Sofia Frank finished strong in the free skate to eventually close the 2022 U.S. International Figure Skating Classic in 11th place with a combined total of 115.89, Saturday at the Lake Placid Olympic Centre in New York, USA.
The 16-year-old upstart found herself in last place after the short program, scoring just 37.62 in the short program after falling twice on her opening triple lutz-triple toe loop and her triple loop attempts.
Frank had a rather nervy start in the free skate when she needed to break her fall with a hand down in the opening triple lutz, recovering enough for the following triple flip for a better score.
She then proceeded to struggle with her jump combinations towards the latter half of her routine. Fortunately, though, the rest of her technical elements – her choreographic sequence, spins, and step sequences – got some positive GOEs to bring her score up.
The Colorado Springs-born upstart’s shaky performance also resulted in high 4’s and a low 5 in program components for a total of 37.38 with her skating skills at 5.00 pulling it up. She scored 4.55 and 4.45 in composition and presentation, respectively.
Nonetheless, her total free skate score of 78.27 was enough to overtake two skaters in the finish. Victoria Alcantara of Australia and Andrea Montesinos Cantu of Mexico slipped in their respective free skate programs.
2022 Four Continents bronze medalist Kim Yelim of South Korea took home the gold with 190.64, more than seven points ahead of compatriot You Young’s 183.40. Japan’s Mana Kawabe completed the rostrum with 180.11.
Frank earlier finished 10th and last in the 2022 Philadelphia Summer International and withdrew from the ISU Junior Grand Prix in France. She is scheduled to compete in the ISU JGP in Poland from September 28 to October 1.
