Skate America 2025 brought the International Skating Union Grand Prix series to the historic Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, New York. Running from November 14 to November 16, 2025, the competition served as a crucial proving ground for international contenders aiming for the Grand Prix Final. Fans packed the Adirondacks venue to watch elite singles, pairs, and ice dance competitors battle for early-season supremacy.
The competition delivered standout performances, dramatic shifts in standings, and emotional victories on historic ice. From Kévin Aymoz breaking through in the men's division to Alysa Liu commanding the women's podium, the event set a high benchmark for the competitive season.
Event Overview and Historic Venue
Lake Placid welcomed back the premier competition for the sixth time in its history. The Herb Brooks Arena, famous for the 1980 "Miracle on Ice," provided an intimate, tradition-rich backdrop. Official practice sessions kicked off on November 13, followed by three intense days of short programs, rhythm dances, and free skates.
The event carried immense weight for skaters balancing new technical requirements and program components. Because it marked the fifth stop of the Grand Prix circuit, athletes needed strong placements to secure enough qualifying points for the final showdown.
Men's Singles: Aymoz Claims Emotional Gold
France's Kévin Aymoz delivered a career-defining performance to capture the men's singles title. Aymoz earned a total score of 253.53, overcoming a tough outing earlier in the season to secure the gold medal.
- Gold: Kévin Aymoz (France) — 253.53
- Silver: Mikhail Shaidorov (Kazakhstan) — 251.09
- Bronze: Kazuki Tomono (Japan) — 245.57
Aymoz executed a brilliant free skate that scored 159.97, allowing him to edge out Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov. Shaidorov posted the highest free skate score of the day with 161.42, climbing onto the second step of the podium. Japan's Kazuki Tomono, who led after the short program with a score of 95.77, finished with the bronze medal after a fluctuating free skate. U.S. veteran Jason Brown finished fourth with a total of 239.59, entertaining fans with his trademark skating skills and consistency.
Women's Singles: Alysa Liu Leads the Field
The women's event featured fierce international rivalry, with American skater Alysa Liu claiming the top spot on home ice. Liu finished with a total score of 214.27, using a stellar free skate score of 140.54 to secure the gold medal.
- Gold: Alysa Liu (United States) — 214.27
- Silver: Rinka Watanabe (Japan) — 210.96
- Bronze: Anastasiia Gubanova (Georgia) — 204.69
Japan's Rinka Watanabe claimed the silver medal with 210.96 points, winning the short program segment with clean technical elements. Anastasiia Gubanova of Georgia rounded out the podium in third place, edging out Italy's Lara Naki Gutmann by a razor-thin margin of just four-tenths of a point.
Pair Skating: Miura and Kihara Secure Title
Japan's Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara dominated the pairs division, earning their second consecutive Skate America gold medal.
- Gold: Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara (Japan) — 215.99
- Silver: Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava (Georgia) — 195.73
- Bronze: Kelly Ann Laurin and Loucas Éthier (Canada) — 182.87
Miura and Kihara totaled 215.99 points, demonstrating superior unison and difficult throw elements. Georgia's Metelkina and Berulava held onto the silver medal despite a rough error on a lift during the free skate. Canada's Kelly Ann Laurin and Loucas Éthier delivered a clean performance to claim the bronze medal.
Ice Dance: Chock and Bates Shine
World champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates delivered a masterclass in the ice dance event, capturing gold by a comfortable 15-point margin.
- Gold: Madison Chock and Evan Bates (United States)
- Silver: Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha (Canada)
- Bronze: Evgeniia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud (France)
Chock and Bates utilized intricate choreography developed with Antonio Najarro to earn their fifth career Skate America gold medal. Canada's Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha earned the silver medal with consistent, dynamic programs, while France's Evgeniia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud took home the bronze.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Skate America 2025 held?
The event took place at the Herb Brooks Arena located within the Lake Placid Olympic Center in Lake Placid, New York.
Who won the women's singles event at Skate America 2025?
Alysa Liu of the United States won the gold medal in the women's singles category, followed by Japan's Rinka Watanabe in second and Georgia's Anastasiia Gubanova in third.
How many times has Lake Placid hosted Skate America?
Lake Placid has hosted Skate America six times in total, with the 2025 event marking the first time the venue welcomed the competition since 2017.
What is the ISU Grand Prix series?
The International Skating Union Grand Prix of Figure Skating is a tier of elite international senior-level competitions consisting of six events and a concluding final.
