Christina Carreira
Carreira/Ponomarenko at the 2018 World Junior Championships
Born (2000-04-03) April 3, 2000
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Height1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Figure skating career
CountryUnited States
PartnerAnthony Ponomarenko
CoachScott Moir, Madison Hubbell, Adrián Díaz, Patrice Lauzon
Skating clubSkating Club of New York
Began skating2003
Medal record
Representing  United States
Figure skating: Ice dancing
Four Continents Championships
Bronze medal – third place2022 TallinnIce dancing
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place2018 SofiaIce dancing
Bronze medal – third place2017 TaipeiIce dancing
Junior Grand Prix Final
Silver medal – second place2017–18 NagoyaIce dancing

Christina Carreira (born April 3, 2000) is a Canadian-born ice dancer who competes for the United States. With her skating partner, Anthony Ponomarenko, she is the 2022 Four Continents bronze medalist, the 2018 Rostelecom Cup bronze medalist, an eight-time medalist on the ISU Challenger Series, and a two-time U.S. national medalist.

They are also two-time World Junior medalists (silver in 2018, bronze in 2017), the 2017 JGP Final silver medalists, and the 2018 U.S. national junior champions.

Personal life

Carreira was born on April 3, 2000, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.[1] French is her first language.[2] In spring 2013, she moved to Novi, Michigan, United States.

In May 2018, Carreira filed a petition to be deemed an "alien with extraordinary ability", which would allow her to apply for permanent residency.[3] The petition was denied in August, the decision asserting that her awards "were not directly awarded to you. They were awarded for your performance as part of a sports team…[W]e do not consider such honors to be a nationally or internationally recognized prize or award for excellence in the field of endeavor because it is limited to members of that association and participants of those competitions."[3] She filed a lawsuit in October, describing the conclusions as "entirely irrational".[4] Carreira dropped the lawsuit in early 2019.[5]

Carreira received her American green card in August 2020.[6]

Career

Early years

Carreira began learning to skate in 2003.[1] Her first coach was Yvan Desjardins.[7] She competed with Simon-Pierre Malette-Paquette from 2006 until 2013. The duo won sectional titles from the juvenile level through novice. Representing Quebec, they became the 2012 national champions at the pre-novice level. They placed fifth in the novice ranks at the 2013 Canadian Championships.

2014–2015 season

In April 2014, Carreira teamed up with American ice dancer Anthony Ponomarenko. The two decided to represent the United States. It was Ponomarenko's mother, Marina Klimova, who thought the team would eventually be a good match after seeing Carreira in Lake Placid, NY.[8] Their Junior Grand Prix (JGP) debut came in September 2014; they placed fifth in Ostrava, Czech Republic, and then fourth in Tallinn, Estonia. They finished fifth in the junior event at the 2015 U.S. Championships.[9]

2015–2016 season

Competing in the 2015 JGP series, Carreira/Ponomarenko placed fourth in Riga, Latvia, and then won the silver medal in Toruń, Poland. They received the pewter medal for fourth place at the 2016 U.S. Championships.[9]

2016–2017 season: First Junior World medal

Carreira/Ponomarenko won silver medals at both of their JGP events and finished fourth at the JGP Final, held in December in Marseille, France. In January, they took the silver medal at the 2017 U.S. Championships, having placed third in the short and second in the free.[9] Ranked sixth in the short and third in the free, they won the bronze medal at the 2017 World Junior Championships, which took place in March in Taipei, Taiwan.[8]

2017–2018 season: Junior World Silver

Winning gold at both of their JGP assignments, in addition to the Lake Placid Ice Dance International, Carreira/Ponomarenko capped off 2017 with a second-place finish at the JGP Final, held in December in Nagoya, Japan. The following month they became the new US junior champions at the 2018 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. In March, they won silver at the 2018 World Junior Championships.[9]

