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Skate Canada Opens Friday in Saskatoon as Japan’s Nakai Targets Grand Prix Final Berth

A podium finish would book the teenage champion’s place in December’s Grand Prix Final in Nagoya.

Overview

  • Japan’s five singles skaters—Ami Nakai, Momone Chiba, Yuna Aoki, Kazuki Tomono and Kao Miura—arrived in Saskatoon on Oct. 28 and said preparations are on track.
  • Nakai, 17, enters her second assignment after winning Grand Prix France with 227.08 points, and a top‑three finish here would clinch her first Grand Prix Final.
  • In the first on‑site practice, Nakai landed a triple Axel, reinforcing reports of strong form ahead of competition.
  • World bronze medalist Momone Chiba begins her Grand Prix season following a Challenger Series win and a runner‑up at Nebelhorn Trophy as she seeks a first Grand Prix victory.
  • The schedule lists the women’s short program Oct. 31 and free skate Nov. 1, the men’s short Nov. 1 and free Nov. 2, with no exhibition; Ilia Malinin leads the men’s field after a 321.00 at GP1 as Nika Egadze, Kevin Aymoz and Stephen Gogolev contend for the podium.