U.S. Figure Skating Championships Kick Off in Wichita with Top Talent

WICHITA, Kan. — The 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships commenced this week in Wichita, Kansas, featuring a star-studded lineup of national and world champions. The event, broadcast live on NBC Sports and USA Network, showcases top skaters including Ilia Malinin, Amber Glenn, and ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates.

Ilia Malinin, the reigning men’s national champion, aims for a historic three-peat after remaining undefeated for over a year. Malinin, who turned 20 in December, is fresh off a dominant performance at the Grand Prix Final. Meanwhile, ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates seek their fourth consecutive U.S. title, which would tie the record held by Olympic gold medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White.

Amber Glenn, the defending women’s singles champion, enters the competition after an undefeated fall Grand Prix Series. Her victory at the Grand Prix Final marked the most significant achievement for a U.S. women’s skater since 2010. In pairs, Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea, last year’s national champions, look to solidify their status as one of the world’s top teams.

The championships also mark the return of Alysa Liu, the youngest U.S. champion in history, who retired in 2022 but made a stunning comeback this season. Liu delivered a standout short program, scoring 76.36 points and taking the lead over Bradie Tennell and Amber Glenn. “I was emotional from the very beginning to the end,” Liu said. “I felt very connected to the ice.”

In pairs, Kam and O’Shea dominated the short program with a score of 77.19, placing them well ahead of second-place Emily Chan and Spencer Howe. The event serves as a critical qualifier for the 2025 World Championships in Boston and the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics.

The competition continues through Sunday, with live coverage on Peacock, USA Network, and NBC. The U.S. team for the World Championships will be announced following the event.