2026 U.S. Nationals Senior Men Short Program

[Arigato]

Yes, all the skaters got national inflation. Tomoki and Max would not get the PCS they got here abroad nor the rather generous GOE: Andrew wouldn't get that GOE or PCS with a fall.

Andrew got - 4.75 GOE on his 4T plus a deduction for the fall. I fail to see what the problem is. Further, he got PCS of 39.25 with a pure slop SP and a fall at GPDF:

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I see no shocker at all with a PCS of 41.51 with one fall on one element at Nats and the rest being good:

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[moonvine]

I’m so sad yall. Did you hear me yelling “I love you Jimmy?”

 

[skatespin]

Sentimentally my team would be Ilia, Jason, Max. I am getting a feeling it will be Ilia, Jason, Tomoki.

A lot of the US men at this nationals are inconsistent and haven't done much to stand out internationally or win medals at big international competitions. They don't really have a significant body of work, except for Ilia and Jason. Obviously Ilia is on the team regardless of how his FS on Saturday goes. Hopefully, Jason holds it together so the olympic team selection can be simple and non-controversial. I don't see a very good argument for leaving Jason off the team. He is internationally respected and loved, will skate in a later warm up group, is capable of earning extremely high PCS, and has proven to be reliable at the most important times.

This is also important for the team event, the US wants a gold medal. There is a real possibility that Ilia won't skate both the SP and FS. Knowing the track record of the US men who are not Ilia and Jason, I don't know that one of them could be trusted to skate one of those segments instead of Jason. Keep in mind the US already can't use its strongest most consistent pairs team because they are ineligible for the olympics, so they will have no choice but to probably take a hit in the pairs competition.

 

[Arigato]

I’m so sad yall. Did you hear me yelling “I love you Jimmy?”

That reminds me of the time someone yelled those words at Jimmy a few years ago as he was leaving the ice. He yelled back," Somebody has to!"

 

[auser]

I’m so depressed.

 

[TontoK]

how do you feel about PCS scoring ?

Overscored, but overscored consistently across all skaters. Meaning they all got more than they deserve, and probably about the same amount. There was not, as far as I can tell, favoritism shown towards anyone to a measurable degree in PCS.

Not shocking for US Nationals, or any nationals to be fair, for higher PCS than an international standard.

GOE was, nearly across the board, a bit higher than I'd expect internationally, except for Ilia's jumping passes. Those would have been mainly +4/5 anywhere, anytime. He got huge GOE on those, and it was absolutely deserved.

 

[museksk8r]

I would have ranked the men’s SP as: 1) Ilia, 2) Tomoki, 3) Max, 4) Jason, 5) Andrew. The Olympic team selection criteria does not require the USFSA to select the top 3 in this event as the team, so they really don’t need to award Jason 3rd place if his skating doesn’t warrant it. He was pewter medalist in 2022 and I do agree that they made the correct decision back then when they selected him over Malinin as Ilia was wildly inconsistent prior to the 2023 season. Plus, Ilia’s basic skating was absolutely atrocious back then.

How time changes things! This season Ilia has manifested into a skater whom I quite enjoy watching now. I could not say that even last year, but he is slowly winning me over and I am noticing his improvements with each competition. It took him a very long time to discover his artistic voice and it may not be for everyone and it certainly isn’t my favorite, but his skating does intrigue me now. Plus, his packaging is much better now than what it used to be.

I hope all these skaters manage to skate their best in the FS as I don’t want any controversial results to tarnish this competition or any upcoming competition.

 

[frompolandwithlove]

Yes. They gave a bunch to audience members to throw.

I have no idea who or what Toothless is. but I was also told by an attendee (as confirmed above by @moonvine, but not her ) that they were handed out to audience members close enough to throw, and throw they did.

...is this normal practice? I haven't been to that many competitions yet, but I always thought plushies were bought and brought by audience members?

I didn't watch the whole event, only saw a few men. Tomoki was fun, but his short was fun every time this season, so no surprises there. Will he keep it together in the free - that's the important question. No matter how free skating will go, I don't see a scenario in which Jason is not going to the olympics. Of course he is not a contender for Olympic podium, but he usually places above other American men - sometimes because he is genuinely that good, sometimes because the other men tend to sabotage themselves.

 

[kan01]

The protocols don’t help - a q step out both hands down and -3s/-4s from the majority of the judges and no fall deduction. I also think they were generous with the q’s. I appreciate Jason and his career and being sentimental fave, but that was amateurish for him. 46 PCS? He had wobbles, his 2014 had sharper better footwork and better projection and speed. They are pushing so hard for him to make top 3. Come on. I hope he has a solid freeskate but I also hope he will be judged fairly and not collect 95 PCS for whatever he puts out there and take a spot from someone who earns it. He was instrumental in getting 3 spots - yes. But that doesn’t entitle him to a spot - especially when he’s been to two Olympics. If he can’t do a quad he should at least be hitting his 3-3 and fully rotating his 3A. But I suppose USFS is keen to give him a victory lap.

