Nathan Chen Wins Men's Title at 2021 World Figure Skating Championships
Mar 27, 2021
Nathan Chen of the USA stands on the podium after winning the gold medal during the Men Free Skating Program at the Figure Skating World Championships in Stockholm, Sweden, Saturday, March 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Nathan Chen wasn't at the top of his game in the short program, but he more than made up for it Saturday to capture his third straight world championship.
The American put together one of the greatest free skates of his career, landing five quads to capture the men's championship at the 2021 World Figure Skating Championships. Chen entered the day in third place, 8.13 points behind Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu, but won by 29.11 points.
"I wouldn't necessarily say this was my best free program ever, but it's definitely one that I'll remember forever," Chen said, per Olympic Talk. "I was in a position where, in theory, I can come back, but realistically I know these guys are going to lay down [strong programs]."
Hanyu fell to third place after a disappointing free skate, while countryman Yuma Kagiyama slid into second. Kagiyama, a 17-year-old competing in his first world championships, could be a medalist at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Chen, who posted the highest free skate score in Olympic history in 2018 but finished fifth, is the favorite to capture gold.
"The fact I'm able to be here at this world championships after this unprecedented year, it's amazing. I'm elated right now," Chen said. "I just tried to really remind myself to enjoy being here. I don't know how many more world championships I'll get to be at. Doing that, I was able to be a lot more calm."
Hanyu, who won Olympic golds in 2014 and 2018 and world golds in 2014 and 2017, appears to be looking up at Chen as the world's best. His third-place finish Saturday was frustrating given his brilliant short program. He was fourth in the free skate.
Hanyu said that program was "very exhausting."
Olympian John Zimmerman Suspended, Accused of Covering Up Sexual Abuse
Mar 9, 2021
Figure skater John Zimmerman arrives for a gala benefiting Figure Skating In Harlem at Central Park's Wollman Rink Monday, March 31, 2008, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Former Olympic figure skater and U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Famer John Zimmerman has been suspended by the U.S. Center for SafeSport after allegedly failing to report sexual abuse against a 13-year-old girl in 2017, according to Christine Brennan of USA Today.
Zimmerman, who was coaching the girl, was allegedly told in 2017 that French Olympic figure skater Morgan Cipres sent two pictures of his penis to the girl. Zimmerman was also Cipres' coach, and the girl and her parents say both Zimmerman and his wife, Silvia Fontana, told them not to go to the authorities because Cipres and his pairs partner Vanessa James were in preparations for the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Per Brennan: "The girl and her parents allege that Zimmerman and Fontana intimidated the girl for several weeks, telling her that she was at fault for receiving the pictures because she was a 'pretty girl and men have their needs,' that no one would believe her and that she would be shamed on social media, particularly in France, where Cipres was popular."
The girl and her parents say that Vinny Dispenza, a coach who works with Zimmerman and Fontana at the AdventHealth Center Ice rink in Florida, initiated the sending of the photos and also threatened the girl.
"If I said something, he said I would never skate again," the girl said.
The girl's tutor, who learned of the alleged pictures, sent an email to psychologist Dara Bushman in 2017, and Bushman contacted authorities. But, according to her parents, the girl would not talk with police at the time.
A friend of the family did report the situation to SafeSport—which was formed in 2017 to investigate sexual abuse cases in Olympic sports—in 2019, however, and the Pasco County Sheriff's Office in Florida reopened the investigation in June 2020.
Per Brennan, the 47-year-old Zimmerman is now banned from "participation in any capacity in any program, activity, event or competition sponsored by, organized by or under the auspices of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and the national governing body for the sport (U.S. Figure Skating in this case), or at a facility under the jurisdiction of the USOPC or USFS."
Zimmerman competed at the 2002 Olympics, finishing fifth in pairs with partner Kyoko Ina.
Olympic Medalist, Figure Skating Coach Peter Oppegard Facing Abuse Allegations
Feb 18, 2021
Olympic figure skating champion Kim Yu-na, right, of South Korea, and her new coach Peter Oppegard chat while skating in Artesia, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Figure skating coach Peter Oppegard, who won the 1988 Olympic pairs bronze medal, is under investigation for allegations of abuse.
