Japan’s Miura and Kihara capture pairs title at Skate America; Fear and Gibson surprise dance leaders
Two-time and reigning world champions Chock and Bates sit second after the rhythm dance following a fall.
Figure Skating
2023 world pairs champions Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi of Japan captured figure skating’s Grand Prix season opener on Saturday (19 October) at the 2024 Skate America, held at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center.
Leaders after Friday’s short program, the duo brought a more than 7-point lead into the free skate, where they soared to a 136.44 score, the best of the day.
“So, we are back to the Grand Prix series after two years, so it’s great to be back,” Kihara said afterward. “It’s been a while since we won a competition, so we are very happy about that as well.”
Their total score was 214.23, well ahead of second place’s Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea of the United States (201.73). Americans Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov also landed on the podium, earning a 191.51 total for bronze.
The Japanese duo’s energetic program to Adiós by Benjamin Clementine started strong, as they opened with a smooth triple twist. But then, midway through the performance, Miura slipped and fell on a throw triple loop. They recovered well to ensure the win.
American breakthrough
Kam and O’Shea and Efimova and Mitrofanov represent the first time that two American pairs have graced the Skate America podium in nearly two decades. The last time came at the 2006 edition.
It was a particular moment for O'Shea as he broke the 200-point mark for the first time in his storied career.
With the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano-Cortina, Italy, just 16 months away, the 33-year-old reflected on all he’s been through to this point.
“It’s been a long career, a couple of partners, what I would have considered a successful career, honestly. Didn’t quite end as I wanted it to, but I was happy with a lot of the accomplishments that I had,” he said. “When the opportunity came to skate with Ellie here, and when things started clicking… it’s been an amazing journey the past two years.”
Though O’Shea, a two-time U.S. champion, admits the Games are a goal left to check off, it’s about more than that for him.
“To be honest with you, at this point, I’m just so happy to enjoy the ride, enjoy the journey, I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to be out here again and to be medalling at Grand Prixes and be pushing myself to limits that I have not achieved in the past,” he said. “Yes, I would love to make an Olympic team, and that is the goal. I won’t shy away from that, but on top of that, I’m going to do it while enjoying the process.”
World champs Chock and Bates slip to second in rhythm dance
Competition on Saturday started with a shocker as two-time and reigning world champions in dance, Madison Chock and Evan Bates, undefeated in their last eight competitions, struggled in the rhythm dance. The couple counted a fall, incurring a 1.00 deduction.
That opened the door for Great Britain’s Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson, who were last to skate.
They seized the opportunity, earning an 83.56 score to outpace their American competitors by nearly six points. Chock and Bates earned a 77.88, while Georgia’s Diana Davis and Gleb Smolkin put up a 73.16 to close out the top three.
In Allen, Chock and Bates are seeking a fifth title, setting up a battle to overcome the 5.68-point lead the Brits hold. Competition begins at 1:22 pm Sunday (20 October).