Mihara Mai edges out Loena Hendrickx to take Grand Prix of Espoo
The Japanese completed her second Grand Prix win of the season ahead of world silver medallist Hendrickx and Kawabe Mana with Kihira Rika fourth.
Figure Skating
Japan's Mihara Mai claimed her second ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating victory at the Grand Prix of Espoo on Saturday (26 November).
Skating to 'El Amor Brujo' by Manuel De Falla, the 23-year-old from Kobe was not quite on point with a jumping, but produced a solid skate for first place in the free skate with 130.56.
That gave her a winning total of 204.14 as she backed up her win in the MK John Wilson Trophy two weeks ago to become the only dual winner in this season's Grand Prix.
After taking the short program on Friday, Loena Hendrickx revealed that she had been suffering with illness.
Belgium's world silver medallist looked slightly low on energy in her free, popping an Axel before falling on a triple Lutz.
But the 23-year-old managed to get back on track and skate clean for the rest of the routine, earning a mark of 129.03 for third on the day and second overall with 203.91, just 0.23 behind Mihara.
Despite just failing to add to her triumph at the Grand Prix de France, Hendrickx will join Mihara in next month's Grand Prix Final in Turin.
Kawabe Mana produced a stunning Ina Bauer in her skate as she posted a season's best 130.38 to secure the last spot on the podium with 197.41 in the final round of the Grand Prix regular season.
After missing last year through injury, former Grand Prix Final winner Kihira Rika showed further evidence that she is on her way back to her best.
The Japanese is gradually increasing the difficulty of her elements as the season progresses, and a clean skate with six triple jumps - but not her famed triple Axel as yet - saw her post a season's best 128.36 for a total of 192.43 and fourth place.
Madeline Schizas also improved on her showing from Skate Canada, the two-time Olympian scoring a season's best 122.65 in the free for fifth place on 187.84 ahead of USA's Lindsay Thorngren (183.23).
USA's PyeongChang 2018 team bronze medallist Bradie Tennell finished in eighth place with 163.98 as she steps up her comeback from a long-term foot injury.
Grand Prix of Espoo women's results after free skate:
1. Mihara Mai (JPN) 204.14
2. Loena Hendrickx (BEL) 203.91
3. Kawabe Mana (JPN) 197.41
4. Kihira Rika (JPN) 192.43
5. Madeline Schizas (CAN) 187.84
6. Lindsay Thorngren (USA) 183.23
7. Anastasia Gubanova (GEO) 166.57
8. Bradie Tennell (USA) 163.98
9. Jenni Saarinen (FIN) 155.64
10. Janna Jyrkinen (FIN) 154.45
11. Linnea Ceder (FIN) 151.91
12. Eva-Lotta Kiibus (EST) 138.89
ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating women's finalists:
Mihara Mai (JPN)
Sakamoto Kaori (JPN)
Kim Yelim (KOR)
Loena Hendrickx (BEL)
Isabeau Levito (USA)
Watanabe Rinka (JPN)
Watanabe finished level on 22 points with fellow Japanese Sumiyoshi Rion, but qualified thanks to a best finish of first in Skate Canada.