2025-26 U.S. Ice Dance

[dancelion21]

2025-26 Season

Last Season's Thread

ASSIGNMENTS

Championship Events​

Olympics​	Four Continents​	World Junior Championships​	World Championships​
Carreira/Ponomarenko (197.62) Chock/Bates (224.39) Zingas/Kolesnik (206.72)	Brown/Brown (190.78) Green/Parsons (194.72) Zingas/Kolesnik (202.86)	Aboian/Veselukhin (166.71) Calhoun/Zheltyshev Deych/Hu (125.87) Robertson/Rohner (135.38)	Carreira/Ponomarenko (200.56) Chock/Bates Green/Parsons (189.98) Zingas/Kolesnik (209.20)

Grand Prix Events​

Grand Prix de France​	Cup of China​	Skate Canada​	NHK Trophy​	Skate America​	Finlandia Trophy​	Grand Prix Final​
Bratti/Somerville (172.80) Pate/Bye (178.68)	Chock/Bates (208.25) Green/Parsons Zingas/Kolesnik (202.27)	Bratti/Somerville (166.32) Carreira/Ponomarenko (191.23) Neset/Markelov (165.19)	Green/Parsons (187.90) Shibutani/Shibutani (180.50) Wolfkostin/Tsarevski (182.85)	Carreira/Ponomarenko (186.03) Chock/Bates (212.58) Brown/Brown (182.11)	Brown/Brown (170.47) Shibutani/Shibutani (185.68) Zingas/Kolesnik (196.02)	Chock/Bates (220.42) Zingas/Kolesnik (193.61)

Challenger Events​

Kinoshita Group Cup​	Lombardia Trophy​	Nepela Memorial​	Nebelhorn Trophy​	Denis Ten Memorial​	Warsaw Cup​	Tallinn Trophy​	Golden Spin​
Neset/Markelov (176.27) Zingas/Kolesnik (193.51)	Pate/Bye (186.96) Wolfkostin/Tsarevski (180.20)	Green/Parsons (184.18) Wolfkostin/Tsarevski (172.44)	Carreira/Ponomarenko (192.35) Bratti/Somerville	Brown/Brown (178.86) Neset/Markelov (169.60)	Bratti/Somerville (187.85) Flores/Jepsen (161.48) Green/Parsons (189.27)	Cui/Rogers (160.01) Pate/Bye (182.81) Zingas/Kolesnik	Brown/Brown (180.30) Neset/Markelov (168.58)

Junior Grand Prix Events​

JGP Latvia​	JGP Turkey​	JGP Italy​	JGP Thailand​	JGP Azerbaijan​	JGP Poland​	JGP UAE​	JGP Final​
Deych/Hu (130.64) Robertson/Rohner (147.83)	Kouevi/Homawoo (124.50) Stapert/Korotcov (137.57)	Robertson/Rohner (156.52) Stapert/Korotcov (142.68)	Aboian/Veselukhin (153.96) Deych/Hu (137.47)	Calhoun/Zheltyshev (140.68) Kouevi/Homawoo (115.41)	Feige/Middlekauff (128.01) Fischer/Fischer (142.02)	Aboian/Veselukhin (167.11) Fugate/Fugate (127.86)	Aboian/Veselukhin (165.45) Robertson/Rohner (140.29)

International Selection Pool
Senior

• Emily Bratti and Ian Somerville
• Oona Brown and Gage Brown
• Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko
• Madison Chock and Evan Bates
• Amy Cui and Jonathan Rogers
• Isabella Flores and Linus Jepsen
• Caroline Green and Michael Parsons
• Raffaella Koncius and Alexey Shchepetov
• Caroline Mullen and Brendan Mullen
• Leah Neset and Artem Markelov
• Eva Pate and Logan Bye
• Elliana Peal and Ethan Peal
• Vanessa Pham and Anton Spiridonov
• Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani
• Katarina Wolfkostin and Dimitry Tsarevski
• Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik

