Isabeau Levito Leads at 2024 Skate America After Compelling Short Program Performances
Isabeau Levito leads after the short program at the 2024 Skate America, scoring 68.43 points, followed by Bradie Tennell with 66.99. Japan’s Watanabe Rinka takes third place. The pairs event sees Miura and Kihara achieve top honors with 77.79 points. The competition continues with various events scheduled for Saturday.
At the conclusion of the short program at the 2024 Skate America event held in Allen, Texas, reigning world silver medallist Isabeau Levito and 2018 Olympic team bronze medallist Bradie Tennell of the United States showcased remarkable performances, securing first and second place, respectively. Levito distinguished herself by scoring 68.43 points, while Tennell closely followed with 66.99 points. Japanese skater Watanabe Rinka achieved third place with a score of 66.54, narrowly surpassing compatriot Higuchi Wakaba, who earned 66.12 points. Belgium’s Nina Pinzarrone completed the top five with a score of 62.85. Seventeen-year-old Levito made a striking impression as she performed to music from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” elegantly honoring its star, Audrey Hepburn. Her performance featured three successful jumping passes before transitioning to a playful segment in the latter part of her routine. Meanwhile, Tennell made a significant comeback to the Grand Prix circuit after facing numerous injuries and surgeries over the past two years. During an interview post-performance, the 26-year-old expressed her doubts about returning to competitive form, saying, “Five months off and two surgeries is a major ordeal. I wasn’t sure I was ever gonna be able to jump again. It’s been a very long road. It was worth every day of doubt, every small setback, every moment of ‘Can I ever get back to this level again?” The competition is set to continue with rhythm dance, pairs free skate, men’s short program, and women’s free skate on Saturday, October 19. In the pairs short program, 2023 world champions Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi from Japan performed last and captured the top position with a score of 77.79, demonstrating their prowess with a program set to music by Mick Jagger. They executed their routine seamlessly, opening with a triple twist and following with side-by-side triple toes. Miura remarked, “We are very happy that we were able to end our performance without any big mistakes,” expressing their delight at receiving a level four rating on their death spiral. American duo Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea finished with a score of 70.66, aiming to improve from last season’s disappointing Grand Prix performances. O’Shea commented on their development, stating, “The Grand Prix season didn’t go very well for us [last season], but there was a lot that we learned throughout the whole season. We’re just so happy with our programs [now]. We think they are the best content we’ve had yet, and some of the hardest programs we’ve had yet. We’ve made a lot of improvements technically across the last season.
The Skate America event is the inaugural competition in the International Skating Union’s Grand Prix series for the 2024 season. This series features six prestigious competitions worldwide and culminates with a Grand Prix Final in December in Grenoble, France. The article highlights the performances of prominent skaters at this year’s Skate America, focusing on the short program results in both singles and pairs categories, showcasing the athletes’ dedication, skill, and resilience in the face of previous challenges.
In summary, the 2024 Skate America event has showcased outstanding performances from both Isabeau Levito and Bradie Tennell, who claimed the top two spots in the women’s short program following their respective challenges and comebacks. Additionally, Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi’s powerful performance in the pairs competition further highlighted the exceptional talent present at this year’s event. As the competition progresses, these athletes continue to set the stage for an exciting Grand Prix series ahead.
Original Source: olympics.com
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