World silver medalists Hase & Volodin clinch Pairs Short Program at ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy

FIGURE SKATING

World silver medalists Hase & Volodin clinch Pairs Short Program at ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy

21 Nov 2025

Two-time ISU World medalists Minerva Hase & Nikita Volodin from Germany clinched a narrow lead as the ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy opened Friday with the Pairs Short Program. With the top four teams separated by less than a point, everything will come down to the Free Skating on Saturday.

Minerva Hase & Nikita Volodin (GER) lead Pairs Short Program

Two-time and reigning ISU Grand Prix Final Champions Minerva Hase & Nikita Volodin of Germany skated to a narrow lead ahead of the two US teams Ellie Kam & Danny O’Shea and Alisa Efimova & Misha Mitrofanov.

Minerva Fabienne Hase & Nikita Volodin (GER) in the Pairs Short Skating at the Finlandia Trophy at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Helsinki, Finland © ISU

“It's neck and neck,” Mitrofanov said as the top four teams are practically tied heading into the Free Skating on Saturday.

Hase & Volodin opened their characteristic Tango routine “El Abrazo” with an excellent triple twist and followed up with a triple Salchow and throw triple loop. However, Volodin was unable to hold his position and the element received no value. The 2025 ISU World silver medalists scored 70.40 points.

“Our feelings are mixed,” Hase admitted.“We had a strong start, which we were really happy with. The first three elements went without any problems. Afterwards it got a little bit shaky, so we’re not so happy with the second part, but we're happy that we still reached the 70s.

“We are still are on the podium, and have a good position for tomorrow. Everything's open.”

Hase had no solid explanation for what went wrong on the death spiral. “We didn't see it yet (on video). Maybe it was a mistake of rhythm, or a technical mistake, or maybe concentration. We will work on that and hope it never happens again,” she said.

Kam & O’Shea held onto their dream of qualifying for the ISU Grand Prix Final, by coming second in the Short Program. Their program to “Hallelujah“ was highlighted by a side by side triple Salchow, triple twist and difficult lift, but she stumbled on the throw triple loop. The pair achieved a season’s best of 70.24 points.

Ellie Kam & Danny O’Shea (USA) in the Pairs Short Skating at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Helsinki, Finland © ISU

“It was all right,” O’Shea commented. “We are very happy with the improvement that we've made with each competition so far this season.

“We made some mistakes out there today, missed some levels, a little bit of a messy throw, but we are very happy with the performance we gave.

“We've been working a lot on the connection and the expression throughout the program, and we’re happy that it's a little better each time. Hopefully we earn a few more competitions this season and get the chance to keep improving.”

Competing at the Helsinki Ice Hall for Efimova & Mitrofanov is almost like skating at home, as Efimova was born and raised in Finland.

Alisa Efimova & Misha Mitrofanov of the United States in the Pairs Short Skating at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Helsinki, Finland © ISU

The US Champions turned in a nice performance to “Cloak and Dagger”, completing a throw triple loop and four level-four elements to set a personal best of 70.19 points.

“It feels amazing to be back competing in Finland. This is the first time, since skating together, that we are competing here,” Efimonva said. “I've never competed in Helsinki, in this rink, it's always been in Espoo, so this felt new. Luckily everything went well today, and I'm excited for tomorrow,” she continued.

“Last year we had Skate America in Allen, Dallas, which is 10 minutes from my house, so it felt like a hometown for me,” Mitrofanov added. “To be able to compete in Finland is amazing and a great privilege.”

Lia Pereira & Trennt Michaud (CAN) put in a strong performance to come fourth, just 0.06 points behind Efimova & Mitrofanov and still have a chance to reach the podium (70.13 points). Yuna Nagaoka & Sumitada Moriguchi (JPN) are currently sitting in fifth place on 67.53 points.

The schedule of the ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy is as follows:

Friday, November 21: Pairs, Men’s, Women’s Short Programs, Rhythm Dance
Saturday, November 22: Pairs, Men’s, Women’s Free Skating, Free Dance

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