“The most important goal of the season is the Olympic Games,” Kozlovskiy said. “Step by step, we have to move forward. This is our first step on our way.”

The top three teams kicked off the first Grand Prix event of the Olympic figure skating season with clean skates, with the exception of the final element for both ROC pairs. Tarasova put her foot down on a throw triple loop while Boikova and Kozlovskiy’s “Swan Lake” performance had a shaky throw triple flip.

WATCH | ROC’s Tarasova, Morozov lead pairs in short program at Skate America:

Tarasova, Morozov lead pairs event at Skate America

Russia’s Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov score 80.36 in the short program at Skate America. 5:53

With reigning world champions Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov not assigned to Skate America, the ROC are quickly proving they are favoured to have at least one team on the Olympic podium in Beijing in 3 1/2 months.

U.S. teams placed fourth, fifth and seventh on the first day of competition. Olympian Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier, who teamed up last year, were within four points of the podium. They won Skate America in 2020 when it was a mostly domestic competition due to the pandemic.

Canadian pairing Evelyn Walsh and Trennt Michaud scored 54.03 to finish in eighth place.

WATCH | Canada’s Walsh, Michaud finish 8th in short program at Skate America:

Canada’s Walsh, Michaud sit in 8th place after Skate America short program

Canadian pair Evelyn Walsh and Trennt Michaud scored 54.03 in the short program at Skate America. 6:14