The 2025 ISU World bronze medallist Mone Chiba (JPN) clinched a narrow lead in a high-class Women’s Short Program at Skate Canada International in Saskatoon (CAN) Friday. 

Mone Chiba (JPN) tops Short Program 

In a close competition, the 2025 ISU World bronze medalist Mone Chiba of Japan clinched the lead, edging Isabeau Levito (USA) by less than a point. Italian Lara Naki Gutmann placed third.

Chiba entertained the crowd in Saskatoon with a delightful performance to “Last Dance”, completing a triple flip-triple toe combination, a triple Lutz and level-four spins and footwork to earn 72.29 points. 

“I was a bit nervous but I was able to keep my focus and enjoy my program,” the 20-year-old student said. 

Chiba is leading at an ISU Grand Prix event after the Short Program for the second time, having claimed the lead at 2024’s Cup of China, and can win her maiden ISU Grand Prix title on Saturday. 

“I do feel very happy but obviously nothing is finished,” the 2024 ISU Four Continents Champion said. “Everything will be decided during the free program. I was nervous today but in the Free Skating I want to be able within this nervous atmosphere to express my world view, skate clean and keep my focus until the end.”

Mone Chiba (JPN) with her coach Mie Hamada prior to competing in the Short Program at Skate Canada 2025 in Saskatoon, Canada © ISU

Levito portrayed a movie star in her program to music from Hollywood movies starring Sophia Loren. The 2024 ISU World silver medalist turned in a clean program that featured a triple flip-triple toe and a triple loop. The 18-year-old scored 71.80 points.

“I feel pretty satisfied with my performance,” Levito said. “I just try to do everything one step at a time and just, again, enjoy my performance as well. I felt very happy today, while skating my program and after.”

The quick turnaround after her first Grand Prix in France a fortnight ago, when she finished fourth, did not bother the American. “I really enjoyed having just one week in between the two competitions,” she said. “It was a perfect amount of time to just come down and then go again. I don't like a long break between competitions.”

Isabeau Levito (USA), who sits in second place after the Short Program at Skate Canada 2025 in Saskatoon, Canada © ISU

Gutmann is known for her interesting programs and did not disappoint, skating to “La Legge di Lidia Poet”, telling the story of a young woman who wants to become a lawyer in Italy in the late 19th century. The choreography and the elements were strong. The Ondrej Nepela Memorial Champion hit a triple toe-triple toe and triple Lutz for a season’s best score of 68.11 points.

“I felt really good on the ice and when the music started I could feel I was in the moment and I could believe in myself and skate,” Gutmann said. “I'm really glad I could do my jumps and do my spins and choreography. I worked a lot in the last week so I'm glad I could show it today.”

Italy's Lara Naki Gutmann placed third after the Short Program at Skate Canada 2025 in Saskatoon, Canada © ISU

The 2025 ISU Grand Prix de France Champion Ami Nakai (JPN) missed her triple Axel to come fourth but is not far behind Gutmann on 66.55 points. She still can reach the podium and kept her chance to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix Final. The 2025 ISU Four Continents silver medalist Bradie Tennell (USA) overcame a sudden nosebleed to place fifth (65.55 points), while Yuna Aoki (JPN) is ranked sixth (64.58 points).

The schedule of the ISU Grand Prix Skate Canada International is as follows:

Friday, October 31: Women’s & Pairs Short Programs
Saturday, November 1: Rhythm Dance, Men’s Short Program, Women’s & Pairs Free Skating
Sunday, November 2: Men’s Free Skating, Free Dance

ISU Grand Prix Standings

Check out who is on their way to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix Final:

Men                               Women                    Pairs                      Ice Dance

For full entry lists and further information regarding the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series please visit here.

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The schedules of each ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event are available below:

5. 17 - 19 Oct 2025                       Grand Prix de France in Angers (FRA)
6. 24 - 26 Oct 2025                       Cup of China in Chongqing (CHN)
7. 31 Oct-2 Nov 2025                   Skate Canada International in Saskatoon (CAN)
8. 07 - 9 Nov 2025                        NHK Trophy in Osaka (JPN)
9. 14- 16 Nov 2025                       Skate America in Lake Placid (USA)  
10. 21 - 23 Nov 2025                      Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki (FIN)  

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final: 

5. 04 - 07 Dec 2025                        Nagoya (JPN)