Reigning world champ Sakamoto Kaori halfway to fourth Grand Prix title, leads after Skate Canada short program
The Japanese skater has a five point lead in Vancouver over 16-year-old Kim Chae-yeon, who was making her GP debut. Gilles/Poirier lead in ice dance.
Figure Skating
Sakamoto Kaori let out a yell of relief as she stepped off competition ice on Friday (27 October) in Vancouver, Canada.
The reigning and two-time world figure skating champ's reaction was a mix of joy and satisfaction after her short program at Skate Canada International, the second of six Grand Prix stops in the Series.
Sakamoto, 23, earned a five-point cushion with her 75.13 in the short, ahead of GP debutante in 16-year-old Kim Chae-yeon of the Republic of Korea at 70.31.
Sakamoto's compatriot, Matsuike Rino, 19, is third at 66.29, while Americans Audrey Shin (65.19) and Lindsay Thorgren (61.99) round out the top five.
She said Friday: "I could hear my coach yelling from the boards, 'You have to go for it!'" she explained about her triple-triple combination. "On good days these days I feel really great. My skates are going well and I can do clean run-throughs. So I decided to go for it [today]."
"This season it's about high quality for me."
Sakamoto was quality in her "Baby, God Bless You" short, which included a double Axel to open, triple Lutz and that aforementioned combo, a triple flip triple toe-loop.
Japan's Watanabe Rinka, the surprise 2022 champion at this event failed to get a combination into her short and is seventh (57.52), while 2022 silver medallist Starr Andrews of the U.S. is sixth (61.07).
Canadian hope Madeline Schizas struggled to eighth (57.44).
In ice dance, Canada's Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier are in line for a fourth consecutive title at their home Grand Prix, leading after the rhythm dance with a 87.52.
Sakamoto Kaori: 'I was right on'
Sakamoto fought through apparent nerves on Friday afternoon, the Olympic bronze medallist saying after she was scared and nervous. But that didn't prevent her from hitting her pre-Skate Canada goal of 75 points for the short.
"I was right on," she said of that goal, which she had shared with reporters Thursday (26 October). "I set it high, but I'm happy I got it done."
"I want to achieve a 149 in the free skate. I'm going to go for it and leave nothing in the tank."
Sakamoto has made her intentions for this season clear: "I aim for a three-peat at Japanese Nationals and the World Championships," she said recently, according to the Japanese media.
The 16-year-old Kim was sixth at the World Championships a year ago. She opened her season strong, winning bronze at Lombardia Trophy and then gold at Nepela Trophy.
"I knew she was talented," Sakamoto said of the Korean skater. "Chae-yeon was third in the free skate at Worlds [last year]."
Kim was just a point behind Sakamoto in their technical scores.
Three years after her Grand Prix debut, Matsuike, meanwhile is still looking for a big breakthrough on the senior circuit.
Ice dance: Gilles/ Poirier close in on fourth title
While Sakamoto is halfway to her fourth career Grand Prix gold its ice dancers Gilles and Poirier who are in search of their fourth Skate Canada title - in a row.
The team first triumphed at this event in 2019 and won again in 2021 and last year after the event was cancelled in 2020.
"We were very present in the elements," Gilles said of their "No More I Love You's"/"Addicted to Love" rhythm dance. "I'm really proud that we enjoyed every step of that program."
It was a triumphant return to the ice for Gilles, in particular, who had shared in after the completion of last season that she had previously been diagnosed with stage one ovarian cancer, forcing she and Poirier to miss a part of last season.
They earned the bronze medal at the World Championships in March.
"I don't think there was ever a thought of me and Paul not competing just based off of that," she said, now cancer-free. "If anything it pushed me more to do it. Skating has been a distraction. We've created a safe bubble for me. It's let me continue my life and reminded me that skating isn't a given. I'm blessed to be doing what I love."
The Canadians lead Montreal-based British duo Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson, who are second with a 83.51.
Lithuania's Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius are third at 75.60.
Skate Canada 2023: Schedule
All times listed in local Vancouver time, Pacific Daylight Time. (GMT -7)
Friday, 27 October
18:45 – Pairs short program
20:10 – Men's short program
Saturday, 28 October
13:15 – Women's free skate
15:25 – Ice dance free dance
18:00 – Pairs free skate
19:37 – Men's free skate
Sunday, 29 October
14:00 – Exhibition gala
You can see the full official schedule here.
Skate Canada 2023: How to tune in
American fans can catch the action via livestream on Peacock throughout the weekend. NBC will host a recap show at noon ET the following weekend, on Saturday (4 November).
See the full U.S. broadcast schedule here. Canadians can watch on CBC and its subsequent platforms.
For international fans, the ISU provides a "where to watch" page here. Some regions may be geo-restricted when it comes to availability.