US EditionAmi Nakai Leads a Podium Sweep for Japan on Debut in Figure Skating’s Grand Prix De France
Seventeen-year-old Ami Nakai scored a personal best 78.00 points with a flawless triple Axel and combination, leading the women's short program at the Grand Prix de France.
- At Angers Iceparc on Friday, Ami Nakai, 17-year-old Japanese figure skater, placed third with 73.37 points in her Grand Prix debut, behind Sakamoto and Levito.
- The Grand Prix de France opens the series as the first of six regular-season events where skaters compete in two legs to qualify for the Grand Prix Final in Nagoya, Japan.
- Inspired by Mao Asada, Ami Nakai was the only skater to attempt a triple axel, putting a hand down and saying `I'd give myself 100 out of 100.`
- The result produced a Japanese podium sweep as Kaori Sakamoto, former three-time world champion, remains within touching distance while retiring this Olympic season.
- Looking to the rest of the weekend, Ilia Malinin begins his Grand Prix campaign later Saturday, while Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara and Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson hold early leads.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Associated Press News
Ami Nakai leads a podium sweep for Japan on debut in figure skating's Grand Prix de France
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.
Figure skating: 17-yr-old Nakai tops Grand Prix de France after SP
Seventeen-year-old Japanese figure skater Ami Nakai made a stunning ISU Grand Prix series debut on Friday, topping the Grand Prix de France women's short program ahead of compatriot Kaori Sakamoto in second place.
At the opening round of the figure skating Grand Prix (GP) series in France, Nakai Ami overcame the pressure of her final run and surpassed Sakamoto Kaori's score, erupting in joy. This was the first year of the Senior GP and she had positioned the tournament as a test of her strength. "I never thought I would be able to win in my debut match. I'm so happy," she said.
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