Ice Dance - Blossom on Ice

October 17, 2019June 15, 2020

Christina Carreira/Anthony Ponomarenko: “Look forward to Skate America. When they announce us and everyone is yelling, it’s so great”

2019 Skate America is the first event in the 2019 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. This year, the competition will mark the first Skate America event to be held in Las Vegas.

Two-time World Junior medalists (silver in 2018, bronze in 2017), the 2017 JGP Final silver medalists, and the 2018 U.S. national junior champions Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko will be among the competing ice dance couples.

The skaters talk about Skate America 2019, their new programs, their training schedule, and more.

You’ll be skating at Skate America in front of your home crowd. Is it easier for you, or more challenging? Do you feel any extra pressure?

Anthony:

I think it’s much easier because the whole crowd is supporting you. When they announce that we’re representing USA, everyone is yelling, it’s so great. I feel like skating in America has a lot of fun. There’s a lot of energy, a lot of good vibes.

October 14, 2019June 15, 2020

Madison Chock/Evan Bates: “We’re happy to put on a good skate and head to the Grand Prix”

U.S. ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates are two-time World medalists (silver in 2015, bronze in 2016), two-time Grand Prix Final silver medalists (2014–15, 2015–16), the 2019 Four Continents champions, and the 2015 U.S. national champions. At Finlandia Trophy, which took place in Espoo last week, they placed first both in the rhythm dance and in the free dance to win the gold medal with 198,26 points.

After the free dance, Madison and Evan commented on their performance.

Are you satisfied with your performance here in Finland?

Madison:

Yes, it’s been a fun weekend. We got to compete our programs again, and we’re very happy with how the free skate went today. It felt like a very good performance, very engaged with each other and the audience, so we’re very happy to put on a good skate and head to the Grand Prix soon.

October 2, 2019June 15, 2020

Olivia Smart/Adrian Diaz: “With so many teams, it doesn’t feel too competitive. We all hold each other”.

Olivia Smart and Adrian Diaz paired up in 2015 and have since won silver at the 2017 Spanish Championships, their first national title at 2018 Spanish Championships, and bronze at 2018 Skate Canada International. Last week, they took 5th place at Nebelhorn Trophy, which was held in Oberstdorf, Germany. After the free dance, Olivia and Adrian commented on their performance.

Adrian:
It was a little bit of everything. We made a few mistakes. They probably cost us a lot of GOE, some of them – levels. But then the other elements were really good, so it was a bit of a roller coaster.