2025-26 British and Irish figure skating | Page 16 | Golden Skate

2025-26 British and Irish figure skating

Did you see the news in the Retirements and Splits thread?

Zarah and Alex are splitting! :jaw:



https://www.instagram.com/p/DUOHl4liIuR/

I was not expecting that! Zarah and Alex splitting was the last thing I would have imagined happening.

Such a shame. I really liked them.

It has been a pleasure to have been their adoptive Daddy on here.

I wish both of them all the best for the future.

Thank you to @DemTuppesSeine for letting us know.

CaroLiza_fan
 
that's a pity - I hope they both decide to continue skating and find new partners - they're both talented and have a lot of potential
 
Anything GOEs has an interview with Kristen Spours.

The event, in front of a home crowd, was in addition a chance to have her family in the audience in her final competitive season. “I’m really grateful to have my family here,” she said in the mixed zone following the short program. “I’m retiring in Prague, so this will be the last time my dad will see me skate, because he can’t travel for health reasons. It’s really special.”
Click to expand...
 
CaroLiza_fan said:
Did you see the news in the Retirements and Splits thread?

Zarah and Alex are splitting! :jaw:



https://www.instagram.com/p/DUOHl4liIuR/

I was not expecting that! Zarah and Alex splitting was the last thing I would have imagined happening.

Such a shame. I really liked them.

It has been a pleasure to have been their adoptive Daddy on here.

I wish both of them all the best for the future.

Thank you to @DemTuppesSeine for letting us know.

CaroLiza_fan
Click to expand...

I'm not actually surprised. They had stopped progressing and seemed to have reached a ceiling as a pair. They are aging out of juniors and don't look anywhere near ready for seniors. I suspect that the decision was made earlier in the season. Normally BIS sends skaters who are age eligible for both categories out to a couple of senior competitions before they age out of juniors - like Davison/Borisov have done this season. Zarah and Alex haven't tried any senior events despite being age eligible, and I would have expected them to do so to help them prepare for the transition.
 
FlossieH said:
I'm not actually surprised. They had stopped progressing and seemed to have reached a ceiling as a pair. They are aging out of juniors and don't look anywhere near ready for seniors. I suspect that the decision was made earlier in the season. Normally BIS sends skaters who are age eligible for both categories out to a couple of senior competitions before they age out of juniors - like Davison/Borisov have done this season. Zarah and Alex haven't tried any senior events despite being age eligible, and I would have expected them to do so to help them prepare for the transition.
Click to expand...
I agree with this. I don't really watch juniors, but I was at the Sheffield gala, and didn't think they looked anywhere near senior-ready, so if he is aging out of juniors, and she has a couple more years where she could continue to learn in juniors, it may make sense for her. Maybe she has someone lined up.

Kristen sounds like she's really been having a bad time with expectations. It's a shame, she was so impressive last year, and I wish she'd been able to enjoy it.

This stuck me: "After the World Championships, her job wasn’t done. She also had to fulfil a criteria set by the British Olympic Association to be thought of as ready to send to Milan in February 2026."

Why? Top ten Euros, qualifying an Olympic spot at Worlds, being our top woman in a year where we can send a team for the first time in ages, partly thanks to her. All that should have been more than enough. She shouldn't have had to skate more, ending up in injury.
 
Sad but not completely surprised that at Zarah and Alex have split. I hope they both find new endeavours, they are great performers.
saine said:
Anything GOEs has an interview with Kristen Spours.
Click to expand...
I didn't realise quite how much Kristen was having to contend with! What a shame that she was pushed to fulfill more criteria after worlds, that just seems so unnecessary! I am glad she feels so supported by her coaches and hopefully she can enjoy this Olympics to the fullest.
 
pesto said:
Kristen sounds like she's really been having a bad time with expectations. It's a shame, she was so impressive last year, and I wish she'd been able to enjoy it.

This stuck me: "After the World Championships, her job wasn’t done. She also had to fulfil a criteria set by the British Olympic Association to be thought of as ready to send to Milan in February 2026."

Why? Top ten Euros, qualifying an Olympic spot at Worlds, being our top woman in a year where we can send a team for the first time in ages, partly thanks to her. All that should have been more than enough. She shouldn't have had to skate more, ending up in injury.
Click to expand...
She shared in the mixed zone today at the Olympics that she had a pretty serious back disc injury that required surgery. They were able to repair the disc, but she still has some nerve damage in the area. She is a real fighter for pushing through for the Olympics, she has been so important for GB qualifying for the Team Event.
 
figureskatingandrainbows said:
She shared in the mixed zone today at the Olympics that she had a pretty serious back disc injury that required surgery. They were able to repair the disc, but she still has some nerve damage in the area. She is a real fighter for pushing through for the Olympics, she has been so important for GB qualifying for the Team Event.
Click to expand...
She also has not regained power in her leg, which means that she cannot do a 2A. That will make it difficult (probably impossible) for her to qualify for the FP, but I am glad that she is just able to skate.
 
