Team USA in Commanding Lead After Day One of World Team Trophy
In an exhilarating start to the ISU World Team Trophy 2025 in Tokyo, Japan, Team USA displayed its dominance in professional figure skating, showcasing exceptional performances across multiple disciplines. With a total of 52 points, the U.S. leads the competition, outperforming Japan, which sits in second with 44 points.
Opening the event, three-time World ice dance champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates mesmerized the audience with a season’s best rhythm dance score of 91.25, contributing 12 team points. Their performance, featuring iconic tunes from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s, charmed both fans and judges alike. “We just continue to have fun whenever we perform this program,” Chock stated, emphasizing their excellent training and familiarity with the routine.
Shining brightly in the men’s short program, reigning World champion Ilia Malinin recorded a remarkable top score of 106.18, standing nearly 12 points ahead of his competitors. “I felt like my performance was a lot better than even at Worlds,” Malinin revealed, highlighting his desire to enjoy skating without pressure. Jason Brown, the team captain, contributed additional points with a season’s best score of 93.82.
In the women’s short, Alysa Liu continued her impressive season, achieving an international personal best score of 75.70. “It felt very different from anything that I’ve done,” Liu noted, crediting her teammates’ support for her success.
With this performance, Team USA looks poised to capture its third straight and sixth overall World Team Trophy gold medal. The competition isn’t over yet, as the pairs event will begin on Friday, followed by the emphatic conclusion on Saturday, where both the free skate and women’s events will take place.
Fans can stay engaged with live broadcasts on Peacock and access results on the U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone.
