2025-26 British and Irish figure skating

[CelticRose22]

That sounds odd. I had a look at tickets just now and there's only one session each day - the other "session" (at 6 a.m.) is for a parking pass.

Tickets for the "07.00 session" are for the whole day. I'll try to get in touch with the organisers to let them know that there are confusing start times listed on Ticketmaster.

There are no start times listed, but here's the event schedule in case it's useful: https://www.europeans2026.com/ticketing

Tickets for the gala are pretty reasonable.

The Practice tickets are being sold separately as well.

I bought the All Event Tickets earlier in the year and am slightly miffed that there doesn't seem to have been any financial benefit to me doing so - basically the cost of single tickets from weds to saturday adds up to what I paid. I get into practice sessions for free but nothing else - and had to purchase separate tickets for the gala

 

[CelticRose22]

She sounds positive at least. Hoping she can make it to the Olympics; she did the hard graft to qualify so it would be cruel if she were denied the opportunity to compete there. I suspect it's likely to be her final season either way; her body is clearly being held together by tape at this point

Her latest Insta update from earlier this week was a little less positive. Her recovery from surgery is uncertain/no clear time frame. She hasn't given up on being an Olympian but knows it may well not happen for her.

I did notice that Nina Povey was at the Team GB event in Edinburgh the other week so I guess it's a real possibility that she will be going

 

[FlossieH]

Her latest Insta update from earlier this week was a little less positive. Her recovery from surgery is uncertain/no clear time frame. She hasn't given up on being an Olympian but knows it may well not happen for her.

I did notice that Nina Povey was at the Team GB event in Edinburgh the other week so I guess it's a real possibility that she will be going

That would be a shame if Kristen couldn't make it - she had made such progress the past couple of seasons. It would be a good opportunity for Nina. I believe that there is a minimum score needed for participation in the Olympics. Do we know whether Nina has that?

 

[saine]

That would be a shame if Kristen couldn't make it - she had made such progress the past couple of seasons. It would be a good opportunity for Nina. I believe that there is a minimum score needed for participation in the Olympics. Do we know whether Nina has that?

The minimums should be the same as the minimums for Europeans/4CC when they're confirmed for this season. Nina should be fine

 

[Weetos]

Buying tickets for Euros this week

On which note, I'm trying to work out why some seats in the 102 block have an obstructed view... Do you think I'd still be able to see?

 

[Ruthypegs]

Buying tickets for Euros this week

On which note, I'm trying to work out why some seats in the 102 block have an obstructed view... Do you think I'd still be able to see?

I wonder if one of the camera arms might be there?

The ticketing seems a bit of a mess TBH - I see that they're still saying that the event starts at 7 a.m..... I've written to the organisers again about this, as it's putting people off buying seats.

Maybe see you in January!

 

[Jumping_Bean]

Bringing this over from the German Skating thread because it's relevant here too. I'm not saying this is 100% confirmed, as Atl is marked with an asterisk, but it must be serious enough for him to be included in the Bavarian state team.

I somehow just got a feeling to check on the German state federations, and the Bavarian fed is throwing me for another loop here - again.

Because I need someone to confirm that that is indeed Atl Ongay-Perez's name staring at me from this document: Click
I knew Mia had been in the UK recently, attending a BIS ice dance seminar, but I thought it would be her making the jump to Great Britain not her bringing back Atl of all people??

 

[Ruthypegs]

This may or may not be related to British Figure skating, but has anyone else seen/heard rumours that Eric Radford and Vanessa James are un-retiring/reforming? If so, I wonder if they'd skate for GB (Vanessa used to skate for GB, so I'm assuming this would be feasible)?

I've also heard that there will be several junior pairs teams at British Nationals this year, which is great news!

 

[saine]

This may or may not be related to British Figure skating, but has anyone else seen/heard rumours that Eric Radford and Vanessa James are un-retiring/reforming? If so, I wonder if they'd skate for GB (Vanessa used to skate for GB, so I'm assuming this would be feasible)?

I've also heard that there will be several junior pairs teams at British Nationals this year, which is great news!

I don't think James/Radford are reforming or planning on representing Great Britain if they do.

Eric did talk about moving to London with Robert Brodie and developing skating, along with his experience touring with Vaipan-Law/Digby.

'That was like a pinnacle in our careers'

For Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford, the road to the Skate Canada Hall of Fame began with a breakthrough national championship in 2012 in New Brunswick

rwbrodiewrites.substack.com

 

[LoisAGOEs]

This may or may not be related to British Figure skating, but has anyone else seen/heard rumours that Eric Radford and Vanessa James are un-retiring/reforming? If so, I wonder if they'd skate for GB (Vanessa used to skate for GB, so I'm assuming this would be feasible)?

I've also heard that there will be several junior pairs teams at British Nationals this year, which is great news!

Eric’s recent post for the end of the Torvill and Dean tour says it was most likely his farewell tour as well. So definitely not un-retiring, but potentially even retiring from show skating as well.

 

[FlossieH]

I would be disappointed if James/Radford paired up again and switched to representing GB for the Olympics. I know that skaters just qualify Olympic spots for the country, and not for themselves. However, I feel that Ana/Luke have earnt the right to represent us in the pairs competition at the Olympics. I would be uncomfortable with another pair (re)forming just for the purposes of doing another Olympics and also switching countries to make it easier for themselves to get selected as the top pair. Ana and Luke have worked really hard to get to where they are now and have been committed to GB throughout the current 4 year cycle.

 

[Ruthypegs]

I don't think James/Radford are reforming or planning on representing Great Britain if they do.

Eric did talk about moving to London with Robert Brodie and developing skating, along with his experience touring with Vaipan-Law/Digby.

