Team USA leads at 2025 World Team Trophy
2025 World Team Trophy: Day 1
The 10th edition of World Team Trophy kicked off with the Rhythm Dance and the Men’s and Women’s Short program on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan. Team USA is currently in the lead with 52 points, followed by Team Japan (44) and Team France (34).
The competition is based on a point system in which each of the 12 skaters will earn between one and 12 points, dependent on their placement in the short program. The six teams, pairs and ice dance, are given seven to 12 points. This is repeated for the free dance and free skates before the total scores are tallied at the end of the event.
Team USA
Madison Chock and Evan Bates put out an entertaining performance to “Journey Through the Decades,” placing first in the rhythm dance with a new season’s best of 91.25 points. The three-time and reigning world champions were smooth, picking up a level four on the twizzles, pattern steps and rotational lift. The midlines steps were graded a level three, and all elements received high grades of execution (GOE).
“It was really fun!” said Chock. .”It felt like this program is just so trained and so in our bodies that we just step on the ice, hit play, and we’re able to be present and just enjoy the moment. We’re just so happy we could contribute to our team in a positive way and set them up for some good momentum for the rest of the week.”
Jason Brown renewed his season’s best in the short program with 93.82 points. The 2022 Olympian engaged the audience with a solid short program to music from The Legend of Tarzan soundtrack. He landed a triple flip, triple Axel and triple Lutz-triple toe, all of which earned positive GOEs. The spins and footwork were graded a level four, and he finished third.
“I love being out here at this event!” said Brown. “There’s just so much great energy, not only from the audience, but also from our teammates and from the other athletes in the boxes just from all the countries. So, it was a great way to end this season for my short program. Obviously, they’re still a lot I got to focus on, but I’m really proud of kind of closing the chapter of this short program.”
Two-time world champion Ilia Malinin once again broke the 100-point mark, scoring 106.08 for first place in the short program. His dynamic routine to “Running” featured a solid triple Axel and quad Lutz-triple toe. The only error came when he turned out his opening quad flip. All spins and footwork were graded a level four.
“I’d say I’m a little bit tired, and that might have been the reason why it wasn’t a perfect 100% skate that I could pull off, but overall I’m still pretty happy,” said Malinin. “I felt like my performance was a lot better than even than at Worlds, performance-wise.”
“It’s such an incredible team!” he added. “All the teams here are so incredible! It’s so amazing to be part of this community, and just all of us come together to support each other, support our country, support our friends. I feel like these team events are always so much fun for me. Especially after Worlds. Right now, it’s more like a breather and I really just kind of go on that slow cool down. Overall, it’s still a pretty fun and amazing competition to do.”
Alysa Liu topped her personal best from Worlds last month with a score of 75.70 for first place with her short program to “Promise” by Laufey. The two-time U.S. champion was flawless, landing a triple flip-triple toe, double Axel and triple Lutz. All spins and footwork were deemed a level four, and she earned many positive GOES on all elements, particularly on the footwork and triple jumps.
“I feel like I did a good enough performance to hopefully get my team some extra points and I’m really glad that I did a clean program today,” said Liu. “I watched everybody else and they all did phenomenal jobs and I just wanted to keep the momentum going and I’m glad I did.”
Amber Glenn took a fall on her opening triple Axel which was underrotated in her short program. She landed a triple flip-double toe, leaving out a rotation on the back end, but landed triple loop in the second half. The 2024-25 Grand Prix Final champion, who earned 63.70 points for seventh place, was visibly disappointed.
Total Team Score: 52
“If you can’t tell by all of our smiles now at the beginning of the day, throughout the week, we just love this event,” said a jubilant Brown, Team USA’s captain. “It’s so much fun to end the year as a team and just to be together celebrating skating and especially being in Japan. It makes it just that much more special. There’s nothing like it.”
Brown noted that it has been a stressful season with the Olympic qualifier, pointing out that there was a lot of pressure on the U.S. team.
“Especially to deliver under pressure at a home Worlds,” he said. “I’ve been telling them this entire week, ‘just enjoy this!’ We’re here to support one another. We got each other’s back. And I really feel like that came
through today. I hope that continues to tomorrow. Of course, everyone wants to do so well and do so well for each other. But at the end of the day, this is such a huge bonus for us to be in Japan. I think also for us, beyond
just our U.S. team, it’s so incredibly special to cheer on all the other countries as well, because we’re very focused during the season.”
