Photo credit Getty Images
By Kristen Henneman
Three U.S. teams are in podium position after day one of NHK Trophy in Tokyo, Japan.
Team USA posted the top two scores in the rhythm dance as Madison Chock and Evan Bates placed first and Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko finished right behind in second. If the standings hold, the United States would record its first one-two finish in ice dance at a Grand Prix other than Skate America.
Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea will enter the pairs free skate in third and are vying for their second straight Grand Prix medal.
The two-time and reigning World champions, Chock and Bates lead the ice dance event by more than six points with a rhythm dance score of 86.32.
Performing to a medley of songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s, the Olympic team event gold medalists going for their 20th Grand Prix medal earned strong grades of execution and the highest program component score of the competition. They were the only team to score over 12 points for an element, which they achieved twice for their midline step sequence and pattern dance type step sequence.
At their first Grand Prix of the season, Carreira and Ponomarenko secured a new international personal best of 79.64. The 2024 U.S. silver medalists and two-time Four Continents bronze medalists’ skate to "Rip It Up" and "Long Tall Sally" by Little Richard and "I Just Want to Make Love to You" by Etta James collected Level 4 marks on two elements their set of sequential twizzles and rotational lift and two elements were awarded more than 11 points.
Caroline Green and Michael Parsons sit just outside the top three in fourth. Also competing at their first Grand Prix of the season, the 2022 Four Continents champions performed to "These Boots Are Made for Walking (SILO x Martin Wave Remix)" by The Supremes and Martin Wave and "Soul Bossa Nova" by Quincy Jones. After a set of Level 4 sequential twizzles and two elements that received over 10 points each, they totaled 74.38 points in the segment.
Kam and O’Shea, who are seeking their fourth international podium finish this season, thrived with their artistry in Japan, claiming the second-highest component score in the event at 32.68 points. With positive grades of execution on six of their seven elements, the 2024 U.S. champions who brought home silver at 2024 Skate America came out firing with a strong triple twist lift that garnered 6.84 points – their highest-scoring element – and ended with a strong Level 4 lift. Their program to "Rain, in Your Black Eyes" by Ezio Bosso achieved 69.15 points, good for third in the pairs rankings.
In their first international event of the season and second Grand Prix of their careers, Isabelle Martins and Ryan Bedard placed eighth with a score of 48.95.
The U.S. women secured two top-five placements with Alysa Liu in fourth and Bradie Tennell in fifth after the first day of competition.
Both struggled on their opening jumping pass, but then skated clean the rest of the way.
Liu came back with a double Axel, triple Lutz and two Level 4 spins to produce 65.03 points for her program to "Promise" by Laufey.
Liu, a 2022 Olympian and World bronze medalist, returned to the sport this season after retiring following the 2022 season.
Tennell, who is making a comeback of her own after missing the 2023 Grand Prix season due to an ankle injury, performed to music from Lord of the Dance. Her strong components, along with a double Axel and triple loop, placed the 2018 Olympic team bronze medalist in fifth.
Also representing Team USA was Lindsay Thorngren, who earned silver at this event last season. Her first Grand Prix appearance of the year, Thorngren generated 54.79 points for 10th place on day one.
In the men’s event, Andrew Torgashev leads Team USA in fourth.
Competing for the second straight weekend after clinching bronze at Grand Prix de France last weekend, Torgashev finds himself in the same position heading into the free skate as in Angers. He trails Tatsuya Tsuboi of Japan by less than a point.
Torgashev kicked off his skate to "L'enfer" by Stromae with a quad toe loop that was awarded 10.31 points. He also secured Level 4s on each of his spins and his step sequence for a short program total of 84.36.
Jason Brown and Tomoki Hiwatashi also skated for the red, white and blue in Tokyo.
Brown, a 2014 Olympic team event bronze medalist who is in the midst of his first season back in the Grand Prix Series since 2021, ended day one with 77.08 points for 10th place.
Hiwatashi, who trains in Japan, finished 11th with 74.59 points.
For full results from NHK Trophy, as well as bios and how to watch information, visit the 2024 Grand Prix Series Competition Central.
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