Full Breakdown
Alysa Liu Leads at the 2025 Cup of China Figure Skating Competition
10/25/2025, 12:58:28 AM
Alysa Liu's Strong Performance
World champion Alysa Liu of the United States took the lead in her first Grand Prix figure skating event of the season at the 2025 Cup of China, scoring 74.61 points in the short program. Liu's performance featured a clean execution of a triple flip, a double Axel, and the first successful triple Lutz-triple loop combination of her career. This marked her return to the short program she used during her successful 2024-25 season, a decision made amid an investigation involving one of the artists associated with her new music. Liu's emotional connection to her routine, skated to "Promise" by Laufey, was evident as she expressed, “This program is really meaningful to me. I’ve not cried as much after short (program) ever.” Liu leads Japan's Rinka Watanabe by 0.6 points, with U.S. champion Amber Glenn in third place at 73.04 points after a minor error in her routine.
Context of the Grand Prix Series
The Grand Prix series is a critical platform for figure skaters, serving as a precursor to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. The top six skaters in each discipline across the series qualify for the Grand Prix Final in December. Liu's performance at the Cup of China is particularly significant as it sets the stage for her Olympic aspirations. Madison Chock and Evan Bates, three-time world champions, also excelled, leading the ice dance competition with a score of 84.44, showcasing their routine to a medley by Lenny Kravitz. Their performance was noted for its technical precision, with Chock stating, “We are happy with how we performed and debuted our program.”
Competitors and Their Performances
In the men's event, Japan's Shun Sato topped the standings with a score of 94.13, executing a quadruple Lutz and a quad toe-triple toe combination. Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov followed in third place with 88.33 points. In pairs, Georgia's Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava led with 77.77 points, while China's Sui Wenjing and Han Cong, the reigning Olympic champions, placed third with 72.45 points after Sui fell during their routine.
Criticism and Challenges
Despite the strong performances, some skaters faced challenges. Amber Glenn acknowledged her performance was not her best, stating, “I know I can do a lot better, and I hope I will do that tomorrow.” Similarly, Caroline Green and Michael Parsons, who finished seventh in the ice dance, expressed disappointment over a fall during their routine, with Parsons noting, “Sometimes things like this happen — that's the sport.”
What's Next
The Cup of China concludes with the free skate events, where Liu and her competitors will have the opportunity to solidify their standings ahead of the Grand Prix Final and the upcoming Olympic Games. Liu's performance has positioned her as a strong contender for Olympic gold, reflecting her remarkable comeback after a two-year hiatus from the sport.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’ve not cried as much after short (program) ever.” — Alysa Liu, World Champion
- “We had some moments we had to work through, but we are happy with how we performed and debuted our program.” — Madison Chock, Ice Dancer
- “But my training has been really, really great, and I’ve been working really hard, physically and mentally. So I was able to still put out a performance that was satisfactory. I know I can do a lot better, and I hope I will do that tomorrow.” — Amber Glenn, U.S. Champion
- “Sometimes things like this happen — that's the sport.” — Michael Parsons, Ice Dancer
