The third Challenger event concluded in Bergamo. Shun Sato scored 268.44, Mone Chiba took her first win of the season, and a clean free skate moved Alexandra Ignatova up to fourth.
On 4 September at 15:15 Tokyo time, men’s and women’s short programs open at Tatsumi. The season’s second Challenger: Sato, Miura, Shimada, Nakai and Alexandra Ignatova (Trusova).
At the first Challenger of 2026/27 in Norwood, Aleksandr Selevko scored 246.15 and Kim Yu-seong 202.70. The series moves to Tokyo for the Kinoshita Group Cup on 4–6 September.
The Kinoshita Group Cup runs September 4–6 at Tokyo Tatsumi, the second 2026/27 Challenger after Cranberry Cup and a marker on the road to Angers.
Kinoshita Group Cup Sept 4–6 is Challenger two after Cranberry Cup. Next is GP France in Angers. Tatsumi ice is for TES before autumn.
About ten weeks remain before Grand Prix in Angers. Why Challenger starts and full run-throughs matter now — and how not to confuse a program premiere with readiness.