Oct 19, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Nathan Chen (USA) performs in the menÕs free skate program during the Skate America figure skating competition at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
October 20, 2019
(Reuters) – World champion Nathan Chen claimed his third consecutive victory at the Skate America Grand Prix in Las Vegas on Saturday by putting on a clinic in the free skate.
The 20-year-old American, skating to music by Elton John, earned a prolonged standing ovation from the adoring crowd after his flawless performance.
He did not receive any deductions and posted a technical score of 102.38, together with a presentation mark of 94.
Adding to his score from the short program, Chen recorded a total of 299.09, finishing 45 points clear of the runnerup, fellow American Jason Brown.
Despite his runaway win, Chen kept his feet on the ground afterwards, unlike during much of his performance on the ice.
“Most programs I make mistakes, so there are a few things I want to clean up, continue developing the programs as much as I can,” he said in an interview.
Earlier in the pairs competition, Chinese duo Cheng Peng and Yang Jin scored their first ISU Grand Prix victory.
“We’ve won several silver medals and we’ve been longing for a gold medal,” Peng said.
“We put in a lot of effort and this gold medal is like a new starting point for us and will push us further. Hopefully we’ll win many more.”
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by Ian Ransom)
