Didn’t care for new Gaga program and what in heck was she thinking with her hair
Replay Lounge 2026 U.S. Nationals: Recaps and Discussion
- Thread starter gsk8
- Start date
Replay Lounge
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2012
I think you're addressing 2 different issues. I can't imagine how difficult it is to leave your homeland, friends and family, and move to a different country. My grandparents came to the US from Italy and came through Ellis Island - had to find a home, a job, didn't speak the language, etc. So I'm not indifferent to that. But figure skating is a sport. It's a country-defined sport. It's an annual and once every 4 years competition between countries. If you're unable to get a passport to leave the US and compete internationally than I still think you shouldn't represent that country. When or if the rules change to allow that then it stops being an amateur sport (maybe it already has) and becomes something else. As I said, I'm not indifferent to what Alisa has had to endure, but emigrating and competing are two different issues. I also realize how difficult it is to find pairs partners - obviously - but I don't think getting them from other countries is the answer. And it's just my opinion and you can disagree with me. But it certainly is a matter for discussion and shouldn't just be passed off as the ISU needs to change their rules.
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2013
I confess I've been more invested in Alisa because I enjoy the pair so much.
But if we get right down to it, I'd love for them both to be citizens, so long as their motivation is not entirely about skating. If American citizenship just means a convenient passport, then no thank you.
You're the one that is suggesting that the ISU change their rules. The IOC is the one that has the rule requiring citizenship, and as important as the Olympics is, it's not the be all end all. Requiring citizenship to compete internationally would essentially destroy pairs and dance as fields. Small feds would find it near impossible to break through. There are already plenty obstacles to competing for a different country, why make it even more difficult for people to find their ideal match? And quite frankly why would any country's federation want to pass up on the opportunities afforded by allowing people that don't yet have citizenship to compete for them? 2/3s of America's Olympic bound dance teams weren't eligible six months ago, and they were able to get their passport in time partially due to their athletic results.
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
About Alysa Liu's Lady Gaga program, there is nothing really wrong with it. In fact, it is pretty much the same as MacArthur Park. The difference is in the performance, not the program.
So far, for various reasons (or for none) she just hasn't been able to ignite that magic pixie dust bomb that she surprised everyone with last season -- including, I think, herself.
So far, for various reasons (or for none) she just hasn't been able to ignite that magic pixie dust bomb that she surprised everyone with last season -- including, I think, herself.
Last edited:
I'm on vacation, so this is the first Nationals I've completely missed in a couple decades. To the extent that I would have been really really sad, I'm glad I didn't get to see Jason's performance. Happy for Max though. I've enjoyed him since the year he won his first pewter medal.
Happy about all of the feel good stories like Ellie and Danny making it to the Olympics. I'm thrilled that I'll get to see my favorite programs from Zingas/Kolesnik on an Olympic stage. It was a crazy quad with Russians gone and the Chinese not showing up for a couple years. I'm excited that we're ending it on a high note.
P.S. On the Olympics and citizenship: I always want to see the best athletes and I wish citizenship played no part. I always think it's unfair that individuals who are born with parents with multiple nationalities get multiple bites of the apple. But then again sports and life aren't fair so I try not to dwell on it.
Happy about all of the feel good stories like Ellie and Danny making it to the Olympics. I'm thrilled that I'll get to see my favorite programs from Zingas/Kolesnik on an Olympic stage. It was a crazy quad with Russians gone and the Chinese not showing up for a couple years. I'm excited that we're ending it on a high note.
P.S. On the Olympics and citizenship: I always want to see the best athletes and I wish citizenship played no part. I always think it's unfair that individuals who are born with parents with multiple nationalities get multiple bites of the apple. But then again sports and life aren't fair so I try not to dwell on it.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
Does anyone know what it is that Christine Brennan said about the men's event that was overly critical and buzzworthy? 
She is a journalist who too often emphasizes hype over substance. And she absolutely loooves fs drama.
I'm glad Jason gets the chance to go to Worlds. I can see him declining 4CCs, though, which would be a great oppty for Liam Kapeikis, who has lovely programs this season.
She is a journalist who too often emphasizes hype over substance. And she absolutely loooves fs drama.I'm glad Jason gets the chance to go to Worlds. I can see him declining 4CCs, though, which would be a great oppty for Liam Kapeikis, who has lovely programs this season.
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
I was listening to a podcast review that perfectly describes the difference. The Gaga music is slower, with one of the pieces in particular requiring sharper movements from Alysa, which is not her skating style. OTOH, the MacArthur Park selection enhances and beautifully supports the more flowing, angular, expressive qualities of Alysa's skating. This assessment seems accurate. It's not from me, though. It's Nolan Carney's take on the Blades & Banter podcast.
