Having every shot of winning a gold medal at the Olympic Winter Games – which would be the first Japanese pairs Olympic medal in history – Miura/Kihara planted themselves all summer at their training base in Canada and the decision has bore fruit.
Their new free program demands a lot from Kihara, with four lifts including a powerful finish that ends the skate with Miura hoisted above his head.
Yet in spite of the physically punishing program, Kihara said he is being careful not to overwork himself off the ice as he and Miura now ride into the Grand Prix Series. They are assigned to the Grand Prix de France next month and Skate America in mid-November.
“I tend to do too much so that is one of the things I’m being wary of this season,” he said. “I’m making sure I always consult with the coaches.
“Yes, there were errors but despite that, we’re putting up scores close to what we had at worlds last year. To be able to do that from the first competition of the season means a lot.
“Last season, it all came together for us at worlds but we’re picking up right where we left off so we like to think we can become even better from hereon with each competition.”
Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain le Gac of Canada held on to their overnight lead to win the ice dance over the US pair of Emilea Zingas/Vadym Kolesnik.
Lauriault/Le Gac’s 197.90 total after a free skate of 121.50 allowed them to stay ahead of Zingas/Kolesnik, who finished with a 193.51. Their American compatriots Leah Neset/Artem Markelov came in third (176.27).
There was zero change in order of placings from the short program.