Miura Kao, Sato Shun go 1-2 for Japanese men after Grand Prix Espoo short program; Kevin Aymoz fifth
Miura, the reigning world junior champion, neared his personal best score while the favourite Aymoz struggled. American Jimmy Ma sits third. Peng/Wang claim lead in pairs.
Figure Skating
After a trio of silver medals at his last three Grand Prix events, is this when 18-year-old Miura Kao wins one for the first time?
The reigning world junior figure skating champion claimed gold at Four Continents earlier this year and is halfway to his maiden Grand Prix triumph, scoring a 93.54 on Friday (17 November) at Grand Prix Espoo in Finland to outpace Japanese teammate Sato Shun who is second with a 90.41.
Jimmy Ma of the U.S. rounds out the top three with a 80.19
Pre-event Kevin Aymoz of France, the Skate America runner-up last month, doubled his opening quadruple toe-loop and sank to fifth place with a score of 73.94. Another Japanese youngster, Shimada Koshiro, is fourth, with a 77.81.
Miura won silver at Skate Canada last month having been second at both of his Grand Prix assignments last season, as well. He won the ISU Challenger event in this same venue six weeks ago at Finlandia Trophy, and was just a point off his personal best (94.96) on Friday performing his moving "This Place Was a Shelter" short.
In the pairs short program, the new duo of Peng Cheng and Wang Lei of the People's Republic of China have a slim lead over world bronze medallists Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii, 65.25 to 65.00.
Grand Prix Espoo: Miura Kao halfway to first GP win
Miura escaped a chaotic men's short program with the only clean score sheet, opening with a quad Salchow-triple toe combination followed by a triple Axel and quad toe, the latter coming in the second half of his program for bonus points.
He received level 4 scores (the highest) across his spins and step sequence, but did not receive any points for his change foot sit spin. He would have been knocking on the door of 100 points total with the 3.50 base value points on offer for that element.
Sato, 19, was solid in his "Libertango" short, though he was called for an unclear edge on his quad flip after an opening quad toe-triple toe.
Both Miura and Sato are chasing positions at the Grand Prix Final next month in Beijing after podium finishes in their first Grand Prix stops of the season. The top six skaters from each discipline make the Final.
It was a nightmare day at the office for Aymoz, whose opening jump error cost him in the range of 10 points. He barely managed a combination with his Lutz-toe, the double toe being downgraded and being ruled invalid.
His 73.94 is some 24 points shy of his 97.34 at Skate America last month.
Grand Prix Espoo 2023: Schedule
All times listed are local Espoo, Finland, time (Eastern European Time GMT +2). See a full schedule here.
Friday, 17 November
- 17:00 - Women's short program
- 18:50 - Ice dance rhythm dance
Saturday, 18 November
- 12:30 - Men's free skate
- 14:40 - Pairs free skate
- 17:30 - Women's free skate
- 19:40 - Ice dance free dance
Sunday, 19 November
- 14:00 - Exhibition gala