Here is my TV schedule post for the figure skating at the 2026 Olympics. (As the Sky EPG only shows a week in advance, this post will get edited as the Games go on).

Unfortunately, it is not as comprehensive as I would have liked.

Apart from on Friday, the descriptions on the BBC broadcasts do not tell us what they are showing. So, I have just listed all the broadcasts that are on at the times when there is skating happening. Hopefully some of them will include skating.

I would normally include in these posts the times when Discovery+ is streaming. But, I’ve given up trying to make sense of them. The times and descriptions of a lot of them aren’t tallying with the Coloured Time Schedule, and I am getting thoroughly confused.

However, I got a shock. Most of the skating is also being simulcast on TNT Sport’s Ultra High Definition channel! 😲

Figure skating in UHD?! This could be amazing, or a curse!

Hope this helps.

CaroLiza_fan


BBC Red Button 1 (i.e. Standard Definition) is available via:

Digital terrestrial (UK only): Ch. 601 on Freeview


BBC Red Button 1 HD is available via:

Digital cable (UK only): Ch. 991 on Virgin Media UK
Digital satellite (UK only): Ch. 970 on Freesat
Digital satellite (Europe): Ch. 970 on SkyDigital
Astra 28.2E, Transponder 46 (10.788V. DVB-S2 8PSK. MBaud 23,000. FEC 3/4)​


BBC2 (i.e. Standard Definition) is available via:

Digital terrestrial (UK only): Ch. 2 on Freeview


BBC2 HD is available via:

Digital terrestrial (UK only): Ch. 102 on Freeview
Digital cable (UK only): Ch. 102 on Virgin Media UK
Digital cable (Ireland only):
BBC2 NI HD – Ch. 109 or 140 on Virgin Media Ireland​
Digital satellite (UK only): Ch. 102 on Freesat
BBC2 England HD – Ch. 949 on Freesat
BBC2 Wales HD – Ch. 971 on Freesat
BBC2 Northern Ireland HD – Ch. 969 on Freesat​
Digital satellite (Europe): Ch. 102 (UK) / 142 (IRE) on SkyDigital
BBC2 England HD (Ch. 967 on SkyDigital) – Astra 28.2E, Transponder 50 (10.847V. DVB-S2 8PSK. MBaud 23,000. FEC 3/4).
BBC2 Wales HD (Ch. 968 on SkyDigital) – Astra 28.2E, Transponder 48 (10.818V. DVB-S2 8PSK. MBaud 23,000. FEC 3/4).
BBC2 Northern Ireland HD (Ch. 969 on SkyDigital) – Astra 28.2E, Transponder 45 (10.773H. DVB-S2 8PSK. MBaud 23,000. FEC 3/4).​


TNT Sports 2 (i.e. Standard Definition) is available via:

Digital terrestrial (UK only): Ch. 409 on EE TV
Digital cable (Ireland only): Ch. 413 or 471 on Virgin Media Ireland
Digital satellite (Europe): Ch. 869 on SkyDigital
Astra 28.2°E, Transponder 98 (11.597V. DVB-S2 8PSK. MBaud 23,000. FEC 2/3).​


TNT Sports 2 HD is available via:

Digital terrestrial (UK only): Ch. 431 on EE TV
Digital cable (UK only): Ch. 522 on Virgin Media UK
Digital cable (Ireland only): Ch. 443 or 471 on Virgin Media Ireland
Digital satellite (Europe): Ch. 411 on SkyDigital
Astra 28.2°E, Transponder 97 (11.582H. DVB-S2 8PSK. MBaud 23,000. FEC 2/3).​


TNT Sports 3 (i.e. Standard Definition) is available via:

Digital terrestrial (UK only): Ch. 410 on EE TV
Digital cable (Ireland only): Ch. 414 or 472 on Virgin Media Ireland
Digital satellite (Europe): Ch. 870 on SkyDigital
Astra 28.2°E, Transponder 104 (11.685V. DVB-S2 8PSK. MBaud 23,000. FEC 2/3).​


TNT Sports 3 HD is available via:

