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[ICE TIME] Summer Cup Recap: Mao Shimada and Rio Nakata are Winners in Otsu

Shimada landed eight triple jumps in her free skate and triumphed in the Summer Cup by more than 24 points. Nakata struggled with his spins despite the win.

Published

3 months ago

August 15, 2024

Jack Gallagher

Mao Shimada in a December 2023 file photo. (©KYODO)

Read the full story on SportsLook - [ICE TIME] Summer Cup Recap: Mao Shimada and Rio Nakata are Winners in Otsu

Two-time world junior champion Mao Shimada warmed up for the Junior Grand Prix season by scoring a decisive victory in the annual Summer Cup extravaganza in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, on Monday, August 12 at Kinoshita Kansei Ice Arena.

The 15-year-old Shimada won with a total score of 208.10 points, more than 24 points more than Mei Okada, who finished second at 184.38. Ami Nakai came in third on 184.25. The 2023-24 season JGP Final bronze medalist Rena Uezono was fifth with 172.97.

Rio Nakata, last year's JGP Final titlist, won the junior men's classification with 209.16. Sena Takahashi placed second at 206.72, while Daiya Ebihara took third on 185.62.

Summer Cup Details

Shimada under-rotated a quadruple toe loop that was downgraded, but did land eight triple jumps in her free skate to "Mado Kara Mieru" without incident in the win. She also earned level fours on all of her spins.

"This time both short and free had some challenges," Shimada posted on Instagram on Tuesday. "I will do my best to show you all better performances in the next JGP!"

Okada hit seven triples and notched level fours on all of her spins in her free skate in finishing a surprise second.

Nakai, the world junior bronze medalist two seasons ago, struggled on her opening double axel, but did land six clean triples in her free skate.

Uezono, who received a significant amount of media attention during the offseason, was second after the short program but slid to eighth in her free skate to "The Bells of Moscow."

She doubled a planned triple lutz, then fell on the back end of a triple lutz/triple toe loop combination jump.

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Author: Jack Gallagher

The author is a veteran sports journalist and one of the world's foremost figure skating experts. Find articles and podcasts by Jack on his author page, and find him on X (formerly Twitter) @sportsjapan.