Sakamoto captures elusive gold in fifth trip to Skate America
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan competes in the Women’s Free Skate at 2022 Skate America on October 23, 2022 in Norwood, Massachusetts.
2022 Skate America – Women’s Recap
In her fifth appearance at this event, Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto captured gold in the Women’s discipline at 2022 Skate America on Sunday afternoon in Norwood, Mass. USA’s new-comer Isabeau Levito earned the silver in her Grand Prix debut, while teammate Amber Glenn maintained third overall to pocket the bronze. All the medalists maintained their positions from the Short Program.
Sakamoto gave a near-flawless routine to to Sia’s “Elastic Heart” which was choreographed by Marie-France Dubreuil. The only error came when she turned out the landing of a double Axel in combination with a triple toe that was two-footed. The 2022 Olympic bronze medalist otherwise delivered six clean triple jumps, including a triple flip-triple toe, and earned a level four on all three spins. She scored 145.89, and with 71.72 from her Short Program, easily maintained first place overall (217.61).
“I’m truly delighted about that,” said Sakamoto of her first time winning Skate America gold. “After the Short Program I was very determined to make sure I could to my triple-triple combination and I focused on that.”
When asked about her thoughts on the triple Axel, Sakamoto replied: “This jump is a high risk jump for injuries. I am truly amazed by those who can do it, but I also accept that it’s impossible to compete with youth!”
A happy and obviously relieved #KaoriSakamoto #坂本花織 speaks with the Japanese press after her victory! #GPFigure #SkateAmerica pic.twitter.com/DUk6Fvsw9w
— Golden Skate (@goldenskate) October 23, 2022
Levito turned out her opening triple Lutz and later stepped out of the back-end of a triple Lutz-triple toe, but was otherwise solid in her skate to “Dulsea Si Tandra Mea Fiara.” The 2022 World Junior Champion landed a solid triple Salchow and triple Flip and earned a level four on two of her spins to score 135.36 in the Free Skate. Her overall score was 206.66.
“It is my first Grand Prix and it was really cool it was here in front of a home crowd in America,” said Levito. “I feel like I did pretty good in my Short Program. My long program definitely was not as good in my opinion. I definitely made mistakes here, but I’m still happy with the experience.”
Glenn underrotated and put a hand down on her opening triple Axel, but landed six solid triple jumps in her passionate Free Skate to “Without You” by Ursine Vulpine. The 2021 U.S. national silver medalist, who earned a new personal best of 68.42 in the Short, placed third in Free Skate (129.19) and overall (197.61).
“I was a little overwhelmed when seeing the score,” said the 22-year-old. “It was my best since my last Skate America and knowing I have much room for improvement showed me the potential I still have.”
“The Short Program was pretty good, but I feel like I left a lot on the table in the free skate,” she added. “There were some obvious mistakes and some not so obvious ones. I felt like I held back and played it safe, but I’m very happy with the result and proud to have my first Grand Prix medal.”
South Korea’s Haein Lee finished fourth overall (179.50) ahead of Poland’s Ekaterina Kurakova (178.68) and USA’s Gracie Gold (174.9).
Japan’s Rino Matsuike withdrew from the event due to illness.
The 2022 #SkateAmerica medalists:
#KaoriSakamoto #坂本花織
#IsabeauLevito
#AmberGlenn #GPFigure pic.twitter.com/l5FZHO6eSf— Golden Skate (@goldenskate) October 23, 2022
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