Brown, who received a text from his team leader and high-performance director asking if he would be the team captain, said he “definitely” feels responsibility in this role.
Team Japan
Utana Yoshida and Masaya Morita delighted the home crowd with their upbeat rhythm dance to “Be-Bop-a-Lula” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.” Their performance was highlighted by level-four twizzles, but they both went down on the final curve lift. The national champions quickly recovered for the final pose and scored 56.63 points for sixth place.
Shun Sato placed fifth with 93.68 in the short program after a solid skate. His classical routine “Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra” from Ladies in Lavender featured a quad toe, triple Lutz-triple toe, and triple Axel, all of which earned high GOEs. The two-time Four Continents medalist also picked up level four on all three spins.
“When I woke up last night, I had a headache and a fever,” revealed Sato. “I still managed to come here and tried my best for my team. I changed some elements in my program because of my condition.”
Skating to “The Sound of Silence,” Yuma Kagiyama reeled off a solid quad toe-triple toe, but then took a fall on a triple flip. The 2022 Olympic silver medalist quickly recovered to land a flawless triple Axel and displayed level four footwork and spins throughout. He placed fourth with 93.73 points.
“I wanted to challenge the quad flip, but it didn’t work as planned,” noted Kagiyama. “But it was important for me to try for next season. I was not so happy after my skate, but my team cheered me up and I appreciate that a lot. At the World Team Trophy, the focus is to enjoy, and I want to enjoy my free skate and cheer for my team.”
Mone Chiba took a fall on a double Axel, but was otherwise solid her crowd-pleasing short program to “Last Dance.” The 2025 World bronze medalist opened with a solid triple Lutz-triple toe and produced a triple flip later in the program. She also produced excellent level four spins and steps throughout and finished fourth with 69.66 points.
“I wanted to enjoy my short program more, but I was too nervous and I didn’t land the double Axel,” said Chiba. “I was tired. I couldn’t fully enjoy the team event today, so I hope to enjoy it more tomorrow. I want to cheer for my teammates.”
Kaori Sakamoto produced a sublime short program to an Astor Piazzolla medley, earning 75.54 points. The 2022 Olympic bronze medalist opened with a beautiful double Axel and triple Lutz, but then did a turn between the triple flip-triple toe. However, all spins and footwork were graded a level four, and she earned the highest program component scores of the field.
“I made mistakes at Worlds, so I wanted to skate a clean program here, but I didn’t quite make it,” said Sakamoto.
Total Team Score: 44
“As a captain, I know all skaters were tired, but I’m relieved they finished the first day without any injuries,” said Sakamoto. “Cheering and decorating the team box are my forte! Today we finish the short program in three categories. After I watched the Ice Dance and Men’s Short Program, I got so much energy and power and continued to the women’s program. We are in different categories, but still we were able to support each other and give energy to each other. We had a special experience. This is a very unique World Team Trophy, and I am very happy that we enjoyed this event today.”
Sakamoto enjoyed her role as team captain at the last event in 2023 and readily accepted the role again when asked.
“Being at the rink all day was very hectic in terms of scheduling and conditioning; however, it really felt fun,” she recalled of the event two years ago. “I really thought I was very good at energizing, giving power and decorating the team box, so I thought this was my strength other than skating.”
She also feels no one should have to apologize when they come to the Kiss and Cry after making mistakes.
“This is a competition, but I would like for everyone to just have fun and enjoy the competition,” said Sakamoto. “So even if we make big mistakes tomorrow, they can just (say), ‘I just did it, but it’s okay, I have fun.’ I won’t be skating tomorrow, so I will be supporting the team 100% and I hope to give them a lot of power.”
Team France
Evgeniia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud of France earned 81.78 points, placing fourth in the rhythm dance. The 2025 European silver medalists were technically strong in their routine to music by Boney M, earning a level four on the twizzles, pattern steps and stationary lift.
“This was kind of the performance we wanted at Worlds,” admitted Brissaud. “It felt really strong. We liked this rhythm dance a lot, but we are not disappointed to let it go and do something new.”
“We have a great team, the same as two years ago,” he added. “Everyone came to cheer for us, even those who will compete next.”
Kevin Aymoz was committed in his expressive short program to “Bird Gerhl” by Anohni. He fell on his opening quad toe but landed a solid triple Axel and triple Lutz-triple toe. The 2022 Olympian received high GOEs on all other elements, including his level four footwork and spins, and finished in sixth place with 88.07 points.
