Sakamoto Kaori sees Skate Canada as season's first big 'test:' 'I really want to do well here'
The two-time and reigning world champion has arrived in Vancouver for the Skate Canada International Grand Prix as the heavy favourite this weekend (27 & 28 October).
Figure Skating
"I remember that very well," Sakamoto Kaori says with a smile when asked about the last time she was in Vancouver, Canada. "But I can laugh about it now. Like, how bad was I... [that] kind of thing."
The two-time and reigning world figure skating champion is referring to the Grand Prix Final in 2018 at the same venue being used for Skate Canada International this weekend (27 & 28 October).
Sakamoto was only 18 years old then and recalled a botched final jump on a combination in her free skate that would cost her a medal: "I missed the podium by a tiny margin," she added, laughing.
Now a two-time Olympian and bronze medallist at Beijing 2022, Sakamoto, 23, has plenty to smile - and laugh - about. She arrives in the Canadian coastal city with a veteran's confidence that has helped her rise to the top of the sport.
But the work isn't done. This off-season she spent time in Canada, as well, working with Jeffrey Buttle, the 2006 Olympic silver medallist, on her short program and Marie-France Dubreuil, the renowned ice dance coach, on her free.
She also got a visit from Zachary Donohue, the 2022 bronze medallist in ice dance with Madison Hubbell, to work on her speed and fluidity.
And this is a skater known as one of the sport's most seamless.
"I was taught how to skate as effortlessly as possible and yet with speed," she said of those off-season sessions. "I want to save my energy for jumps and spins, so if I can skate efficiently that's good. I try to do that in practice and I've gradually become able to do that without even thinking about it during my run-throughs."
Sakamoto Kaori: Grand Prix Series 'is all a sequence'
"This Skate Canada will be a test for me to see how much I can score [and try to] win the event," Sakamoto said in Japanese in an interview that has been translated. "[Skate Canada] is the first step. I will take what I learn here and then apply it toward the Grand Prix in Finland (17-20 November)."
"It's all a sequence, so I want to really do well in Canada."
Before arriving in Vancouver, Sakamoto has made her intentions for this season clear: "I aim for a three-peat at Japanese Nationals and the World Championships," she said recently, according to the Japanese media.
It's been a big few weeks for Kaori, who kicked off her season with wins at smaller-level events before claiming victory at the Japan Open, a free skate-only event, held earlier this month. She also made the trip back home to claim another hard-earned prize: Her college diploma.
Her focus is now solely on skating: She wants a 75+ in the short program (her personal best is 80.32) and would like to equal or better her free skate score from Japan Open, which was a 149.59.
She had a minor setback when running through that Lauryn Hill medley long program on Thursday (26 October), however, falling on her opening double Axel attempt and sliding into the boards, looking shaken.
"I had never had a fall like that so that shook me," she confirmed. "Currently, if I try really hard, I can do clean run-throughs in practice. But if I make just one mistake I get discouraged and then it all goes downhill from there."
She added: "I am at a point where I feel I can't afford to make a mistake. I tell myself I have to skate clean every time."
Clean or not, Sakamoto is certainly favoured. She goes up against Japanese compatriot Watanabe Rinka, the surprise 2022 champion at this event, as well as Canadians Madeline Schizas and Kaiya Ruiter; 2022 silver medallist Starr Andrews of the U.S. plus French veteran Mae Berenice Meite and 16-year-old Kim Chae-yeon of the Republic of Korea.
Skate Canada 2023: Schedule
All times listed in local Vancouver time, Pacific Daylight Time. (GMT -7)
- Friday, 27 October
14:00 – Women's short program
15:50 – Ice dance rhythm dance
18:45 – Pairs short program
20:10 – Men's short program - Saturday, 28 October
13:15 – Women's free skate
15:25 – Ice dance free dance
18:00 – Pairs free skate
19:37 – Men's free skate - 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.