2025-26 British and Irish figure skating

[Diana Delafield]

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

I hope not; that list is making me feel quite old enough as it is !

 

[FlossieH]

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.

Has there been any sign of Rebecca Ritchie and Kyle McLeod? I haven't seen anything since they WD from nationals.

 

[FlossieH]

Junior GP Turkey - just two GBR entries: Davison/Borisov in pairs and Marler-Davies/Black in ice dance. None for IRL. I am a little bit surprised that Davison/Borisov have two JGP entries. I expected that Wood/Lapsky would have been given two spots. Have we picked up an extra spot from somewhere to make it 2 each? I think we just had three spots as Wood/Lapsky qualified for junior worlds last year but didn't make it to the free.

 

[saine]

Junior GP Turkey - just two GBR entries: Davison/Borisov in pairs and Marler-Davies/Black in ice dance. None for IRL. I am a little bit surprised that Davison/Borisov have two JGP entries. I expected that Wood/Lapsky would have been given two spots. Have we picked up an extra spot from somewhere to make it 2 each? I think we just had three spots as Wood/Lapsky qualified for junior worlds last year but didn't make it to the free.

GBR has 1 entry in 4 events for Pairs. 1 entry in 3 events is for countries that didn't send any competitors to Junior Worlds (which was the case for China last season.)

 

[FlossieH]

GBR has 1 entry in 4 events for Pairs. 1 entry in 3 events is for countries that didn't send any competitors to Junior Worlds (which was the case for China last season.)

That's good. We should hopefully see Wood/Lapsky twice, then.

 

[ladyjane]

Just read that Zinia Wood and Harry Mattick are a new Pair team for the UK.
https://x.com/AnythingGOE/status/1950448730634666311

I seems that both Zoe Jones' daughters are into pairs now. One in juniors (Zarah Wood and Alex Lapsky) and the other in Seniors. Aren't they twins?

 

[Diana Delafield]

Just read that Zinia Wood and Harry Mattick are a new Pair team for the UK.
https://x.com/AnythingGOE/status/1950448730634666311

I seems that both Zoe Jones' daughters are into pairs now. One in juniors (Zarah Wood and Alex Lapsky) and the other in Seniors. Aren't they twins?

If one twin has less experience in pairs and the new partners are both age-eligible for juniors, it's wiser for them to skate as juniors. Shorter programs, somewhat less difficult elements while they're still learning.

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Just read that Zinia Wood and Harry Mattick are a new Pair team for the UK.
https://x.com/AnythingGOE/status/1950448730634666311

YES!!!!!

Both of the Woods twins had started trying out Pairs skating at the same time, but whereas Zarah switched to Pairs permanently, Zinia very quickly went back to Singles skating. But, I am not surprised to see her try again.

And I am absolutely delighted to see Harry back. I really liked him and his former partner, Lydia Smart.

Now we just need to find somebody for Lydia to get back in action with.

I seems that both Zoe Jones' daughters are into pairs now. One in juniors (Zarah Wood and Alex Lapsky) and the other in Seniors. Aren't they twins?

If one twin has less experience in pairs and the new partners are both age-eligible for juniors, it's wiser for them to skate as juniors. Shorter programs, somewhat less difficult elements while they're still learning.

I agree. But in this case it is the twin that is less experienced in Pairs that is going into Seniors. The reason is simple, though - at 31, Harry is far too old for Juniors.

Incidentally, I know it's not Pairs skating, but we had a similar situation in Singles with the Gjersem twins. For much of their careers, Camilla Marie was a level behind Anne Line.

And, oh my goodness, I just spotted a few more of my kids in the entry lists! Including my two favourite girls.

I may have to start thinking about a trip over to Yorkshire...

CaroLiza_fan

 

[FlossieH]

Just read that Zinia Wood and Harry Mattick are a new Pair team for the UK.
https://x.com/AnythingGOE/status/1950448730634666311

I seems that both Zoe Jones' daughters are into pairs now. One in juniors (Zarah Wood and Alex Lapsky) and the other in Seniors. Aren't they twins?