2018–2019 season: First Grand Prix medal

Pasquale Camerlengo joined their coaching team ahead of the 2018–2019 season.[10] Making their senior international debut, Carreira/Ponomarenko achieved silver at the 2018 CS U.S. Classic in Salt Lake City, having finished second to Hubbell/Donohue. They won the bronze medal at the 2018 CS Nebelhorn Trophy. For their Grand Prix debut, Carreira/Ponomarenko finished fifth at the 2018 Grand Prix of Helsinki. At their second assignment, they won the bronze medal at the 2018 Rostelecom Cup.[11] Following the conclusion of the Grand Prix, they won the gold medal at the 2018 CS Tallinn Trophy.[9]

Carreira/Ponomarenko concluded their season at the 2019 U.S. Championships, where they placed fifth.[12]

2019–2020 season

Beginning on the Challenger series, Carreira/Ponomarenko won silver for the second consecutive U.S. Classic and a second bronze medal at Nebelhorn Trophy. They won gold at their final Challenger event in November, the Asian Open Trophy, having finished first in both segments.[9]

At their first Grand Prix, the 2019 Skate America, they placed sixth in the rhythm dance after errors on their twizzles. Carreira remarked it was "probably the worst time we have ever performed" the program.[13] They remained in sixth place after the free dance, which Ponomarenko called "redeeming."[14] At their second GP event, the 2019 NHK Trophy, they finished fifth in the rhythm dance, but a lift error in the free dance placed them in seventh in the free and sixth overall.[15]

Carreira/Ponomarenko placed fourth in the rhythm dance at the 2020 U.S. Championships.[16] Fourth in the free dance as well, they would have placed third in that segment but for the invalidation of their choreographic character step sequence due to a violation of the distance requirement. Taking the pewter medal, they stood on the senior national podium for the first time in their careers.[17]

2020–2021 season: Coaching move

Carreira broke her foot during the spring quarantine period in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, though she had recovered by the time the rink reopened in the summer.[18] With the pandemic affecting international travel, Carreira/Ponomarenko were assigned to compete at the 2020 Skate America, attended mainly by dance teams training in the United States.[19] They won the bronze medal.[20]

On January 10, it was announced that they had withdrawn from the 2021 U.S. Championships.[21] Carreira confirmed it was a positive COVID test of a rink mate that caused their withdrawal.[22]

On January 27, Carreira announced on Instagram that she and Ponomarenko would be departing their longtime coach Igor Shpilband.[23] Two weeks later, U.S. Figure Skating announced that Carreira and Ponomarenko would be moving to train at the Ice Academy of Montreal's new Ontario campus in London, Ontario, coached by former Olympic champion Scott Moir.[24]

2021–2022 season: Four Continents bronze

Carreira/Ponomarenko began their season at the 2021 CS Lombardia Trophy, where they placed fourth.[25] They were eighth at the 2021 CS Finlandia Trophy.[26]

On the Grand Prix, Carreira/Ponomarenko placed eighth at the 2021 Skate Canada International.[27] They were fourth after the rhythm dance at the 2021 Internationaux de France, but dropped to fifth overall with a seventh-place free dance after an extended lift deduction.[28]

At the 2022 U.S. Championships, Carreira/Ponomarenko were fifth in the rhythm dance but fell to seventh place after the free dance.[29] They were named to the team for the Four Continents Championships in Tallinn later in January. Third in both segments, they won the bronze medal in their first appearance at a senior championship event. Carreira said they were "happy we're able to end our season with our best free dance, I think. So yes, we're overall really happy, and we want to continue growing into the next quad."[30]

2022–2023 season

Following the conclusion of the 2021–22 season, Ponomarenko required ankle surgery, which delayed their preparations for the coming season. He revealed that he had been suffering ongoing ankle pain since "severely" spraining it in 2015 and developing joint damage. After years of skating through the pain, it had reached the point where "every opinion I heard was: 'Get the surgery.' Since the Olympic quad was over, this was the time to get the surgery done to make sure I'm fully ready for the next four years." While Ponomarenko spent three months recuperating in Colorado Springs, Carreira continued training by herself in London. When they resumed working together in May, retired ice dancers Madison Hubbell and Adrián Díaz joined their coaching team.[31]

