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USA’s renowned ice dance duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates celebrated a remarkable triumph on Saturday, clinching their inaugural NHK Trophy Ice Dance title in the vibrant city of Tokyo, Japan. Meanwhile, their fellow American teammates, Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, showcased their talent to secure the silver medal. The bronze medal was awarded to Lithuania’s enduring duo, Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius, for their impressive performance, rounding out the podium.
Madison Chock and Evan Bates
The two-time World Champions dazzled the audience with an electrifying rhythm dance, achieving notable high grades of execution (GOE) throughout their performance. Their intricate twizzles and rotational lift were graded a phenomenal level four, while they garnered a level four for their midline steps and a level three for the pattern steps. With a stunning score of 86.32 in this segment, they led the competition confidently.
“We are very happy with our performance today!” Chock exclaimed, her joy evident. “We had so much fun performing for the crowd. They were great! As soon as they started clapping along with the music in the beginning, it felt like the performance flew by so quickly! It was a wonderful experience!”
“I think we made some really good strides since Skate America,” Bates elaborated, admitting their hard work had paid off. “Specifically with this program. We put a lot of effort into improving it; we changed some of the music and choreography, which can be challenging in the midst of the Grand Prix. So, we’re really proud of the step forward that we took with this program today.”
The 2024 Skate America silver medalists demonstrated tremendous progress, earning numerous GOEs and high program components in their free dance. They exhibited strong level-four twizzles, lifts, and an exhilarating dance spin in their jazzy and complex routine set to the classic “Take Five,” which culminated in an impressive score of 129.63, placing them firmly in first for this segment. With a combined total score of 215.95, they finished nearly 17 points ahead of their silver medal-winning teammates.
“I feel amazing!” Chock declared with palpable excitement. “I am really just so happy to be here in Japan. We had two great performances this week, making it a fantastic way to kick off the next part of the season as we look ahead to the Grand Prix Final in December. We truly appreciate the crowd; they were exceptional and it was always such a joy to perform!”
“Anytime the skaters are selected for NHK Trophy, we all do a little celebration because we’re so excited to come to this competition,” Bates shared, expressing gratitude. “The way the Japanese Skating Federation organizes everything shows their commitment to the athletes. You saw today as Alison (Reed) remarked about the ‘full stands,’ and it just makes the skaters feel truly appreciated and great. We’re very, very honored to be here and absolutely thrilled to take home the gold medal.”
The top three teams shared their insights on the challenges and innovations they are embracing in this pre-Olympic season.
“This year is no different,” Chock reflected. “I’m sure we’ll face different things as we approach next season. Each year provides an opportunity for growth and a chance to better understand ourselves both as individuals and athletes. We are excited about the lessons we’ll take away from this season to be best prepared for our Olympic campaign next year.”
The talented four-time national champions now head into the Grand Prix Final with a total of 28 points.
Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko
The two-time Four Continents bronze medalists put forth a stellar performance, earning a new personal best of 79.64, which earned them second place with their enjoyable rhythm dance. They were at the top of their game, receiving many positive GOEs throughout their routine. Their twizzles and rotational lift were graded a solid level four, while the intricate footwork received a level three grade.
“We’re really happy with how we skated today,” Carreira said with a bright smile. “We’ve been working really hard and came prepared, so we’re thrilled that our efforts paid off. We love performing in Japan, and the crowd here is incredible. We feel very fortunate to be part of this event!”
“This is our third competition of the season, so we’re coming in prepared,” Ponomarenko echoed Carreira’s excitement. “We wanted to use two challengers as building blocks for this competition, and we’re really pleased with how today went. It was technically very clean, and while I feel there’s a lot more we could give, this is a strong step forward for this point in the season.”
Skating to the music from the Carmen Suite, the three-time national medalists exhibited captivating level-four twizzles, lifts, and a dynamic dance spin. Their serpentine steps were graded a level three, earning many positive GOEs for all elements in their vibrant free dance. They finished second in this segment and overall with scores of 119.33 and 198.97, respectively, marking their third Grand Prix medal.
“We’re really happy with how this week progressed,” Carreira stated enthusiastically. “We’ve been working very hard in the lead-up, and I believe the two programs we executed were significantly better than those at the Challengers. It was a joy to perform for the Japanese audience and we are delighted with the outcome!”
“It’s truly an honor to compete at NHK,” Ponomarenko added, reflecting on their podium return. “This moment is really special for us; we’ve been just a heartbeat away from the podium at every Grand Prix previously. To finally come through and secure a podium finish means so much, and it’s a testament to the countless hours of work we’ve invested over the past few summers and seasons. I’m immensely proud to Skate alongside Christina and to share this moment together.”
Ponomarenko discussed the importance of preparing for the Olympic season, revealing that this journey began for them several years back.
“The dance field in the United States is exceptionally talented,” he noted. “There are many teams pushing past scores of 180 and 190. Every day, we work towards that Olympic goal, and as we approach the event, it’s crucial to maintain consistency and intensity in our training. One step at a time is our focus.”