“It was stressful for me as I wanted to do the best for my nice team,” said Aymoz. “I fought for it today; I learned from the past. Team France is happy to be here, and we have this team spirit not only at this event!”
Adam Siao Him Fa finished second with 96.16 points. The 2024 World bronze medalist put a hand down on the landing of his opening quad Lutz, but landed a solid quad toe-triple toe and triple Axel. His beautiful routine to “SOS d’un terrien en détresse” also featured level four footwork and spins.
“I enjoy the team event,” said Siao Him Fa. “It is less pressure but more fun to skate for the team. This is the competition I’m waiting for the most. There should be more team events! My preparation was not easy; I was very tired after Worlds and needed to be careful to not get injured again.”
Lea Serna scored 57.68 points for 11th place with her expressive routine to “Tourner Dans Le Vide.” The 2023 CS Budapest Trophy silver medalist landed a triple toe-double toe, triple Salchow and double Axel. All four spins were rewarded a level four, as did the footwork.
Lorine Schild took eighth place with a new personal best of 63.66 for moving short program to “Laissez Moi Danser.” The 2024 CS Budapest Trophy bronze medalist landed a triple Lutz-triple toe, double Axel and triple loop. She also received a level four on all three spins, while the footwork was graded a level three.
Total Team Score: 34
Aymoz, the team captain said he was thrilled to be at this event after a long season.
“We had a really difficult World Championship because of the Olympic qualifications,” he pointed out. “Today is just the reward of figure skating and the love of figure skating and to share the moment with such a beautiful family. Those people are amazing and I’m looking forward for all the skaters and coaches for the opportunity to celebrate figure skating all together.”
This marks the third time the veteran skater was chosen as team captain. He tried to hand over the role to other team members, but they insisted he take the reins again.
“I was so happy to have the trust of my whole team,” said Aymoz. “I feel like part of a family with them, and that’s such a joy. But I think everyone in my team can be a captain, because in Team France, everyone has something to bring to the stage. I’m really proud of my team, and I love them so much. Last year, when I wanted to quit skating, the whole team was really good, texted me and asked me not to leave.”
He is hoping for a “good day” tomorrow for his team as he had a fever last night.
“Adam is really broken everywhere. He’s tired,” Aymoz said of his teammate. “Lea almost tore her ankle yesterday morning. Lorine broke her boot this morning. So, the team is just falling apart. I’m so proud of them because
they put everything together for the best of the team. I’m really proud of the attitude they give to the team. We know the podium is open for a third place, but I think we should go for the team. Like Jason said, the season was already really stressful and difficult. And today is just about enjoying the day and having the best for ourselves, for the team, and for the audience, and just celebrating skating. So, I’m going to cheer for my team as much as I can. I’m going to be there for them. And they’re going to be there for me.”
Team Italy
Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri of Italy placed third with a score of 84.58 points in the rhythm dance. The 2024 World bronze medalists engaged the audience with a fun performance that featured a level four rotational lift. The twizzles were graded a level four and three, while the midline and pattern steps were a level three and two, respectively.
“In terms of performance, we felt very, very good on the ice,” said Fabbri. “It was probably the best rhythm dance of the season, so we’re satisfied with the performance. It was not easy to keep training after Worlds. Worlds was disappointing for us.”
“We hope for a good result,” Guignard added. “As the team captain I saw everyone, and they are really energized and together!”
Daniel Grassl put out a good skate to “Human,” placing seventh in the short program with 87.07 points. He landed the first jump of his quad Salchow-triple toe on the quarter and underrotated the quad loop, but the triple Axel was solid. The 2022 European silver medalist also produced level four spins and footwork, all of which were rewarded with positive GOES.
“I felt really good,” said Grassl. “I decided to do the quad Salchow-triple toe instead of the quad Lutz because I have a lot of pain in my foot with the Lutz. Our team is very cheerful, and I felt their support. Obviously, we’d like to be on the podium, and we all want to do our best.”
Nikolaj Memola doubled his opening quad flip in his short program to “Nyah,” but landed a clean triple Axel. However, the 2025 European silver medalist stepped out of a quad Lutz which received an edge call. Two spins were awarded a level four, and he finished 11th with 69.20 points.
National champion Anna Pezzetta was nearly solid in her short program to the Firebird Suite. She opened with a solid triple Lutz-triple toe and double Axel, but then took a fall on a triple flip. However, all other jumps and elements earned positive GOES, including two level-four spins.
