BEIJING -- The United States took the lead and host China saw its chance of qualifying for the free skate, as the figure skating team event got underway here in the Capital Indoor Stadium on Friday at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

Three-time world champion Nathan Chen and veteran ice dancing couple Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue both finished on top in their respective short programs.

Their fellow Americans Alexa Knierim/Brandon Frazier finished third in the pairs to secure the US a leading position with the score of 28 points.

Olympic athletes from Russia were ranked second with 26 points, with reigning pairs world champions Anastasia Mishina/Aleksandr Galliamov and ice dancers Victoria Sinitsina/Nikita Katsalapov both on the second and Mark Kondratiuk third in the men's singles.