Christine Brennan of USA Today reported the U.S. Center for SafeSport is investigating an allegation Oppegard bit a teenage female skater on the arm in 2013 and threw hot water and coffee at skaters during his time coaching at East West Ice Palace in Artesia, California. Oppegard coached at the rink from 2005 to 2018.
Oppegard, 61, was inducted to the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame alongside his longtime skating partner Jill Watson in 2004. The pair won three national championships in addition to the bronze at the 1988 Winter Games.
Oppegard is married to skating coach and choreographer Karen Kwan, the sister of skating legend Michelle Kwan. Karen Kwan and Oppegard are credited with helping Michelle with some of her choreography during her career. The Kwan family owns East West Ice Palace.
Oppegard and Kwan are currently estranged.
He did not respond to USA Today's request for comment.
Ron Ludington, Olympic Figure Skater and Hall of Fame Coach, Dies at 85
May 16, 2020
Three pairs of figure skaters who won medals in Winter Olympic competition stand on the victory platform at Squaw Valley, Calif., Feb. 19, 1969. Left to right: Marika Kilius and Hans Baumler, Germany, silver medal; Barbara Wagner and Robert Paul of Canada, gold medal; Nancy and Ronald Ludington, U.S.A., bronze medal. (AP Photo/Dick Strobel)
Olympic bronze medalist Ron Ludington died Thursday at the age of 85.
Martin Frank of the Delaware News Journal reported the news Saturday. The cause of death wasn't immediately announced.
Ludington won the bronze medal in pairs skating alongside his then-wife Nancy Ludington at the 1960 Winter Games in California. The couple won four straight United States championships from 1957 through 1960 before their Olympic triumph.
The Boston native, who was known by the nickname "Luddy," went on to coach several Olympians after transitioning into a coaching role. Scott Gregory, an Olympian in 1984 and 1988, was among them.
"Luddy was such a powerful and great man, and everyone looked up to him with such respect," Gregory told Frank. "He was such a great skater and coach that you were almost scared to have a lesson with him because you wanted to do so well for him."
Even after his retirement, he continued to provide guidance for young skaters at the Skating Club of Wilmington in Delaware on the weekends, per Frank.
"I don't know if it was his teaching style as much as his demeanor, but everyone wanted to be coached by Luddy," Peter Bilous, the club's general manager, said. "He just had an attitude on the ice of being a happy-go-lucky guy who always drew the best out of you."
Ludington was inducted in the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1999. He's also a member of the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame and the Professional Skaters Association Hall of Fame as a coach.
US Figure Skating Championships 2020: Final Results for Saturday Events
Jan 25, 2020
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 25: Nathan Chen skates in the Men's Short Program during the 2020 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at Greensboro Coliseum on January 25, 2020 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
The 2020 U.S. Figure Skating Championships returned to the ice inside the Greensboro Coliseum Complex in North Carolina on Saturday.
Nathan Chen finished first in the men's short program for the fourth consecutive year with a dominant performance. The 20-year-old Yale University sophomore topped the table with a 114.13, which broke his own scoring record. The next-closest to Chen was Jason Brown, who notched a 100.99.
Alexa Scimeca Knierim and Christopher Knierim won the pairs free skate championship, while Madison Chock and Evan Bates ended the evening with a victory in the free dance championship.
Below is an overview of Saturday's action.
Men's Short Program Championship
Leaderboard
1. Nathan Chen (114.13)
2. Jason Brown (100.99)
3. Andrew Torgashev (97.87)
4. Vincent Zhou (94.82)
5. Tomoki Hiwatashi (94.21)
6. Aleksei Krasnozhon (80.71)
7. Camden Pulkinen (79.19)
8. Sean Rabbitt (77.71)
9. Yaroslav Paniot (77.10)
10. Jordan Moeller (71.87)
Full results available at U.S. Figure Skating's official website.
Recap
Chen's winning streak since the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics looks likely to continue after his short program.
"Everything felt really calm and really paced," Chen told reporters after his program. "Throughout the program, I felt like I was really in control of everything that I was doing. Yeah, I was really happy with the program that I put out and hopefully I'm able to continue that throughout the rest of the season."
