Chen charges ahead with Michael Jackson short (9/3/15)

Chen charges ahead with Michael Jackson short

Team USA's Weinberg, Fernandez take slim lead at JGP Colorado Springs

Posted 9/3/15 by U.S. Figure Skating

Team USA's Nathan Chen moonwalked his way through his Michael Jackson short, earning a personal-best score of 77.13 (also believed to be the highest men's short program score ever recorded in the Junior Grand Prix Series). The five-time JGP medalist effortlessly landed all of his jumps -- triple axel, triple lutz-triple toe and triple flip -- to take a double-digit lead on the competition. -Daphne Backman

The Junior Grand Prix (JGP) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, got underway on Thursday with the men's and pairs short programs, as Team USA skaters took leads in both disciplines.

Men's

Nathan Chen's goal for the 2015-16 season is to stay healthy and competitive. If he carries momentum from Thursday's nearly perfect short program into the free skate, he will be off to a good start.

"My second year of JGP was pretty good," Chen said. "But the other years in between have been rough. I just want to have a clean, healthy season."

Chen, who has competed on the JGP circuit since 2012, earned 77.13 points, easily his personal-best short program score. (It also is believed to be the highest ever short recorded at a JGP.) His Michael Jackson short earned positive Grades of Execution (GOEs) on all seven of its technical elements, including both the triple lutz-triple toe combination and triple flip in the second half.

"It felt awesome," Chen said. "Finally, I'm feeling good, and I'm happy I was able to do that."

Taking a 12-point lead into the free skate, Chen trained at the adjoining World Arena Ice Hall for the last several weeks to prepare for competition at 6,200 feet above sea level.

"It definitely helps, but the altitude is still a struggle even though I've been here for a bit," Chen said.

Japan's Sota Yamamoto, the reigning JGP Final silver medalist and world junior bronze medalist, sits in second place after his 65.11-point short. His performance was highlighted by an excellent triple lutz-triple toe combination.

Team USA's Anthony Boucher, who lives and trains just outside of Denver in Westminster, Colorado, sits in third place with 62.32 points. Boucher's teammate, Tomoki Hiwatashi, is in sixth place with a score of 59.84.