Chiba Leads Women's Short at Cup of China
Mone Chiba scored 76.08 points in the women's short program at the Figure Skating Grand Prix event in Shenzhen, China.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Ice Skating
Japan's Mone Chiba, a world silver medalist, led the women's short program at the Cup of China with 76.08 points, performing a James Bond-themed routine despite an error on a double axel. Alexandra Ignatova, skating as a neutral athlete, returned to the Grand Prix series and placed third with 72.37 points.
Why it matters
Chiba's first competition since the March world championships followed an offseason ankle injury, making her result an early read on her form. Ignatova's return marks her biggest international event since the 2022 Olympics, reflecting the International Skating Union's decision to allow neutral athletes from Russia and Belarus into a wider range of events this season.
Chiba scored 76.08 points and Anastasiia Gubanova of Georgia posted a personal-best 75.05 points in the short program, while Ignatova's 72.37 points placed her third. Final placements will depend on the free skate, which the source does not detail.
The players
Mone Chiba
Japanese figure skater and world silver medalist who led the short program at the Cup of China.
Alexandra Ignatova
Russian figure skater competing as a neutral athlete who placed third in her return to the Grand Prix series.
Anastasiia Gubanova
Georgian figure skater who posted a personal-best short program score of 75.05 points at the Cup of China.
International Skating Union
The sport's international governing body, which approved neutral athletes from Russia and Belarus to enter a wider range of events this season.
The details
Chiba's James Bond-themed program earned her the lead despite a double axel error, and Gubanova's score was announced after she completed her routine. Ignatova skated as a neutral athlete in her first Grand Prix appearance since returning to competition.
Timeline
2022: Ignatova competed at the Olympics, her last major international event before this competition.
March 2026: Chiba last competed at the world championships before her offseason ankle injury.
November 6, 2026: The Cup of China women's short program took place in Shenzhen, China.
Season Trajectory
The International Skating Union's expanded eligibility for neutral athletes from Russia and Belarus marks a shift from last season, when such skaters were limited to the Olympics and one Olympic qualifier. Ignatova's return at the Cup of China is one of the first visible results of that broader access in the Grand Prix series.
Chiba's 76.08-point short program gives fantasy and betting followers an early reference for the women's field at this Grand Prix event. Ignatova's neutral-athlete status means fans tracking Grand Prix entries will now see her in the standings for the rest of the season.
The takeaway
Early season results like Chiba's and Ignatova's show how quickly form can shift after injury and eligibility changes. Following the free skate will clarify whether these short program leads hold.
Further reading
For more on the sport's competitive calendar, see our Ice Skating coverage.