Malinin was amazing but also his PCS was wild (even for US nationals). Incredible flawless jumping though (that 4F was a +5 as was that 3A) and I would have given higher GOE to those (a tad overscored on the spins though). Insanely great skate though.

Thrilled for Tomoki! He laid it down with pressure and I hope he has a chance to make it to the Olympics after such an up and down career.

Except Jason earned his spot by being solid nr 2 (US wise) during the Grand Prix and coming in 10 overall (in the whole wide world at GP). Also, Jason did not even go to Nationals last year and was still selected for Worlds, made top 8 at Worlds and earned the three spots (and after worse GP than this year). There's a reason they want him to go instead of someone doing well at Nationals and possibly not making the free at the Olympics. And, yes, he is entitled, and not to 3rd spot but to 2nd spot giving his GP and reputation over the seasons at the big events.

 

[midori green]

I woke up this morning with Lorenzo Elano's music in my head. He skated with such emotion. Was it powerful for those live at the arena? (I found the TV commentators talking over it distracted from the mood, but the emotion still came through.) He's one of the skaters that is enjoyable to watch perform no matter how "clean" the program is.

 

[Janice4th]

I would have ranked the men’s SP as: 1) Ilia, 2) Tomoki, 3) Max, 4) Jason, 5) Andrew. The Olympic team selection criteria does not require the USFSA to select the top 3 in this event as the team, so they really don’t need to award Jason 3rd place if his skating doesn’t warrant it. He was pewter medalist in 2022 and I do agree that they made the correct decision back then when they selected him over Malinin as Ilia was wildly inconsistent prior to the 2023 season. Plus, Ilia’s basic skating was absolutely atrocious back then.

How time changes things! This season Ilia has manifested into a skater whom I quite enjoy watching now. I could not say that even last year, but he is slowly winning me over and I am noticing his improvements with each competition. It took him a very long time to discover his artistic voice and it may not be for everyone and it certainly isn’t my favorite, but his skating does intrigue me now. Plus, his packaging is much better now than what it used to be.

I hope all these skaters manage to skate their best in the FS as I don’t want any controversial results to tarnish this competition or any upcoming competition.

I just feel privileged to have witnessed an athlete who does incredibly difficult programs and brings the audience in with him. I don’t even like rap music, and I still am fascinated by his performances.

 

[noskates]

The Toothless "throw" was also followed by a commercial for the Milano Olympics featuring Ilia. We assumed the Olympic committee was behind it. Workers walked up and down the aisles handing the "dolls" out to people in the front rows to throw when Ilia finished skating, His reaction when he saw them was priceless, Then he was handed one in the Kiss and Cry that was almost as big as him. I thought it was a clever and neat way to acknowledge not only his skate but to promote the Olys. I've never seen anything like it before. It's his favorite character and apparently he had mentioned he'd like to be in a commercial with him (How To Train Your Dragon) and somebody was listening.

 

[readernick]

Except Jason earned his spot by being solid nr 2 (US wise) during the Grand Prix and coming in 10 overall (in the whole wide world at GP). Also, Jason did not even go to Nationals last year and was still selected for Worlds, made top 8 at Worlds and earned the three spots (and after worse GP than this year). There's a reason they want him to go instead of someone doing well at Nationals and possibly not making the free at the Olympics. And, yes, he is entitled, and not to 3rd spot but to 2nd spot giving his GP and reputation over the seasons at the big events.

USFS wants to send Jason. He has always shown up for every big competition he has been sent to. His worst showing ever was 9th at the World Championships. This can't be said for the other men in competition for the spots. However, I think Jason has to show that he can land rotated 3As and rotated 3-3s in the freeskate to be sent.(he's doing it in practice but that hasn't translated to competition). He fairly (imho) makes up the lost BV from his lack of quads against most men in the field who are doing between 1 and 4 messy quads with his, usually justified, high GOE and PCS. However, he will not do well in international competition without clean 3As or 3-3s. This is just reality. I'm a huge Jason fan and I think he will show up in the freeskate. If he doesn't, I don't think his spot is secure and that isn't something that I would have said earlier in the season when I thought he would definitely be the second US man.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Except Jason earned his spot by being solid nr 2 (US wise) during the Grand Prix and coming in 10 overall (in the whole wide world at GP). Also, Jason did not even go to Nationals last year and was still selected for Worlds, made top 8 at Worlds and earned the three spots (and after worse GP than this year). There's a reason they want him to go instead of someone doing well at Nationals and possibly not making the free at the Olympics. And, yes, he is entitled, and not to 3rd spot but to 2nd spot giving his GP and reputation over the seasons at the big events.

Fair. But he can at least be judged fairly. If he falters technically, with junior level tech content, and the others deliver they should be placed ahead of him. And then if they send him to the Olympics on BOW there’s a case. Jason is always guaranteed at least 90 PCS so usually 160s internationally which is good for a top 10 finish at the Olympics. But the U.S. could stand to encourage up and coming talent or skaters who have paid their dues and give them that experience.

