Robertson and Rohner Win Gold at Junior Grand Prix Italy
Ice dancers Jasmine Robertson and Chase Rohner showcased their exceptional talent this past weekend at the Junior Grand Prix Italy in Varese, where they secured their first career gold medal. The duo, training out of Novi, Michigan, also won their second Junior Grand Prix medal of the season, previously earning bronze at Junior Grand Prix Latvia.
The competition saw Robertson and Rohner dominate both days with personal best scores across every segment. On day one, they performed their rhythm dance to “Groove Is in the Heart” by Deee-Lite and “100% Pure Love” by Crystal Waters. Their midline step sequence garnered an impressive 9.24 points, while their Level 4 sequential twizzles scored 8.94 points, ultimately leading to a total of 62.08 points.
Continuing their momentum into the free dance, they earned a segment score of 94.44 points. The standout element of their performance was a diagonal step sequence which achieved 9.54 points. Their free dance, set to “Le Temps des Cathédrales” and “La Fête des Fous” from the musical Notre Dame de Paris, featured a collection of Level 4 synchronized twizzles totaling 8.61 points, along with other Level 4 components, taking their cumulative score to 156.52 points.
Additionally, fellow American ice dancers Annelise Stapert and Maxim Kororcov performed admirably, tying for fifth place and setting new personal bests in all segments. Their rhythm dance included a captivating series of twizzles and earned 57.77 points, while their free dance, performed to Les Miserables, scored a total of 84.91 points for a combined total of 142.68 points.
In the men’s event, Nicholas Brooks and Aleksandr Fegan turned heads as both secured top-10 finishes. Making his JGP debut, Brooks achieved personal bests in both the short and free programs, while earning 195.34 points overall. Fegan, also impressive with a short program score of 67.97 and a total of 193.26 points, continues to build on his reputation in the circuit.
US’s Annika Chao led in the women’s event, finishing fifth with a score of 193.26. Her energetic short program opened with a powerful triple Lutz-triple toe loop and culminated in a 116.38 score in the free skate, solidifying her standings.
With standout performances across categories, the team and individual skaters have showcased the depth of talent within the United States at the Junior Grand Prix. The journey continues as they aim to qualify for the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final set for December in Japan.