This surprises me. Isn't the age gap kind of huge? Like 10-15 years? Zinia is still junior-eligible, and Harry must be late 20s now if not older?

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

This surprises me. Isn't the age gap kind of huge? Like 10-15 years? Zinia is still junior-eligible, and Harry must be late 20s now if not older?

14 years. Zinia is 17 (turning 18 in September); Harry is 31 (turning 32 in December).

But, Zoe and Chris know what they are doing. Hey, they know what big age differences in Pairs partnerships are like from personal experience. Zoe is 10 ½ years older than Chris. And Chris is 7 years older than his previous partner, Amani Fancy.

At the end of the day, the coaches of the partnership are Zinia's own family. Her mother and her step-father. We've seen how close a family they are. Zoe and Chris wouldn't put their child with just anybody. If they don't have any problems with it, I would be inclined to trust them.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[Ruthypegs]

Has there been any sign of Rebecca Ritchie and Kyle McLeod? I haven't seen anything since they WD from nationals.

There is now - they're due to skate at the Robin Cousins Cup.

 

[Ruthypegs]

Entries are out for the Robin Cousins Cup - https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/threads/2025-robin-cousins-cup-aug-21-22.101105/

 

[FlossieH]

14 years. Zinia is 17 (turning 18 in September); Harry is 31 (turning 32 in December).

But, Zoe and Chris know what they are doing. Hey, they know what big age differences in Pairs partnerships are like from personal experience. Zoe is 10 ½ years older than Chris. And Chris is 7 years older than his previous partner, Amani Fancy.

At the end of the day, the coaches of the partnership are Zinia's own family. Her mother and her step-father. We've seen how close a family they are. Zoe and Chris wouldn't put their child with just anybody. If they don't have any problems with it, I would be inclined to trust them.

CaroLiza_fan

A 30 year old partnering a 40 year old is different to a 17 year old with a 31 year old. With that sort of age gap, I don't think they should be allowed to compete until they are both legally adults. Yes, we think that the family and coaching set up can be trusted - but we do not actually know. Normalising this sort of age gap, where a minor is working with someone much older, potentially leaves other young female skaters in relationships which are exploitive or abusive. I know that the age gap is permitted, but that does not mean I am comfortable with it.

 

[Jeanie19]

A 30 year old partnering a 40 year old is different to a 17 year old with a 31 year old. With that sort of age gap, I don't think they should be allowed to compete until they are both legally adults. Yes, we think that the family and coaching set up can be trusted - but we do not actually know. Normalising this sort of age gap, where a minor is working with someone much older, potentially leaves other young female skaters in relationships which are exploitive or abusive. I know that the age gap is permitted, but that does not mean I am comfortable with it.

I am not comfortable with the age gap.

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

A 30 year old partnering a 40 year old is different to a 17 year old with a 31 year old. With that sort of age gap, I don't think they should be allowed to compete until they are both legally adults. Yes, we think that the family and coaching set up can be trusted - but we do not actually know. Normalising this sort of age gap, where a minor is working with someone much older, potentially leaves other young female skaters in relationships which are exploitive or abusive. I know that the age gap is permitted, but that does not mean I am comfortable with it.

Normally, I would have the same reaction. But because of the circumstances of this case, where the younger skater's family are in charge, I do not have the same uneasy feeling that I would have if it was just any old coach putting two skaters with this size of an age difference together.

But, I do agree that it sets a precedent, and I really would not want to see it become the norm.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[Jumping_Bean]

Well, it's not unprecedented, that's the thing. The age gap here is basically the same as for Kam/O'Shea and they also paired up when she was 17. And the same conversation was had back then (and to some degree still is every time they skate).

