Angers, 25 October. Olympic champion Mikhail Shaidorov finished tenth at the first event of the 2026/27 Grand Prix series in France with 206.55 points, despite lying fourth after the short programme, the press office of Kazakhstan's National Olympic Committee said.
The Kazakh scored 80.25 points for the short programme and 126.30 for the free skate. His free skate score was only 11th of the twelve competitors, and he dropped six places at once. Shaidorov fell twice in the free skate; he had also fallen in the short programme.
The event was won by France's Adam Siao Him Fa with 284.24 points. Japan's Kao Miura was second (247.96) and South Korea's Seo Min-kyu third (244.90); Seo had been third after the short programme, one place above the Kazakh. Shaidorov finished 77.69 points behind the winner and 38.35 behind the bronze medallist.
The event in Angers opened a series of six Grand Prix tournaments held in six consecutive weeks. Shaidorov is entered in two events of the series this season.
What it means: The Olympic champion's first competition of the new season went badly: a good short programme did not keep him in the top half of the standings. His chances of reaching the Grand Prix Final now depend on his second event.
Who benefits: Shaidorov's rivals for a place in the series final: tenth place brings few points in the overall standings. The Kazakh has one event left to collect them.
Background: The Grand Prix is the main series of the International Skating Union (ISU). The six best skaters in each discipline qualify for the final in December. The series has been held since 1995. Shaidorov won gold in men's singles at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
We have also reported that Shaidorov was fourth after the short programme.
