As the chill returns to the air across much of North America, the excitement of the winter sports season begins to build. One of the premier events on the figure skating calendar, Skate America 2024, is officially upon us, marking the start of the prestigious Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. This competition, which features seven international stops, draws the best figure skaters from around the world as they vie for supremacy on the ice.
This year, Skate America takes place in Allen, Texas, just outside of Dallas. The competition serves as the first major event of the 2024-2025 figure skating season, bringing together top talents from the United States and across the globe. For U.S. athletes, Skate America represents a crucial opportunity to perform in front of a home crowd and secure valuable points toward qualification for the Grand Prix Final, set to take place in Grenoble, France, later this year.
In addition to serving as the opening act of the Grand Prix Series, Skate America also offers fans the chance to see rising stars and seasoned champions alike as they battle it out for podium positions. With anticipation running high, here’s everything you need to know about Skate America 2024, including key storylines, viewing options, and a look at the competition schedule.
U.S. Teens in the Spotlight: Malinin, Levito, and Lin-Gracey
One of the major storylines heading into Skate America 2024 is the emergence of young American talent on the international stage. Among the most exciting prospects is Ilia Malinin, a 19-year-old from Virginia who is quickly becoming one of the biggest names in men’s figure skating. Malinin captured the gold medal at the 2023 World Figure Skating Championships, and he is known for pushing the boundaries of the sport with his impressive technical abilities. Most notably, Malinin is the only figure skater in the world to have successfully landed a quadruple Axel in competition, a feat that has cemented his place as a trailblazer in the sport.
Malinin enters Skate America as the two-time defending champion, having won the event in both 2022 and 2023. He will be aiming to secure his third consecutive Skate America title, joining an elite club of skaters who have dominated the competition over the years. Should he succeed, Malinin would become the second man since 2000 to win three straight titles, following in the footsteps of Nathan Chen, who claimed four consecutive Skate America victories between 2017 and 2020.
On the women’s side, 17-year-old Isabeau Levito is the latest American skater to capture the attention of the figure skating world. Levito, who hails from Philadelphia, has quickly risen through the ranks thanks to her elegant style and consistent performances. She finished second at the 2023 World Championships, narrowly missing out on the gold, and is seen as one of the top contenders for the women’s title at Skate America this year.
Levito’s road to the top won’t be easy, however, as she’ll face stiff competition from fellow American Elyce Lin-Gracey, another rising star in the women’s event. Lin-Gracey, also 17, hails from California and has been making waves with her strong performances on the national stage. Having recently outscored Levito at key events in the lead-up to Skate America, Lin-Gracey could emerge as a serious threat for the podium.
Veterans Chock and Bates Aim for Another Skate America Title
While much of the focus will be on the young skaters making their mark at Skate America, there is also plenty of attention being given to the veterans in the competition. One of the most notable pairs in the ice dance event is Madison Chock and Evan Bates, the reigning world champions. The duo has been a dominant force in the sport for years and will be looking to add another Skate America title to their already impressive resume.
Chock and Bates are two-time defending world champions in ice dance, having claimed their most recent title earlier this year. They are also seeking a record-tying fifth Skate America title, a feat that would place them alongside the legendary ice dance team of Tanith White and Ben Agosto, who won five Skate America titles in the 2000s. With their experience and chemistry on the ice, Chock and Bates enter the competition as the favorites in the ice dance event.
Pairs Competition Heats Up: Kam and O’Shea vs. Miura and Kihara
The pairs competition at Skate America 2024 promises to be a thrilling contest as well, with some of the world’s top pairs teams set to compete. The American duo of Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea, the reigning U.S. national champions, will be looking to make their mark on the international stage as they take on a highly competitive field. Kam and O’Shea have shown great promise in recent competitions and will be eager to perform well in front of a home crowd.
However, standing in their way are the 2023 World champions, Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan. Miura and Kihara have been one of the most consistent and dominant pairs teams in recent years, and they’ll be looking to continue their winning ways at Skate America. The clash between the American and Japanese pairs teams will be one of the highlights of the competition, with fans eagerly anticipating a showdown between these talented skaters.
How to Watch Skate America 2024: TV Channels and Streaming Options
For fans eager to catch all the action from Skate America 2024, there are multiple options available for viewing the competition. Skate America will be broadcast on E! throughout the weekend, with additional coverage on NBC on Sunday. This provides viewers with the chance to watch the event on traditional television channels.
However, for those who prefer to stream the event, the entire competition will be available on Peacock, including daily practice sessions. Peacock will offer live streaming of all events, allowing fans to watch the competition in real time. Additionally, portions of the event that are broadcast on E! and NBC will also be available on Fubo, a streaming service that offers a free trial for new subscribers.
For those interested in catching every moment of Skate America, Fubo offers a special promotion where viewers can get their first month for as low as $59.99, which represents a $20 savings. The service allows users to stream over 200 channels of live TV and sports without the need for a traditional cable subscription.
Skate America 2024 Schedule
Here’s a look at the full schedule of events for Skate America 2024 (all times listed in ET):
Friday, October 18, 2024:
- Practice: 12 p.m. (Peacock)
- Pairs Short Program: 7 p.m. (E!, Fubo, Peacock)
- Women’s Short Program: 8:30 p.m. (Peacock)
Saturday, October 19, 2024:
- Practice: 8 a.m. (Peacock)
- Rhythm Dance: 2 p.m. (Peacock)
- Pairs Free Skate: 3:45 p.m. (Peacock)
- Men’s Short Program: 6:15 p.m. (Peacock)
- Men’s Short Program, Women’s Free Skate: 7 p.m. (E!, Fubo, Peacock)
- Women’s Free Skate: 8 p.m. (Peacock)
Sunday, October 20, 2024:
- Practice: 8 a.m. (Peacock)
- Men’s Free Skate: 12 p.m. (NBC, Fubo, Peacock)
- Free Dance: 2 p.m. (E!, Peacock)
- Skating Spectacular Exhibition: 7:45 p.m. (Peacock)
Looking Ahead: The Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series
Skate America is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Following the event in Allen, Texas, the competition will move to six other locations around the world, including Canada, France, Japan, Finland, and China. Each stop will provide skaters with the chance to earn points toward qualification for the Grand Prix Final, which will take place in Grenoble, France, from December 5-8, 2024.
Here’s a look at the full schedule for the 2024 Grand Prix of Figure Skating series:
- October 18-20: Skate America (Allen, Texas)
- October 25-27: Skate Canada (Halifax, Canada)
- November 1-3: Grand Prix de France (Angers, France)
- November 8-10: NHK Trophy (Tokyo, Japan)
- November 15-17: Finlandia Trophy (Helsinki, Finland)
- November 22-24: Cup of China (Chongqing, China)
- December 5-8: Grand Prix Final (Grenoble, France)
With Skate America 2024 marking the official start of the Grand Prix series, fans of figure skating are in for a treat as the world’s best skaters showcase their talents over the next few months. Be sure to tune in to catch all the thrilling action!