Junior

• Hana Maria Aboian and Daniil Veselukhin
• Jane Calhoun and Mark Zheltyshev
• Effie Chen and Gordei Chipitakovian
• Michelle Deych and Ryan Hu
• Sophia Feige and Wiles Middlekauff
• Grace Fischer and Luke Fischer
• Clara Fugate and Warren Fugate
• Olivia Ilin and Dylan Cain
• Anaelle Kouevi and Yann Homawoo
• Jasmine Robertson and Chase Rohner
• Annelise Stapert and Maxim Korotcov
• Aneta Vaclavikova and William Lissauer (not intl eligible until March 2026)

Thoughts for the Season

1. Will Chock/Bates continue their momentum from the quad to win the Olympic title?
2. How will the Shibutanis fare after seven years out of the sport?
3. Can CPom continue their momentum to qualify for the GPF after narrowly missing out last year?
4. How will Green/Parsons and Zingas/Kolesnik fare against each other after such a close competition last season? Is there still an Olympic spot for either of them?
5. Who will receive the Skate America TBD spot? The Browns, Wolfkostin/Tsarevski, Neset/Markelov, and Pate/Bye all only received one GP assignment to start.
6. Aboian/Veselukhin were breakout stars of the junior season last year. Will they carry that momentum this year all the way to Junior Worlds?

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I think Aboian/ Veselukhin are very special. Right now, it's just steady as they go. Hana will not be eligible for another two years to move up to seniors. So, this season will likely be about solidifying their talent, potential, and consistency in order to take over the mantle left by their training mates, Italy's Tali/ Lafornara, who I believe are moving to seniors.

The TBD at Skate America may be given to a younger team, or else it might be given as a second spot to the Browns, Neset/Markelov, or Wolf/Tsar. I do not think Pate/ Bye are impressive enough amid this group, despite being well-liked by members of U.S. fed. Did Bratti/ Somerville get one GP, too? They are certainly in the mix at SkAm, if so.

It's probably a toss-up between Zingas/Kolesnik and Green/Parsons. I give the edge to G/P if they continue to bring better programs than they did in their first two seasons training at MIDA.

Due to all the comeback teams taking up oxygen on the international ice dance scene, I say no to Car/Pom having what it takes to make GPF. They'd have to be extremely lucky with the draw and scoring at their two GPs.

It will be interesting to see how the Shibs and C/B will fare in the Olympic season. I look forward to seeing a real battle at the top, hopefully with some great ice dance programs.

 

[macy]

It will be interesting to see how the Shibs and C/B will fare in the Olympic season. I look forward to seeing a real battle at the top, hopefully with some great ice dance programs.

i think i am most interested to see how the judges will perceive the Shibs. it's been a long time since they've been on competitive ice and i'm curious to know if they'll get showered with good scores or be scored harshly. i think either way, Chock and Bates won't be dethroned.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

i think i am most interested to see how the judges will perceive the Shibs. it's been a long time since they've been on competitive ice and i'm curious to know if they'll get showered with good scores or be scored harshly. i think either way, Chock and Bates won't be dethroned.

Yes, I doubt that the Shibs will come back and be able to take away C/B's national title. No way. The question is how will the Shibs set up against Car/Pom, and other international up-and-coming teams? Can the Shibs take second or third at U.S. Nats? Internationally, the Shibs would be lucky to make top 6 to 8. Politically, strategically, etc., they have been away too long, and will need to show some serious sharply honed skills with great programs. If they can do that, they may have a chance to place in the top 6 internationally. Domestically, if the Shibs are on point, they can likely beat Car/Pom, et al., for second behind C/B.

 

[dancelion21]

The TBD at Skate America may be given to a younger team, or else it might be given as a second spot to the Browns, Neset/Markelov, or Wolf/Tsar. I do not think Pate/ Bye are impressive enough amid this group, despite being well-liked by members of U.S. fed. Did Bratti/ Somerville get one GP, too? They are certainly in the mix at SkAm, if so.

