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Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara (JPN) lead after the Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix Skate America in Allen, USA © ISU

Reigning ISU World silver medalists Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara (JPN) skated to a strong lead as the ISU Grand Prix Skate America kicked off with an exciting Pairs Short Program Friday in Allen, TX (USA).

Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara (JPN) top Pairs Short Program

ISU 2023 World Champions Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara of Japan are back at the ISU Grand Prix. The current World silver medalists skated to a strong lead in the Pairs Short Program, followed by 2024 ISU Four Continents bronze medalists Ellie Kam/Danny O’Shea (USA) and Georgia’s 2024 ISU World Junior Champions Anastasiia Metelkina/Luka Berulava.

Miura/Kihara were on fire in their routine to “Paint It Black”, nailing the triple twist, side by side triple toe and throw triple Lutz. The Japanese team set a new season's best of 77.79 points.

“The music has a mysterious atmosphere and our choreographer (Shae-Lynn Bourne) told us to be sure to express this,” Kihara said.

Miura looked at the technical side of the performance.

“We were very happy to end our performance without any big mistakes. We rarely get a level four for our back outside death spiral, so we are pleased with that,” she said. “However, ever since Lombardia Trophy we have been working on our twist to get a level four, but it was a level two today. So we want to adjust and get a better result tomorrow (in the Free Skating).”

Kam/O’Shea shone as well in their smooth program to “Rain, In Your Black Eyes”. It was highlighted by a triple twist, triple Salchow and a difficult lift. The only glitch came when Kam touched down with her hand on the throw triple loop. The U.S. Champions picked up 70.66 points.

 

Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea (USA) placed second in the Short Program at Skate America in Allen, USA on Friday © ISU

“There were a couple of little stumbles, but we are happy as today was far better than our Grand Prix went last year,” O’Shea said. “The Grand Prix series didn’t go well for us but we learned a lot throughout the season. We made a lot of improvements since last year."

It was aerobic time with Metelkina/Berulava and “Why?” by Bronski Beat. The ISU World Junior Champions, competing in their first ISU senior-level Grand Prix, entertained the crowd with their performance that included a triple twist and throw triple flip. The team earned 68.64 points.

 

Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava (GEO) are two points out of second place after the Short Program at Skate America on Friday  © ISU

“Our choreographer picked this music," Berulava said. “We loved it right away because it is very energetic, it is our style like last year in the Short Program. We felt this music right away and really like this program."

The battle for the podium isn’t over yet, with Maria Pavlova/Alexei Sviatchenko (HUN) not far behind in fourth place at 65.11 points followed by Alisa Efimova/Misha Mitrofanov (USA) in fifth on 63.05 points.

Check out the ISU Grand Prix Standings to find out who is on their way to qualify for the Final (data will be available after the conclusion of the first event):

Men      Women            Pair Skating      Ice Dance

 

What & When

The schedule of Skate America is as follows:

Friday, Oct 18: Pairs & Women’s Short Programs

Saturday, Oct 19: Rhythm Dance, Pairs Free Skating, Men’s Short Program & Women’s Free Skating

Sunday, Oct 20: Men’s Free Skating & Free Dance, Exhibition Gala  

 

Follow the ISU Grand Prix Series

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.