Foregoing the Challenger series to start the season, Carreira and Ponomarenko made their season debut on the Grand Prix at the 2022 MK John Wilson Trophy in Sheffield. They placed fourth in both segments and fourth overall, 11.53 points back of Canadian bronze medalists Lajoie/Lagha, their former junior rivals.[32] At the 2022 Grand Prix of Espoo, Carreira/Ponomarenko were third in the rhythm dance, 1.14 points clear of home team Turkkila/Versluis, and described themselves as "really happy with the performances."[33] In the free dance, they slipped to fourth in that segment and fourth overall, being overtaken by the Finns for the bronze medal.[34][35]

Following the Grand Prix, Carreira/Ponomarenko made a belated Challenger appearance, winning gold at the 2022 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb.[36] With presumptive national silver medalists Hawayek/Baker sitting out the 2023 U.S. Championships for health reasons, the national podium was more open than would otherwise have been the case. Considered likely bronze medalists going in, Carreira/Ponomarenko unexpectedly placed fourth in the rhythm dance due to a twizzle error.[37] In the free dance they overtook new team Zingas/Kolesnik for the bronze medal.[38]

As national bronze medalists, they were named to the 2023 Four Continents Championship team, and also as first alternates for the 2023 World Championships, the third berth there having been given to Hawayek/Baker.[39] They placed fourth in the rhythm dance at Four Continents, 2.07 points back of third-place Lajoie/Lagha.[40] Fifth in the free dance, they remained in fourth place, beating domestic rivals Green/Parsons.[41]

On February 24, it was announced that Hawayek/Baker had withdrawn from the World Championships due to continued health problems. As first alternates, Carreira/Ponomarenko were called up to make their Worlds debut.[42] They finished tenth.[9]

2023–2024 season

Starting the season at the 2023 CS Nebelhorn Trophy, Carreira/Ponomarenko came fourth, before winning the silver medal at the 2023 CS Finlandia Trophy.[9] On the Grand Prix, they came fourth at the 2023 Grand Prix de France. Carreira said that despite some technical errors, "we put out two solid performances this weekend that we are proud of."[43] They followed this with a fourth-place finish at the 2023 Grand Prix of Espoo.[44]

Programs

(with Ponomarenko)

Season Rhythm dance Free dance Exhibition
2023–2024
[45]
2022–2023
[46]
2021–2022
[47]
2020–2021
[48]
2019–2020
[49]
2018–2019
[1][50]
Short dance
2017–2018
[51]
2016–2017
[52]
  • Exogenesis: Symphony
    Part 3 (Redemption)
    by Muse
2015–2016
[53]
  • Poursuit
    by Goran Bregović
  • Auscencia
    by Goran Bregović
  • Black Cat, White Cat
    by Goran Bregović
2014–2015
[54]

Competitive highlights

GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

With Ponomarenko

International[9]
Event 14–15 15–16 16–17 17–18 18–19 19–20 20–21 21–22 22–23 23–24
Worlds10th
Four Continents3rd4thTBD
GP Finland5th4th4th
GP France5th4th
GP NHK Trophy6th
GP Rostelecom Cup3rd
GP Skate America6th3rd
GP Skate Canada8th
GP Wilson Trophy4th
CS Asian Trophy1st
CS Finlandia8th2nd
CS Golden Spin1st
CS Lombardia4th
CS Nebelhorn3rd3rd4th
CS U.S. Classic2nd2nd
CS Tallinn Trophy1st
Lake Placid IDI2nd
International: Junior[9]
Junior Worlds3rd2nd
JGP Final4th2nd
JGP Austria1st
JGP Belarus1st
JGP Czech Rep.5th
JGP Estonia4th
JGP France2nd
JGP Latvia4th
JGP Poland2nd
JGP Russia2nd
Lake Placid IDI2nd1st
National[50]
U.S. Champ.5th J4th J2nd J1st J5th4thWD7th3rd
Pacific Coast3rd J1st J
ISP Points Chall.3rd
TBD = Assigned; WD = Withdrew
Levels: J = Junior

