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LAKE PLACID, New York – Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara dazzled during the free skate to win the Skate America championship on Saturday, securing their spot in the figure skating Grand Prix Final in December.

Finishing second in Friday’s short program, the reigning world champions achieved a season-high 141.57 in the free skate, accumulating a total of 215.99 points in Lake Placid, New York, marking their second consecutive Grand Prix victory this season following their initial win at the Grand Prix de France.

In addition to a minor under-rotation in their combination jump, the pair performed well with their lifts and throws, securing a total that comfortably surpassed the rest of the competitors. Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava from Georgia came in second with 195.73 points, while Canada’s Kelly Ann Laurin and Loucas Ethier took third place with 182.87.

It was an experience where my mental resilience was put to the test by how I bounced back from errors,” Miura stated. “Achieving over 140 points (in the free skate) has increased my self-assurance. I’m truly pleased we have secured a spot in the finals.

Kihara mentioned that the duo managed to “transfer their thoughts” from their inconsistent short program performance.

We’ve taken a step forward,” he said. “It’s very satisfying that I can reach the final in my home region.

In the men’s event, Kazuki Tomono was unable to maintain his leading position from the short program, ultimately securing third place. His challenge diminished as he performed poorly in the free skate, finishing eighth and accumulating a total score of 245.57.

Kevin Aymoz from France secured the victory with a total score of 253.53, placing second in both segments, while Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov came in second with 251.09, leading in the free skate.

Rinka Watanabe from Japan barely took the lead in the women’s short program by successfully performing a triple axel, achieving a personal best score of 74.35, which surpassed American Alysa Liu’s 73.73. A victory for Watanabe would secure her place at the Grand Prix Final in Nagoya.