Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue (USA) captured their fourth consecutive Skate America title at the ISU Grand Prix in Las Vegas Sunday. Teammates Madison Chock/Evan Bates danced off with the silver medal while Canadians Laurence Fournier Beaudry/Nikolaj Sorensen took the bronze.
Ice Dance gold medalists Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue (USA) © International Skating Union (ISU)
Hubbell/Donohue put out a confident and smooth performance to “Drowning” by Anne Sila, collecting a level four for the lifts, twizzles and combo spin. The circular step sequence was rated a level two and the one-foot-step sequence was a level two and three. The ISU World silver medalists scored 125.96 points and totaled 209.54 points.
"Something clicked this morning and I felt great on practice and I just wanted to keep that feeling and skate for myself and be there for Zach, be present in the performance from the beginning to the end,” Hubbell said. “I think we've accomplished our goals in doing so and also accomplished the other goal which was to come out with gold.”
Chock/Bates took the roles of an astronaut and an alien in their dance to music by Daft Punk and impressed with level-four lifts and twizzles. The two-time World medalists achieved a season’s best with 125.68 points which added up to 208.23 points overall.
Silver medalists Madison Chock and Evan Bates (USA) © International Skating Union (ISU)
"We love stepping into these characters of alien and astronaut. They are so unique and always interesting for us to explore,” Chock commented. “We are grateful for the opportunity at Skate America to show our programs that we are very excited to keep growing this season."
Dancing to “Call to Prayer” and “The Last Kingdom”, Fournier Beaudry/Sorensen earned a level four for the twizzles, lifts and combination spin. The Canadians ranked fourth in the Free Dance with 114.80 points, but overall remained in third place at 190.13 points.
Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Nikolaj Sorensen (CAN), who took bronze © International Skating Union (ISU)
"We're so happy to perform our Free Dance again,” Sorensen said. “We did it only one time last season. It's a very personal one for us, about our own story, our cultures and backgrounds. We are thankful for being back in front of a live audience. It is really special.”
Olivia Smart/Adrian Diaz (ESP) placed fourth with their Spanish themed “Zorro” dance on 189.69 points. Annabelle Morozov/Andrei Bagin (RUS) finished fifth with their dance to “Scheherazade”.
For full results, click here.
