Reigning World Champion Alysa Liu (USA) aced the Women’s Short Program to take the lead at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China in Chongqing Friday.   

ISU World Champion on golden track

Alysa Liu (USA), who has not yet won a medal at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, has taken a big step towards that goal by winning the Short Program at the Cup of China. Rinka Watanabe of Japan and ISU Grand Prix Final Champion Amber Glenn (USA) both landed a triple Axel to place second and third before heading into the final Free Skating. 

Liu had gone back to last season’s Short Program with “Promise” and it proved an emotional choice for the 20-year-old. 

“I felt a lot in this program,” she said. “For context, last year my favorite program performance was at Nationals. I cried the most, I was in it the most, but this one (today) takes the cake. I've not cried as much after short [program] ever. It was very emotional, but it's good. This program is really meaningful to me.”

Liu landed a triple flip, double Axel and rarely seen triple Lutz-triple loop combination to score a season’s best with 74.61 points. 

Alysa Liu (USA) finished first in the Women's Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China in Chongqing © ISU

Watanabe came back strongly from disappointment earlier this season and hit the triple Axel as well as her triple-triple combination and triple loop in her performance to “El Tango de Roxanne”. The 2024 ISU Four Continents bronze medalist posted a personal best with 74.01 points – improving her previous best score from almost three years ago. 

“I finally did it,” Watanabe commented. “I thought I’ll give up skating but I changed my mind. My coach told me now that he sees the strongest Watanabe Rinka he has ever seen. I delivered everything I have in this program today and I want to keep the feeling from the Short Program for the Free Skating.”

Rinka Watanabe (JPN) posted a personal best in the Women's Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China in Chongqing © ISU

Performing to “Like A Prayer” by Madonna, Glenn hit her trademark triple Axel right out of the gate, but stumbled on the triple flip-triple toe combination. The reigning Cup of China Champion recovered to land a triple loop. She netted 73.04 points. 

“I wasn't feeling my best today,” Glenn said. “But my training has been really, really great and I've been working really hard, physically and mentally. So I was able to still put out a performance that was satisfactory. I know I can do a lot better and I hope I will do that tomorrow.”

Amber Glenn (USA) finished third in the Women's Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China in Chongqing © ISU

2025 World Junior silver medalist Jia Shin (KOR) who is competing in her second ISU Grand Prix event in as many weeks placed fourth on 68.01 points. 2025 European silver medalist Anastasiia Gubanova (GEO) came fifth with her Indian style program (66.28 points) while Rino Matsuike (JPN) rounded up the top six (65.91 points).

ISU Grand Prix Cup of China schedule:

Friday, October 24: Rhythm Dance, Women’s, Men’s & Pairs Short Programs
 Saturday, October 25: Free Dance, Women’s, Men’s & Pairs Free Skating
 Sunday, October 26: Exhibition Gala

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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