Chen battled through a "two-week cold or flu bug" earlier this month, NBC Sports' Nick Zaccardi relayed, which limited his practice leading up to the championships. Nobody would have known based on how he skated, though—he nailed a quad flip, quad toe-triple toe combination and triple axel.
Chen's excellence overshadowed a solid outing by Brown:
Brown also finished second to Chen last year in the short program.
"How substantial is Chen's lead?" NBC Sports wrote. "No other skater, pair or dance couple has led a U.S. Championships by double digits after a short program since the Code of Points was instituted in 2006. Chen has now done it three times in the last four years."
Chen can become the first man to capture four consecutive national titles since Brian Boitano did so in 1988, per NBC Sports.
Pairs Free Skate Championship
Leaderboard
1. Alexa Knierim and Christopher Knierim (216.15)
2. Jessica Calalang and Brian Johnson (213.57)
3. Tarah Kayne and Danny O'Shea (204.07)
4. Ashley Cain-Gribble and Timothy LeDuc (197.12)
5. Haven Denney and Brandon Frazier (186.25)
Full results available at U.S. Figure Skating's official website.
Recap
Alexa Scimeca Knierim and Christopher Knierim made history Saturday.
According to NBC Sports, the duo became the first American pairs figure skaters to take home three national titles since 2002.
After dazzling during the short program, Christopher Knierim fell in Saturday's skate and put additional pressure on the rest of the routine. Fortunately for the pair, they built a big enough advantage in the short program to edge out their training partners, Jessica Calalang and Brian Johnson.
"I think I was more excited when I saw the results and saw that they got second, and we got first, than when we won," Christopher Knierim said on the broadcast (h/t NBC Sports). "We skate with them every day."
While Calalang and Johnson didn't win, they surpassed 2016 U.S. champions Tarah Kayne and Danny O'Shea. Kayne and O'Shea were solid but unspectacular but at least held off Ashley Cain-Gribble and Timothy LeDuc for the bronze.
Cain-Gribble and LeDuc made a handful of errors, while fifth-place finishers Haven Denney and Brandon Frazier could not overcome a fall.
Free Dance Championship
Leaderboard
1. Madison Chock and Evan Bates (221.86)
2. Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue (217.19)
3. Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker (201.16)
4. Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko (194.16)
5. Caroline Green and Michael Parsons (180.25)
Full results available at U.S. Figure Skating's official website.
Recap
It's been a long journey, but Chock and Bates returned to the top of the podium at the U.S. Championships.
The duo topped defending champions Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue behind a snake-inspired performance to win the title after finishing in second or third place in the last four nationals.
According to NBC Sports, they became the first American skater, couple or pair to go five years between victories at nationals "in many decades."
They also did so in dominant fashion, as the 4.67 points that separated the first- and second-place finishers was the largest since Meryl Davis and Charlie White won at nationals in 2014.
"It feels so good to have it finally realized," Chock said on the broadcast (h/t NBC Sports).
Olympic Figure Skater Morgan Cipres Accused of Sexual Abuse
Dec 10, 2019
Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France perform during the gala exhibition at the ISU European figure skating championships in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
French Olympic pairs figure skater Morgan Cipres is the subject of a U.S. SafeSport sexual abuse investigation after a 13-year-old girl said he sent lewd photos to her over Instagram, per Christine Brennan of USA Today.
The girl and Cipres both trained at AdventHealth Center Ice rink in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Cipres was 26 years old at the time the girl said he sent the photos.
The girl and her parents said after she told Cipres' coaches, John Zimmerman and Silvia Fontana, about the photos, they shamed and threatened her to dissuade reporting the allegations to U.S. SafeSport or other authorities.
The girl and her parents also said another coach at AdventHealth Center Ice, Vinny Dispenza, was involved.
Brennan provided further details:
"On Dec. 3, 2017, Cipres allegedly direct messaged two photos of his penis on Instagram to the girl, who skated at the same rink as Cipres in Wesley Chapel, Fla. USA Today Sports has reviewed those messages, which were sent from what appears to be Cipres’ verified account.
