Xi'an hosts ISU Junior Grand Prix opening leg

(ECNS) -- The Xi’an leg of the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2026/27 officially opened on Thursday, gathering more than 100 young skaters from over 30 countries and regions.

China fielded 16 competitors across men’s and women’s singles, pairs and ice dance. Neutral athlete pair Mariia Fefelova/Artem Valov led the ice dance short program with 63.10 points, while China’s Li Zhixuan/Ge Quanshuo ranked eighth. In women’s singles, Sofiia Dzepka topped the short program with 72.74 points; China’s Liu Yuxuan placed third.

Competitions on Friday will include the men’s singles short program, ice dance free dance and women’s singles free skate, with gold medals to be awarded in women’s singles and ice dance.

(By Xu Wenda, Zhang Dongfang)