The talented couple plans to continue their journey at the upcoming Cup of China.
Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius
The determined 2024 European bronze medalists performed confidently, showcasing their fun rhythm dance, improving from the Grand Prix de France by more than three points with a score of 77.91. Their twizzles, pattern steps, and rotational lift were executed at a high level four, while their midline steps received a level three rating.
“We’re also very happy with our performance today,” Reed expressed during the press conference. “It was a quick turnaround for us since we had back-to-back Grand Prix events. We arrived at this competition with mini-goals to accomplish because we had no time to implement any fixes. We successfully met those goals, and we’re thrilled about that. The crowd started clapping as soon as our music began, and it was incredibly helpful for us—what a fantastic atmosphere to perform in!”
“It’s a true pleasure and joy to skate in front of such an enthusiastic Japanese crowd,” her partner added. “Every time we perform, we notice more and more Lithuanian flags in the stands. That brings immense joy to my heart, and for our team too. The support from the crowd acts like a third team member in our program, and we’re very grateful for that!”
The two-time Grand Prix bronze medalists significantly improved their free dance score from last week in France by nearly seven points, achieving 117.61 points. Their innovative “master and puppet” routine, set to music by Apashe, showcased their impressive level-four lifts and spins. Despite losing a level on their twizzles, which were graded a level three, they finished third in both the segment and overall, securing the bronze with a total score of 195.52.
“We’re really thrilled with our performance today,” Reed shared. “It felt tremendously better than our showing in France, and it was a wonderful feeling to execute a respectable performance coming off back-to-back Grand Prix competitions. We were genuinely happy, and as everyone else has said, performing in front of a packed crowd, even at noon, was a remarkable experience!”
“It truly felt much better,” agreed Ambrulevicius. “As Alison mentioned, we’re very pleased to close out the Grand Prix cycle this year. Competing in Japan is always a privilege, as the organization of this event is top-notch, enabling us to showcase our hard work.”
“I wholeheartedly agree with Anthony,” he continued. “It’s such an honor and privilege to skate alongside this group of athletes. Witnessing how hard everyone works and celebrating their success is incredibly rewarding. We’re elated to be on the podium again and eager to keep moving forward. I truly love it.”
Reed emphasized that beyond the Olympic aspirations, every season presents an “opportunity to grow and push boundaries.”
“If you know Sol and me, we have a penchant for selecting unique music that others haven’t skated to, and we are deeply committed to storytelling,” she explained. “This year, that’s likely why this free dance is one of my all-time favorites to perform.”
“Sol would echo my sentiments,” she added. “The pre-Olympic season might even carry more weight because qualifying happens in this pre-season. We are eagerly anticipating the World Championships, hoping to secure that coveted spot for Lithuania. We’re genuinely looking forward to the latter half of the season, dedicated to developing our programs.”
Caroline Green and Michael Parsons
USA’s Caroline Green and Michael Parsons claimed fourth place with a score of 74.38, thanks to their lively 60s routine that brought joy to the audience. Their performance featured impressive level-four twizzles, complemented by a curve lift that stood out. However, their pattern steps received grades of level two and three.
The 2022 Four Continents champions delivered a sophisticated performance to the hauntingly beautiful melodies of Spiegel im Spiegel and “Dance Me to the End of Love.” Their free dance, marked by strong level-four twizzles, lifts, and dance spins, garnered 114.38 points. In total, they finished fourth overall with a combined score of 188.76, showcasing their growth as a team.
The duo eagerly anticipates their next competition at the upcoming Cup of China.
Loicia Demougeot and Theo Le Mercier of France finished fifth overall with a score of 178.30, closely followed by Finland’s Yuka Orihara and Juho Pirinen at 175.28 and Germany’s Jennifer Janse van Rensburg and Benjamin Steffan at 173.36.
Row and evolve as athletes.” She expressed her commitment to continuous improvement, stating, “While we have our goals set on the Olympics, it’s essential to focus on each season as a chance to learn and become better. Every performance teaches us something new, and we look forward to bringing that knowledge into our training.”
Ambrulevicius echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of adaptability and perseverance. “Each competition offers its unique challenges. We learn to embrace them, knowing that every skater faces ups and downs. It’s about maintaining our focus and striving for excellence, regardless of the circumstances. This journey is about more than just medals; it’s about growth and resilience.”
As they prepare for the upcoming events, the pair intends to keep refining their techniques and honing their performances. Reed’s excitement was palpable as she shared their future aspirations, “We aim to keep pushing the boundaries of our skating and bring even more creativity and energy to the ice.”
With the Grand Prix season wrapping up, all three teams will carry significant momentum into their next competitions, each aiming to build on their successes and prepare for a robust Olympic season ahead. The camaraderie and mutual respect shared among the athletes serve as a reminder that the journey, marked by hard work and determination, is just as important as the destination.