With Malette-Paquette

National
Event 2013–14
Canadian Championships5th N
N = Novice level

Detailed results

(with Ponomarenko)

Seniors

ISU personal best scores in the +5/-5 GOE system 
Segment Type Score Event
Total TSS191.552019 CS Asian Open Trophy
Short program TSS78.402019 CS Asian Open Trophy
TES44.882019 CS Asian Open Trophy
PCS33.682019 CS Nebelhorn Trophy
Free skating TSS116.992023 CS Finlandia Trophy
TES66.572023 CS Finlandia Trophy
PCS50.722023 Grand Prix of Espoo
ISU personal best scores in the +3/-3 GOE system 
Segment Type Score Event
Total TSS157.192016 JGP Russia
Short program TSS64.102017 JGP Final
TES33.252016 JGP Belarus
PCS31.512017 JGP Final
Free skating TSS94.152017 World Junior Championships
TES46.112017 World Junior Championships
PCS48.472018 World Junior Championships

Small medals for short and free programs awarded only at ISU Championships. At team events, medals are awarded for team results only. Current ISU personal bests highlighted in bold.

2023–2024 season
Date Event RD FD Total
November 17–19, 2023 2023 Grand Prix of Espoo 4
74.58		 4
114.18		 4
188.76
November 3–5, 2023 2023 Grand Prix de France 4
72.94		 4
113.76		 4
186.70
October 6–8, 2023 2023 CS Finlandia Trophy 2
74.15		 3
116.99		 2
191.14
September 20–23, 2023 2023 CS Nebelhorn Trophy 6
65.82		 4
112.09		 4
177.91
2022–23 season
Date Event RD FD Total
March 22–26, 2023 2023 World Championships 10
75.24		 11
114.86		 10
190.10
February 7–12, 2023 2023 Four Continents Championships 4
76.97		 5
112.81		 4
189.78
January 23–29, 2023 2023 U.S. Championships 4
77.37		 3
121.08		 3
198.45
December 7–10, 2022 2022 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb 2
76.54		 1
114.77		 1
191.31
November 25–27, 2022 2022 Grand Prix of Espoo 3
76.20		 4
112.60		 4
188.80
November 11–13, 2022 2022 MK John Wilson Trophy 4
75.00		 4
112.42		 4
187.42
2021–22 season
Date Event RD FD Total
January 18–23, 2022 2022 Four Continents Championships 3
69.35		 3
106.32		 3
175.67
January 3–9, 2022 2022 U.S. Championships 5
77.90		 7
107.92		 7
185.82
November 19–21, 2021 2021 Internationaux de France 4
70.74		 7
105.17		 5
175.91
October 29–31, 2021 2021 Skate Canada International 8
68.96		 8
99.80		 8
168.76
October 7–10, 2021 2021 CS Finlandia Trophy 6
72.36		 8
105.91		 8
178.27
September 10–12, 2021 2021 CS Lombardia Trophy 4
69.08		 6
103.70		 4
172.78
2020–21 season
Date Event RD FD Total
October 23–24, 2020 2020 Skate America 3
78.63		 3
107.15		 3
185.78
2019–20 season
Date Event RD FD Total
January 20-26, 2020 2020 U.S. Championships 4
78.02		 4
116.14		 4
194.16
November 22–24, 2019 2019 NHK Trophy 5
75.25		 7
107.01		 6
182.26
Oct. 30 – Nov. 3, 2019 2019 CS Asian Trophy 1
78.40		 1
113.15		 1
191.55
October 18–20, 2019 2019 Skate America 6
70.41		 6
110.14		 6
180.55
September 25–28, 2019 2019 CS Nebelhorn Trophy 2
76.99		 4
113.43		 3
190.35
September 17–22, 2019 2019 CS U.S. International Classic 2
77.18		 2
111.29		 2
188.47
2018–19 season
Date Event RD FD Total
January 19–27, 2019 2019 U.S. Championships 4
75.23		 5
114.78		 5
190.01
Nov. 26 – Dec. 2, 2018 2018 CS Tallinn Trophy 2
69.58		 1
110.64		 1
180.22
November 16–18, 2018 2018 Rostelecom Cup 2
69.01		 3
105.20		 3
174.21
November 2–4, 2018 2018 Grand Prix of Helsinki 4
66.93		 5
100.35		 5
167.28
September 26–29, 2018 2018 CS Nebelhorn Trophy 3
69.56		 3
107.93		 3
177.49
September 12–16, 2018 2018 CS U.S. International Classic 2
68.61		 2
105.43		 2
174.04

