance of their beautiful program to “The Four Seasons”. The reigning ISU World bronze medalists opened with a triple twist and followed up with a triple toe-double Axel-double Axel sequence, a triple Salchow, throw triple loop and amazing lifts. The Grand Prix de France Champions earned 141.38 points for a total of 218.10, just short of their personal best. 

“Today was really shaky, especially me. I think Nikita was fine. He rocked today in the performance. I was wobbling myself through that program. But I’m so proud and happy that we kept it together to the end, that we fought for each element and at the end we still had a solid program,” Hase said. 

“(Winning the Final) the second time was much harder. The competition here was 10 times harder than last year. It was tough, but it was nice. I love competition and I think now the pair skating is on the upswing again and I’m really happy for that.”

Minerva Hase and Nikita Volodin (GER) celebrate after winning at the ISU Grand Prix Final in Grenoble © ISU

Miura/Kihara’s program to “Adios” by Benjamin Clementine was highlighted by a triple twist, triple Salchow and difficult lifts. However, Miura stumbled on the throw triple Lutz and doubled the toeloop. The 2023 ISU World Champions ranked third in the Free Skating with 130.44 points but held on to second place with 206.71 points overall. 

“It has been two years since we participated in the Final, so we’ve made some mistakes today,” Kihara commented. “We didn’t get a satisfying result today but we will learn from it and improve ourselves to aim for the Olympics.”

Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara (JPN) admitted to making mistakes but are now eyeing the Winter Olympics © ISU

Skating to “A Necessary End”, Metelkina/Berulava put out another strong performance that included a triple toe, triple throws and level-four lifts. The reigning ISU Junior World Champions picked up 133.52 points and were second in the Free Skating. They totaled 205.78 points for bronze. 

“I am very happy to win this first medal in the Grand Prix Final for our country,” Berulava said. “We really enjoyed our skate, except for the little mistake on the Axel, it was a great experience.”

Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava (GEO) were proud to make history for their country at the ISU Grand Prix Final in Grenoble © ISU

Metelkina added: “The audience was really warm. It’s always nice to get feedback from the crowd and the atmosphere was amazing.

“I don’t think we were too nervous today. Normally we can control the nerves and put it to work. We felt well together; maybe today I was a bit more worried because I wanted to skate clean.”

Two-time ISU Grand Prix Final medalists Sara Conti/Niccolo Macii (ITA) came fourth at 200.06 points, followed by Ellie Kam/Danny O’Shea (USA) on 198.26 points and Rebecca Ghilardi/Filippo Ambrosini (ITA) on 181.52 points. 

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

What and when 

The schedule of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final is as follows:

Thursday, December 5: Junior Pairs, Junior Women’s Short Programs, Junior Ice Dance Rhythm Dance, Pairs & Women’s Short Programs
 Friday, December 6: Junior Men’s Short Program, Junior Women’s Free Skating, Rhythm Dance, Pairs Free Skating, Men’s Short Program    
 Saturday, December 7: Women’s & Junior Men’s Free Skating, Junior Free Dance, Junior Pairs Free Skating, Free Dance, Men’s Free Skating
 Sunday, December 10: Exhibition Gala

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

Skaters/Couples competed in two events and collected points towards the qualification for the Final. Check out the complete ISU Grand Prix Standings:

Women             Men     Pair Skating     Ice Dance

For further information see the General Announcement of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. Please visit the ISU Grand Prix page for full entry lists and further information regarding the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series.

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.