Christina Carreira

Christina Carreira
File:Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko at the 2018 World Junior Championships.jpg Carreira/Ponomarenko at the 2018 World Junior Championships
Personal information
Country represented	United States
Former country(ies) represented	Canada
Born	(2000-04-03) April 3, 2000 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Residence	Farmington Hills, Michigan, United States
Height
Partner	Anthony Ponomarenko
Former partner	Simon-Pierre Malette-Paquette
Coach	Scott Moir, Madison Hubbell, Adrián Díaz, Patrice Lauzon
Former coach	Igor Shpilband, Pasquale Camerlengo, Greg Zuerlein, Fabian Bourzat, Yvan Desjardins
Choreographer	Marie-France Dubreuil, Madison Hubbell, Adrián Díaz
Former choreographer	Igor Shpilband, Pasquale Camerlengo
Skating club	Skating Club of New York
Training locations	London, Ontario
Former training locations	Novi, Michigan Montreal, Quebec
Began skating	2003
ISU personal best scores
Combined total	191.55 2019 CS Asian Trophy
Short dance	78.40 2019 CS Asian Trophy
Free dance	116.99 2023 CS Finlandia Trophy
Medal record Representing United States Figure skating: Ice dancing Four Continents Championships 2022 Tallinn Ice dancing World Junior Championships 2018 Sofia Ice dancing 2017 Taipei Ice dancing Junior Grand Prix Final 2017–18 Nagoya Ice 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. French is her first language. 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. 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." She filed a lawsuit in October, describing the conclusions as "entirely irrational". Carreira dropped the lawsuit in early 2019.

Carreira received her American green card in August 2020.

Career

Early years

Carreira began learning to skate in 2003. Her first coach was Yvan Desjardins. 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. 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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

2018–2019 season: First Grand Prix medal

Pasquale Camerlengo joined their coaching team ahead of the 2018–2019 season. 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. Following the conclusion of the Grand Prix, they won the gold medal at the 2018 CS Tallinn Trophy.

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

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.

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. They remained in sixth place after the free dance, which Ponomarenko called "redeeming." 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.

Carreira/Ponomarenko placed fourth in the rhythm dance at the 2020 U.S. Championships. 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.

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. 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. They won the bronze medal.

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

On January 27, Carreira announced on Instagram that she and Ponomarenko would be departing their longtime coach Igor Shpilband. 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.

2021–2022 season: Four Continents bronze

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

On the Grand Prix, Carreira/Ponomarenko placed eighth at the 2021 Skate Canada International. 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.

At the 2022 U.S. Championships, Carreira/Ponomarenko were fifth in the rhythm dance but fell to seventh place after the free dance. 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."

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.

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. 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." In the free dance, they slipped to fourth in that segment and fourth overall, being overtaken by the Finns for the bronze medal.

Following the Grand Prix, Carreira/Ponomarenko made a belated Challenger appearance, winning gold at the 2022 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb. 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. In the free dance they overtook new team Zingas/Kolesnik for the bronze medal.

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. They placed fourth in the rhythm dance at Four Continents, 2.07 points back of third-place Lajoie/Lagha. Fifth in the free dance, they remained in fourth place, beating domestic rivals Green/Parsons.

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. They finished tenth.

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. 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." They followed this with a fourth-place finish at the 2023 Grand Prix of Espoo.

Programs

(with Ponomarenko)