Bratti/Somerville have a second assignment, so they are not contending for the TBD spot. I would be surprised if USFS considered teams such as the Peals, Mullens, Cui/Rogers, or Pham/Spiridonov for that TBD spot when the Browns, Neset/Markelov, Pate/Bye, and Wolf/Tsar all do not have a second spot, unless any one of them had a truly spectacular performance at Lake Placid.

Due to all the comeback teams taking up oxygen on the international ice dance scene, I say no to Car/Pom having what it takes to make GPF. They'd have to be extremely lucky with the draw and scoring at their two GPs.

By placing 5th at Worlds, CPom are a seeded team. At Skate Canada, they will be fighting for silver/bronze with Lajoie/Lagha, Turkkila/Versluis, and Reed/Ambrulevicius. At Skate America, they will face Lajoie/Lagha and Lopareva/Brissaud. It is likely that the GPF will really just be a shootout with Lajoie/Lagha, as two silvers or a silver/bronze with tiebreaker will be what decides it. The comeback teams are less of a factor for CPom since they're not facing any of them.

 

[Cabguy]

i think i am most interested to see how the judges will perceive the Shibs. it's been a long time since they've been on competitive ice and i'm curious to know if they'll get showered with good scores or be scored harshly. i think either way, Chock and Bates won't be dethroned.

IMHO , NHK Will be most telling

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

All great points you make in your recent post @dancelion21. It makes sense that Bratti/Somerville and Zingas/ Kolesnik both have 2 GP assignments. Unfortunate for N/M, the Browns, and Pate/Bye having 2 GP spots last year, but only one apiece this season. Of course, available spots are limited due to returning teams/ new partnerships and junior teams coming up to seniors, coupled with teams' last season international results.

Car/Pom did not make GPF last season. Despite their 5th place at '24 Worlds, I do not see them making GPF this season either. Of course, they have grown and improved a lot under Moir and Hubbell tutelage. The key will be material and how well suited and executed. Between C/Pom and Lajoie/ Lagha, I would give the edge to L/L, despite their flat showing at '24 Worlds. Again, strength of programs will make the difference, along with politics and perception. Execution on the ice obviously matters, too. The other factors kick in when both teams execute well. The strength or lack thereof of comeback teams will definitely determine who makes GPF, regardless of direct head to-head match-ups.

I see that the Peals are training with Moir and Hubbell. Their RD was announced as an MC Hammer selection, choreographed by Hubbell & Diaz. That's great for the Peals. It will be so interesting to see their growth this season in their senior debut.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

2025 Dallas Classic results are posted, with Aboian/ Veselukhin solidly in first. Too bad there aren't videos available. The new team of Aneta Vaclavikova/ William Lissauer won '25 Chesapeake Open, pulling up to first in FD from third in RD. Aneta and William withdrew from Dallas Classic. Some videos of Chesapeake Open are available on YT.

Dallas Classic:

NQS - SDS - 2025 Dallas Classic

Event Results for NQS - SDS - 2025 Dallas Classic

ijs.usfigureskating.org

Chesapeake Open

Chesapeake Open and Compete USA 2025

Event Results for Chesapeake Open and Compete USA 2025

ijs.usfigureskating.org

The music chosen for Aboian/ Veselukhin's FD (Hymnus Orbis) is likely inspired by music their coaches skated to in the famous 'Fallen Angels' trio exhibition performance with Johnny Weir circa mid-2000s (2006 to be exact).

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Well, Isabella Flores & Linus Colmer Jepsen are apparently skating for the U.S., per their recent Lake Placid domestic entry. It definitely looked like they would be repping France. Still waiting to see what their training and coaching situation will be with Linus needing to spend time in the U.S. to fulfill citizenship requirements. He seemed to be very connected to his French coaches, especially main coach, Olivier Schoenfelder (a former French champion ice dancer).

Their amazing choice of RD music will surprise. Stay tuned for Lake Placid next week.