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Christina CARREIRA / Anthony PONOMARENKO: 2018/2019". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on September 29, 2018.
  2. ↑ Walker, Elvin (June 15, 2017). "Ponomarenko Continues a Family Tradition". IFS Magazine. Archived from the original on May 24, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  3. 1 2 Keshner, Andrew (October 23, 2018). "Gold medal-winning ice skater sues over U.S. authorities' refusal to deem her 'extraordinary'". MarketWatch.
  4. ↑ "Carreira-v-USCIS-Complaint" (PDF). October 21, 2018.
  5. ↑ Radnofsky, Louise (December 11, 2019). "Athletes Seeking Green Cards Find Proving They're Exceptional Has Gotten Tougher Under Trump". The Wall Street Journal.
  6. ↑ Kany, Klaus-Reinhold (October 26, 2020). "2020 Skate America Dance". Ice Skating International.
  7. ↑ Carreira, Christina (March 14, 2017). "Taipei 101: Carreira explores junior worlds host city". IceNetwork.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2018.
  8. 1 2 Slater, Paula (1 September 2017). "Carreira and Ponomarenko eye 2018 Junior World podium". Golden Skate.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Competition Results: Christina CARREIRA / Anthony PONOMARENKO". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on October 2, 2018.
  10. ↑ Harris, Colette A. (September 27, 2018). "Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko Take Strong Chemistry Into Senior Ranks". U.S. Figure Skating.
  11. ↑ Slater, Paula (November 17, 2018). "Stepanova and Bukin win second consecutive Grand Prix Gold at Rostelecom Cup". Golden Skate.
  12. ↑ Mammoser, Scott (January 27, 2019). "Hubbell and Donohue defend U.S. ice dance title". Golden Skate.
  13. ↑ Slater, Paula (October 19, 2019). "Hubbell and Donohue: 'We have so much progress to make'". Golden Skate.
  14. ↑ Slater, Paula (October 20, 2019). "Hubbell and Donohue win second consecutive Skate America gold". Golden Skate.
  15. ↑ Slater, Paula (November 23, 2019). "Papadakis and Cizeron take NHK Trophy gold with record scores". Golden Skate.
  16. ↑ Slater, Paula (January 24, 2020). "Chock and Bates dance to lead in Greensboro". Golden Skate.
  17. ↑ Slater, Paula (January 26, 2020). "Chock and Bates reclaim U.S. National title in Ice Dance". Golden Skate.
  18. ↑ Sausa, Christie (October 12, 2020). "Carreira and Ponomarenko Look to Leave It All on the Ice at Skate America". U.S. Figure Skating.
  19. ↑ "2020 Skate America". International Figure Skating. October 20, 2020. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  20. ↑ Slater, Paula (October 26, 2020). "Hubbell and Donohue defend Skate America title for third consecutive win". Golden Skate.
  21. ↑ "Entries to the 2021 Toyota US Figure Skating Championships" (PDF). USFSA. January 10, 2021.
  22. ↑ Carreira, Christina (January 10, 2021). "We have been very diligent and careful..." (Instagram). Archived from the original on 2021-12-24.
  23. ↑ Carreira, Christina (January 27, 2021). "We would like to thank Igor, Pasquale, Adrienne, Natalia, and our entire coaching team in Novi for all the work they've done to get us to the point we are at now" (Instagram). Archived from the original on 2021-12-24.
  24. ↑ "Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko Announce Coaching Change". U.S. Figure Skating. February 2, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Lombardia Trophy 2021". Federazione Italiana Sport del Ghiaccio.
  26. ↑ Dean, Taylor (October 10, 2021). "Team USA Collects Six Medals in Finland and Austria". U.S. Figure Skating.
