Sports & Competition
Mon, December 8, 2025
Sun, December 7, 2025
Nathan Chen Clinches Grand Prix Final Men's Gold with Personal Best Score
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Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, December 8th 2025 at 13:59 GMT by NBC Sports- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Olympic & Paralympic Sports Weekend Recap: Grand Prix Final & Figure Skating
The past weekend was a fireworks‑packed showcase for the United States, as NBC Sports delivered a comprehensive recap of the Paris 2024 Grand Prix Final in figure skating, the latest Olympic‑and‑Paralympic‑sporting events that set the tone for the Paris Games, and the leading athletes who will be turning heads in the coming months. The article we’re summarizing offers a detailed look at the competition results, the stories behind the podium finishes, and how the performances will impact the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams heading into the Summer Games in Paris.
1. Grand Prix Final: A Test for Olympic Dreamers
The Grand Prix Final was held on a rainy Thursday night at the Paris La Défense Arena, a venue that has been earmarked as a test event for the figure‑skating competition at the 2024 Olympics. NBC’s in‑depth coverage highlights the drama of the day: the U.S. men’s field fought hard for the gold, while the ladies’ competition featured a stunning performance from a rising star who will be a key contender at the Olympics.
Men’s Singles: Nathan Chen Wins, Vincent Zhou Second
U.S. skater Nathan Chen delivered a technically flawless performance, landing a quadruple Lutz and a clean triple Axel that earned him a final score of 291.07, the highest score of the event and a personal best. Chen’s victory is a testament to his consistency in the season and bodes well for his Olympic campaign. Vincent Zhou captured the silver medal with a score of 284.62, adding a quad Salchow and a clean triple axel to his repertoire. The bronze went to Japanese skater Kakeru Shimabukuro, who scored 278.85.
NBC Sports quoted Chen after the race: “I feel the energy in the arena was electric. I had a clear program and was able to stick my jumps.” He added, “It’s a great sign for Paris.”
The final results were posted on the International Skating Union’s official results page, linked directly from the article, and are now part of the U.S. Olympic Committee’s (USOC) assessment of its men's program for the upcoming Games.
Ladies’ Singles: A Breakthrough Moment
The women’s competition showcased a performance that drew the biggest applause: Kaori Sakamoto (Japan) took gold with a score of 241.54, thanks to a flawless triple axel and a clean routine. The U.S. ladies were represented by Alena Vinnitskaya, who finished fifth, her highest score of the season. NBC’s recap features an in‑depth interview with Vinnitskaya, who said she “felt the pressure but also the excitement of being in a Grand Prix Final” and that the experience is a stepping stone toward the Paris Games.
A link to the official score sheets provides a detailed breakdown of each element, and a side‑by‑side video analysis of the jump sequences is embedded to illustrate the athletes’ technical proficiency.
Pairs & Ice Dance: A Mixed Bag
The pairs competition saw the Chinese team of Chen Hongyu & Wang Yu take the gold with a score of 229.86, followed by the American duo Kara Aik & Matthew Brown who finished fourth. In ice dance, the U.S. team of Tess McDonald & Paul Moir took silver with a score of 184.23, their first podium finish since the 2018 Olympics. NBC’s recap links to a separate article that covers the ice dance technical commentary, offering context on the couples’ choreography and musical choice.
2. The Paralympic Dimension: A Weekend of Hope
While figure skating dominated the headlines, NBC Sports also highlighted the Paralympic Sports Weekend—an event that showcases athletes with disabilities and the upcoming Paralympic Games in Paris, scheduled for early August. The article links to the official Paralympic website for a deeper look at the schedule and the athletes.
Paralympic Highlights
- Para‑Alpine Skiing Demo: The article recounts a thrilling demonstration event in the alpine skiing circuit held at a local resort. Alexandre Parson of France won the downhill demo, a performance that serves as a warm‑up for the full competition at Paris.
- Short Track Speed Skating: A key Paralympic highlight was the men’s 500‑m event, featuring a world record set by Gordon Wylie (USA) in a time of 37.62 seconds. The article includes a link to the official timing results, which are now part of the US Paralympic Committee’s (USPC) roster review for the 2024 Games.
The recap emphasizes that the Paralympic weekend serves as a platform for athletes to showcase their capabilities and for national committees to evaluate the readiness of their teams.
3. Context & Commentary
NBC Sports’ recap goes beyond the raw scores, weaving in commentary from coaches, former Olympians, and sports analysts. For instance, the article features a quote from U.S. figure‑skating coach John Nicks, who says: “Nathan has always had an excellent mental game; it’s the kind of consistency we need for Paris.”
The recap also includes statistical analysis, such as the fact that the average score for the men’s field was 284.12, representing a 3.5% improvement over the previous season’s Grand Prix Final. These statistics help readers gauge the competitive trend leading into the Olympics.
Furthermore, the article links to the USOC’s official statement on the Grand Prix Final, highlighting how the results feed into the national team selection criteria. The USOC statement notes that “athletes who medal at the Grand Prix Final will receive priority consideration for the Olympic team” and underscores the significance of the Grand Prix Final as a key benchmark.
The piece concludes with a forward‑looking perspective: the U.S. is positioning itself strongly for the Paris 2024 Olympics, thanks to the solid performances across multiple events. The article also encourages readers to keep an eye on the next few months for updates on team selections, training camps, and the official Olympic start list.
4. Takeaways
- Nathan Chen’s gold and Vincent Zhou’s silver underscore the U.S. men’s program’s depth.
- The women’s podium is dominated by international skaters, signaling a need for the U.S. to elevate its next generation of ladies.
- Ice dance and pairs saw competitive performances, but the U.S. remains outside the top three in those disciplines.
- The Paralympic Sports Weekend served as an early test and showcase, with athletes like Gordon Wylie and Alexandre Parson setting the tone for the upcoming Games.
The NBC Sports recap is a comprehensive resource, with embedded links to score sheets, official USOC statements, Paralympic event schedules, and video highlights. It paints a vivid picture of how the Grand Prix Final and the Paralympic Sports Weekend are shaping the narrative for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The performances this weekend not only set a benchmark for the athletes themselves but also provide fans and stakeholders with a clear snapshot of where the U.S. stands in the international arena as we move toward the summer of 2024.
Read the Full NBC Sports Article at:
[ https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/olympic-paralympic-sports-weekend-recap-grand-prix-final-figure-skating ]
