Cup of China 2026, the program's best Composition mark so far. Video on YouTube.
Elements
Cup of China 2026, rhythm dance · 5 elements · 43.94 technical points- 1CiStW2+CiStM1Circular step sequence No. 3 of 33 this season7.21+3.1410.35
- 2SqTwW3+SqTwM4Sequential twizzles No. 1 of 30 this season6.97+2.409.37
- 31GW1+kpNNNYPattern dance element, Golden Waltz No. 3 of 30 this season7.45+2.409.85
- 4CDE4Choreographic dance element No. 2 of 30 this season5.75+1.116.86
- 5RoLi4Rotational lift No. 1 of 26 this season5.45+2.067.51
Points are the base value plus the GOE, the judges' mean grade of execution without the highest and lowest mark. Each square is one judge's grade, -5 to +5. ★ marks an execution among the season's five best of its kind, out of at least 10. ◆ marks an element at most three teams skate this season and worth at least the usual base value of its kind.
About the program
Davis and Smolkin took the most literal route through the Rhythm and Waltz theme: "Vivo Tango" for the rhythm and Nicholas Britell's "Waltz Tango" for the waltz, so tango colors both halves.
At Cup of China it scored 79.31, second and 0.69 behind Fear/Gibson, with a 9.00 composition mark. The rotational lift and choreo element hit level 4, while the Golden Waltz managed level 1, with one of four key points. Smolkin said they were proud of the first day.
That gap fed r/FigureSkating debate. Some fans felt tangos look out of place in a waltz season and questioned 35 in components for a level 1 pattern in Angers. Others called the rotational lift the viral moment the ISU keeps chasing.
- Glitz, Glamour and Gold for Fear and Gibson at Cup of China (Golden Skate)
- Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron defend Grand Prix de France ice dance title (Golden Skate)
- ISU biography: Diana Davis / Gleb Smolkin
- r/FigureSkating: GPdF Rhythm Dance post event discussion
- r/FigureSkating: Cup of China Rhythm Dance post event discussion
