Grand Prix Final 2023: Sakamoto Kaori, Loena Hendrickx use experience to vault into lead in Beijing
The reigning figure skating world champion and bronze medallist, respectively, Sakamoto and Hendrickx separated themselves from the rest of the field in Friday's short program.
Figure Skating
Two-time and reigning world champion Sakamoto Kaori of Japan would like to add the title of 'Grand Prix Final champion' to her already-sparkling figure skating CV.
The 23-year-old is halfway there after the women's short program at the elite mid-season event, notching a season's best 77.35 on Friday (8 December) to lead fellow 20-something Loena Hendrickx of Belgium, who sits second at 73.25.
In a surprise, Hendrickx's compatriot Nina Pinzarrone, just 17, is third with a 66.72.
American Isabeau Levito struggled in her short and is sixth of the six skaters who qualified for the Final, coming in a 56.53.
Sakamoto, who skated last, was nearly flawless in her "Baby, God Bless You" short program, opening with a speedy triple Lutz and double Axel, then a triple flip-triple toe-loop combination - all receiving positive GOEs.
It's a return to the Chinese capital for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic bronze medallist, won just across town at the National Indoor Stadium. Hendrickx, too, was at those Games, placing eighth. She and Sakamoto both showcased their veteran experience on Friday evening with steady skating while others - including Levito - made errors.
"I’ve been here before at the Final; this is where it really begins for me," Sakamoto told Japanese reporters of her season-long approach. "The past two [Finals], I let myself down in the free. I think it’s about time it all ends. I just have to execute tomorrow. If I stay locked in and skate the way I’m capable of skating, I think I’ll be OK.
"I have more confidence in my long program than the short so I’m going to take a shot at it."
A year ago, Sakamoto also led after the short program only to falter in the free, finishing last in that segment to place fifth overall.
Earlier, the pairs event concluded with the new duo of Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin of Germany holding off world bronze medallists Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii for the win, 206.43 to 205.88. The Italians won the free skate, moving from third to claim the silver.
In the ice dance rhythm dance, it's reigning world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. who skated into the lead, scoring a 89.15 in the segment.
Hendrickx battle illness, injury for second place
While Sakamoto looks to flip the script from her 2022 Grand Prix Final, Hendrickx would like to go one better, having been third in Torino, Italy, last year.
Skating to an Ofra Hoza and Madonna medley for the short, Hendrickx saved the landing on her opening triple flip before hitting a smooth double Axel and a triple Lutz-triple toe combo. Her 34.91 for program components (artistry) was behind only that of Sakamoto, at 36.19.
She spoke of recent struggles to reporters, however.
"I came back [home] from Cup of China [last month] very ill," the 24-year-old said. "I had to recover a lot. I lost a lot of weight, a lot of muscles so I had to build up my programs again. I knew that I wasn't in my best shape but today I felt really calm. I enjoyed it from the first second on."
Hendrickx also had heavy taping on her upper back, which she said was due to an injury last week on a triple Lutz - which she does with her arms overhead. She's travelled to Beijing with a physical trainer to care for her body.
"Without her here I would not be able to compete," she said.
The teenager Pinzarrone said she wouldn't have believed even qualifying for the Final at the outset of this season, having never competed at a Grand Prix previously. But she comported herself brilliantly Friday, putting two Belgian skaters among the top three headed into the free.
"I'm really happy to be here; I'm here to improve every competition," she said. "I'm really happy to be here with Loena and to represent our country at the Final. We're making history with two Belgians at the Final. It's amazing."
Levito, the American champion, looked nervous from the start of her program - and showed it. She doubled her opening triple Lutz attempt, invalidating the element and earning her zero points. She never fully recovered, only able to muscle a triple-double combination.
Japan's Yoshida Hana fell on her triple Axel attempt - the only of the women's short - to place fourth (60.65), while another Japanese skater, Sumiyoshi Rion is fifth (58.63).
Pairs, dance: Hase/Volodin cap golden Grand Prix
What a first half of the season it's been for the German pair of Hase and Volodin.
They teamed up a year ago and have found some of their best skating over the past few months, winning at Grand Prix Espoo and NHK Trophy at the back end of the GP Series before capturing gold in Beijing.
They edged out both Conti/Macii and Canadians Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps, who claimed bronze (204.30).
Hase/Volodin were steady throughout their free, opening with a big triple twist and holding their nerve after a huge 135.58 from the Italians.
Reigning world champions Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi have sat out the first half of the season due to a back injury for Kihara.
In dance, Chock/Bates are appearing at their seventh GP Final and - like Sakamoto - are after their first win.
They lead fellow top teams Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri of Italy (85.82) and Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Canada (85.17).