U.S. skaters Levito, Tennell lead after short program at season-opening Skate America

Isabeau Levito channelled her inner Holly Golightly in a stylish performance set to music from the film "Breakfast at Tiffany's" on Friday night to lead after the short program at Skate America, the opening event of figure skating's Grand Prix season.

The reigning world silver medallist, wearing a black dress that invoked the character played by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 film by George Axelrod, scored 68.43 points at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, Texas. American teammate Bradie Tennell was second with 66.99 points in her comeback from a broken ankle, while Japan's Rinka Watanabe was third with 66.54 points.

"I'm really glad that I skated well," said the 17-year-old Levito, who endured an up-and-down season a year ago but has matured significantly as she begins to eye the 2026 Winter Olympics. "I'm excited to keep working on this program. I love it."

Levito opened with a triple lutz-triple toe loop, which she slightly under-rotated, and landed a double axel and triple flip later in the program. It was only the second time the former U.S. champion had performed it in competition.

"I'm excited to rest, begin tomorrow a new day, skate clean the way I do in practice and see where it takes me," she said.

WATCH | Levito leads after short program at Skate America:

Isabeau Levito takes the lead on home ice at Skate America

Tennell won lower-level events in Hungary and China ahead of last year's Grand Prix season. But during a relatively routine step sequence in practice, the two-time U.S. champion caught an edge and broke her ankle in the fall. She wound up needing a pair of procedures and spent five months off the ice before finally resuming her training earlier this year.

When she took the ice Friday, it