We use essential cookies and third-party cookies for content.

English Woman's Journal - Miura and Kihara claim Skate America pairs title

Miura and Kihara claim Skate America pairs title

SPORTS 19.10.2024
Miura and Kihara claim Skate America pairs title
Miura and Kihara claim Skate America pairs title / Photo: Geoff Robins - AFP

Former world champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan opened the figure skating grand prix season with a pairs victory at Skate America on Saturday.

Change text size:

The duo, who settled for silver at the last worlds after winning gold in 2023, delivered a polished albeit not perfect free skate to post a total of 214.23 points.

The Japanese pair had led by more than seven points after the short programme and had the best score in the free skate despite Miura falling on their triple throw loop.

Americans Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea, second after the short programme, skated smoothly to finish second on 201.73 points and compatriots Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov were third on 191.51.

Reigning world junior champions Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava of Georgia were third after the short programme but a scattering of errors in their free skate -- including on side-by-side jumps and their death spiral -- saw them drop to fourth.

Men's world champion Ilia Malinin of the United States was due to launch his bid for a third straight Skate America crown in the men's short programme later Saturday.

The 19-year-old soared to his first world title with a gravity-defying quadruple-jumping free skate in Montreal last season that put him more than 20 points ahead of his rivals.

Malinin is expected to offer fireworks of a different nature in his quest to become the first man to win three straight Skate America titles since Nathan Chen won four in a row from 2017 through 2020.

Since the International Skating Union's recent decision to lift its longstanding ban on backflips in competition, Malinin has mastered the move and included one at the lower-level Lombardia Trophy in September.

The element is not officially scored but it no longer garners a deduction.

American Isabeau Levito, the reigning world silver medallist, takes the lead into the women's free skate later Saturday. Teammate Bradie Tennell was second after the short programme with Japan's Rinka Watanabe third.

Saturday's action opened with Britain's Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson grabbing a surprise lead after the rhythm dance over two-time reigning ice dance world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates.

Fear and Gibson, fourth at the last two world championships, scored 83.56 points for a 5.68-point lead over Chock and Bates -- whose performance was marred by an uncharacteristic fall after Chock hit Bates's foot upon landing a small jump.

Chock and Bates will try to erase the gap in Sunday's final free dance and claim a record-equalling fifth Skate America crown.

S.Smith--EWJ

Featured

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

Virginia overwhelms Arkansas 91-72 behind balanced scoring

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thijs De Ridder scored 16 points, one of five players in double figures for No. 9 Virginia as the Cavaliers routed No.

Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Tayyab Arif smashed an aggressive half-century on debut and provided a new-look Pakistan lineup a confident start to the first cricket test against Sri Lanka on Monday. The 20-year-old Tayyab struck nine boundaries and a six in his 57-run knock as Pakistan reached 137-2 at lunch on a greenish wicket that lured Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis to bowl first after winning the toss.

Change text size: