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Three-time and reigning ISU World silver medallist Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) grabbed the gold and a spot in the ISU Grand Prix Final Saturday at the ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki (FIN) in a thrilling competition with plenty of movement in the standings.

Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) takes back-to-back Grand Prix gold

Olympic silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama of Japan took back-to-back gold medals by winning his second Grand Prix event in the Finlandia Trophy, just a week after his victory at the NHK Trophy. France’s Kevin Aymoz moved up a spot to claim the silver while Italian Daniel Grassl climbed from sixth to earn the bronze. 

Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) in the Men’s Free program at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Helsinki, Finland © ISU

Kagiyama put out a crisp Flamenco routine to “Ameksa” and “Romanza”, but he popped his opening quad flip. The NHK Trophy Champion recovered to produce a quadruple toe-triple toe and quadruple toeloop and level-four spins and footwork. 

However, some other jumps were shaky and Kagiyama ranked fifth in the Free Skating with 159.12 points. Overall he remained in first place at 263.09 points. 

“After having two big competitions, back to back, I want to rest at home in Japan. But during my rest I want to practice as much as possible, analyze the two competitions, what worked and what didn't go well, and prepare for the Final,” Kagiyama said. 

“I was not really tired physically, but I am not satisfied, it's a disappointment.” 

For Aymoz, a spot in the ISU Grand Prix Final, which is held in his home ice rink in Grenoble, was in sight. 

When the Frenchman missed his opening quad toe, the crowd gasped. But Aymoz fought back, completing a somewhat wobbly quad toe-double toe and six triple jumps, as well as impressive footwork in his program to “Van Gogh”, “Hold on Tight” and “Destiny”. 

Kevin Aymoz (FRA) in the Men’s Free program at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Helsinki, Finland © ISU

Aymoz scored 174.02 points. When the total score of 259.15 points came up, he knew he had made it onto the podium, and the Skate America silver medalist jumped up in joy. 

“Today was my most stressful program. I had to prove to myself that I can get up again, and when I fell on the quad toe I was almost yes! I had another chance to prove I can get up,” Aymoz shared. “I was panicking because I wanted to qualify for the Grand Prix Final in Grenoble. 

“When we jump back 10 months, I wanted to stop skating. Step by step I came back. I'm so proud to skate for myself and to show my story on the ice. 

“My goal was to survive one competition at the time - Skate America and Finland. And the Final, it is a small victory to get there.”

After winning silver at NHK Trophy last week, Grassl also had a chance to make the Final. The 2022 European silver medalist delivered a strong performance to the soundtrack of “Billy Elliot”, taking the role of a young boy who wants to become a ballet dancer, against all odds. 

Daniel Grassl (ITA) in the Men’s Free program at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Helsinki, Finland © ISU

Grassl reeled off a quad Lutz, quad Salchow and quad loop, and followed up with six triples and interesting spins to win the Free Skating segment with 180.64 points. The Italian’s total score came to 258.55 points to spring up three spots in the rankings. 

“It was very stressful, because yesterday I did a stupid mistake I never do, so I was thinking what will happen in the long program,” Grassl said. “But I tried to focus, and when I went on the ice I changed my attitude - I got positive and powerful.

“The Grand Prix Final was not my goal. I only started training in July. I was scheduled just for one Grand Prix. If someone told me in July, that I will medal in two Grand Prix, I wouldn’t have thought it was possible. 

“I had a difficult period last year, so I'm happy I'm finally coming back,” he concluded.

The 2023 ISU Grand Prix Finalist Sota Yamamoto (JPN) remained in fourth place at 249.91 points followed by 2023 European bronze medalist Lukas Britschgi (SUI) on 246.70 points. Kazuki Tomono (JPN) dropped from second to sixth after making some errors (238.41 points). 

Junhwan Cha (KOR) withdrew citing injury. He stood in 7^th place following the Short Program.

Kagiyama now is qualified for the ISU Grand Prix Final with two victories and the maximum of 30 points. Aymoz collected 26 points from his two second places on the circuit and has qualified as well. Grassl now has 24 points and will have to wait and see what happens next week at the Cup of China.

For full entries, schedules & results, see the ISU Grand Prix Event Page &  ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy Event Page & Official Finlandia Trophy Website. 

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 Finlandia Trophy is as follows

Friday, Nov 15: Men’s, Women’s & Pairs Short Programs

Saturday, Nov 16: Men’s & Women’s Free Skating, Rhythm Dance

Sunday, Nov 17: Pairs Free Skating, Free Dance

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.