Kihira Rika teases short program for new season

It's around this time of the year that figure skating fans get a sneak preview into their favourites' new programs for the upcoming season.

And, even with the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming 2020-21 ISU Grand Prix season, with plans to hold regionalised events, this year is no different.

Japan's Kihira Rika has sent her fans into a frenzy after recently teasing photos and a short video of her new short program, which she has been working on with French choreographer Benoit Richaud.

New choreographer

Kihira had not previously worked with Richaud, a former ice dancer for France. Her 2019-20 choreographers, according to her ISU biography, were Shae-Lynn Bourne, Tom Dickson, and Cathy Reed.

In a recent interview he gave the Skating to Music blog, Richaud said his partnership with Kihira was a few years in the making.

"Rika wanted to work with me for two years already. Since I did some choreography for Satoko Miyahara, who works with the same coach, and Daisuke Takahashi, she knew what I was doing and which direction I take when I develop skaters," he said.

Maturity

Richaud also shared in the interview that he felt Kihira had matured while working on the program.

"Kihira has turned into a totally different skater after these 5 days of work that we had. I pushed her much farther than she thought she could possibly go. The program we created is about maturity," he said.

"She looks like a senior skater there — you don’t notice that she is 17 years old anymore. Her skating was all about lightness, whereas I tried to bring more sharpness and attack to her movements. I think a few people will be surprised by this program."

The link-up with Richaud is not Kihira's first addition to her support staff this off-season.

Back in June, she announced that she had agreed to start working with famed coach Brian Orser, who has trained her compatriot Hanyu Yuzuru to two Olympic golds.