Japan’s Mai Mihara leaps to gold in Espoo
Japan’s Mai Mihara leaps to Women’s gold at 2022 Grand Prix Espoo in Finland on November 26, 2022.
2022 Grand Prix Espoo – Women
Mai Mihara of Japan leapt to the Women’s gold at the Grand Prix in Espoo, Finland, on Saturday. Belgium’s Loena Hendrickx slipped one spot to second for the silver, while Mana Kawabe of Japan secured the bronze.
Japan’s Mai Mihara leaps to gold in Espoo
Mihara was in second with a new personal best (73.58) going into the long program. Her free skate to “El Amor Brujo” featured three solid jumps, including a triple Lutz-double toe-double loop. She stepped out on an underrotated triple flip and slight underrotated the back end of a double Axel-triple toe and the front end of a triple Lutz-double toe, but her spins and footwork were all graded a level four. The two-time Four Continents Champion scored 130.56 points for this performance, and with a total score of 204.14, moved into first overall.
“Today with my free skating I have a lot of regrets, but I am happy to go to the Grand Prix Final,” said Mihara. “I hope by then I overcome the obstacles and will get my levels up and will become a stronger person.”
“I was not in my best condition,” the 23-year-old added, “but from now on, I would really want to show my best, especially at the Grand Prix Final.”
With this win, Mihara has solidified her spot on the Grand Prix Final next month along with teammates Kaori Sakamoto and Rinka Watanabe.
About competing all over the World and traveling a lot:
“Each competiton is very precious to me.
I am grateful and happy I am able to make these trips. I will always be grateful for the opportunities given to me and about the competitons I go to!” #MaiMihara#三原舞依 pic.twitter.com/Ssbh3K9gx0
— Golden Skate (@goldenskate) November 26, 2022
Hendrickx qualifies for Grand Prix Final
Hendrickx opened her long program to “Poeta” and “Fallen Angel” with a triple Lutz-triple toe, double Axel and triple flip. However, the overnight leader (74.88) popped an Axel and then fell on a solo triple Lutz. The 2022 World silver medalist also underrotated the front end of a triple flip-double toe-double loop, but landed a triple Salchow-double toe. She also received many positive grades of execution for her level four spins and footwork, scoring third place in the free skate (129.03). However, her total score of 203.91 was not enough to keep her in first, and she slipped to second overall.
The Belgian skater said she was not satisfied with her performance, but that “we are all humans.” She will try to “fight” at the upcoming Grand Prix Final next month in Italy and is very excited about the opportunity.
“The aim was so far away before I started the season,” said Hendrickx. “I never thought I’d get the chance to be in the Grand Prix Final and I am proud I achieved this.”
#LoenaHendrickx
203.91: “I am not satisfied with my performance, it wasn’t my day. But we are all humans. I will try to fight in the #GPFinal, it’s my first time, I am so excited and want to use my opportunity. I never thought I would get the chance to be at a GP Final.” pic.twitter.com/1HrGHflEbj
— Golden Skate (@goldenskate) November 26, 2022
Kawabe nervous, but gets the job done
Kawabe received an edge call on both her triple Lutz jumps and slightly underrotated three triple jumps with some two-footed landings. Despite the mistakes, her triple toe and triple Salchow were clean and the 2021 NHK Trophy silver medalist earned a level four for two spins and footwork in her routine to “Drowning.” She finished second in the free skate 130.38, but maintained third overall with a total score of 197.41 points.
“I was quite nervous,” admitted Kawabe, “but I was able to be myself and show my program today. In my free skating, I found a lot of things to improve. There were some underrotations and I hope to make no mistakes next time. And I want to practice my triple Axel.”
A very happy #ManaKawabe
pic.twitter.com/ZOH9WTU6fC
— Golden Skate (@goldenskate) November 26, 2022
Teammate Rika Kihira of Japan moved up two spots to fourth overall (192.43). Her free skate to music from Titanic was solid and featured six clean triple jumps sans a triple Lutz. All spins were graded a level four, while the steps were a level three. All elements received positive GOEs from the judging panel across the board and her total score was 192.43.
#RikaKihira #紀平梨花 192.43 with a fan-made flower crown
: “I am very happy about today. I think every jump was perfect. But score wise I aim for more. I hope to put a more difficult combo and the Lutz in soon!” #GPFigure #GPEspoo pic.twitter.com/41c9OX5UJm
— Golden Skate (@goldenskate) November 26, 2022
Madeline Schizas of Canada maintained fifth place overall (187.84) ahead of USA’s Lindsay Thorngren (183.23) and Anastasiia Gubanova of Georgia (166.57).
Once again, your top 3 Women at #GPEspoo #GPFigure:
#MaiMihara
#ManaKawabe
— Golden Skate (@goldenskate) November 26, 2022
Related Info
- Full Results
- GS Forum Competition Threads
- 2022-23 Grand Prix Standings
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