And it doesn’t matter if someone doesn’t make the free at the Olympics. They’ll get their gold (or very likely medal) with Malinin and Olympic placements don’t affect spots at 4CC/Worlds.

We will see how the FS goes - I’m hoping he skates well and isn’t helped by the judges - but if Jason is guaranteed the 2nd spot as you say then it doesn’t need to be justified by propping him up over a skater who out skates him. I am a big fan of Jason’s skating but I’m also an even bigger fan of fair judging.

Would you say his SP that he performed yesterday deserved 46 PCS? Even with US Nats inflation?

 

[kan01]

USFS wants to send Jason. He has always shown up for every big competition he has been sent to. His worst showing ever was 9th at the World Championships. This can't be said for the other men in competition for the spots. However, I think Jason has to show that he can land rotated 3As and rotated 3-3s in the freeskate to be sent.(he's doing it in practice but that hasn't translated to competition). He fairly (imho) make up the lost BV from his lack of quads against most men in the field who are doing between 1 and 4 messy quads with his, usually justified, high GOE and PCS. However, he will not do well in international competition without clean 3As or 3-3s. This is just reality. I'm a huge Jason fan and I think he will show up in the freeskate. If he doesn't, I don't think his spot is secure and that isn't something that I would have said earlier in the season when I thought he would definitely be the second US man.

Even with questionable triples, he still did better than anyone else during GP, except Ilia. International scores and placements don't lie. US men, except Jason and Ilia, are notorious for doing well at Nationals and lowkey, or highkey, bombing at the second-part-of season major comps. Having three whole spots and not sending Jason would be wild having into account no other possible 2nd and 3rd man did anything but be mediocre at GP. Naumov and Torgashev (and even Tomoki) have had chances to prove internationally and still din not manage to be above a mediocre Jason by his own standards. But we can agree to disagree.

 

[readernick]

. But the U.S. could stand to encourage up and coming talent or skaters who have paid their dues and give them that experience.

I don't actually think this is a fair critique. The US does send out the young skaters all the time to challengers and gives them opportunities at large events likes Worlds and 4CC. The younger skaters just haven't capitalized on the opportunities they have been given. Jason could absolutely lose his spot if he can't skate a decent freeskate but, sadly, it won't be because the younger skaters are out there outskating him nationally and internationally and showing up at all their major internationals. It will likely just be because it is hard to have the stamina and health to still be rotating 3A in your thirties.

Even with questionable triples, he still did better than anyone else during GP, except Ilia. International scores and placements don't lie. US men, except Jason and Ilia, are notorious for doing well at Nationals and lowkey, or highkey, bombing at the second-part-of season major comps. Having three whole spots and not sending Jason would be wild having into account no other possible 2nd and 3rd man did anything but be mediocre at GP. Naumov and Torgashev (and even Tomoki) have had chances to prove internationally and still din not manage to be above a mediocre Jason by his own standards. But we can agree to disagree.

I can't disagree about the other men not showing up as my response above shows. I am also, as a mentioned before, a big Jason fan. I will be thrilled to have him on another Olympic team. I just think Jason's international scores this fall were not high enough above the other skaters in competition for the spots to justify sending him without a strong freeskate. I don't think anyone (other than Ilya) has had good enough results this year to justify being sent without having a solid nationals. But, perhaps the USFS disagrees with me. Anyway, I really do think Jason will show up in the freeskate so I think this debate will likely not have to be waged anyway.

 

[snowflake]

Wow Tomoki in second. My hope is he'll get an oly spot. It's been great watching him skate better than ever this season. He looks pretty solid so for a brilliant free skate.

I'm sad that US men is in the middle of nights in Europe. My body and mind just can't get up and work at 2-3 o'clock

Thanks to a skating fan I've watched Ilia, Tomoki, Jason and Maxim SP.

Ilia: as usual Tomoki: olympics needs a showman
Jason: too nervous? Maxim: impressive and heartfelt.

 

[kan01]

And it doesn’t matter if someone doesn’t make the free at the Olympics.

I disagree. Any federation wants to maximize chances to get the best placement possible across all performances that their team members put out at an elite event.

 

[frompolandwithlove]

The Toothless "throw" was also followed by a commercial for the Milano Olympics featuring Ilia. We assumed the Olympic committee was behind it. Workers walked up and down the aisles handing the "dolls" out to people in the front rows to throw when Ilia finished skating

I have... very mixed feelings about it, to say the least.

 

[TontoK]

I have... very mixed feelings about it, to say the least.

I don't particularly care one way or another, but it seems contrived. Inorganic.

I mean Ilia deserves plenty of "flowers" for that performance, but there's no need for a stunt to give them to him.

I don't get it anyway. Is the dragon the Olympic mascot? Is that what this is about?