It’s not often you see such an early head-to-head between two of the very best in the world. But the two teams who have won the past four US titles will be battling for another Skate America title - incidentally, the two teams combined have won five Skate America titles. It will be an early indication of how the American dance scene will shake out this season, but expect it - and this whole season - to be close.
2021 Skate America predictions
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GOLD Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue USA - In something of a return to the form we saw from them at the start of this Olympic cycle, Hubbell/Donohue are working with better material this year that certainly play to their power across the ice. Believe it or not, they are entering their 11th season, and with Olympic podium in their sightlines, establishing themselves early will be important. If clean, I expect them to be ahead of Chock/Bates in the rhythm dance to fend off a surge from Chock/Bates in the free.
SILVER Madison Chock/Evan Bates USA - Like Hubbell/Donohue, this is also their 11th season competing together. Between the two teams, Chock/Bates have the more original free dance, and they have made a career out of strong free dances. Much like their snake-themed free dance, this alien-themed free dance departs from the more traditional man-and-woman themes that many dance teams tend to take. The calculation is long-game - the free dance will grow through the season.
BRONZE Laurence Fournier Beaudry/Nikolaj Sorensen CAN - Officially cleared to represent Canada at the Olympics because Sorensen got his citizenship, they are experiencing a season that they have never had a chance to experience (Fournier Beaudry was unable to get her Danish citizenship for PyeongChang). They have established themselves as not only one of the best in Canada but also one of the best in the world, with an eighth-place finish at Worlds last season.
4. Olivia Smart/Adrian Diaz ESP - Speaking of close competition, Smart/Diaz are once again in a very close battle with their Spanish teammates, Hurtado/Khaliavin, for the sole Spanish spot at the Olympics. Smart/Diaz won their first official matchup at Finlandia by a fraction of a point and will look to build momentum at Skate America - their free dance is the best material of their career.
5. Natalia Kaliszek/Maksym Spodyriev POL - The Polish veterans are no stranger to the Grand Prix scene, having finished as high as fourth at Rostelecom Cup. They were 12th at Worlds earlier this year.
6. Annabelle Morozov/Andrei Bagin RUS - Sixth at Russian Nationals last season, Morozov/Bagin make their Skate America debut this week, and it will be the first time they have skated in a Grand Prix outside of Rostelecom Cup.
7. Carolane Soucisse/Shane Firus CAN - The Canadian bronze medalists have been trying to find their style and their rhythm for the past few seasons. They switched coaching teams right after the pandemic shutdowns began. They were fifth at Autumn Classic and 11th at Finlandia Trophy to start their season.
8. Misato Komatsubara/Tim Koleto JPN - The COVID season was a whirlwind for Komatsubara/Koleto, who have not been able to get back to Canada to train with their team until recently. They were 19th last year at Worlds, earning Japan a spot at the Olympics.
9. Molly Cesanek/Yehor Yehorov USA - They were ecstatic last season to be invited to their first (and domestic) Skate America. But they have since established themselves as one of the up and coming dance teams in the US. Their were 13th in their season debut at Lombardia Trophy.