"The girl and her parents said a fourth adult also was involved in the alleged incident. Vinny Dispenza, another coach at the AdventHealth Center Ice rink, allegedly told the girl and another underage girl, whose family could not be reached for comment, to message Cipres asking him to send the photos to the girls in exchange for the promise of a pizza from Dispenza."
Brennan further outlined the girl and her parents' statements regarding Zimmerman and Fontana, who were coaching Cipres in the lead-in to the 2018 Winter Olympics.
"The girl and her parents said that instead of going to police or SafeSport, which opened in March 2017 to investigate sexual abuse in Olympic sports, Zimmerman and Fontana implored them to stay quiet because Cipres and his pairs partner Vanessa James were in the final stages of their preparation for the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, where they finished fifth.
"The girl and her parents allege Zimmerman and Fontana intimidated the girl for several weeks, telling her that she was at fault for receiving the pictures because she was a 'pretty girl and men have their needs,' that no one would believe her and that she would be shamed on social media, particularly in France, where Cipres is popular."
The girl also said that Dispenza told her she would never skate again if she said something.
Dara Bushman, a psychologist who worked with the girl, contacted authorities and the girl's parents after receiving an email on Dec. 30, 2017, regarding the allegation. That message was from the girl's tutor, who outlined the details.
"I did what I was bound to do ethically," Bushman told USA Today. "I contacted the parents. I contacted the authorities. I wanted to make sure the child was safe."
Police spoke with the girl, who did not discuss the details. No charges were filed, and the girl stopped training at AdventHealth Center Ice.
A family friend of the girl reported the incident to SafeSport on Aug. 10.
A spokesperson for Cipres issued remarks on his behalf to Agence France-Presse: "The federation is working with him on this. He has taken on a lawyer and he will not let himself be pushed around."
USA Today also contacted Cipres by phone, and the 28-year-old responded: "I cannot talk with you about anything about that. I mean, I have nothing to say about this allegation. I have nothing, nothing, nothing to say about anything about that so I’m sorry, I cannot talk to you."
Zimmermann and Fontana, who are married, issued a joint statement to USA Today:
“We are completely shocked by the recent allegations made in this article. We were not contacted by SafeSport and there are currently no claims against us. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of safety and professionalism. We deny the allegations and look forward to clearing up this matter which we take very seriously.”
Zimmermann, Fontana and Dispenza all still coach at AdventHealth Center Ice. Cipres continues to train there as well.
US Olympic Figure Skating Coach Richard Callaghan Accused of Sexual Abuse
Aug 10, 2019
TOPSHOT - Close up of USA's Mirai Nagasu skate as she competes in the women's single skating free skating of the figure skating event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the Gangneung Ice Arena in Gangneung on February 23, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images)
U.S. Olympic figure skating coach Richard Callaghan has been accused of sexually abusing Adam Schmidt in a new lawsuit.
Christine Brennan of USA Today reported news of the suit, which was filed in San Diego and says Callaghan abused Schmidt from 1999 to 2001. The lawsuit names USFS and a Detroit skating facility.
Callaghan, 73, was first accused of sexual misconduct by Craig Maurizi in 1999. Maurizi said then that Callaghan began engaging in inappropriate conduct in 1976 when he was 13 years old. He said the pair later had a sexual relationship that lasted from the time Maurizi was 18 until he was 22.
USFS dismissed those complaints when they were first filed in 1999. Maurizi filed a report detailing those allegations again with the U.S. Center for SafeSport in January 2018, which resulted in Callaghan being suspended.
"U.S. Figure Skating does not comment on threatened or pending litigation," USFS said in a statement. "U.S. Figure Skating fully supports all victims of sexual abuse and misconduct and encourages anyone who has been abused or suspects abuse or misconduct to immediately report it to local law enforcement, the U.S. Center for SafeSport or U.S. Figure Skating."
Schmidt says USFS was negligent in its inaction following Maurizi's claims.
"How did this happen?" Schmidt said to ABC News. "Why 20 years ago did everyone know and do nothing? Because if they would have done something then ... I never would have been abused."
