Chiba Mone holds his nerve to claim first ever Grand Prix title at Skate Canada, with Isabeau Levito second

Chiba Mone puts exclamation point on women’s free skate

It was a strong women’s free skate in the final group, including for Tennell, who skated second and recorded a 129.05 to help her jump from fifth to fourth.

Nakai skated next, and although the 17-year-old couldn’t control her huge triple Axel, she recovered well and went on to complete seven triple jumps – including three in combination.

“If I don’t go all out, I’m going to make a mistake,” Nakai said of her mindset after the missed jump, which she doubled and landed awkwardly on two legs. ‘I train during training [how to] keep going if I miss my triple Axel.”

The night belonged to Levito and Chiba, who raised the bar one after the other.

Levito, who is also chasing an Olympic spot among a crowded American field, said she has been sharpening her mental toughness before each competition.

“It’s so cliche, but the advice I’ve been giving myself this season is, ‘It’s the seven jumps you do every day in practice,'” she said, continuing, “And if I’m going to do it clean every day, why wouldn’t I when it counts? That’s what I’ve been reminding myself.”

Levito was clean but not perfect and was called for three underrotations on her jumps, which could be costly if they added up. She said she will change her skate shoes next week and is hoping for an outside chance in the Finals, with a fourth (France) and second place (Canada) in this Grand Prix.

Chiba came onto the ice after Levito and took almost the entire allotted 30 seconds to get ready. But from that moment on, she was the epitome of grace and perseverance, her Romeo & Juliet free skate packed with seven triples.

She received Level 4s (the highest) for all her spins and also won the evening on program components (artistry) with 71.13 points. As the final notes played, she struck her pose, dropping her face into her hands before enjoying a moment of triumph – her first at the Grand Prix.

“I can be in that world of Romeo & Juliet… and present that program as a work of art,” she said. ‘This is really something that I am gradually learning to do.’

“I am very happy that I was able to achieve the best possible result here,” she said. “Despite my nerves, I was able to get it all done. I want to be able to fight for a cleaner skate [Grand Prix] Finland.”