It’s no surprise that the ice dance field at the 2024 US Figure Skating Championships is where the depth of talent is. Where the men, women, and pairs are completely unpredictable, the dance field is, at least relatively speaking, not. Even so, nothing is set in stone here, especially when it comes to some of the potential close matchups among the top teams. A few levels and a mistake here and there could make a difference between World team and not.
US Nationals predictions
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GOLD Madison Chock/Evan Bates - Undefeated this season so far, Chock/Bates look set for their fifth title. And much like last season, it’s been a steady climb within the season for them as they have gotten more reps in competition. Nationals will be another stepping stone for them on their way to Four Continents and the eventual defense of their World title.
SILVER Caroline Green/Michael Parsons - After their sixth-place finish at Worlds last year, they started this season not where they would’ve liked to be. But if there’s anything we’ve learned over the past few seasons with them, it’s that they take feedback well as they move on in the season. Their trajectory went from a disappointing sixth at Lombardia to a bronze at Cup of China, and this week, they have an opportunity to take another step up and build that momentum.
BRONZE Emilea Zingas/Vadym Kolesnik - Fourth last year at Nationals, they’ve had a solid but not superb season so far, making mistakes at international events that have kept them from hitting the kind of scores that they were aiming for. For them to get onto the World team, it will be important for them to really be cleaner here than they’ve been. But the potential is there.
4. Christina Carreira/Anthony Ponomarenko - Two fourth-place finishes on the Grand Prix have given them some strong momentum coming into Nationals. Their free dance has been a stronger vehicle for them so far this season, so it will be important for them to make a statement in the rhythm dance to put them in the mix.
5. Eva Pate/Logan Bye - Pate/Bye have been steady in their improvements over the past few seasons, but this season has felt like something of a breakthrough for them. Their win at Autumn Classic early in the season set them up very well, and a top five finish is very much within their reach.
6. Oona Brown/Gage Brown - Speaking of breakout seasons, the Browns have blasted off this season, with their visible improvements and their power being recognized and rewarded by the judges. They were ninth here last year and have a potential for a jump up in the standings.
7. Emily Bratti/Ian Somerville - Fifth place the past two years at Nationals, Bratti/Somerville haven’t been able to capitalize on their early success. They were sixth at both of their Grand Prix events this season.
8. Isabella Flores/Ivan Desyatov - It was a late start to their season. After withdrawing from Budapest Trophy, they finally got into competition with a bronze at Golden Spin last month.
9. Katarina Wolfkostin/Dimitry Tsarevski - New this season, Wolfkostin/Tsarevski won the US Dance Final on their way to Nationals. They were fifth at both of their Challengers earlier in the season.
10. Angela Ling/Caleb Wein - The former US junior silver medalists were third at the US Dance Final. They were 11th last season at Nationals.