Callaghan is most notable for his coaching of Todd Eldredge and Tara Lipinski. He has denied all allegations.
Ashley Wagner Says John Coughlin Sexually Assaulted Her When She Was 17
Aug 1, 2019
Ashley Wagner, of the United States, skates her free program at the World figure skating championships in Helsinki, Finland, on Friday, March 31, 2017. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)
Retired United States Olympic figure skater Ashley Wagner said Thursday that late American figure skater John Coughlin sexually assaulted her in June 2008 when she was 17 years old.
In an interview with Christine Brennan of USA Today, Wagner said Coughlin climbed into her bed following a team party in Colorado Springs, Colorado, before kissing and groping her without her consent. Coughlin was 22 years old at the time.
Coughlin took his own life in January at the age of 33 amid three sexual misconduct allegations against him, including one from former pairs figure skating partner Bridget Namiotka, who said she was a minor when Coughlin sexually abused her.
Wagner said she was "paralyzed in fear" during the assault before grabbing Coughlin's hand and telling him to stop "several minutes" later. Wagner added that Coughlin left the room at that point.
Now 28, Wagner further reflected on what happened that night in June 2008 in anessay forUSA Today: "I now know that regardless of the events of that night, I got into that bed thinking I was safe to just fall asleep. He was the one who took away that safety. I went into that house just wanting to have fun with my friends. He was the one who shattered all of that."
Wagner also discussed what made her come forward 11 years later:
"I didn't really genuinely process what this was until the start of the #MeToo movement. Hearing other women come forward with their stories, it kind of made me reflect on this experience in a completely different manner. I had always felt violated but something within that movement really showed me that I was violated and I did have my safety and comfort taken away from me that night."
U.S. Figure Skating spokeswoman Barbara Reichert expressed support for Wagner on the organization's behalf: "What happened to Ashley should not happen to anyone, period. Ashley is incredibly strong; not just to have the courage to come forward with her story, but to share her experience publicly to help others."
Wagner was among the best female figure skaters in the world during her career. Arguably her biggest accomplishment was winning bronze in the team event at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
She also won three national titles and won silver in the ladies' singles event at the 2016 World Figure Skating Championships.
Wagner said she never discussed the sexual assault with Coughlin prior to his death in January, but decided to file a report with USA Figure Skating in February.
Adam Rippon Defends Figure Skater Mariah Bell After Slashing Controversy
Mar 23, 2019
Mariah Bell of the U.S. performs in the ladies free skating during the ISU World Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, north of Tokyo, Friday, March 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Adam Rippon has come to the defence of American figure skater Mariah Bell after she was cleared of intentionally slashing opponent Eunsoo Lim during the warmups for their routine at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships.
Per Jacob Murtagh of the Mirror, the ISU released a statement that said they saw no intent to harm after reviewing video of the incident. A spokesperson for Lim's agency told theTelegraph(h/t Murtagh) they believed the act was deliberate, accusing Bell of kicking out and stabbing the 16-year-old skater. The spokesperson also said Bell didn't apologise for injuring her opponent.
South Korea's Lim Eun-soo performs during the ladies short program of the figure skating NHK Trophy in Hiroshima on November 9, 2018. (Photo by Martin BUREAU / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images)
Rippon, a former U.S. Olympian, told People.com'sAdam Carlson and Claudia Harmatahe believes the slash was accidental while explaining the likely reason Bell didn't apologise:
"On-ice collisions are not uncommon in figure skating. During the final warm-ups, each skater is allowed one run with their music before the actual competition. As skaters, we are trained to complete that run regardless of what happens so that you can rehearse your full routine. It is also an unwritten rule of skating, that whoever's music is playing during the warm-ups, that skater has the right of way on the ice.
"I have worked with Mariah this past year on her choreography and have trained with her for several years. Both Mariah and Lin Eun-Soo's coach, Rafeal, was also my coach. I can say that bullying was never tolerated in any of our training sessions, nor would Rafael allow it to happen during his watch. Knowing Mariah as a friend and competitor, I also believe she would never intentionally hurt anyone, it is not in her character."
