Shoma Uno Places 1st, Daisuke Murakami 3rd at Trophee Eric Bompard Cut Short by Terrorism

From November 13 – 15, this year’s Trophee Eric Bompard was supposed to take in Bordeaux, France. This was the fourth event in the International Skating Union’s 2015 – 2016 Grand Prix Series. However, in light of the horrific terrorist attacks in Paris on the night of the 13th, the rest of the event was cancelled after the first day. The short programs took place on the 13th before the attacks occurred. Two Japanese skaters placed in the top 3 in this round.

Shoma Uno took first place in the men’s short program, with a score of 89.56. This is Shoma’s personal best in the short program. “My short program is what has needed the most work on this season and I have finally been able to skate 70 percent of what I have been doing in practice. That gives me peace of mind,” he said.

Daisuke Murakaimi took third place behind Russia’s Maxim Kovtun, with his short program receiving a score of 80.24. He singled the second jump in his triple lutz-triple toe loop combination. “I never thought I would mess up there (on the combination jump). I would have got more points there if I had completed it as well,” Daisuke said.

The two other skaters Japan sent, Kanako Murakami and Haruka Imai, came in 4th and 9th respectively after the ladies’ short program. After singling her double axel, Kanako said, “I am really angry that I messed up the double axel, especially since I practiced it after Skate Canada and was in good form after arriving in France. I really wanted to nail it.”

When asked about the the cancellation of the remainder of Trophee Eric Bompard after the terrorist attacks, Shoma Uno said “I have all sorts of feelings (about the event being canceled) but more than that, there are a lot of victims and I am lost for words.” When asked the same question, Kanako Murakami said, “I wanted to skate in the free program but I am in no position to be talking about myself.”

The International Skating Union is trying to figure out what to in light of the event’s cancellation. The placements from the Grand Prix Series determine whether skaters make it to the Grand Prix Final or not. There is a motion to accept the placements after the short program as the final results. Shoma Uno would be going to the Grand Prix Final if he was accepted as the winner of Trophee Eric Bompard, seeing as how he came in second at Skate America a few weeks ago, garnering him enough points to advance. When this was brought up to Shoma, he said, “I can’t be thinking I have qualified,” he said. “I just have to practice and be ready to skate at any time and improve ahead of the next event.”

This coming weekend sees Takahiko Kozuka. Rika Hongo, Riona Kato, and Yuka Nagai taking the ice at the Rostelecom Cup in Moscow, Russia.

Shoma Uno