Above: Photo credit Getty Images
By Abby Farrell
Amber Glenn delivered a record-breaking performance to take the lead in the women’s event on the first day of competition at the ISU Grand Prix de France in Angers, France.
Glenn’s stunning program gives her a lead of more than seven points entering Saturday’s free skate. She opened her routine to “This Time” by Janet Jackson with her two highest scoring elements, a triple Axel and a triple flip-triple toe loop combination, which were awarded 9.83 and 10.71 points, respectively. She also received positive grades of execution on every element and Level 4 distinctions on all three spins as well as her step sequence.
With a new personal best score of 78.14, the 2024 U.S. women’s champion broke the record for the highest short program score in history by a U.S. woman, surpassing Gracie Gold's record of 76.43 set at the 2016 World Championships. In the current scoring era (beginning with the 2018-19 season), Bradie Tennell previously held the record of 75.93 points from the 2020 Four Continents Championships.
Glenn also achieved the highest short program score by any woman worldwide so far in the 2024-25 season.
In her Grand Prix debut, Sarah Everhardt enters Saturday’s free skate in fourth place. The 2024 Lombardia Trophy silver medalist earned positive grades of execution on every element and secured Level 4 marks on two spins. Her skate to “Reel Around the Sun” by Bill Whelan opened with its strongest element, a triple toe loop-triple toe loop combination worth 9.48 points; she achieved a segment score of 66.95.
In their second consecutive weekend competing in the Grand Prix Series, Emily Bratti and Ian Somerville lead Team USA in fourth place after the rhythm dance. Their performance to “Brick House” by the Commodores and “Daddy Cool” by Boney M. was highlighted by a Level 3 midline step sequence that received 10.28 points. Additionally, the team earned Level 4 marks for their sequential twizzles and rotational lift.
2024 World Junior champions Leah Neset and Artem Markelov ended the short program in sixth place. Their 1970s-inspired program to “Waterloo,” “Dancing Queen” and “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” by ABBA was highlighted by the team’s diagonal step sequence and sequential twizzles. In total, they garnered 71.86 points.
Eva Pate and Logan Bye finished eighth with a score of 71.47. The newlyweds bookended their program to “Le Freak” by Chic, “Car Wash” by Rose Royce and “Shake Your Grove Thing” by Peaches & Herb with Level 4 sequential twizzles and a Level 4 rotational lift.
In the men’s event, Andrew Torgashev skated to “L'enfer” by Stromae and sits in fourth place. Torgashev was awarded positive grades of execution for all but one element, and Level 4 distinctions on two of his spins. His highest scoring element was a quadruple toe loop that contributed 11.26 points to his short program score of 81.54.
Camden Pulkinen placed 11th with a score of 64.48 points.
Rounding out the first day of competition, 2024 Skate America pairs bronze medalists Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov placed fourth in the short program. Their routine to “Ameksa” and “Uccen” by Taalbi Brothers featured a triple twist lift awarded 6.76 points, a Level 4 backward outside death spiral and a Level 4 group lift.
With a score of 64.08, they trail Canada’s Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud, who sit in third place, by only 0.3 points.
Competition continues Saturday when medals will be awarded in all four disciplines. The women’s and men’s free skates kick things off, followed by the free dance and pairs free skate.
For full results, visit the Grand Prix Series Competition Central on the U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone.
