Las Vegas, USA

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Two-time ISU World Figure Skating Ice Dance medalists Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue (USA) added a third consecutive Skate America title to their long list of achievements with a confident victory in Las Vegas (USA) Saturday. Kaitlyn Hawayek/Jean-Luc Baker (USA) claimed the silver medal and Christina Carreira/Anthony Ponomarenko (USA) earned the bronze.

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Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker (USA), Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue (USA) and Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko (USA) at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (USA) 2020 © International Skating Union (ISU)

Dancing to “Hallelujah”, Hubbell/Donohue impressed with their flow and speed. Winning their fifth ISU Grand Prix, they collected a level four for the rotational lift, combination spins and the twizzles while the one foot step sequence was rated a level three for Hubbell and a level four for Donohue. The 2020 ISU Four Continents bronze medalists scored 126.09 points and totaled 211.39 points.

“Tonight was a successful first step into the competitive season. This is a program that Zach and I are very passionate about and we already feel like we have almost a very easy time skating it because every part feels purposeful and there is something about each part that we enjoy,” Hubbell said. “While there are many things to improve going home, we're really happy with the performance this evening and we hope that everyone enjoyed our performance,” she continued.

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Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue (USA) at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (USA) 2020 © International Skating Union (ISU)

Hawayek/Baker showed great unison and original transitions in their program set to a selection of music by Philip Glass. The 2018 Four Continents Champions picked up a level four for the step sequences, lifts and combo spin to earn 121.32 points. They accumulated 202.47 points overall. 

“Tonight was a really special night for us,” Hawayek said. “This performance at least at this point in our career feels like the most intentional, focused, strong performance we've had. One of the things we've really worked hard on this year is being able to stay a 100 percent committed to our story and to our focus from the very beginning of the program and I think we felt that was a really big success tonight, because we stayed invested every moment and that made it fly by.”

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Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker (USA) at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (USA) 2020 © International Skating Union (ISU)

Carreira/Ponomarenko turned in a smooth performance to “Doctor Zhivago” that included level-four lifts, but the combination spin and his twizzles were rated a level two. The two-time ISU World Junior medalists collected 107.15 points for the Free Dance and accumulated 185.78 points overall. 

“We are a little bit disappointed with how today went. We left a lot of points on the table,” Carreira admitted. “There are a lot of things we want to improve and change when we get back home to make this program as special as it can be. We love the music,” she added.

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Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko (USA) at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (USA) 2020 © International Skating Union (ISU)

Caroline Green/Michael Parsons (USA) came fourth with an upbeat program to music by Prince at 178.05 points. Molly Cesanek/Yehor Yehorov (USA), debuting at a senior level ISU Grand Prix event, finished fifth on 168.09 points.

For full results, entry lists and further information regarding the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series please visit: https://isu.org/GrandPrix.

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ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2020

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final that was to be held as an Olympic Test Event on December 10-13 has been postponed. The ISU, in consultation with all stakeholders and considering the pandemic developments, is evaluating the continuation of the 2020/21 season, in particular the re-scheduling possibilities for the important Olympic Test Events.

About ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 (previously known a s the ISU Champions Series) and consists of six invitational international senior events and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Due to the current situation, the usual selection criteria do not apply. Please see the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating page for further information.