Hongyi Chen leads her fellow country ladies after the Short Program took place at the 2020 Shiseido Cup of China in in Chongqing on Friday. Angel Li sits in second, followed by Minzhi Jin.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events are primarily domestically run events with domestic skaters and skaters who train in the host country or respective geographical region. As a result, all competitors in this event represent China.
Performing to “Love Theme” from Cinema Paradiso, Chen landed a triple Lutz-triple toe, but the last jump was slightly underrotated. The triple flip and double Axel were good and the national silver medalist also showed a level 4 flying camel spin to score 64.63 points.
“I am quite satisfied with my performance and I was able to do what I do in my regular practice,” said the 18-year-old from Beijing. “I was a little nervous after not competing in a while and I think I need to get used to the lights and the atmosphere again. It was good that we had two test skates before in my team.”
In her Grand Prix debut, Li opened with a triple Lutz-double toe in her short to “Secrets” by Jennifer Thomas, but under-rotated and fell on a triple flip. However, the skater landed a double Axel and showed a level 4 combination spin and layback spin to earn 49.94 points.
“Overall, I am happy with my performance, but I made a mistake in my second jump and I need to work harder,” noted the 15-year-old. “I was nervous, especially before the competition, but as soon as my music started, I was able to focus and take one element at a time.”
Jin, who turns 17 next week, landed her opening triple Salchow-double toe, but then took a fall on a triple toe. The skater from Beijing otherwise landed a double Axel and earned a level 4 on two spins in her routine to “Bei Mir Bist Du Schön” by Ella Fitzgerald. She received a a score of 47.75 in her Grand Prix debut.
“I missed one jump and I was a little nervous,” said Jin. “This is a new short program and I have not practiced it that much. This is my first time at the Cup of China and I am happy to be able to perform at this bigger stage.”
Siyang Zhang sits in fourth place (39.80), followed by Lu Zheng (29.84).
