Neutral athletes Mishina and Galliamov lead at Cup of China

To opening the pair's short program, Anastasia Mushina and Alexander Galyamov. They had new programs choreographed, but given Anastasia's marriage and Alexander's degree through the off-season, electing to return to programs that they used previously from the 2023 season to use them to great success, they may open this event based on their world ranking currently, but they are indisputably contenders to lead the field. Triple Salchow to open the program. Confident, triple twist, no triple flip, dynamic finish position, particularly from Alexander Galyamov as he and Anastasia Mushina open the pair's short program, choreography in a program that they're familiar and comfortable with, and delivery of the seven technical elements with assurity and confidence. All green lights on the top left-hand corner of the screen during that performance indicating positive grades of execution from the judges across all of the elements. Backing that up with level four assigned to so many of the elements, just at level three in the step sequence, but otherwise a glittering report card on the technical element score. And that could very well be competitive for the lead as the event progresses. And their return to the Grand Prix doesn't appear to have any nerves behind it. So much experience. And as I say, the domestic battle that they have maintained with Bykova and Kozlovski. It's kept their competitive spirit sharp as they head towards legendary coach Tamara Moskvina, who she herself continues to perform on occasion in ice shows in her 80s. What will separate this from potentially what happens later will be the grades of execution. So how they sustain that landing position, it's a little shorter. You have to look beyond their excellence to nitpick. Good catch, all four levels achieved on the twist lift. And this, the forward inside death spiral, It will come down now to... The grades of execution and the criteria that the judges have in which to take the high-leveled elements and potentially add more to career pairs, combo spin, kind of get a two-foot dismount, and a little sloppy on occasion, some of the transitional content not as crisp, tight, and sharp, perhaps, but only because it's a team that will be wanting to lead. So it's 74.69. That's over a point above their best score from the Challenger Series.