American ice dancers rise to the challenge
Team USA will also be represented by two additional teams in the free dance.
Olympic newcomers Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik sit 6th with 83.53 after continuing their breakout season. The duo medaled at both Grand Prix events, qualified for their first Grand Prix Final, finished second at U.S. Championships, and capped their Olympic buildup with a Four Continents title. Their Romeo and Juliet free dance has been their strongest program all year and could move them further up the standings.
Also advancing are Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, who qualified in 11th (78.15). After making significant late-season changes — including returning to their “Perfume” free dance — the first-time Olympians stabilized their performances at U.S. Nationals to earn their Olympic berth. Ponomarenko, the son of 1992 Olympic champions Marina Klimova and Sergei Ponomarenko, and Carreira, who received U.S. citizenship just weeks before nationals, now get their moment on Olympic ice.
The free dance begins at 1:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Feb. 11, and is streaming on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com, airing on USA Network and NBC.