'That was like a pinnacle in our careers'

For Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford, the road to the Skate Canada Hall of Fame began with a breakthrough national championship in 2012 in New Brunswick

rwbrodiewrites.substack.com

Thanks for sharing the article - I enjoyed reading that - it's a pity he's not returning to skating, it's great that he's looking to coach in the UK - it feels like it's a really exciting time for Pairs in Britain.

 

[Ruthypegs]

I would be disappointed if James/Radford paired up again and switched to representing GB for the Olympics. I know that skaters just qualify Olympic spots for the country, and not for themselves. However, I feel that Ana/Luke have earnt the right to represent us in the pairs competition at the Olympics. I would be uncomfortable with another pair (re)forming just for the purposes of doing another Olympics and also switching countries to make it easier for themselves to get selected as the top pair. Ana and Luke have worked really hard to get to where they are now and have been committed to GB throughout the current 4 year cycle.

Yes, I'd hate for Ana and Luke to lose their Olympic spot - as you say, they've really earned it and they are one of my favourite teams. I'd have loved James and Radford to be a second senior Pairs team (but return after the Olympics - maybe next season ). However, it doesn't look like they're returning to skating after all.

 

[FlossieH]

New technical minimums for senior Worlds:

Men - 109.00 (up from104.00)
Women - 88.00 (lowered 90.00)
Pairs - 91.00 (up from 88.00)
Ice dance - 98.00 (up from 94.00)

I am not sure whether any of our skaters have lost the minimums with this change. I'm a bit concerned that Ed could have done. I will update the posts at the beginning of this thread with any changes.

Edit: Ed just scrapes in with the new CTES for worlds.

 

[Ruthypegs]

Has anyone tried to get tickets for Euros 26 yet? They went on sale this morning and each day has 2 sessions but they say start times of 6 am and 7 am!

I've bought tickets for the 7 am Saturday thinking it must mean 7 pm but it states that time on the actual tickets. Bizarre

The preliminary schedule is out now:

Wednesday 14 January 2026

• 13:00 – 16:00: Pairs Short Program
• 16:15 – 16:45: Opening Ceremony
• 17:00 – 22:00: Women’s Short Program

Thursday 15 January 2026

• 13:00 – 18:00: Men’s Short Program
• 19:00 – 22:00: Pairs Free Skating & Victory Ceremony

Friday 16 January 2026

• 12:00 – 17:00: Ice Dance Rhythm Dance
• 18:00 – 22:15: Women’s Free Skating & Victory Ceremony

Saturday 17 January 2026

• 13:00 – 17:00: Men’s Free Skating & Victory Ceremony
• 18:30 – 22:15: Ice Dance Free Dance & Victory Ceremony

Sunday 18 January 2026

• 15:00 – 17:00: Exhibition of Champions Gala

 

[FlossieH]

JGP Riga entries are out now (I have updated the first post in this thread to include the entries). This confirms Ashlie Slatter and Louis Gregory as a new ice dance team.

 

[Ruthypegs]

There's a thread about the Sheffield Europeans here https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/threads/2026-europeans-general-info-and-pregame-chat.101217/ but I'll post some information here too....

I’ve had a response from the organisers of the Europeans regarding some of the confusion about information on the ticketing (Ticketmaster) site.

The event schedule is still subject to change, as they won’t have final timings until the competitor list is confirmed in December. They have shown an indicative schedule to help people plan - see https://www.europeans2026.com/event-info).

The 7 a.m. start time reflects doors opening for official practice sessions, and not the competition.

The organisers are working with Ticketmaster to see if they can make their FAQs clearer (this includes addressing confusion regarding the parking pass).

They’ve also set up an enquiry form on the website for anyone who has questions or issues. Europeans 2026 - Enquiries

There’s also an FAQ page on the website for FAQS & CONTACT US | EFSC 26

 

[Ruthypegs]

There's a new junior pairs team listed for the August Qualifiers - Wakana Katayama and Elliot Appleby. Elliot is Ed's brother and used to compete in Singles, (plus briefly in pairs with Charlotte Hodginkson). Wakana has competed in singles previously.

Isla Shenton and Joel Kirby are also competing, and have moved up from Advanced Novice.

The third pair listed is Sophie Dracas and Pelham Wright, who were second at Nationals.

 

[Ruthypegs]

Great interview here with Lilah and Lewis - https://www.teamgb.com/article/in-q...-fear-and-lewis-gibson/4XNxtOBnZgOESss4q4mhsp

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Just found out this afternoon that Steven Cousins' daughter is a Pairs skater in Russia (where her Mum, Elena Berezhnaya, is from).

Sofia Diana Cousins and Aleksandr Bregei are going into their third season together.

Here is their first competitive appearance together:

Sofia Diana Cousins / Aleksandr Bregei - 2023 Moskvina Masterclass

And here they are again from a few months ago:

Sofia Diana Cousins / Aleksandr Bregei - 2025 Russian Grand Prix Final SP

(Just be aware that, because of the joys of double transliterations, "Cousins" comes out as "Kasins")

So, in recent years we have had:

• Christian Newberry's sons Jack and Graham Newberry (in Singles for GBR)
• Tamsin Sear's daughter Arabella Sear-Watkins (in Singles for GBR)
• Zoe Jones' twin daughters Zarah and Zinia Wood (in Singles and Pairs for GBR)
• Steven Cousin's daughter Sofia Diana Cousins (in Pairs for RUS)
• Sharon Jones & Steve Baker's son Jean-Luc Baker (in Ice Dance for the USA)

And that is before we get to names from the past like Joan Dewhirst & John Slater's son Nicky Slater; or Diane Towler's twin daughters Candice and Phillipa Towler-Green

Are there any other offspring of British skaters competing that we should know about?

CaroLiza_fan