Above: Photo credit Getty Images
Amber Glenn and Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko are in position to medal after the first day of competition at 2024 Cup of China in Chongqing, China, finishing second and third, respectively.
Coming off her first-ever Grand Prix gold at Grand Prix de France, Glenn looks to remain undefeated on the season. Although she struggled on her first two jumping passes in her performance to "This Time" by Janet Jackson, Glenn finished strong, earning strong marks for her triple loop and claiming Level 4s on each of her three spins and her step sequence.
With a score of 70.84, Glenn sits only 0.02 points behind the leader. The top five skaters in the event are separated by less than two points.
If Glenn wins gold, she can become just the fifth U.S. woman to win two Grand Prix gold medals in a single season and the first since Ashley Wagner in 2012. She also will be skating to lock a spot at the Grand Prix Final on Saturday with a medal of any color guaranteeing her a trip to France.
Ice dancers Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko are also in medal position after the first day of competition, sitting in third with 79.22 points, which is just 0.42 points under their international personal best. Performing to "Rip It Up" and "Long Tall Sally" by Little Richard and "I Just Want to Make Love to You" by Etta James, the two-time Four Continents bronze medalists’ highest scoring element was a midline step sequence that was awarded 11.34 points. Their set of sequential twizzles to open their program also earned a Level 4 distinction.
A medal would mark Carriera and Ponomarenko’s fourth of the season. They also have the opportunity to clinch a place at the Grand Prix Final but would need silver.
Caroline Green and Michael Parsons rank sixth after the rhythm dance. During their skate to "These Boots Are Made for Walking (SILO x Martin Wave Remix)" by The Supremes and Martin Wave and "Soul Bossa Nova" by Quincy Jones, their set of Level 4 sequential twizzles and pattern dance type step sequence contributed over 19 points to their day-one total of 41.67.
In the pairs event, Katie McBeath and Daniil Parkman finished in eighth place with a score of 42.67 going into Saturday’s free skate.
For full results from Cup of China, as well as athlete bios and how to watch information, visit the 2024 Grand Prix Series Competition Central.
