2025-26 British and Irish figure skating

[CaroLiza_fan]

It looks like Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez have now been assigned to the Finlandia GP as replacements for the Finnish team who withdrew. That will mean that they are competing in GP events two weeks in a row (and on opposite sides of the world!).

and British Nationals the following weekend, too

Great that they are getting a second GP. But not great that it means they are now having to do back-to-back-to-back events.

Usually when this situation occurs, the scores go down with each event. And we do not want them to have low scores at Nationals.

This system that the ISU uses for re-allocating Senior GP slots really is not user-friendly for the skaters. It needs to be more flexible, and the ISU need to use a bit of common sense. It is not fair that skaters are effectively forced to take the first slot that is offered to them, regardless of whether it is suitable for them to compete at that particular event or not, because they know they won't get offered a slot again if they turn it down.

Is it any wonder I wish that there were 8 Senior GP's with 16 slots in all categories at each event? With more slots to start with, there would be less need for the ISU to be so strict and ruthless in their re-allocation system.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[SnowWhite]

Great that they are getting a second GP. But not great that it means they are now having to do back-to-back-to-back events.

Usually when this situation occurs, the scores go down with each event. And we do not want them to have low scores at Nationals.

This system that the ISU uses for re-allocating Senior GP slots really is not user-friendly for the skaters. It needs to be more flexible, and the ISU need to use a bit of common sense. It is not fair that skaters are effectively forced to take the first slot that is offered to them, regardless of whether it is suitable for them to compete at that particular event or not, because they know they won't get offered a slot again if they turn it down.

Is it any wonder I wish that there were 8 Senior GP's with 16 slots in all categories at each event? With more slots to start with, there would be less need for the ISU to be so strict and ruthless in their re-allocation system.

CaroLiza_fan

This doesn't apply to Bekker/Hernandez though. There are only two GPs left, and they're already at SA. Finlandia is the last event. So, a spot at Finlandia was their only option left for a 2nd regardless of the replacement list rules.

If your point is that they might have got one earlier, because had the rules been different then one of the teams that filled an earlier slot might have waited, then I don't find that particularly likely. In general, very few dance spots tend to open up each season, so even if the rules were different, it would be a big risk for a team to turn down a spot with the hope of getting one later that fit their schedule better. One might not become available, and if it did, it might be at the event they're already at, for example. I'm not sure many would make that choice.

Honestly, the new rules are definitely an improvement on what it was before. Now the top skaters on the list actually get spots, instead of some of the Feds skipping over them and going for the ones they thought least likely to beat their own teams. It does mean less room to consider the travel logistics, but it's still better. And they do consider things like visa issues – turning an offered spot down for that doesn't kick a skater off the replacement list.

 

[FlossieH]

Has anyone found an entry list for Nationals? I know that there is a list of those who have qualified, but some (e.g. Kristen Spours) won't be competing.

 

[pesto]

I really wish they would find a new slot for Nationals. Lilah and Lewis end up having to compete the week before GPF, year after year. This year, Phebe and James have to compete three weeks in a row. It's really not ideal.

 

[Weetos]

I really wish they would find a new slot for Nationals. Lilah and Lewis end up having to compete the week before GPF, year after year. This year, Phebe and James have to compete three weeks in a row. It's really not ideal.

I agree, I wish they were after the GPF instead. They could market them as a Christmas event even. January is a bit too late for Euros.

I also wish they would swap out the multiple qualifiers for something more like regional finals in different places!

 

[Weetos]

Has anyone found an entry list for Nationals? I know that there is a list of those who have qualified, but some (e.g. Kristen Spours) won't be competing.

There's a provisional entry list on Sportity.

Kristen has been posting the occasional bit of training on Instagram, it keeps making me hope she might put in a surprise reappearance

 

[pesto]

Kristen earned us two spots at Euros and one at the Olympics. Who do we have with minimums, if she's not back? Nina? Anyone else?

 

[pesto]

Maybe Natasha should make a surprise un-retirement, it's all the rage this year, and I think she's younger than Nina!.

 

[Weetos]

Maybe Natasha should make a surprise un-retirement, it's all the rage this year, and I think she's younger than Nina!.

Think she might have a problem doing that right now

 

[pesto]

Heh. Nextgen under construction.

 

[FlossieH]

Kristen earned us two spots at Euros and one at the Olympics. Who do we have with minimums, if she's not back? Nina? Anyone else?

Nina has the minimums for Euros and the Olympics, but not for Worlds.

 

[CelticRose22]

Whilst it's great that Lilah and Lewis compete at nationals, given the scheduling I would not be mad if they skipped it, especially this year. I think it's more important they continue to build momentum at international competitions at this point rather than win another British title.

I don't think competing back to back weeks is a problem for them but with the GPF being in Japan the long haul travel post nationals isn't ideal. Looks like the schedule is helping them a little at least with the RD on Friday and Free on Saturday

 

[Weetos]

The entry list/live scoring page is finally up for the British!
Link here

Kristen is on the list for the women. I don't know if that means she is definitely competing - I would be delighted if she is, but of course she should do whatever is best for her!

 

[FlossieH]

I really hope that Kristen being on the list means that she feels able to compete.

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

The entry list/live scoring page is finally up for the British!
Link here

Thank you

I do like these livescoring pages that the British events have.

And here is the traditional Entries / Results page:

https://bisresults.co.uk/fsm/2511bfsc/

By the fact that the "Reports" column is empty, I take it they aren't doing Time Schedule PDF's for each competition. Which is a shame.

Now that everything is up, I'll make a thread in the Other Nationals sub-forum later this morning, before the action starts this afternoon.

Thank you again



CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Here is the thread for Nationals:

https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/threads/102316

If there is anything significant that I missed out and should add in, let me know over there.

Hope this helps

CaroLiza_fan

 

[Anna K.]

I tried to find the new dance team Layla Karnes/Freddie Leggott on YouTube. I found their free dance from Bolero Cup and decided to share the link:



They have a lot of work to do. But they are in good hands (Platov, Kerr).

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

I tried to find the new dance team Layla Karnes/Freddie Leggott on YouTube. I found their free dance from Bolero Cup and decided to share the link:



They have a lot of work to do. But they are in good hands (Platov, Kerr).

Our very own @La Rhumba has already uploaded the Short Dance that they did yesterday:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY1rLWWYN-c

The final segment of the day, the Senior Men's SP, is still ongoing. But, some videos might start to appear once all of today's action is over.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[Anna K.]

Our very own @La Rhumba has already uploaded the Short Dance that they did yesterday:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY1rLWWYN-c

The final segment of the day, the Senior Men's SP, is still ongoing. But, some videos might start to appear once all of today's action is over.

CaroLiza_fan

Thanks for letting me know. The Bolero Cup video that I linked above is from the same channel. Thank you very much @La Rhumba !

 

[FlossieH]

It is great to see Kristen back!