Lara Naki Gutmann earned a new personal best of 68.43 points for fifth place after her confident and clever short program to music from Squid Game. The 2024 Finlandia Trophy bronze medalist landed a solid triple toe-triple toe, double Axel and triple Lutz. She also picked up a level four on all spins and footwork.
Total Team Score: 30
Team Canada
Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier engaged the crowd throughout their fun, but demanding, routine to tunes by The Beach Boys and The Surfaris. The four-time world medalists lost a level on the midline steps which were graded a level two and three, while the pattern steps were a level two. The twizzles and rotational lift were a level four, and they finished second in the rhythm dance with 87.15 points.
“We had such a great time! said Gilles. “The crowd was a blast! We just felt their energy. There’s so much excitement when you’re competing as a group. We’ve just really been looking forward to coming together as Team Canada, a very strong group this year. It is really the best way to end the season.”
“We were performing this program in the shows, so we’ve been getting runs throughs,” added Poirier. “More than anything at this point in the season we’re so well trained, we’re so well prepared. We’ve done a million repetitions, and we know we can count on our bodies.”
Aleksa Rakic placed 10th (72.86) in the short program with an inspirational routine to “Biblical” and “Epiphany.” The 2024 national silver medalist landed a quad toe and triple loop-triple toe, but took a fall on an underrotated triple Axel. However, all three spins were graded a level four, while the footwork was a level three.
Two-time national champion Roman Sadovsky earned a new season’s best of 84.75 for his expressive short program to “Unconscious” by Charlie Winston. The quad Salchow was solid, but he landed the triple Axel on the quarter and turned out the front end of a triple Lutz-triple toe. All spins and footwork were graded a level four with positive GOES. He finished ninth.
Sara-Maude Dupuis gave a solid performance to “Never Go Back” by Evanescence, scoring 61.88 points for 10th place. The 2024 CS Tallinn Trophy bronze medalist produced a triple toe-triple toe, double Axel and triple Lutz. Two spins were awarded a level four and level three on the steps.
Madeline Schizas gave a joyful performance to music from Lion King, scoring 63.93 points for sixth place. The only error came when she fell on the triple loop in the second half of the short. However, the three time and current national champion otherwise landed her opening triple Lutz-triple toe and double Axel and displayed level four spins throughout.
Total Team Score: 28
Team Georgia
Diana Davis and Gleb Smolkin showed attitude in their rhythm dance to “Lady Marmalade.” The team, who moved to Montreal last year, displayed good ice coverage and picked up a level four on the twizzles and rotational lift. They earned 76.47 points for fifth place.
Morisi Kvitelashvili, who came out of retirement for this event, rounded out the men’s field with a short program score of 59.54. While he struggled on the jumps, falling on an underrotated quad toe, the 2020 European bronze medalist put out a good effort.
“After Worlds I knew that Georgia qualified for the World Team Trophy for the first time and I started to prepare,” said Kvitelashvili. “I am performing in shows and coaching; I’m not an athlete anymore and it was hard. I was worried about the elements, and I made errors. I don’t think this is the start of a comeback; I enjoy more skating in shows than competing.”
Nika Egadze landed a quad Salchow-triple toe, quad toe and triple Axel in his short program to “L’Enfer.” The 2024 CS Denis Ten Memorial bronze medalist also picked up a level four on two spins and the footwork, earning positive GOEs for the latter. He placed eighth with 84.76 points.
Alina Urushadze smiled throughout her short program to “I Wanna Dance” by Artem Uzunov. While the 2024 national silver medalist struggled with her jumps, she earned a level four on her flying camel spin. The 2024 national silver medalist finished 12th (38.77 points).
Anastasiia Gubanova was solid in her short program to a haunting and dramatic version of ABBA’s “Money, Money, Money.” The three-time European medalist landed a triple flip-triple toe, double Axel and triple Lutz. She displayed good level four spins throughout, and placed third with 69.80 points, nearly matching her personal best from 2023 Europeans where she took gold.
“It is such a joy for Georgia to be here for the first time, we’re all so excited,” said Gubanova, the team captain. “I always like it at competitions when teammates come and support me. I’m really feeling that. After the disappointment at Worlds, it was tough to come back, especially the first three days of practice. But today I was able to enjoy skating finally.”
Total Team Score: 25
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