Season	Rhythm dance	Free dance	Exhibition
2023–2024	Whole Lotta Trouble Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks choreo. by Marie-France Dubreuil, Scott Moir, Madison Hubbell and Adrián Díaz	The Girl With The Plums (from Perfume: The Story of a Murderer) by Tom Tykwer, Johnny Klimek, Reinhold Heil Strictly Taboo Deceit and Betrayal by Audiomachine Meeting Laura (from Perfume: The Story of a Murderer) by Tom Tykwer, Johnny Klimek, Reinhold Heil choreo. by Marie-France Dubreuil, Scott Moir, Madison Hubbell and Adrián Díaz
2022–2023	Samba: Kind of Latin Rhythm by The JuJu Orchestra Rhumba: (Where Do I Begin?) Love Story by Francis Lai & Carl Sigman performed by Shirley Bassey Samba: Samba (Brazil305 remix) by Gloria Estefan choreo. by Marie-France Dubreuil, Madison Hubbell and Adrian Diaz	Rainy Streets Public Disquiet (from Backbone) by Danshin & Arooj Summertime (from Porgy and Bess) by George Gershwin performed by Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald Summertime (from Porgy and Bess) by George Gershwin performed by 101 Strings Orchestra choreo. by Marie-France Dubreuil, Madison Hubbell and Adrian Diaz	Suspicious Minds Craw-Fever by Elvis Presley
2021–2022	Batdance by Prince	Wicked Game by Chris Isaak performed by Daisy Gray and Yola Recoba
2020–2021	Quickstep: Too Darn Hot (from Kiss Me Kate) by Cole Porter	Main Title (from Doctor Zhivago) by Maurice Jarre Farewell to the Past (from Doctor Zhivago) by Ludovico Einaudi Lara's Theme (from Doctor Zhivago) by Maurice Jarre Love is a Mystery (from Doctor Zhivago) by Ludovico Einaudi
2019–2020	Quickstep: Too Darn Hot (from Kiss Me Kate) by Cole Porter	Farrucas by Pepe Romero Malagueña by Ernesto Lecuona performed by Roni Benise	María de Buenos Aires by Astor Piazzolla
2018–2019	Tango Romantica: Jalousie 'Tango Tzigane' by Jacob Gade performed by Katica Illenyi Tango Romantica: Yo soy María (from María de Buenos Aires) by Astor Piazzolla	Tokio Myers medley Bloodstream Angel	Latch (acoustic) by Disclosure performed by Sam Smith
	Short dance
2017–2018	Rhumba: Quizás, Quizás, Quizás performed by Sarita Montiel Cha Cha: Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps performed by The Pussycat Dolls Samba: Conga by Gloria Estefan	W.E. by Abel Korzeniowski Dance for Me, Wallis Abdication	Exogenesis: Symphony Part 3 (Redemption) by Muse
2016–2017	Blues: Why Don't You Do Right? (from Who Framed Roger Rabbit) Swing: Cool Cat in Town by Tape Five	Exogenesis: Symphony Part 3 (Redemption) by Muse	Exogenesis: Symphony Part 3 (Redemption) by Muse
2015–2016	Waltz and polka: City Lights by Charlie Chaplin	Poursuit by Goran Bregović Auscencia by Goran Bregović Black Cat, White Cat by Goran Bregović
2014–2015	Samba: Chic a boom Samba: Let's Get Loud by Jennifer Lopez	Micmacs by Raphaël Beau, Max Steiner Diabolic A Motley Crew It is Rolling

Competitive highlights

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

With Ponomarenko

International
Event	14–15	15–16	16–17	17–18	18–19	19–20	20–21	21–22	22–23	23–24
Worlds									10th
Four Continents								3rd	4th	TBD
GP Finland					5th				4th	4th
GP France								5th		4th
GP NHK Trophy						6th
GP Rostelecom Cup					3rd
GP Skate America						6th	3rd
GP Skate Canada								8th
GP Wilson Trophy									4th
CS Asian Trophy						1st
CS Finlandia								8th		2nd
CS Golden Spin									1st
CS Lombardia								4th
CS Nebelhorn					3rd	3rd				4th
CS U.S. Classic					2nd	2nd
CS Tallinn Trophy					1st
Lake Placid IDI						2nd
International: Junior
Junior Worlds			3rd	2nd
JGP Final			4th	2nd
JGP Austria				1st
JGP Belarus				1st
JGP Czech Rep.	5th
JGP Estonia	4th
JGP France			2nd
JGP Latvia		4th
JGP Poland		2nd
JGP Russia			2nd
Lake Placid IDI		2nd		1st
National
U.S. Champ.	5th J	4th J	2nd J	1st J	5th	4th	WD	7th	3rd
Pacific Coast	3rd J	1st J
ISP Points Chall.							3rd
TBD = Assigned; WD = Withdrew Levels: J = Junior

With Malette-Paquette

National
Event	2013–14
Canadian Championships	5th N
N = Novice level

Detailed results

(with Ponomarenko)

Seniors

ISU personal best scores in the +5/-5 GOE system 

Segment	Type	Score	Event
Total	TSS	191.55	2019 CS Asian Open Trophy
Short program	TSS	78.40	2019 CS Asian Open Trophy
	TES	44.88	2019 CS Asian Open Trophy
	PCS	33.68	2019 CS Nebelhorn Trophy
Free skating	TSS	116.99	2023 CS Finlandia Trophy
	TES	66.57	2023 CS Finlandia Trophy
	PCS	50.72	2023 Grand Prix of Espoo

ISU personal best scores in the +3/-3 GOE system 

Segment	Type	Score	Event
Total	TSS	157.19	2016 JGP Russia
Short program	TSS	64.10	2017 JGP Final
	TES	33.25	2016 JGP Belarus
	PCS	31.51	2017 JGP Final
Free skating	TSS	94.15	2017 World Junior Championships
	TES	46.11	2017 World Junior Championships
	PCS	48.47	2018 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

External links

• Official website
• Christina Carreira / Anthony Ponomarenko at the International Skating Union