Figure skating – Skate America 2025: Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava surprise world champs Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi to lead after pairs short program
In a battle of two Grand Prix winners from earlier this season, the dynamic Georgian duo of Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava showcased their exceptional talents at Skate America 2025, held in the picturesque venue of Lake Placid, New York.
The two-time reigning world junior champions proved their potential on the senior stage, delivering a near flawless short program that earned them an impressive score of 78.83. This marks a new personal best for the pair, allowing them to take a commanding lead in the competition on the evening of Friday, November 14.
Metelkina and Berulava’s superior performance sets them apart with a significant edge of over four points against the two-time world champions Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi. While the Japanese pair has been dominant in recent events, Miura faced challenges by doubling their planned side-by-side triple toe-loops, which contributed to their overall score of 64.42. They also encountered difficulties on their closing element, the death spiral, which cost additional valuable points.
The exciting lead established by Metelkina and Berulava has set the stage for a highly anticipated showdown, as both teams aim to clinch victory and earn crucial spots for the upcoming Grand Prix Final in Nagoya, Japan. Miura and Kihara had previously secured their spot by winning the Grand Prix de France last month, establishing themselves as serious contenders in this challenging Grand Prix series.
Meanwhile, Germany’s Annika Hocke and Robert Kunkel are not out of the race yet, having scored 68.26 to round out the podium heading into the free skate event.
With such intense competition and incredible performances, the excitement surrounding Skate America 2025 continues to grow. Fans are eagerly awaiting the next day’s events as these elite skaters vie for supremacy on the ice. Stay tuned for further updates!
