Reigning world ice dance champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates backed up their table-topping rhythm dance routine by emerging victorious from the free dance segment to add a further 12 points to the American team’s total.

Chock and Bates produced a personal best score of 138.41 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.

Italy’s Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri notched 132.34 for second, while Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier scored 128.48 for third.

The US enjoyed further success when Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier came out on top in the short programme of the pairs competition.

The American duo took first place with 82.25, leaving home favourites Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara to settle for second with 80.47.

Canada’s Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps rounded off the top three when they posted 70.20.

Lee Hae-in boosted South Korea’s hopes of victory when she sealed first spot in the free skating section of the women’s event.

After top scoring with 76.90 in the short programme segment yesterday, Lee continued her fine form when she recorded 148.57 for first today.

Japan’s two-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto sealed second with 145.75, while South Korea’s Kim Ye-lim notched 143.59 for third.

Isabeau Levito scored nine more points for the US after finishing fourth with 142.65.

The US have now established a 15-point lead over South Korea with one day of competition remaining in Tokyo.

A tally of 90 sees the US top the standings ahead of South Korea and hosts Japan who have earned 75 and 74 respectively.

Competition is due to conclude tomorrow with the free skating routines in the men’s and pairs events.