The uncomfortable reality is, while it's not commonplace, it is not unusual at this moment, and a lot of the current stars have very large age gaps - Miura/Kihara (9-year age gap, paired up when she was 17), Kam/O'Shea (14-year age gap, paired up when she was 17), Beccari/Guarise (15-year age gap, paired up when she was 18).
Raising the upper age for men in Junior pairs, even with the limitation of the maximum age gap between partners in Juniors, has not been helpful either.

There are issues beyond just the maturity gap and power difference, there's also going to be a wave of partnerless pairs women when the older male partners retire (in some cases, probably soon), which brings its own set of issues with it.

 

[FlossieH]

Well, it's not unprecedented, that's the thing. The age gap here is basically the same as for Kam/O'Shea and they also paired up when she was 17. And the same conversation was had back then (and to some degree still is every time they skate).

The uncomfortable reality is, while it's not commonplace, it is not unusual at this moment, and a lot of the current stars have very large age gaps - Miura/Kihara (9-year age gap, paired up when she was 17), Kam/O'Shea (14-year age gap, paired up when she was 17), Beccari/Guarise (15-year age gap, paired up when she was 18).
Raising the upper age for men in Junior pairs, even with the limitation of the maximum age gap between partners in Juniors, has not been helpful either.

There are issues beyond just the maturity gap and power difference, there's also going to be a wave of partnerless pairs women when the older male partners retire (in some cases, probably soon), which brings its own set of issues with it.

Yes, I know that it has happened before. I was always deeply uncomfortable with a certain skater (now retired) who, in his 30s, was reappearing with a new 16-17 year old partner almost every season. Yes, he gave them opportunities to go to Euros, Worlds and the Olympics, which they probably would not have had otherwise, but it seemed like the girls were just disposable commodities for promoting the country and his career. I am not saying that he was abusive towards those girls, but the whole dynamic did seem odd and none of the partnerships lasted.

 

[Jumping_Bean]

Yes, I know that it has happened before. I was always deeply uncomfortable with a certain skater (now retired) who, in his 30s, was reappearing with a new 16-17 year old partner almost every season. Yes, he gave them opportunities to go to Euros, Worlds and the Olympics, which they probably would not have had otherwise, but it seemed like the girls were just disposable commodities for promoting the country and his career. I am not saying that he was abusive towards those girls, but the whole dynamic did seem odd and none of the partnerships lasted.

If I'm thinking of the same guy, then it really doesn't help that only one of his partners ended up competing again after their split.

 

[FlossieH]

If I'm thinking of the same guy, then it really doesn't help that only one of his partners ended up competing again after their split.

You probably are thinking of the same guy, I just don't want to name the person or country because there is no evidence of anything untoward having actually happened.

 

[Diana Delafield]

A 30 year old partnering a 40 year old is different to a 17 year old with a 31 year old. With that sort of age gap, I don't think they should be allowed to compete until they are both legally adults. Yes, we think that the family and coaching set up can be trusted - but we do not actually know. Normalising this sort of age gap, where a minor is working with someone much older, potentially leaves other young female skaters in relationships which are exploitive or abusive. I know that the age gap is permitted, but that does not mean I am comfortable with it.

I agree. The fact that the parents think this is fine doesn't actually make it fine if the younger family members have no or little say in who they're partnered with. I don't know them personally, but British relatives who do have opinions that run the gamut from "Oh, they're just an unconventional family" to "Their idea of what's acceptable makes me really uneasy for the kids."

When I was in my mid-forties, I skated for two seasons with a young recent competitor in his mid-twenties. He was training to be accredited as a pairs coach, but with a male mentor, and wanted a steady, experienced female partner to practise on before he tried teaching lifts, twist, throws et al to young beginners. He was strong and reliable as a partner, with the right protective instincts, a bit inhibited as a performer but sound technically. We got along well on the ice, but it was a working relationship only. We had no contact with each other away from the rink. My husband and kids teased a bit about me "going babysitting today at the arena?", but otherwise no eyebrows were raised.