Grand Prix Cup of China 2025: World champion Alysa Liu takes narrow lead in short program
Reigning world champion Alysa Liu has made a splash in her first figure skating Grand Prix assignment of the 2025-26 Olympic season, narrowly leading the short program at the 2025 Cup of China in Chongqing, People’s Republic of China. On Friday, October 24, Liu earned 74.61 points, putting her just ahead of Japan’s Watanabe Rinka, who finished the day with a score of 74.01 points.
Two-time national champion from the USA, Amber Glenn, sits in third place with 73.04 points, marking a fierce competition among these elite athletes. After a last-minute adjustment to her short program, Liu turned to the choreography that led her to victory at the 2025 ISU World Figure Skating Championships. Exhibiting a perfect flow, Liu adeptly showcased skills while skating to “Promise” by Laufey and Dan Wilson.
The 20-year-old talent landed a remarkable triple flip, a confident double Axel, and an impressive triple Lutz-triple loop combination. Furthermore, she was awarded level 4 marks on both her spins and step sequences, proving her versatility and technical precision.
The competition heated up as Watanabe scored an impressive 74.01 points with her performance to the “El Tango del Roxanne” theme from Moulin Rouge, initiating her routine with a courageous triple Axel. Although she experienced a shaky landing, Watanabe recovered and executed a combination of a triple Lutz-triple toe loop and a triple loop flawlessly.
Glenn, demonstrating her own courage, also opened with a triple Axel, her staple jump. Unfortunately, minor errors in landing affected her performance following a triple flip “touch down,” resulting in lost points as the intensity of the event continued to escalate.
As the competition unfolds, all eyes are set on Saturday’s free skate, where Liu, Watanabe, and Glenn will go head-to-head once more. With only narrow margins separating the top three, fans can expect an electrifying showdown at the Grand Prix Cup of China 2025.
Standings at a Glance:
Alysa Liu (USA) – 74.61
Watanabe Rinka (JPN) – 74.01
Amber Glenn (USA) – 73.04
Shin Jia (KOR) – 68.01
Anastasiia Gubanova (GEO) – 66.28
Matsuike Rino (JPN) – 65.91
Lee Haein (KOR) – 65.46
Zhu Yi (CHN) – 63.39
Anna Pezzetta (ITA) – 61.89
Zhang Ruiyang (CHN) – 61.71
Yoshida Hana (JPN) – 61.47