  27. ↑ Slater, Paula (October 31, 2021). "Gilles and Poirier win second consecutive Skate Canada title". Golden Skate.
  28. ↑ Slater, Paula (November 20, 2021). "Papadakis and Cizeron take 12th Grand Prix gold in France". Golden Skate.
  29. ↑ Slater, Paula (January 9, 2022). "Chock and Bates edge out teammates for U.S. title". Golden Skate.
  30. ↑ Slater, Paula (January 21, 2022). "Green and Parsons feel 'incredible' after Four Continents win". Golden Skate.
  31. ↑ Claire, Cloutier (November 21, 2022). "Carreira and Ponomarenko Ready for a Reset". U.S. Figure Skating.
  32. ↑ Slater, Paula (November 13, 2022). "Guignard and Fabbri dominate Ice Dance in Sheffield". Golden Skate.
  33. ↑ "Confident and cool Gilles/Poirier (CAN) set personal best to win Espoo Rhythm Dance". International Skating Union. November 25, 2022.
  34. ↑ "Ice Dancers Gilles/Poirier (CAN) cruise to gold while Turkkila/Versluis take first Grand Prix medal for Finland". International Skating Union. November 26, 2022.
  35. ↑ Slater, Paula (November 26, 2022). "Gilles and Poirier epic in Espoo". Golden Skate.
  36. ↑ "Team USA Wraps up Challenger Series with Seven Medals at Golden Spin of Zagreb". U.S. Figure Skating. December 10, 2022.
  37. ↑ Walker, Elvin (January 27, 2023). "Knierim and Frazier, Levito, Chock and Bates Take First Step Toward Gold". U.S. Figure Skating.
  38. ↑ Flett, Ted (January 28, 2023). "Chock and Bates repeat as US Champions". Golden Skate.
  39. ↑ "U.S. Figure Skating Names Ice Dance and Pairs World, World Junior and Four Continents Team Selections". U.S. Figure Skating. January 29, 2023.
  40. ↑ Dombrowski, Judith (February 10, 2023). "Chock and Bates dance to personal best". Golden Skate.
  41. ↑ Dombrowski, Judith (February 12, 2023). "Chock and Bates win third Four Continents title". Golden Skate.
  42. ↑ "Kaitlin Hawayek, Jean-Luc Baker to miss world figure skating championships". NBC Sports. February 24, 2023.
  43. ↑ Slater, Paula (November 4, 2023). "Guignard and Fabbri defend Grand Prix de France title". Golden Skate. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  44. ↑ Slater, Paula (November 18, 2023). "Chock and Bates take second consecutive Grand Prix gold". Golden Skate. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  45. ↑ "Christina CARREIRA / Anthony PONOMARENKO: 2023/2024". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023.
  46. ↑ "Christina CARREIRA / Anthony PONOMARENKO: 2022/2023". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on November 11, 2022.
  47. ↑ "Christina CARREIRA / Anthony PONOMARENKO: 2021/2022". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on August 31, 2021.
  48. ↑ "Christina CARREIRA / Anthony PONOMARENKO: 2020/2021". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020.
  49. ↑ "Christina CARREIRA / Anthony PONOMARENKO: 2019/2020". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on September 29, 2018.
  50. 1 2 "Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko". U.S. Figure Skating. Archived from the original on October 2, 2018.
    "Earlier versions". IceNetwork.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2018.
  51. ↑ "Christina CARREIRA / Anthony PONOMARENKO: 2017/2018". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 5, 2018.
  52. ↑ "Christina CARREIRA / Anthony PONOMARENKO: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 21, 2017.
  53. ↑ "Christina CARREIRA / Anthony PONOMARENKO: 2015/2016". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 27, 2016.
  54. ↑ "Christina CARREIRA / Anthony PONOMARENKO: 2014/2015". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015.
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