World News Tonight shared more on the incident, noting Lim's representatives have said Bell has bullied the younger skater for months:
U.S. SKATER INJURES RIVAL? American figure skater Mariah Bell has been accused of using her skate blade to attack a rival, with Olympian Adam Rippon speaking up in Bell's defense. @KaynaWhitworth with the details. https://t.co/yA2xy8yC2opic.twitter.com/VKHirwfOv0
Rippon rubbished those claims on Twitter (warning: contains profanity):
This article is click bait. I’ve been to the rink multiple times and NO ONE has been bullying anyone. Stop creating shit and spreading rumors. What happened in the warm up was an accident. Don’t distract both Eunsoo and Mariah from the competition.
The ISU agreed with Rippon, releasing a statement in which they cleared Bell of causing intentional harm:
"Based on the evidence at hand at this point in time, which includes a video, there is no evidence that Ms. Bell intended any harm to Ms. Lim.
"The ISU met with delegates from both USA and Korea and urged both parties to find an amicable solution. The ISU maintains that this remains the appropriate approach.”
The injury didn't stop Lim from competing at the world championships, as she placed fifth in the short program―one spot ahead of the 22-year-old Bell. The American skater would finish one spot ahead in the overall standings, however, as a superior free skate led to a ninth-placed finish.
Olympic champion Alina Zagitova dominated the competition, posting top marks in both programs to win by nearly 13 points.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 27: Nathan Chen competes in the men's championship free skate during the 2019 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at Little Caesars Arena on January 27, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Nathan Chen won back-to-back gold medals at the 2019 Figure Skating Championships on Saturday and topped the scores in the men's free skate to defend his status as the top talent on the planet.
Chen, of the United States, led the scoreboard following the short program, and his pristine free skate stunned as he defended his trophy in style at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
Home crowd favourite Yuzuru Hanyu skated to second place, while the United States also caught the bronze medal after Vincent Zhou rose up to third following the free skate.
Earlier in the day, Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France glided to their fourth ice dancing world championship in five years after finishing strongly in the free dance.
Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue of the United States did enough to sneak onto the podium and take bronze, though the Russian duo of Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov clinched silver.
Visit ISU results to view Saturday's final scoreboards in full.
Recap
In what was an improved skate on the one that netted him gold in Milan last year, Chen sent the Saitama Super Arena into hysterics with his display.
Chen's performance comprised a triple lutz triple toe loop, triple salchow and triple toe, triple toe loop combination, all of which helped build his score to an impressive season's best of 216.02.
The 19-year-old pipped past last year's winning score and ended on 323.42 overall, more than 22 points above silver medallist Hanyu, per commentator Nick McCarvel:
Statz:
--Nathan Chen becomes the first U.S. 🇺🇸 man to successfully defend his #WorldFigure gold since Scott Hamilton in 1983-84. --It's the first time since '96 that two U.S. men are on the worlds podium. --This is a first world medal for Vincent Zhou pic.twitter.com/XhyTmke0SQ
A more refined free skate might have seen Jason Brown keep his place in the top three and become part of an American clean sweep following a season's best in the short program that pulled him up to second. It wasn't to be, though, and a second-round score of 157.34 meant he dropped to ninth.
Elsewhere, Papadakis and Cizeron built on what was a remarkable start in the pairs ice dancing and flourished once more in the free dance to pick up another pair of world championships golds, per McCarvel:
Papadakis/Cizeron win their *FOURTH* #WorldFigure title, closing out a dominant 2018-19.
Hubbell/Donohue bounce back for bronze. Ice dance overall is full of great storylines carrying into next season. Love it pic.twitter.com/v6ojz4W7yV
Their free dance earned a mark of 134.23—at least six points more than any other score handed out—and their overall score ended up leaving daylight between them and the competition.
This was arguably the French pair's most dominant run to the top prize at a world championships so far. Canadian duo Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are the only team to prevent them from winning gold in ice dancing since 2015.
Sinitsina and Katsalapov held second heading into the final day, and Americans Hubbell and Donohue should be pleased with their last-gasp run to seal the bronze. They were the first pair to break the 127-point mark in Saturday's free skate (127.31) and were a little more than one point from silver.
