FIGURE SKATING
ISU World Champions Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA) dance to lead at NHK Trophy in Tokyo
08 Nov 2024
Two-time and reigning ISU World Champions Madison Chock/ Evan Bates (USA) found the right rhythm and danced to the lead at the ISU Grand Prix NHK Trophy in Tokyo (JPN) Friday. NHK Trophy is the fourth of six events in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series.
Madison Chock/Evan Bates got rhythm
Reigning ISU World Champions Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA) found the right rhythm for a confident lead in the Rhythm Dance over teammates Christina Carreira/Anthony Ponomarenko (USA). Lithuania’s Allison Reed/Saulius Ambrulevicius are currently ranked third.
Following their first ISU Grand Prix Skate America, where they had made a mistake in the Rhythm Dance and finished second, Chock/Bates have revamped their program. This time there was no doubt that the two-time ISU World Champions would put out a strong performance of their “dance through the decades” which made lively use of music from the 1950s, 60s and 70s.
Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA) take the lead in the ISU GP NHK Trophy in Tokyo, Japan © ISU
The US Champions collected level fours and threes for their elements for a season’s best score of 86.32 points.
“We had so much fun performing to the crowd,” Chock said. “They were great and as soon as they started clapping along with the music, it went by so quickly. We had a really good time.”
Bates agreed: “We made some really good strides since Skate America, specifically with this program. We put a lot of effort into improving it and changed some of the music, some of the choreography, which can be challenging in the midst of the Grand Prix.”
Carreira/Ponomarenko delivered an upbeat Rock’n’Roll program that featured a level-four lift and level-four twizzles. The 2024 Budapest Trophy Champions posted a season’s best of 79.64 points.
Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko (USA) in the Rhythm Dance in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy in Tokyo, Japan © ISU
“We are very happy with how we skated today,” Carreira said. “We’ve been working hard and came really prepared so we’re happy that we could show this. We love being here in Japan and the crowd is incredible,” she continued.
Coming directly from the ISU Grand Prix de France, Reed/Saulius Ambrulevicius had a quick turnaround, but looked fresh on the ice, to turn in a fast-paced dance to “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy” by Rod Stewart. The 2024 ISU European bronze medalists scored 77.91 points, just below their season’s best.
Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius (LTU) in the Rhythm Dance at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy in Tokyo, Japan © ISU
It was a quick turnaround for us, since we have back-to-back Grand Prix, so we came into this competition with mini goals because we had no time to fix or change anything,” Reed commented.
“We accomplished those and we are really happy with that. The crowd starting to clap from the moment our music started, which was really helpful, and we loved the atmosphere. It was great to perform here,” she added.
Dancing to “These Boots Are Made for Walking”, the 2022 ISU Four Continents Champions Caroline Green/Michael Parsons (USA) came in fourth with a season’s best of 74.38 points. Loicia Demougeot/Theo Le Mercier (FRA) follow in fifth on 69.24 points while Jennifer Janse van Rensburg/Benjamin Steffan (GER) are ranked sixth (68.82 points).
For full entries, schedules & results, see the ISU Grand Prix Event Page & ISU Grand Prix NHK Trophy Event Page & Official NHK Trophy Website.
Check out the ISU Grand Prix Standings to find out who is on their way to qualify for the Final:
Men Women Pair Skating Ice Dance
What & When
The schedule of the NHK Trophy is as follows
Friday, Nov 8: Rhythm Dance, Pairs, Men’s & Women’s Short Programs
Saturday, Nov 9: Free Dance, Pairs, Men’s & Women’s Free Skating
Sunday, Nov 10: Exhibition Gala
Follow the ISU Grand Prix events:
The schedules of each ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event are available below:
- 18 - 20 Oct 2024 Skate America in Allen, TX (USA)
- 25 - 27 Oct 2024 Skate Canada International in Halifax (CAN)
- 01 - 03 Nov 2024 Grand Prix de France in Angers (FRA)
- 08 - 10 Nov 2024 NHK Trophy in Tokyo (JPN)
- 15- 17 Nov 2024 Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki (FIN)
- 22 - 24 Nov 2024 Cup of China in Chongqing (CHN)
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final:
- 05 - 08 Dec 2024 Grenoble (FRA)
About ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 (previously known a s the ISU Champions Series) and consists of six invitational international senior events and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The top six of the past World Championships are seeded. Competitors collect points in their events towards the qualification for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Only the top six Skaters / Couples in each discipline can qualify for the Final.
