Amber Glenn broke the record for highest short program score for a U.S. woman in international competition, taking the lead at Grand Prix France on Friday.
Glenn, the reigning U.S. champion, landed a triple Axel, a triple flip-triple toe loop combination and a triple loop in a clean short in her Grand Prix season debut.
She was rewarded with 78.14 points, the world’s best short program score since Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto had 79.24 at the March 2023 World Championships. She leads by 7.24 over Kim Chae-Yeon of South Korea going into Saturday’s free skate (live on Peacock).
GRAND PRIX FRANCE: Broadcast Schedule
We think they liked her score... 😆
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) November 1, 2024
Amber Glenn and her coach couldn't believe the score she received for her short program. #GPFigure pic.twitter.com/rKSUt1TyyC
Glenn, 25, had the best short program score in history for a U.S. woman, breaking the record of 76.43 set by Gracie Gold at the 2016 World Championships. In the current era (starting with the 2018-19 season), Bradie Tennell had the record of 75.93 from the 2020 Four Continents Championships.
The points system changes every Olympic cycle, with scores having gradually risen since the 6.0 system was replaced in 2003.
Glenn broke out at January’s U.S. Championships with her first victory at any level since the 2018 Midwest Sectionals. She then placed 10th at the World Championships in March.
Glenn, whose offseason work included tracking her brain waves, opened the 2024-25 campaign by winning Lombardia Trophy in Italy in September. She attempted a triple Axel in both programs for the first time, and landed both, according to SkatingScores.com.
Glenn’s total score at Lombardia was a personal best 212.89, the best for an American since Isabeau Levito at the April 2023 World Team Trophy.
Later Friday, 2024 World bronze medalists Charlène Guignard and Marco Fabbri of Italy topped the rhythm dance with 82.20 points as they seek a third consecutive Grand Prix France title. They already own the world’s best score this season of 87.45 from Lombardia.
The world’s other top couples — world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates, world silver medalists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier and Brits Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson — competed the previous two weeks on the Grand Prix.
Grand Prix France continues later Friday with the men’s and pairs’ short programs, all live on Peacock.
Grand Prix France 2024 Figure Skating Results
Women’s Short Program
1. Amber Glenn (USA) — 78.14
2. Kim Chae-Yeon (KOR) -- 70.90
3. Wakaba Highuchi (JPN) -- 66.98
4. Sarah Everhardt (USA) -- 66.95
5. Rion Sumiyoshi (JPN) -- 66.88
6. Nina Pinzarrone (BEL) -- 62.72
7. Mai Mihara (JPN) -- 61.12
8. Livia Kaiser (SUI) -- 58.35
9. Anastasiia Gubanova (GEO) -- 56.77
10. Lorine Schild (FRA) -- 56.51
11. Lea Serna (FRA) -- 54.78
12. Clemence Mayindu (FRA) -- 44.64
Rhythm Dance
1. Charlene Guignard/Marco Fabbri (ITA) -- 82.20
2. Evgeniia Lopareva/Geoffrey Brissaud (FRA) -- 77.75
3. Allison Reed/Saulius Ambrulevicius (LTU) -- 74.49
4. Emily Bratti/Ian Somerville (USA) -- 72.81
5. Marie-Jade Lauriault/Romain le Gac (CAN) -- 72.54
6. Leah Neset/Artem Markelov (USA) -- 71.86
7. Katerina Mrazkova/Daniel Mrazek (CZE) -- 71.54
8. Eva Pate/Logan Bye (USA) -- 71.47
9. Natacha Lagouge/Arnaud Caffa (FRA) -- 65.89
10. Marie Dupayage/Thomas Nabasi (FRA) -- 64.03
