2026 U.S. Nationals Senior Men Free Skate

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Oh, but it is given Torgashev’s world championships history.

So should Torgashev never be allowed to compete at the Olympics until he does better at Worlds?

Torgashev earned his spot. Nobody was beating Malinin and he was the best of the rest - by 18 points.

Brown was held up in both programs and was lucky to place in the top 10. A skater going to the Olympics unable to do a quad is one thing but this competition was a disaster. He doesn’t even have his 3A.

We should be happier to see Torgashev go and get experience and crash than Brown do this at the Olympics. And as mentioned it doesn’t even matter because Malinin is already getting gold and no other U.S. man is likely getting close to the individual podium - nor would Brown at the state he’s in. Naumov should also get to go too IMO. Sending your 8th place (arguably should have been 11th) finisher with 222 points (with Nationals scoring and tech calling) who has already been to two Olympics would be the worst optics.

 

[TontoK]

I'm a big supporter of "Top eligible skaters at Nationals get the spots." And I just don't see any reason to go off that.

And, honestly, if we want to talk body of work, Max had a reasonable season in comparison with the others, including a win at a Challenger.

And I get the comparisons of Andrew and Ross Miner... but there's a difference. In Ross's season, there were options. There really aren't here. The most reasonable alternate choice is Jacob, and I just don't see that happening.

And one more thing. I love Jason, and I am beyond grateful for his contributions to Team USA over the years, but they're not going to elevate him from 8th. Father Time is undefeated - it catches all of us eventually.

 

[yuumagical]

Will USFS consider the social media conduct of these athletes in their Olympics selection? Just saying because Torgashev was really disrespectful to Jason earlier this season...

 

[readernick]

tbh, his tech content doesn't match up to Andrew's, but I could see USFS letting Max skate the free portion of the TE

Andrew's skating is just at a higher quality level than Max's and this is shown by the scores they receive internationally with similar landed content

Honestly the best bet for the USFS to get gold is for Ilya to do both. I can't imagine he'll do that though....

 

[kan01]

Will USFS consider the social media conduct of these athletes in their Olympics selection? Just saying because Torgashev was really disrespectful to Jason earlier this season...

What? What did he say?

 

[16Olympics]

Here’s what I would do if I were on that selection committee based off the season and what happened here. Name Malinin, Naumov and Sanchez to the Olympic team. Give Jacob the experience of youth for his future development. Finally give Max a chance to prove what he can do on a world stage; Andrew has been given that chance twice and failed bombastically both times in 2023 and 2025. Obviously, no justification needed for Ilia.

I hear you but, Ilia didn't go in 2022 after taking silver so this is going to be a tough one because they have to build the team event and not sacrifice the individual events especially for Ilia. If I recall correctly, the men's sp is very close to the team event. Ugh. I hate this.

 

[moonvine]

I’m really thinking of staying home tomorrow. My back is absolutely on fire. But I’m afraid I’d miss something cool.

 

[moonvine]

Will USFS consider the social media conduct of these athletes in their Olympics selection? Just saying because Torgashev was really disrespectful to Jason earlier this season...

I doubt it. But I’m not part of USFS.

 

[SmileHappy34]

Ilia must have changed his outfit and music.
Ilia outfit and Andrew outfits are an exact match

 

[SmileHappy34]

Andrew's skating is just at a higher quality level than Max's and this is shown by the scores they receive internationally with similar landed content

Honestly the best bet for the USFS to get gold is for Ilya to do both. I can't imagine he'll do that though....

I would use Andrew and Maxim for team

 

[TontoK]

Will USFS consider the social media conduct of these athletes in their Olympics selection? Just saying because Torgashev was really disrespectful to Jason earlier this season...

No, because the committee isn't comprised of 12-year-old girls.

 

[SmileHappy34]

Since alotvof men and dance have russian heritage, it reminds me of 2014 Sochi Olympics

 

[museksk8r]

I am so happy for Max; he has waited A LONG TIME to elevate from the pewter medal.

 

[yuumagical]

What? What did he say?

He implied that Jason wasn't deserving of the scores he had received earlier in the season on Twitter. Was also clearly pissed at Jackie Wong and others earlier simply because they pointed out facts about his Olympic qualification status.

 

[momrk]

I'm a big supporter of "Top eligible skaters at Nationals get the spots." And I just don't see any reason to go off that.

And, honestly, if we want to talk body of work, Max had a reasonable season in comparison with the others, including a win at a Challenger.

And I get the comparisons of Andrew and Ross Miner... but there's a difference. In Ross's season, there were options. There really aren't here. The most reasonable alternate choice is Jacob, and I just don't see that happening.

And one more thing. I love Jason, and I am beyond grateful for his contributions to Team USA over the years, but they're not going to elevate him from 8th. Father Time is undefeated - it catches all of us eventually.

Everything you said

 

[YuBluByMe]

Will USFS consider the social media conduct of these athletes in their Olympics selection? Just saying because Torgashev was really disrespectful to Jason earlier this season...

I hope not. They’re supposed to be sending the best athletes, not the politest. The Olympics is a competition, not a beauty pageant.

 

[Fetinia]

Since alotvof men and dance have russian heritage, it reminds me of 2014 Sochi Olympics

Paira too.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Will USFS consider the social media conduct of these athletes in their Olympics selection? Just saying because Torgashev was really disrespectful to Jason earlier this season...

Oop what did he say? That clouds things a bit but still no denying what was put out there tonight.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

He implied that Jason wasn't deserving of the scores he had received earlier in the season on Twitter. Was also clearly pissed at Jackie Wong and others earlier simply because they pointed out facts about his Olympic qualification status.

While he may have had a point about Jason being overscored that isn’t sportsmanly at all.

 

[Sjs5572]

Andrew's skating is just at a higher quality level than Max's and this is shown by the scores they receive internationally with similar landed content

Honestly the best bet for the USFS to get gold is for Ilya to do both. I can't imagine he'll do that though.

Also, Torgashev should have scored even higher tonight. He deserved 90 PCS for that program. However, they were leaving room for Maxim, Jason, and Tomoki.