Sébastien Salom-Gomis/AFP/Getty Imgaes
Isabeau Levito performs in free skate in Angers, France.
cnn
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American teenager Isabeau Levito won her first major international figure betting competition, claiming the French Grand Prix title on Saturday to set up a possible victory in the United States this weekend.
Despite finishing third in the free skate, the 16-year-old’s overall total of 203.22 was enough for victory and qualification for December’s Grand Prix final.
Belgian Nina Pinzarrone was second with 198.80 points, while Rion Sumiyoshi of Japan was third with 197.79 points.
“I am very proud to have been able to improve compared to last season in terms of results. My goal was to win at least one of my Grands Prix to really ensure I made it to the final. “I am very happy to have improved in this aspect,” Levito said, according to Olympics.com.
After Friday’s short program, Levito enjoyed a five-point lead and proved vital after he struggled with his free skate in Angers, France, with a score of just 131.39. Fortunately for Levito, the top three of the short program failed to dazzle on Saturday.
According to NBC, she is the first American woman to win a Grand Prix since Ashley Wagner did so at Skate America in 2016.
The French Grand Prix is the third of the six Grand Prix of the season. On Saturday, fellow American teenager Ilia Malinin competes in the men’s free skate. The 18-year-old takes first place after the Short Program.
