2025-26 Retirements, Splits and New Partnerships | Page 2 | Golden Skate

2025-26 Retirements, Splits and New Partnerships

Maybe, I'm reading too much into it, but I read stepping away as more of taking a mental health break than being done for good, but I wish her the best in whatever path she chooses to take.
She's been removed from the ISP, I think it's more than taking a mental health break. But it doesn't have to be for good.
 
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Bradie Tennell will retire from competitive skating after the 2025/26 season (per Benoit Richaud)

In a SportsRu article dated July 16, 2025, about Benoit's Peak Ice Camps, he says that this will be the last competitive season for not only Kaori Sakamoto but also Bradie Tennell. Machine translation of his comments on what it feels like to choreograph the last program of a figure skater's career:

It's a very strange feeling. I cried a few times, I admit. It's the first time this has happened to me. This season is very emotional for me: two skaters with whom we started their journey in adult competitions are ending their careers. They are Kaori Sakamoto and Bradie Tennell. It's as if we finished a life cycle together.
 
i wish the best for Mia, whatever she decides. i'm glad she got away from the toxic/abusive situation she was in and i hope she takes the time she needs to heal.
Yeah I was a big fan. But her previous coach was a #(&*@. I saw a different Mia at this year's Nats and a good couching team w her. I wish her the best and hope we see her competing again. I will remain a fan of the skater and person.
 
In a SportsRu article dated July 16, 2025, about Benoit's Peak Ice Camps, he says that this will be the last competitive season for not only Kaori Sakamoto but also Bradie Tennell. Machine translation of his comments on what it feels like to choreograph the last program of a figure skater's career:
I found this article, but there is no mention of her retirement? I don't see a link in the "another site" post that you provided.
 
I found this article, but there is no mention of her retirement? I don't see a link in the "another site" post that you provided.
It's quite far into the article, below a picture of him with Kaori.

Russian original:
"Каково это – знать, что ставишь фигуристу последнюю в карьере программу?"
"Очень странное ощущение. Несколько раз я плакал, признаюсь. Такое со мной впервые. Этот сезон для меня очень эмоциональный: сразу две фигуристки, с которыми мы начинали их путь на взрослых соревнованиях, заканчивают карьеру. Это Каори Сакамото и Брэди Теннелл. Мы будто закончили вместе жизненный цикл. "

English translation:
"What does it feel like to know that you are choreographing the last program of a figure skater’s career?"
"It's a very strange feeling. I cried a few times, I admit. It's the first time this has happened to me. This season is very emotional for me: two skaters with whom we started their journey in adult competitions are ending their careers. They are Kaori Sakamoto and Bradie Tennell. It's as if we finished a life cycle together. "
 
As expected...


Yeah, literally just thought "To the surprise of no-one, except for those living under a rock" when I saw it.

It was said a few years ago that RusFed doesn't grant releases in December anymore (only in May, but thwn again, Arina Kalugina only started competing for Azerbaijan in the second half of the season too), but for the sake of all German baby ice dancers I hope he gets released before next season, just to get as many JGP spots as possible.
 
Isabella Flores and Linus Colmer Jepsen are a new Ice Dance team for France (I think? He's listed as France, she's Thunderbirds FSC) from the Lake Placid entries domestic -

The format lists each partner separately, so maybe more new teams here.

Wow! I had pretty much given up on Linus coming back.

As his adoptive father on here, I should warn you that Linus has a bit of a reputation for short-lived partnerships. He has had quite a few partners, and the partnerships tend to not last very long. Apart from his original partner (Kamille Viggers), only his partnership with Sofía Val lasted more than one season. And that was just 2 seasons.

Hopefully this partnership will buck the trend.

CaroLiza_fan
 
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New Ice Dance teams:

Mariia Nekhaeva / Dmytriy Kravchenko (ISR) - LPIDI & JGP Riga Cup
Jane Calhoun / Mark Zheltyshev (USA) - LPIDI
Effie Chen / Gordei Chitipakhovian (USA) - LPIDC
Nicole Kirsanov / Kajin Peng (USA) - LPIDC
Gabriella Rodriguez / Aaaron Gutman (USA) - LPIDC
Lilian Wheelahan / Wolfe Jin (USA) - LPIDC
Zoe Bianchi / Daniel Basile (ITA) - Meaning Zoe Bianchi / Pietro Rota (ITA) and Vittoria Petracchi / Daniel Basile (ITA) split
 
I had a feeling he'd go back to Juniors after he and Shira split up, since she's older than him and he's still eligible...
I called it that they would partner up and go back to Juniors after she was released by RusFed. I think I alluded to it at the time in the Country change thread, lol.
Anyway, good for them. Wonder if another dance team that is rumoured to be switching to Israel (from the USA) will show up this season too.
 
New Ice Dance teams:

Mariia Nekhaeva / Dmytriy Kravchenko (ISR) - LPIDI & JGP Riga Cup
Jane Calhoun / Mark Zheltyshev (USA) - LPIDI
Effie Chen / Gordei Chitipakhovian (USA) - LPIDC
Nicole Kirsanov / Kajin Peng (USA) - LPIDC
Gabriella Rodriguez / Aaaron Gutman (USA) - LPIDC
Lilian Wheelahan / Wolfe Jin (USA) - LPIDC
Zoe Bianchi / Daniel Basile (ITA) - Meaning Zoe Bianchi / Pietro Rota (ITA) and Vittoria Petracchi / Daniel Basile (ITA) split
Oh, and from the sub lists of JGP Riga:
Eva Rozhnova / Platon Zubkov (FIN)
Iris Lahti / Oskari Liedenpohja (FIN)
Lumia Sassi / Aarne Savola (FIN)

Resulting splits:
Enna Kesti / Oskari Liedenpohja (FIN)
Mai Tarvainen / Aarne Savola (FIN)


And pairs from the JGP Riga list:
Yuxuan Chen / Yinbo Dong (CHN)
Mujun Hu / Zexuan Wang (CHN)

Here too, resulting splits;
Linyuan Feng / Zexuan Wang (CHN)
Mujun Hu / Yinbo Dong (CHN)
 
Nadiia Bashynska / Noe Perron are a new Ice Dance team.



No indication of which country they will represent, but they seem to be training in Lyon.
(Flores/Jepsen also shot their partnership announcement in the same rink)

And we can see a banner saying LYON Glace something... So yeah.. training in France right now and probably waiting to get a release to make an announcement which will not be too quick considering Nadiia is a former junior world medallist (Skate Canada used to have a rule about transfer for skaters with high achievements)... Oh well.. sad to see her go.. yes... i am deeply assuming that she's going to represent France.
 
And we can see a banner saying LYON Glace something... So yeah.. training in France right now and probably waiting to get a release to make an announcement which will not be too quick considering Nadiia is a former junior world medallist... Oh well.. sad to see her go.. yes... i am deeply assuming that she's going to represent France.
Will be crowded in French Ice Dance with four newly formed Senior team, some Juniors moving up and, of course, the already established teams too.

The rink is Patinoire Baraban, really easy to recognise with the vaulted ceiling.
 
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