Las Vegas / USA

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Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue (USA) edged out their teammates Madison Chock/Evan Bates by just 1.03 points as the ISU Grand Prix Skate America continued on Saturday in Las Vegas (USA) with the Rhythm Dance. Canadians Laurence Fournier Beaudry/Nikolaj Sorensen came third in the first segment of the Ice Dance event. 

Hubbell Donohue

Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue © International Skating Union (ISU)

Hubbell/Donohue produced a characteristic performance to “Nasty”, “Rope Burn” and “Rhythm Nation” by Janet Jackson, collecting a level four for their spectacular stationary lift and a level three for the twizzles and the Midnight Blues Pattern. The 2021 World silver medalists earned 83.58 points. 

“The one thing that stuck in my mind from this performance was really being aware while it was happening of how the crowd was reacting,” said Hubbell. “When we did the entry into our lift, I heard the uproar. It was very welcome after a year of mostly silence.

“We definitely left a lot of points on the table. We're hoping that with those extra technical points we go towards 90, but today it was enough."

Madison Chock and Evan Bates Sat GettyImages 1348300503

Madison Chock and Evan Bates (USA) © International Skating Union (ISU)

Chock/Bates selected Blues and Hip Hop to “Myboi”, “Therefore I am” and “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish. Their curve lift merited a level four, while the Midnight Blues and the Pattern Dance step sequence garnered a level three. However, the midline steps were rated only a level one leaving the two-time World medalists second on 82.55 points. 

“We were at Finlandia (Trophy, earlier in October) and today we got lower levels, but we definitely feel we skated better. We had a lot more attack and, element-wise, it was pretty comparable I'd say,” Bates said. “The important thing is we really attacked the program and felt it was a step up.” 

Dancing to Blues and Funk to songs by George Michael, Fournier Beaudry/Sorensen completed a level-four lift and level-four twizzles, while other elements were graded a level one and two to score 75.33 points.

"It was nice to go back out on to the ice after a while,” Fournier Beaudry said. “Nik and I were focusing more on the performance aspect in the past few weeks, that was our main goal for today, not to focus on the levels mainly.”

Olivia Smart/Adrian Diaz (ESP) remain within striking distance of the podium in fourth place on 74.06 points. Annabelle Morozov/Andrei Bagin (RUS) sit in fifth with 68.79 points.

For full results, click here