Photo credit Getty Images
By Troy Schwindt
Team USA carried the momentum over from a highly successful ISU World Figure Skating Championships to the ISU World Team Trophy 2025 in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday.
The United States secured the overall lead at the six-team end-of-the season competition with a total of 52 points, winning the ice dance, men’s and women’s rhythm dance/short programs. Japan is second with 44 points, with France next at 34. Italy (30), Canada (29) and Georgia (25) round out the field.
Three-time and reigning World ice dance champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates kicked things off, posting a season’s best rhythm dance score of 91.25 to take top honors while earning 12 team points.
Two-time and reigning World champion Ilia Malinin continued his unbeaten season with the top short program score of 106.18, leading the field by nearly 12 points. His triumph earned the U.S. 12 points. His teammate and team captain, Jason Brown, finished third with a season’s best score of 93.82. He contributed 10 points to the cause.
Reigning World champion Alysa Liu grabbed the women’s lead with an international personal best short program score of 75.70, edging Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto by .16 points. She produced 12 points for the team, while two-time and reigning U.S. champion Amber Glenn added six points with her seventh-place finish.
Performing to a medley of popular 50s, 60s and 70s tunes such as the Bee Gee’s “Stayin’ Alive” and “Last Dance” by Donna Summer, Chock and Bates floated from element to element, earning Level 4s on three elements and having a ball along the way.
“We just continue to have fun whenever we perform this program and this performance was no different,” Chock said. “We stepped on the ice; we are so well-trained and this program is so in our bodies that we were able to let it go.”
Malinin, performing to “RUNNING” by NF, landed two quads — one in combination —and received Level 4s on all of his spins and footwork.
“I felt like my performance was a lot better than even at Worlds,” Malinin said. “Not having the World Championships on my mind, I just skated for fun and was able to get into myself.”
Brown was ecstatic with this performance to music from The Legend of Tarzan soundtrack. The two-time Olympian earned positive grades of execution on every element, Level 4s on each of his spins and step sequence, and the second-highest component scores in his best short program of the season.
“I’m so happy,” Brown said. “To end the season with a season’s-best; I have struggled with this program all season so to finally get out here and end the season with a clean skate, for my team, it’s all great.”
Liu continued her storybook season with a stellar performance to “Promise” by Laufey. She delivered a clean program that included all Level 4 elements and an opening triple flip-triple toe combination that generated a program-best 10.64 points.
“It felt very different from anything that I’ve done, because I had my team behind me,” Liu said. “I felt like I was skating for them and it was fun. I could hear all of their cheers, and I skated good. It feels amazing. I feel like I carried their energy and momentum with me.”
Glenn had a fall on her opening triple Axel attempt but rallied to finish strong.
Team USA is seeking its third straight and sixth total World Team Trophy gold medal. The United States has medaled at every World Team Trophy since its inception in 2009 and has earned gold five of the eight World Team Trophy titles, standing atop the podium in 2009, 2013, 2015, 2019 and 2023.
The pairs event kicks off Friday before the free dance and men's free skate. Competition concludes Saturday with the pairs and women's free skates.
All events can be streamed live on Peacock and will be available for 72 hours following their conclusion.
For live results, bios and more, visit the U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone.
