Two-time ISU World medalists Minerva Hase & Nikita Volodin of Germany skated off with gold and qualified for their third consecutive ISU Grand Prix Final at the ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy Saturday.

Minerva Hase & Nikita Volodin (GER) take fourth ISU Grand Prix title

ISU European Champions Minerva Hase & Nikita Volodin of Germany struck gold in Helsinki and advance to the ISU Grand Prix Final for the third time. Alisa Efimova & Misha Mitrofanov (USA) overtook teammates Ellie Kam & Danny O’Shea to earn their first silver medal on the ISU Grand Prix. Kam & O’Shea got their second bronze this season. 

Hase & Volodin started strongly in their captivating program, to music by Max Richter, telling the story of finding new hope in times of darkness. 

Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin of Germany win the Pairs Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Helsinki, Finland © ISU

The two-time and reigning ISU Grand Prix Final Champions nailed a triple twist, triple toe-double Axel-double Axel combination and throw triple loop. The only glitch came when Volodin missed the triple Salchow. 

Hase & Volodin picked up 136.48 points and accumulated 206.88 point for the win. 

“It means a lot to us to have won this event, and we are very happy to go to the Final again,” Hase said. “It’s a big relief to see that the Free Skating is improving from competition to competition. We are gaining more confidence and the programs are getting better, choreography-wise, and emotionally. 

“The audience was amazing. There were a lot of German flags, so it was nice to have a support system here that helped us to focus in both performances.That makes it even more special.”

“There was a big mistake on my Salchow and some small mistakes," Volodin said, "but in total, we feel good. We felt confident and it was fun.” 

Performing to “Love Story”, Efimova & Mitrofanov delivered an emotional performance that was highlighted by a triple Salchow-double Axel, triple toe and triple twist. 

Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov of the United States take silver in the Pairs Free Skating in Helsinki, Finland © ISU

The US Champions achieved a season's best of 135.30 to total 205.49 points, a new personal best. Efimova & Mitrofanov won their second ISU Grand Prix medal, after a bronze at Skate America in 2024. 

“We're happy with the performance today, happy that we did all the elements in the program and that helps to put all the choreography into its place,” Efimova commented. 

“The audience was amazing. Today I heard so many screams, like “go Alisa, go Misha’. Normally I'm a little scared of that, but today it did not throw me off. It just encouraged me and gave so much energy,” she continued.

“It was very interesting, especially after the Short Program, with how close it was,” added Mitrofanov. “I want to give a big thank you to all the athletes to make it this very interesting event.”

Kam & O’Shea completed a triple toe, triple twist, throw triple Lutz and excellent lifts in their routine to “Sweet Dreams” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”. The 2024 ISU Four Continents bronze medalists netted  128.85 points and slipped to third at 199.09 points. 

Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea of the United States take bronze in the Pairs Free Skating in Helsinki, Finland © ISU

“I'm really proud of how we skated today,” Kam said. “It was definitely a big step in the right direction. 

It wasn't as clean as at Skate Canada, element-wise, but we've taken the steps to improve our performance, and do a good job today. 

“The crowd was great. You could really feel the energy after Misha and Alisa skated, and it carried us through the program for sure.” 

Kam also had to quickly overcome a costume malfunction.

“It (the dress) was fine this morning after the 30-minute (practice), and then when I got in it, right before the 6-minutes (warm up), it just wasn't zipping anymore. 

"I got sewn in for the program, and it held me together,” she shared.

Only Hase & Volodin qualified for the ISU Grand Prix Final. Kam & O’Shea are second substitutes and Efimova & Mitrofanov are third substitutes.

Yuna Nagaoka & Sumitada Moriguchi (JPN) pulled up from fifth to fourth place at 193.12 points while Lia Pereira & Trennt Michaud (CAN) dropped one spot to fifth (191.33 points). 

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

 Saturday, November 22: Pairs, Men’s, Women’s Free Skating, Free Dance
 

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:

5. 17 - 19 Oct 2025       Grand Prix de France in Angers (FRA)
6. 24 - 26 Oct 2025       Cup of China in Chongqing (CHN)
7. 31 Oct-2 Nov 2025   Skate Canada International in Saskatoon (CAN)
8. 07 - 9 Nov 2025       NHK Trophy in Osaka (JPN)
9. 14- 16 Nov 2025      Skate America in Lake Placid (USA)  
10. 21 - 23 Nov 2025     Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki (FIN)  

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final: 

04 - 07 Dec 2025             Nagoya (JPN)