The Japanese pair of Nagaoka Yuna and Moriguchi Sumitada surged into second with 71.95, shifting firmly into podium place due to a balanced efficiency that paired sturdy technical content material (39.54) with polished elements (32.41).
Proper on their heels are the US’ nationwide champions Alisa Efimova/Misha Mitrofanov, who posted a new season’s greatest 71.85 to leap into third.
China nonetheless has a second group in the combo, with Zhang Jiaxuan/Huang Yihang presently fourth on 69.05 after impressing with athletic components — notably their triple twist and throw triple flip — to maintain themselves inside placing distance of the rostrum.
With lower than three factors separating second by means of fourth, the pairs free skate, scheduled for Saturday 24 January is shaping up for an exhilarating end as Sui/Han try to carry off the chasing pack.
Pairs – Short program outcomes
- Sui Wenjing / Han Cong (CHN) – 76.02
- Nagaoka Yuna / Moriguchi Sumitada (JPN) – 71.95
- Alisa Efimova / Misha Mitrofanov (USA) – 71.85
- Zhang Jiaxuan / Huang Yihang (CHN) – 69.05
- Kelly Ann Laurin / Loucas Ethier (CAN) – 65.68
- Audrey Shin / Balazs Nagy (USA) – 63.11
*Full official detailed outcomes here
