Wagnar leads the way at Skate America

Skate America is the first of six events in the series with skaters competing for points to qualify for the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.

And Wagnar scored 69.50 points to take the lead after the short program, with Mai Mihara of Japan second and American Gracie Gold sitting third.

Seventeen-year-old Mihara scored a new personal best of 65.75 to keep the pressure on Wagnar, while American champion Gold earned 64.87 points. After the ladies it was the turn of the pairs to get their campaigns underway, with Russians Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov skating into the lead.

The European bronze medallists achieved a new personal best with a score of 75.24 points and hold a healthy lead heading into the free skate.

Americans Haven Denney and Brandon Frazier are second on 67.29 points – also a personal best – while Julianne Seguin and Charlie Bilodeau of Canada are third with a score of 66.49.

© Sportsbeat 2016