LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — Jason Brown put on a master class in performance in the men’s free skate, drawing the loudest applause of the night with his lyrical program to Say Something by Jacob Banks. Skating with seamless flow and clean, deliberate execution, Brown posted 156.90 in the free (with program component scores of 86.54, the highest of the night) and finished 4th overall with 239.59. The 30-year-old American again proved that deep edges, precision turns, and musical nuance can hang with quad-heavy arsenals — his closing step sequence had the Herb Brooks Arena on its feet.

Though Brown doesn’t include quadruple jumps, his performance reminded fans and judges why he remains among skating’s elite. Returning to Skate America for the sixth time and the first in Lake Placid, the two-time U.S. silver medalist showcased the balance, maturity, and storytelling that make him a contender for a third Olympic berth in 2026.

At the top of the podium, Kevin Aymoz completed a deeply-meaningful weekend, winning gold with 253.53 after placing second in both segments. Skating to Bolero, the six-time French champion blended intensity and control, capping a comeback arc that has included candid discussions of mental-health struggles. After battling a left-foot injury and a tenth-place finish at Skate Canada, Aymoz arrived in Lake Placid unsure of his form. Instead, he left with his first Skate America title.

Mikhail Shaidorov uncorked the night’s biggest free skate, scoring 161.42 points to surge to the silver medal with 251.09. The 2025 world silver medalist hit his power elements with high base values in the second half to overtake early leaders. 

Kazuki Tomono, first after the short, battled multiple errors in the free skate, coming in 8th in that segment but holding on for bronze at 245.57. Tomono's performance shows the depth of Japan's roster of skaters heading toward the Olympic season.

Behind Brown’s 4th, the chase pack shuffled after the short program. Italy’s Daniel Grassl delivered commitment to his Conclave program for 152.76 in the free skate and 236.44 overall, ending up in 5th place. Vladimir Litvintsev of Azerbaijan attacked with speed and power for 231.84 points and 6th place overall. Nikolaj Memola crafted long, elegant lines in Scheherazade to finish 7th overall with 231.02 points.

Japan’s Tatsuya Tsuboi showed fight through a jump-heavy layout to place 8th overall (228.03), while American Liam Kapeikis continued his steady rise, hitting key jumping passes for 140.01 in the free and 214.29 overall concluding his second Skate America Grand Prix in 9th. France’s Luc Economides and China’s Daiwei Dai each logged valuable Grand Prix mileage. Italy’s Corey Circelli brought theatrical flair to Pagliacci and finished 12th overall with 190.55 points.

The 2025 Saatva Skate America concludes with the women's free skate and the ice dance free dance on Saturday streaming live on Peacock and airing at 3 p.m. on E! and NBC.