The battle for the last ISU Grand Prix Final spots in Chongqing is on: Mone Chiba (JPN) edged her rivals in an incredibly close Women’s Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China in Chongqing on Friday. Nothing is decided yet, everything will come down to the Free Skating on Saturday.

Smiling Chiba (JPN) enjoys slender lead after Short Program 

Japan’s Mone Chiba edged her rivals Amber Glenn (USA) and Rion Sumiyoshi (JPN) by just 0.02 and 0.38 points in what was a very close Short Program full of suspense at the Huaxi Cultural And Sports Center. Anything is possible in the Free Skating, with the top five Skaters being separated by just a little over one and a half points.

Mone Chiba of Japan competes in the Women's Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China in Chongqing © ISU

Chiba put out a delightful performance to “Last Dance” – but it was not her last dance for sure. The NHK Trophy silver medalist produced a triple Lutz-triple toe combination (with a slight under-rotation on the Lutz), a triple flip, double Axel and excellent spins to score 70.86 points, not far off her personal best.

“I think I did it all today and enjoyed my performance,” the ISU Four Continents Champion said. “I was able to skate with my smile during the whole program which feels good. I think not only the top three skaters but the top five skaters have very close points. I think about the Free Skating as a new day, a new starting line and I want to focus on my performance and take it one element at a time. That is my plan."

Glenn (USA) happy with mental strength this time

The dynamic Glenn nailed a slightly under-rotated triple Axel right out of the gate in her program to "This Time” by Janet Jackson. Then the crowd gasped when the U.S. Champion stumbled out of her triple flip-triple toe combination. The Grand Prix de France Champion recovered to complete a triple loop and level-four spins for a score of 70.84 points.

Amber Glenn (USA) competes at Huaxi Cultural And Sports Center in Chongqing © ISU

“I am happy I was able to recover after a mistake and that is big progress for me,” Glenn said. “I haven't felt my best since I've been here so I've been just really focused on the mental side and staying strong in that. I really tried to make sure I got my levels on my spins and my footwork.

“It's quite different from France, where I had a really big lead going into the free program. But I think that's pretty good for me, especially mentally, because I know I need to fight for every single thing rather than playing it safe like I did there.”

A personal best for Sumiyoshi (JPN)

Sumiyoshi skated first of the top women and set the bar high with a strong performance to “Concerto Pour La Fin D'un Amour” that featured a triple Lutz-triple toe combination, triple flip and difficult spins and footwork. The Grand Prix de France bronze medalist achieved a new personal best of 70.48 points.

“I stumbled at the beginning of my program and I felt my heart will stop but I managed to control my mind after that stumble and could focus on my performance,” Sumiyoshi said.

“It was quite solid and I think I made a lot of progress. For the Free Skating, I think it is important to do one element at a time. Since the scores in the Short Program are very close, it is important to get more grade of executions and this is what I want to focus on. I want to do a clean program." 

Rion Sumiyoshi (JPN) competes in the Women’s Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China in Chongqing © ISU

The 2024 ISU World bronze medalist Chaeyeon Kim (KOR) is just a little over a point behind at 69.27 points and will fight for the podium on Saturday. The same goes for Skate America silver medalist Rinka Watanabe (JPN), who set a season-best 69.08 points. Kimmy Repond (SUI) follows in sixth place with another strong skate and a personal best of 67.71 points.

For full entries, schedules & results, see the ISU Grand Prix Event Page &  ISU Grand Prix Cup of China Event Page .

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 the Cup of China is as follows

Friday, Nov 22: Rhythm Dance, Women’s, Men’s & Pairs Short Programs

Saturday, Nov 23: Free Dance, Women’s, Men’s & Pairs Free Skating

Sunday, Nov 24: Exhibition Gala

Follow the ISU Grand Prix events:

The schedules of each ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event are available below:

1. 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: 
2. 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.