Everett, USA

 

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Evgenia Tarasova/Vladimir Morozov (RUS)©International Skating Union (ISU)

World silver medalists Evgenia Tarasova/Vladimir Morozov of Russia started their Grand Prix season with a gold medal as Skate America continued in Everett on Saturday. Teammates Alisa Efimova/Alexander Korovin gave Russia the silver medal also, while Ashley Cain/Timothy Leduc (USA) claimed the bronze. For Efimova/Korovin and Cain/Leduc, their medals were their first at a Grand Prix.

Performing to “Winter” by Balmorhea, Tarasova/Morozov landed a triple twist, triple toe-double toe-double toe combination, throw triple loop and difficult lifts. However, Tarasova popped the Salchow and stepped out of the throw triple flip. The European champions scored a season’s-best 133.61 points in the Free Skating and totaled 204.85 points for a clear victory. “Today we skated a little bit better than yesterday (in the Short Program) and at (the) Finlandia Trophy,” Tarasova said. “We started enjoying the program today. We happy that we’re halfway in the Final,” added Morozov.

GPFS USA Alisa Efimova Alexander Korovin RUS 2018 CREDIT ISU 1052633024

Alisa Efimova/Alexander Korovin (RUS) 2018©International Skating Union (ISU)

Efimova/Korovin’s program to “La Strada” included a triple twist, throw triple loop and Salchow as well as level-four lifts, but Efimova struggled with the solo jumps. The team from St Petersburg was ranked third in the Free Skating with 116. 60 points, but overall, held on to second place on 178.98 points. “In today’s skate, many elements were good, but we made two big mistakes,” Efimova said. “It was our first competition on another continent. It was interesting and we were nervous and we found many details that we need to practice and improve for the future and for the next Grand Prix.”

GPFS Ashley Cain Timothy Leduc USA 2018 CREDIT ISU 1052641642

Ashley Cain/Timothy Leduc (USA) 2018©International Skating Union (ISU)

Cain/Leduc gave a solid performance, completing a triple twist, throw triple Lutz and Salchow. However, the solo jumps triple loop and Salchow were underrotated. With 117.34 points, the 2018 Four Continents silver medalists were second in the Free Skating and pulled up from fourth to third on 175.06 points. “We were a little bit disappointed with our program yesterday, there were some silly errors. It kind of awakened the fighting spirit in us and we definitely fought for everything today. There were some mistakes and some scary moments, but I’m really proud of Ashley and of the effort that we made,” Leduc said.

Alexa Scimeca Knierim/Chris Knierim (USA) moved up from fifth to fourth on 171.56 points while Grand Prix debutants Minerva-Fabienne Hase/Nolan Seegert  (GER) slipped from third to fifth as the former fell on the throw triple loop and doubled the Salchow (162.10 points). Nika Digerness/Danny Neudecker (USA) moved up from seventh to sixth at 151.21 points.