Ami Nakai leads a podium sweep for Japan on debut in figure skating’s Grand Prix de France
ANGERS, France (AP) — Ami Nakai produced a big upset to beat three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto and lead a Japanese podium sweep in women’s figure skating at the first round of the Grand Prix series Saturday.
Competing in her first senior Grand Prix, Nakai put both hands to her mouth in shock upon seeing her free skate score of 149.08, a personal best by over 11 points, and a total of 227.08 overall.
Skating to “What a Wonderful World,” Nakai was the only competitor in the event to attempt a triple Axel jump, even though she put a hand down to steady herself on the landing.
“Never did I think that I would be able to win, but I won this debut Grand Prix event, so I’m just elated,” Nakai, who was previously best known for winning a bronze at the 2023 World Junior Championships, said through an interpreter.
Sakamoto finished second with a score of 224.23 after rare errors on her spins, while Rion Sumiyoshi took the bronze with 216.06, overtaking Isabeau Levito of the United States in the free skate.
In ice dance, Britain’s Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson took the lead with a score of 84.38 for their Spice Girls rhythm dance. Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius placed second for Lithuania with 80.98.
The 2022 Olympic champion Guillaume Cizeron fell during his dance with new partner Laurence Fournier Beaudry for France, but their performance to “Vogue” was still good enough for third place with a score of 78. The ice dance event concludes Sunday.
World champion Ilia Malinin of the United States began his Grand Prix campaign later Saturday with the men’s short program. The pairs free skate was also scheduled for Saturday, with world champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara leading after the short program.
The Grand Prix de France is the first of six regular season Grand Prix events leading up to a final in December. It serves as a key test for skaters aiming for medals at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February.
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