 

[Jumping_Bean]

Well, Isabella Flores & Linus Colmer Jepsen are apparently skating for the U.S., per their recent Lake Placid domestic entry. It definitely looked like they would be repping France. Still waiting to see what their training and coaching situation will be with Linus needing to spend time in the U.S. to fulfill citizenship requirements. He seemed to be very connected to his French coaches, especially main coach, Olivier Schoenfelder (a former French champion ice dancer).

Their amazing choice of RD music will surprise. Stay tuned for Lake Placid next week.

Them being entered in the Lake Placid Ice Dance Championships tells us nothing about which country they are or will be representing, as there are foreign entries in the domestic event every season.

Linus is listed under the French Ice Sports Federation, while Isabella is listed under Thunderbirds FSC. This is common both with teams waiting for releases, but also with non-US teams entered in US domestic competitions (Larson/Kapran do the same, for example).

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Yeah, still waiting to hear more info directly from Isabella and Linus, of course. It certainly looked as if they were going to be repping France. But there could be an issue with Isabella getting her release. It's hard to know exactly what has transpired until we get confirmation.

However, going by what has been listed on the Lake Placid website, Flores/ Jepsen are entered in the senior combined event, which is a domestic NQS event. It would definitely be a first for F/J to be entered in a senior international for their very first competition together, no matter which country they rep. It is entirely possible that Linus has his release, because he may have been inactive competitively for over a year. I'm not certain. In Isabella's case, she can't compete internationally for a country other than the U.S. until a year after her last competitive event for the U.S., which was DTen Memorial in October 2024, unless exceptions have been made for her, which I doubt.

Thus, every indicator suggests that Flores/ Jepsen are competing for the U.S. Another less reliable indicator is that a skating friend of Linus's recently claimed on a prominent social media site that Linus said he and Isabella will be competing for the U.S. That is obviously hearsay. We'll soon find out definitively.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

If there are international teams who compete in domestic NQS events, that's interesting. Perhaps in such cases, Lake Placid is simply seen more as a summer prep event for skaters worldwide.

 

[Seven Sisters]

If there are international teams who compete in domestic NQS events, that's interesting. Perhaps in such cases, Lake Placid is simply seen more as a summer prep event for skaters worldwide.

There have definitely been non-US dance teams at the Lake Placid comp in the past. The last time I attended, I remember seeing Davis/Smolkin of Georgia and Bar/Beau of Canada, for example.

 

[saine]

There have definitely been non-US dance teams at the Lake Placid comp in the past. The last time I attended, I remember seeing Davis/Smolkin of Georgia and Bar/Beau of Canada, for example.

That was in the international event. This year, Addison Pehl/Daniel Yu from Canada are entered in the domestic NQS portion instead of the international event though (and are listed as representing Skate Canada.)

 

[Jumping_Bean]

However, going by what has been listed on the Lake Placid website, Flores/ Jepsen are entered in the senior combined event, which is a domestic NQS event. It would definitely be a first for F/J to be entered in a senior international for their very first competition together, no matter which country they rep. It is entirely possible that Linus has his release, because he may have been inactive competitively for over a year. I'm not certain. In Isabella's case, she can't compete internationally for a country other than the U.S. until a year after her last competitive event for the U.S., which was DTen Memorial in October 2024, unless exceptions have been made for her, which I doubt.

Eh, there are teams that competed first at international competitions, especially in smaller federations. For example, Reitan/Majorov (SWE) did Test skates (not publicly scored) and immediately after did Nebelhorn. This is definitely not the case here though, they are entered in the domestic half of the event (Lake Placid Ice Dance Championships). This makes sense if Isabella is the one seeking a release, as she is not eligible to compete for another country until October.

Linus 100% does not have a release as he is not listed under a US club but under the French Ice Sports Federation, which also means that they can't be eligible to post a NQS score at this competition, as both skaters have to be members of USFS.

If there are international teams who compete in domestic NQS events, that's interesting. Perhaps in such cases, Lake Placid is simply seen more as a summer prep event for skaters worldwide.

