World champion Alysa Liu overcame early season boot problems and program changes to take the lead in her Grand Prix figure skating series opener.

Liu scored 74.61 points at Cup of China with a triple flip and double Axel, plus the first clean triple Lutz-triple loop combination of her career, according to Skatingscores.com.

Liu did so skating to her “Promise” short program from last season. She reverted to both her short program and free skate from 2024-25, at least for this competition.

“Last year my favorite program performance was at nationals,” she said, according to the International Skating Union . “I cried the most, I was in it the most, but this one (today) takes the cake. I’ve not cried as much after short (program) ever. It was very emotional, but it’s good. This program i

See Full Page