Skate America Highlights

This past weekend was the start of the 2023 Grand Prix Figure Skating season. And where better to start that season than...allen texas. I am a Texan, and even I would agree that having this international event in Allen was...a choice. Nevertheless I think there were a lot of great performances that will be interesting to watch for the remainder of the season!

Women

Both Loena Hendrickx (BEL) and Isabeau Levito (USA) put on some great skates to take home Gold and Silver, respectively. Both of them seem so in shape for such an early moment in the season. Loena's programs both had plenty of pizzazz and attitude, and the costumes certainly made a statement on the ice. Particularly, I think the short really works for her- these latin-esq music selections highlight the good parts of her skating. However, the long program doesn't quite work for me yet. I like the idea of Beyonce/Madonna for Loena, but I think the serious angle of the choreography doesn't work for what the costume and music are portraying. And Isabeau's skating was as precise and lovely as ever (but the jumps still have that same worrisome technique). I think the free skate highlights the balletic style Isabeau has such a command for.

However, for me, the highlight of the women was Amber Glenn (USA). Yes, her free skate fell apart and she landed in 5th place, but the short program was phenomenal and the triple axel at the beginning of the free was incredible. I think I actually teared up a bit seeing her finally land that axel after trying for so long. To me, her short program seemed so much more tight and put together and strong than her programs have felt before and I cannot wait to see how she progresses across the season.

Men

Ilia Malinin (USA) won Skate America by over 30 points and rightfully so. The quads were breathtaking but interestingly enough I do think his skating skills and artistry have improved since last season. He is really performing in both programs to the crowd more than in years past, and I also noticed him seem to focus in on the step sequences more, whereas in the past he's sort of thrown himself into them with little-to-no edge quality. I also need to give a shoutout to his free skate costume which, matching his Succession music, appears to have glittery stock market lines on it. Good job Ilia.

Kevin Aymoz's (FRA) performances were so wonderful. I always worry a bit when he takes the ice because the technical can be a bit of a mess, but he was so powerful yet so in control here, and I actually like his Bolero program (GASP). Bolero is so overdone, but Kevin's energy just turns it into something that feels new and different.

And I also want to shout out Vladimir Litvintsev (AZE). He skated quite well, but mostly I want to show my (appreciation? concern?) for his bizarre music choices. His short program is skated to what I can only describe as EDM lion king...yet he's wearing a tiger print that looks to be part of a Flintstone production. And the free skate starts as the Nutcracker, and then transitions into Josh Groban who, to my knowledge, has nothing to do with the Nutcracker. Where would skating be if not for creativity?

Dance

Ice dance is such a fake sport, but that's why it's fun to watch. I liked Chock/Bates (USA) free dance way more than last years'. I was worried when they said their program was about "time", but when she came out in a Dali-esq costume and they started with clock arms I was like "Oh you meant literally about time", and ran with it. It's visually interesting (although the whole mid section is very slow and stationary and it stood out in comparison to other teams- might need some tweaking depending on what rivals Gilles/Poirier's content looks like at Skate Canada). I also really enjoyed Lajoie/Lagha's (CAN) free dance. Her costume is so beautiful and it's one of those programs where you kinda zone out from the loveliness and come to at the end, but I think it has a lot of potential to grow over the season.

I also want to shout out both of the Czech ice dance teams. Neither made it onto the podium, but these brother-sister duos are so so strong across the ice, to a point where it's almost a concerning/scary amount of energy? But it is riveting and exciting to watch...