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Peng and Jin skated to Cloud Atlas as they sealed their first Grand Prix gold © International Skating Union

China’s Cheng Peng/Yang Jin scored their first ever victory at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating as they skated to gold at Skate America in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Russia’s Daria Pavliuchenko/Denis Khodykin took the first Grand Prix silver medal of their career while Haven Denney/Brandon Frazier (USA) climbed one spot to claim the bronze medal.

Skating to the ‘Cloud Atlas’ soundtrack, Peng/Jin completed a triple toe-double toe, throw triple Salchow, triple twist and two level-four lifts. However, she crashed on the throw triple loop. The 2019 Four Continents bronze medalists earned 128.16 points and totaled 200.89 points to win the event.

“We’ve won several silver medals and we’ve been longing for a gold medal. We put in a lot of effort and this gold medal is like a new starting point for us and will push us further. Hopefully we’ll win many more gold medals,” Peng said.

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Pavliuchenko/Khodykin were third in the Free Skating but retained second spot © International Skating Union

Pavliuchenko/Khodykin’s program to ‘Tron Legacy’ by Daft Punk featured a triple flip, triple toe-double toe-double toe, triple twist and difficult – as well as original – lifts. The only error came when Pavliuchenko fell on the throw triple flip. The 2018 World Junior Champions were ranked third in the Free Skating with 125.73 points, but remained in second overall at 196.98 points.

“It was a good skate, but not our best as I had one big mistake,” Pavliuchenko said.

“We made a step forward in our skating and in our technical elements,” Khodykin added.

Denney/Frazier put out a dynamic performance to ‘The Lion King’ soundtrack that was highlighted by spectacular lifts, a side by side triple Salchow, throw triple loop and Salchow. The 2013 World Junior Champions collected 127.52 points and were second in the Free Skating but third overall on 192.70 points.

“Our goal for this program was to be very proactive and mindful of what we were doing and not let anything get taken away from us. That’s how bad we want it,” Denney said.

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American duo Denny and Frazier took the bronze medal on home soil © International Skating Union

“We want it so bad and we’re going to fight for everything and not let anything go, so I think we did that today and that’s why we got very emotional during the end of the program.”

Jessica Calalang/Brian Johnson (USA) pulled up from fifth to fourth place on 180.52 points. US Champions Ashley Cain-Gribble/Timothy Le Duc dropped from third to fifth after several errors (177.54 points).

For full entry lists and further information regarding the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series please visit: https://isu.org/GrandPrix. Follow the discussion on social media by using #FigureSkating #GPFigure.

Where to watch and follow the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2019?

Viewers will be able to watch the Series either via their national broadcaster / channel and for countries where there are no broadcasters, the ISU will offer a live stream on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel as of season 2019/20. You will find the full list in the Where to watch news here.

Subscribe to the ISU Newsletter to receive the latest information and the “Where to Watch” news and you can also subscribe to the Skating ISU YouTube Channel to receive notifications when live streams start or new videos are published.