Quad-given talent: World champ Shcherbakova restores jump in style by taking Grand Prix gold as 15yo Khromykh seals silver (VIDEO)
World champion Anna Shcherbakova set a new personal best in the free skate as she stormed to glory at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Italy, finishing ahead of compatriot Maiia Khromykh and successfully restoring her quad.
Known for her abilities to perform the quad Lutz and quad flip with astonishing skill, Shcherbakova has occasionally shown her frustrations after struggling with the moves in competitions.
Despite an underwhelming short program at the showpiece in Turin, Shcherbakova struck back to prove the remarkable credentials that helped her to secure gold in Stockholm.
Totaling 236.78, the 17-year-old posted a career high of 165.05 in the free skate on Saturday.
📺 Anna Shcherbakova comes back swinging in the Women's Free Skate to win with a clear margin! #GPFigure#FigureSkatingpic.twitter.com/z5Wj1xZH6k
— ISU Figure Skating (@ISU_Figure) November 6, 2021
OMGGGGGGGGGGGG pic.twitter.com/cSxU2v72lM
— kimi 🥝 (@kostocrown) November 7, 2021
Khromykh, 15, also notched a personal best score as she swept to silver on the podium.
The pupil of Eteri Tutberidze scored 226.35 to ensure a Russian one-two in dazzling style.
Belgium's Loena Hendrickx caused a shock by winning the short program on Friday.
Anya!!! Your next olympic champion and the future president of Russia!!!!!❤️❤️🙏 pic.twitter.com/YwKgNBlWcb
— Tom ⛸🇭🇺 (@zagitovarule) November 6, 2021
English queen is back! pic.twitter.com/T6tjTvCx5y
— Dominique (@selftaught6lo) November 7, 2021
That helped the 22-year-old competitor at the 2018 Winter Olympics to finish third overall.
Shcherbakova was self-critical but pleased with her achievement, revealing that she had met one of her key targets.
"My main goal for this competition was to show that my quad is back and I achieved that goal well," she explained.
Anna Shcherbakova Win! - #GPFigure Gran Premio d'Italia 2021🥇 Anna Shcherbakova 🇷🇺 236.78🥈 Maiia Khromykh 🇷🇺 226.35🥉 Loena Hendrickx 🇧🇪 219.05GP第3戦イタリア大会はシェルバコワが逆転優勝! pic.twitter.com/CLc8ySuiWp
— 数寄屋番外地 (@SukiyaBangaichi) November 6, 2021
Sweetness of the day! Anna Shcherbakova sat with the ladybug for the entire conference. After the SP, she had four interviews ( along with Loena Hendrickx and Maiia Khromykh ). When it was over, Anya went to take the insect to the street.😻😻 #GPItalia#GPFigurehttps://t.co/MoxIyz8Qty
— Moonlight (@fleabagaffair) November 5, 2021
"I made some mistakes, especially in the short program. I will work on it, because it's not possible to show such mistakes in the short program.
"The short program needs to be good and clean every time. But I'm happy and satisfied with my performance today in the free skating."
Shcherbakova skated to 'Ruska,' 'The Master and Margarita' and 'Lacrimosa' on her way to her latest victory.
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