Rinka Watanabe (JPN) edged out reigning ISU World Champion Alysa Liu (USA) for a narrow lead in a high-level Women’s Short Program at Saatva Skate America in Lake Placid, NY (USA) on Saturday.  

Rinka Watanabe (JPN) hits triple Axel for Short Program lead

Japan’s Watanabe hit a triple Axel to beat reigning ISU World Champion Liu (USA). Lara Naki Gutmann of Italy currently sits in third. With just a few points between the top skaters, it’s still everybody’s game in the Free Skating on Sunday.

Watanabe opened her program to “Tango de Roxanne” with a triple Axel and went on to complete a triple Lutz-triple toe (slightly under-rotated) and a triple loop as well as level-four spins and footwork. The Cup of China bronze medallist posted a personal best of 74.35 points. 

Rinka Watanabe (JPN) is not looking too far ahead and is focused on winning gold on Sunday © ISU

“I was able to put out what I do in practice and I’m happy about that,” Watanabe noted. “I haven't been in first place at the short very often, it's probably the first time in my entire life that I'm going into the free as the leader. After arriving in the USA, I decided not to think about that (making the Grand Prix Final) too much, but I just want to focus on what I can do, putting out my best and ending the program with a smile.”

Performing to “Promise”, Liu turned in an emotional performance that was highlighted by a triple flip, double Axel and difficult spins and footwork. The crowd at the Olympic Herb Brooks Arena gave her a standing ovation. Only the triple Lutz-triple loop combination was not perfect as Liu under-rotated the loop. The ISU World Champion scored 73.73 points. 

“I feel really good with that skate,” Liu noted. “I think I also feel good because I have my friend out in the audience, so that gives me some extra energy, and it's just nice, and (to have) the home crowd.

Alysa Liu (USA) received a standing ovation from the crowd but is still in second place at Skate America © ISU

“I think a Lutz-loop is more satisfying than a Lutz-toe, at least for me,” she explained, talking about her jump combination. “I did it for fun over the summer, I was like, 'Oh my God, I can land this? Why am I not doing it more?' That's why I put it in.”

Gutmann completed a triple toe-triple toe, triple Lutz and difficult spins in her program to “La Legge de Lida Poet” for a personal-best score of 69.69 points. 

“I think the crowd was amazing and I really liked to skate my program,” the Italian Champion shared. “Maybe a few spins could be better but I really enjoyed skating today.”

Lara Naki Gutmann (ITA) recorded a personal-best score to take third place before the Free Skate © ISU

2025 ISU European silver medallist Anastasiia Gubanova (GEO) remained close to the podium in fourth place with a strong performance to Indian music, scoring 68.07 points. 2025 ISU Four Continents Champion Chaeyeon Kim (KOR) came fifth on 67.28 points ahead of Starr Andrews (USA) at 64.38 points.

The schedule of the ISU Grand Prix Saatva Skate America is as follows:

Friday, November 14: Pairs & Men’s Short Programs
Saturday, November 15: Rhythm Dance, Pairs Free Skating, Women’s Short Program, Men’s Free Skating
Sunday, November 16: Free Dance, Women’s Free Skating

ISU Grand Prix Standings

Check out who is on their way to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix Final:

Men                 Women        Pairs       Ice Dance

For full entry lists and further information regarding the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series please visit here.

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

• 17 - 19 Oct 2025                       Grand Prix de France in Angers (FRA)
• 24 - 26 Oct 2025                       Cup of China in Chongqing (CHN)
• 31 Oct-2 Nov 2025                   Skate Canada International in Saskatoon (CAN)
• 07 - 9 Nov 2025                        NHK Trophy in Osaka (JPN)
• 14- 16 Nov 2025                       Skate America in Lake Placid (USA)  
• 21 - 23 Nov 2025                      Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki (FIN) 
  
  The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final: 
  04 - 07 Dec 2025                        Nagoya (JPN)