Sakamoto Kaori claims statement win at Skate Canada, capturing fourth career Grand Prix
The two-time and reigning world champion answered the call from two younger skaters with some of her best to claim gold in Vancouver. Gilles/ Poirier claimed the ice dance title.
Figure Skating
Sakamoto Kaori is currently the best female figure skater in the world.
And Saturday (28 October) she proved that even more at Skate Canada International.
The two-time and reigning world champion skated last as the short program leader in the women's event and delivered from every angle, scoring a 151.00 in the free skate to win by some 25 points with a 226.13 overall.
It was a statement victory for the 23-year-old Japanese star, fending off 16-year-old Kim Chae-yeon of the Republic of Korea and Japanese teammate Matsuike Rino, 19, who had skated just before her and were both impressive.
Kim finished second and Matsuike third, at 201.15 and 198.62, respectively.
Skate Canada, held this year in Vancouver, is the second of six stops in the ISU's Grand Prix Series. Sakamoto is now halfway to her goal of making December's Grand Prix Final in Beijing, and will next skate at the Grand Prix of Espoo in week four (17-20 November).
Sakamoto let out a scream of delight as her scores popped up on the screen in the kiss and cry, the Olympic bronze medallist having told media this week her goal was a 149-point score for the free. Her personal best is a 155.77 at Worlds in 2022.
"Today I performed exactly the way that I wanted to," a smiling Sakamoto told reporters in Japanese. "So I'm really feeling serene about the result. I think I have a lot to improve on... [but] I am really, really happy."
Canadian hope Madeline Schizas rallied after being eighth in the short program to finish fourth (189.91), while American Lindsay Thorngren was fifth (189.52).
In ice dance, Canada's Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier claimed a fourth consecutive title at their home Grand Prix, winning by ten points with a 219.01. It's their fifth GP win overall, while they become the first duo to win four in a row in Canada since Shae-Lynn Bourne and Viktor Kraatz won five 1994-98.
Sakamoto Kaori: 'Today I was quite comfortable'
Skating to a Lauryn Hill medley, Sakamoto looked in command from start to finish of her free skate, saving her hardest technical elements - a triple flip-triple toe-loop combination as well as a double Axel-triple toe-double toe combo - for the second half of her program.
The crowd erupted into applause as Sakamoto struck her final pose, one fan throwing a giant plush toy of sushi onto the ice. Sakamoto picked it up and pretended to take a bite out of it, laughing as she went to receive her scores.
Her 151.00 was just four points south of a career best, an especially impressive mark for this early in the season.
Sakamoto said she's gotten more and more comfortable with being the final skater - and the pressures and expectations that come along with such a position.
"I have experienced this many times before, being the last to skate," she explained. "I usually get nervous. Today, I was quite comfortable. I do know that when I feel good, I'm able to give out a very good performance. I'm hoping that from now on I can be [more comfortable]. I think that yes, that's the fruit of my labor."
It was a silver medal on GP debut for the 16-year-old Kim, who finished sixth at the World Championships earlier this year. The penultimate skater received deductions on two of her jumping passes, but was otherwise enthralling in her "Le Bal des Folles" free.
Matsuike got a late assignment to Skate Canada after Kihira Rika pulled out of the event. She made good with that - landing on the podium.
"I'm happy to be here and in good health," she said. "I was not even supposed to be at [a Grand Prix] this season."
Schizas, who finished fourth, got redemption on Saturday after a disappointing short program left her nine points back of the podium. She was second only to Sakamoto in the free, skating to George Gershwin's "Summertime."
Defending champion Watanabe Rinka finished sixth overall, jumping up from seventh in the short. She did not attempt her patented triple Axel.
Ice dance: Gilles/ Poirier claim fourth SCI in a row
After a cancer scare for Gilles during last season, the Canadian duo has come back as strong as ever, showcasing two new programs, including their "Wuthering Heights" free dance skated on Saturday.
They received strong marks across both their technical and program component scores, giving them a 10-point win over Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson of Great Britain, who came in at 209.55.
Lithuania's Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius claimed their first Grand Prix medal with bronze, scoring 192.01.
"I think we're really thrilled with our fourth Skate Canada gold medal," Gilles said after. "It's taken a long time for us to reach this point in our career. We've learned a lot from our mistakes in the past. We know that there's still more for us to do. This is a great way for us to kick off the season."
Added Poirier on the duo being the first since Bourne/Kraatz to win four straight here: "Canada has such a strong legacy of ice dance, especially in the last 20 years. When I started in ice dance is when Shae-Lynn and Viktor were at their peak. It's an honour. We've been so inspired by so many teams that have come before us. Those teams have pushed us to be better."
Skate Canada 2023: Schedule
All times listed in local Vancouver time, Pacific Daylight Time. (GMT -7)
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.