There is at least one team every year.
2022 had Dozzi/Papetti (both listed under Italian Federation of Ice Sports), Alieva/Couyras (both under French Ice Sports Federation) and Takahashi/Judd (both under Japan Skating Federation) in Seniors. It also had Larson/Kapran (UKR, both listed under Florida Everblades FSC) in Juniors.
2023 had only Bushell/Haddad in Juniors (both listed under National Ice Skating Association of UK).
2024 had Ziobrowska/Judd (both under Romanian Skating Federation) and Stanley/Urano (both under Mexican Figure Skating Federation) in Seniors.
This season, it's Pehl/Yu (both under Skate Canada) in Seniors.

Interestingly, seeing this, I notice that some teams that frequently compete at domestic competitions change around their representation. Larson/Kapran repped their US club at LPIDC in 2022, had her representing it and him the Ukrainian Figure Skating Federation at Chesapeake Open in 2023 and both repping the Ukrainian Figure Skating Federation at Dallas Classic in 2023. At Dallas Classic in 2024, he was back to representing their US club.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

There are rumors going back and forth about which country Flores/ Jepsen will rep. Some say France. Others say U.S. No one really knows until F/J explain it all. Sadly, there are also so many wrong, snarky rumors afoot about Flores and her relationship with her former ice dance partner. We'll find out the details of her new partnership soon enough. I'm excited to see how F/J match together. I love their apparent RD music, but mum's the word until next week. Their choreo meister, Kaitlyn Weaver, is so creative.

I had never paid much attention previously to seeing the odd international team competing in a LP domestic NQS event. It's apparently possible to enter this event without designating a country affiliation. The club affiliation seems to suffice.

 

[elbkup]

I know Matthew Sperry skates for Finland now with his new partner so am curious to see them this season but I will miss Bland and Sperry skating for USA

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[BlissfulSynergy]

I know Matthew Sperry skates for Finland now with his new partner so am curious to see them this season but I will miss Bland and Sperry skating for USA

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Yeah, I think it was last off-season that Kristina Bland announced she was going to focus on her academic pursuits. I believe Matthew has been partnered with Daniela Ivanitskiy of Finland for at least a year.

I followed Kristina and Matthew when they were partnered. I hope they are both happy and feeling good about their choices in life. It was a joy seeing them perform together, despite the judges always seeming to keep them middle of the pack.

Another diverse up-and-coming U.S. ice dance team are Anaelle Kouevi and Yann Homawoo who train at WISA. They were recently third at 2025 Chesapeake Open (2nd in the RD).

ETA:
I wondered if Anaelle and Yann are related. Apparently, they are first cousins.

 

[elbkup]

Yeah, I think it was last off-season that Kristina Bland announced she was going to focus on her academic pursuits. I believe Matthew has been partnered with Daniela Ivanitskiy of Finland for at least a year.

I followed Kristina and Matthew when they were partnered. I hope they are both happy and feeling good about their choices in life. It was a joy seeing them perform together, despite the judges always seeming to keep them middle of the pack.

Another diverse up-and-coming U.S. ice dance team are Anaelle Kouevi and Yann Homawoo who train at WISA. They were recently third at 2025 Chesapeake Open (2nd in the RD).

ETA:
I wondered if Anaelle and Yann are related. Apparently, they are first cousins.

Yeah… middle of the road is where most of my favs land but that’s OK; I feel so privileged to witness their talent and hard work and the particular draw I feel (explained or not) to those that are special to me like Kristina and Matthew. I will check out Anaelle and Yan.. Thank you!

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Yeah… middle of the road is where most of my favs land but that’s OK; I feel so privileged to witness their talent and hard work and the particular draw I feel (explained or not) to those that are special to me like Kristina and Matthew. I will check out Anaelle and Yan.. Thank you!

Well, quite often landing 'middle of the road' every time out is not deserved. It can mean judges are managing scores and not giving enough credit where due. I think that was sometimes the case with Bland/ Sperry, which could have factored into Kristina's decision to move on with her life. Figure skating is such an expensive sport. When athletes expend so much effort, time, money, and give so much of themselves to improve, and then are not adequately rewarded, there comes a decisionmaking time.