US champs Hubbell-Donohue win rhythm dance at Classic

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — U.S. ice dance champions Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue won the rhythm dance portion of the U.S. International Classic on Friday night.

The world silver medalists who finished fourth at this year’s Olympics earned 79.11 points.

“We’re reaching a new level in our partnership. It’s fun to play with the dynamics of a new program in competition. More so than the points, we were focused on being one on the ice and feeling each other while creating our own moment,” Donohue said.

Hubbell and Donohue led fellow Americans Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, who scored 68.61 points, and Canadians Haley Sales and Nikolas Wamsteeker, who earned 54.11 points. The free dance is Saturday.

2018 world bronze winner Satoko Miyahara of Japan held a slight edge over the rest of the field in the women’s short program, scoring 67.53 points. Miyahara struggled on a triple lutz-triple toe loop combination and a triple flip.

South Korea’s Lim Eunsoo was second with 64.85 points. Canada’s Gabrielle Daleman, who won team gold in Pyeongchang, was third with 63.28 points.

The women’s free skate also is Saturday.

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