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Japan's Chiba leads after Skate Canada short program / Photo: Geoff Robins - AFP
Japan's Chiba leads after Skate Canada short program
Japan's Mone Chiba, who took a bronze medal at this year's world championships, won the women's short program on Friday at Skate Canada.
The 20-year-old from Kyoto scored 72.29 points in her ISU Grand Prix season debut to seize the lead in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
American Isabeau Levito, last year's women's world runner-up, was second on 71.80 with Italy's Lara Naki Gutman third on 68.11.
Japan's 17-year-old Ami Nakai, who stunned compatriot Kaori Sakamoto to win her first Grand Prix title in France in October, placed fourth on 66.55.
Germany's Minerva Hase and Nikita Volodin, two-time Grand Prix Final champions and two-time world podium finishers, topped the pairs short program with a score of 77.53 points.
Canada's Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps, who won the 2024 world pairs crown on home ice at Montreal, were second on 73.03 as they chase a third consecutive Skate Canada title with compatriots Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud third on 70.66.
The women's and pairs crowns will be decided on Saturday, the same day the men's and ice dance competitions begin.
American Ilia Malinin, two-time reigning world champion and defending Skate Canada champion, is fancied in the men's event after a victory in France.
P.Schubert--BlnAP
