Full Breakdown
Alysa Liu and U.S. Figure Skating Team Shine at 2025 Skate America
11/17/2025, 12:53:53 PM
Alysa Liu Claims First Grand Prix Gold
Alysa Liu, the reigning World Champion, achieved a significant milestone by winning her first Grand Prix title at the 2025 Skate America held in Lake Placid, New York, on November 16. Liu's performance in the free skate secured her a total score of 214.27 points, narrowly surpassing Japan's Rinka Watanabe, who finished with 210.96 points. Liu's emotional free skate to "MacArthur Park" by Donna Summer earned her a season-best score of 140.54, despite her belief that she did not perform at her best. "In my opinion, I did not skate that good," Liu remarked, reflecting on her performance.
Madison Chock and Evan Bates Tie Record
In addition to Liu's victory, the ice dance duo of Madison Chock and Evan Bates also made headlines by winning their fifth Skate America title, tying the record set by Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto. They achieved a combined score of 212.58 points, showcasing a powerful Flamenco-themed free dance. Chock and Bates, who are the reigning World Champions, expressed their excitement about competing on home ice and their aspirations for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina.
Performance Highlights and Future Aspirations
Liu's win at Skate America marks a significant step toward her goal of qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics, where the U.S. has not seen a woman medal in the singles event since Sasha Cohen in 2006. Liu's strong performances throughout the season, including a world championship title and a second-place finish at the Cup of China, position her as a potential American star at the Olympics. Liu expressed her motivation to improve, stating, "One good thing about making so many mistakes in a program is that I'm so motivated to not make any more mistakes in my next program."
Chock and Bates, on the other hand, are focused on refining their routines ahead of the Olympics. Bates noted, "We can make a lot of improvements on both programmes," indicating their commitment to enhancing their performances for a shot at Olympic gold.
Official Statements & Responses
The U.S. Figure Skating team celebrated the achievements of Liu, Chock, and Bates, highlighting their historic wins at the 2025 Skate America. Liu's victory is particularly notable as she became the first U.S. woman to win the Skate America title at a fully international event since Ashley Wagner in 2016. Liu acknowledged the significance of her performance, stating, "It does mean a lot that I am able to be at such a big competition like the Grand Prix in general."
Verbatim Quotes
- “To be honest, when I did it - jump wise - I did not feel very good, so that's why I was confused,” — Alysa Liu, World Champion
- “It's so special every time we get to compete on home ice and Skate America is a very near and dear competition to our hearts,” — Madison Chock, Ice Dancer
- “We feel like there's a lot of potential for this to be a really powerful Olympic free dance.” — Evan Bates, Ice Dancer
Conclusion
The 2025 Skate America showcased the talents of Alysa Liu, Madison Chock, and Evan Bates, setting the stage for their aspirations at the upcoming Winter Olympics. With Liu's first Grand Prix gold and Chock and Bates' record-tying victory, the U.S. figure skating team is poised for a promising season ahead.