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2013
The only thing I saw is that she got an advance look at the gala lineup, and she spoiled that Max was on the team.Does anyone know what it is that Christine Brennan said about the men's event that was overly critical and buzzworthy?
I'm glad Jason gets the chance to go to Worlds. I can see him declining 4CCs, though, which would be a great oppty for Liam Kapeikis, who has lovely programs this season.
That didn't have anything to do with the competition itself, but I think a lot of fans were waiting to be surprised live.
Once you saw the tweet, the arena introduction lost a lot of the suspense. In fact, the only reason I was going to watch the gala was to see if Max made it. I'm not a gala fan, so once I knew that, I didn't see any reason to watch, and I didn't. I saw a few highlights later, including Max's introduction, on various social media posts.
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2013
I had a different reaction. I thought that Jason is more likely to drop from Worlds if he crushes the 4CC assignment.Does anyone know what it is that Christine Brennan said about the men's event that was overly critical and buzzworthy?
I'm glad Jason gets the chance to go to Worlds. I can see him declining 4CCs, though, which would be a great oppty for Liam Kapeikis, who has lovely programs this season.
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
Were the Olympic team event selections formally announced yet? It's likely men and ladies shared by two skaters' each (Ilia & Torgy; Amber & Alysa), with Chock/Bates and Kam/O'Shea doing double duty for ice dance and pairs.
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
Possibly. But Jason would have more time to prepare physically and emotionally for Worlds, while 4CCs is so soon after Nationals and close to the Olympics. The close timing and juxtaposition might not be the best for Jason. He needs to feel more confident and prepared to get his tech done adequately. And the emotional drama of missing the Olympics would also perhaps be lessened by the time Worlds takes place.
Worlds in an Olympic season is usually flat and underwhelming for skaters and fans. Maybe a prepared Jason can take the oppty of being a bright spot in Czechia, taking his farewell from the sport. OTOH, he might decide to compete at both 4CCs and Worlds. But I hope Liam K gets the chance to go to 4CCs.
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2013
No announcement yet, and I wouldn't be surprised if that was only announced when entries for the event are due. Strategically, there's no reason to announce early. They'll be monitoring the situation in practices beforehand. My recollection is that entries for the free aren't due until after the short segments are complete.
I can see a scenario in which Ilia skates both segments. I think many have already conceded the gold to Team USA, and I'm not so sure. It depends mainly on how the pair holds up in the short.
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2013
A big Jason fan account on X has just reported that he's out of 4CC. I don't always take the internet as gospel, but this user is pretty reliable.
Edit: Jackie Wong also reporting this.
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2025
And I think he is going to 4CC because it will be easier to get a good result there and finish his career on a good note. We do not know if the big names will go to Worlds after Olympics or not but we do know who will be at 4CC and he should be able to get a good placement there.
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2014
That info comes from the ISU entry lists.
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2025
you are right
ISU Figure Skating Four Continents Championships 2026
ISU Figure Skating Four Continents Championships 2026
isu-skating.com
he is listed as SUB now
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
Actually, no non-citizen in a U.S. ice dance team got a break in reduction of the arduous and long U.S. citizenship process, especially not Christina Carreira! She would have had her citizenship a number of years ago, had she went the normal route from the beginning. Her initial immigration atty suggested she try for an Extraordinary Person visa which drastically reduces the citizenship process. But she was much younger then with a lot fewer athletic career accomplishments. And that type of visa is usually not given to athletes. It's more often for vastly accomplished scientists, notable VIPs in industry or politics, classical musicians, or well-connected celebrity entertainers. Christina certainly did not fit the requirements. Thus, she had to start the entire process over again, losing several years at least. What might have taken her 8 years, ended up being around 11 years! Plus, all the commuting back-and-forth from Canada after she and Anthony switched coaches and relocated.
In Vadym's case, he has followed the lengthy citizenship process that began when he first came to the U.S. in his youth and partnered with Avonley Nguyen -- they had a successful and exciting junior career. The citizenship process was not sped up for him as a result of his career wins, though. Vadym and Christina are just fortunate that the end of their long U.S.citizenship quests fortuitously came to successful closure last fall in time for the 2026 Olympics. Neither received any special reduced time waivers, like typically happens in other countries for figure skaters, e.g., Deanna Stellato; Laurence Fournier-Beaudry; Bruno Massot; Nikita Volodin; and Tim Dieck, et al. Albeit that Massot and Volodin had to pass the difficult German language test.
Similar threads
