Photo credit Getty Images
By Troy Schwindt
Team USA extended its lead at the ISU World Team Trophy 2025 with victories in the men’s and ice dance competitions on day two in Tokyo, Japan.
The United States racked up 43 points on Friday and now lead the event with 95 points. Japan is second with 80. Italy (66), France (62), Canada (54) and Georgia (48) round out the field.
World champion Ilia Malinin and two-time Olympian Jason Brown provided a big one-two punch by placing first and second in the men’s event.
Malinin, skating last, landed four quads in his program to “I’m Not a Vampire” by Falling in Reverse. He posted a score of 183.88.
The effects of a long season crept in, with Malinin doubling his Salchow and a fall on his program-ending spin.
“It’s the first time I’ve felt this way,” he said. “It was still very fun, although a bit tricky to get through the whole program.”
Malinin will take some time off, he said, before diving into preparation for the Olympic season.
“It’s finally the end of the season and I’ll take some time before coming up with a strategic plan for the Olympics,” he said. “I’ll get a few weeks of cool down and maybe push skating aside and cleanse my mind. I’ll then come back for STARS U.S. and get back into the groove.”
Malinin added, “I’m very proud of myself. I feel this has been one of the best seasons I’ve had so far. I’m happy with the progress and changes I made to myself. I’m looking forward to taking feedback from the whole season and apply it to next season to make myself better and more focused going into the Olympics.”
Brown, meanwhile, peaked at this event with two stellar programs. The two-time Olympian posted a score of 179.33 for his free skate to "Spiegel im Spiegel" by Arvo Pärt. He contributed 11 points to the team’s cause.
His performance had only one blemish when he singled a triple Salchow.
“My season had a rocky start at the beginning, but I’m really finding my groove,” Brown said. “I’m finally finding my footing and figured out and resolved all the issues I was having. This is such a special this event and I’m happy to end my season this way.”
Madison Chock and Evan Bates finished the competition and season on yet another high note with a victory in the free dance.
The three-time and reigning World ice dance champions put an exclamation point on the competition with a season’s best score of 133.51, earning Team USA 12 points.
They performed for the last time their program to “Round Midnight” by Miles Davis and “Take Five” by Dave Brubeck and “Take Five” by Juju.
The flawless routine included three Level 4 lifts and spot-on twizzles and spin.
“It’s nice to finish off with the season and have two season-best [scores] and feel good about the last two performances,” Chock said. “We are so excited and ready to put the performances to rest.”
The Montreal-based team, Bates said, felt a little stress coming into the free dance.
“To be at the team event and to be at the end of the season and know that our team has been skating really well on the first day, we wanted to continue that momentum today,” he said.
Should Team USA go on to win the event on Saturday, it would mark Chock and Bates’ fifth World Team Trophy gold medal.
U.S. pairs champions Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov delivered a solid performance and finished fifth in the short program with a score of 64.67.
The Boston-based duo, performing to “Ameksa” and “Uccen” by Taalbi Brothers, hit a snag on their side-by-side triple toes, but rallied with their throw triple loop and Level 4 lift and Level 4 spin.
They contributed eight points to Team USA’s cause.
“This is a great experience, so new for us,” Efimova said. “It’s so energetic and so nice to see the (team)boxes before we go to skate. It gives you a lot of energy.”
Brown, the team captain, couldn’t have been more pleased with the team’s results.
“I was an awesome day for Team USA,” Brown said. “I’m so proud of the pairs. It’s their first Team Trophy. It’s a fun event but we take it seriously. We want to win, we really want to win.”
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.
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.
