Trusova, Samarin win Russian figure skating Grand Prix
CGTN
Alexandra Trusova of Russia during ladies' free skating event at the 2019 Rostelecom Cup, the fifth of six events in the 201920 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, November 16, 2019, Moscow, Russia. /VCG Photo

Alexandra Trusova of Russia during ladies' free skating event at the 2019 Rostelecom Cup, the fifth of six events in the 201920 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, November 16, 2019, Moscow, Russia. /VCG Photo

Rising star Alexandra Trusova of Russia overhauled two-time world champion Evgenia Medvedeva in the free skate to win the women's competition at the figure skating Grand Prix event in Moscow on Saturday. 

Medvedeva held a 2.72-point lead over her fellow Russian following Friday's short program. However, the 15-year-old Trusova upstaged the 2016 and 2017 world champion with a sparkling routine that netted her 160.26 points, easily bumping her above Medvedeva.

Trusova finished with a combined score of 234.47 despite missing her opening quadruple Salchow while Medvedeva posted 225.76 points after tallying 148.83 in the free skate.

For Trusova, Russia's "quad queen", it was a second senior Grand Prix victory having triumphed on her debut at this level last month at Skate Canada.

"I am very happy to have won my second Grand Prix event and to have qualified for the Grand Prix Final. However, I made some mistakes in short and free program and I'll continue to work to skate two clean programs next time," Trusova said.

"I would like to compete with the men, because they can do a quad in the short program and we are not allowed to."

American Mariah Bell came third with 205.67 points. 

Chen Hongyi of China performs during ladies' free skating event at the 2019 Rostelecom Cup, the fifth of six events in the 201920 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, November 16, 2019, Moscow, Russia. /VCG Photo

Chen Hongyi of China performs during ladies' free skating event at the 2019 Rostelecom Cup, the fifth of six events in the 201920 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, November 16, 2019, Moscow, Russia. /VCG Photo

Chen Hongyi of China competed in both last week's Grand Prix in Chongqing Municipality, China, and the event in Russia, and delivered good performances. In yesterday's competition, she achieved a personal high of 118.60 points for free skate, and claimed eighth in ranking.

Russia's Alexander Samarin performs during the men's free skating event at the 2019 Rostelecom Cup, the fifth event of the 2019/20 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, November 16, 2019, Moscow, Russia. /VCG Photo

Russia's Alexander Samarin performs during the men's free skating event at the 2019 Rostelecom Cup, the fifth event of the 2019/20 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, November 16, 2019, Moscow, Russia. /VCG Photo

Russian Alexander Samarin led a clean sweep of the podium for the home nation, as Olympic silver medalist Shoma Uno could only finish fourth.

Samarin produced a spectacular free skate to win with a total of 264.45 points, having also posted the highest score in Friday's short program.

The 21-year-old, who took the European championships silver medal in Minsk earlier this year, saw off compatriot Dmitri Aliev by 4.57 points.

Aliev's strong free skate to Simon and Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence" earned 169.24 points, enough to secure second place ahead of Makar Ignatov.

Japanese star Uno's difficult season continued as he ended 12.21 points behind Samarin overall.

Russian duo Aleksandra Boikova and Dmitrii Kozlovskii clinched the pairs title. 

Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov ensured there were Russian champions in all four categories as they took the ice dance crown.

( With input from AFP )