Digital terrestrial (UK only): Ch. 433 on EE TV
Digital cable (UK only): Ch. 523 on Virgin Media UK
Digital cable (Ireland only): Ch. 444 or 472 on Virgin Media Ireland
Digital satellite (Europe): Ch. 413 on SkyDigital
Astra 28.2°E, Transponder 97 (11.582H. DVB-S2 8PSK. MBaud 23,000. FEC 2/3).​


TNT Sports 4 (i.e. Standard Definition) is available via:

Digital terrestrial (UK only): Ch. 411 on EE TV
Digital cable (Ireland only): Ch. 415 or 471 on Virgin Media Ireland
Digital satellite (Europe): Ch. 871 on SkyDigital
Astra 28.2°E, Transponder 98 (11.597V. DVB-S2 8PSK. MBaud 23,000. FEC 2/3).​


TNT Sports 4 HD is available via:

Digital terrestrial (UK only): Ch. 434 on EE TV
Digital cable (UK only): Ch. 524 on Virgin Media UK
Digital cable (Ireland only): Ch. 445 or 473 on Virgin Media Ireland
Digital satellite (Europe): Ch. 414 on SkyDigital
Astra 28.2°E, Transponder 97 (11.582H. DVB-S2 8PSK. MBaud 23,000. FEC 2/3).​


TNT Sports Ultimate UHD is available via:

Digital terrestrial (UK only): Ch. 433 on EE TV


TNT Sports Ultimate UHD HDR is available via:

Digital terrestrial (UK only): Ch. 465 on EE TV
Digital cable (UK only): Ch. 525 on Virgin Media UK
Digital satellite (Europe): Ch. 493 on SkyDigital
Astra 28.2°E, Transponder 26 (12.207V. DVB-S2 8PSK. MBaud 27,500. FEC 2/3).​


🇬🇧 BBC (All times GMT)

Friday 6th February 2026
BBC RB1 08:50 – 14:00 Team Event LIVE
BBC2 18:30 – 22:30 Opening Ceremony LIVE

Saturday 7th February 2026
BBC RB1 00:30 – 04:00 Opening Ceremony
BBC RB1 17:00 – 22:45 Olympics Extra LIVE
BBC2 18:00 – 22:00 Olympics LIVE

Sunday 8th February 2026
BBC RB1 17:00 – 22:45 Olympics Extra LIVE
BBC2 18:00 – 22:00 Olympics LIVE

Monday 9th February 2026
BBC RB1 17:00 – 22:45 Olympics Extra LIVE
BBC2 17:15 – 22:00 Olympics LIVE

Tuesday 10th February 2026
BBC RB1 17:00 – 22:45 Olympics Extra LIVE
BBC2 17:15 – 22:00 Olympics LIVE

Wednesday 11th February 2026
BBC RB1 17:00 – 22:45 Olympics Extra LIVE
BBC2 17:15 – 22:00 Olympics LIVE

Friday 13th February 2026
BBC RB1 17:00 – 22:45 Olympics Extra LIVE
BBC2 17:15 – 22:05 Olympics LIVE

Sunday 15th February 2026
BBC RB1 17:00 – 22:45 Olympics Extra LIVE
BBC1 18:00 – 19:00 Olympics LIVE
BBC2 19:00 – 22:00 Olympics LIVE

Monday 16th February 2026
BBC RB1 17:00 – 22:45 Olympics Extra LIVE
BBC2 17:15 – 22:00 Olympics LIVE

Tuesday 17th February 2026
BBC RB1 17:00 – 22:45 Olympics Extra LIVE
BBC2 17:15 – 22:00 Olympics LIVE

Thursday 19th February 2026
BBC RB1 17:00 – 22:45 Olympics Extra LIVE
BBC2 17:15 – 22:00 Olympics LIVE

Saturday 21st February 2026
BBC RB1 17:00 – 22:45 Olympics Extra LIVE
BBC2 17:15 – 22:00 Olympics LIVE

Sunday 22nd February 2026
BBC2 19:00 – 22:00 Closing Ceremony LIVE

Monday 23rd February 2026
BBC RB1 00:05 – 03:05 Closing Ceremony


🇬🇧 TNT Sports (All times GMT)

Friday 6th February 2026
TNTS4 08:45 – 14:00 Team Event LIVE
TNTSU 11:15 – 13:30 Team Event LIVE
TNTS2 17:30 – 22:30 Opening Ceremony LIVE
TNTSU 17:30 – 22:30 Opening Ceremony LIVE

Saturday 7th February 2026
TNTS2 00:45 – 01:45 Team Event Highlights
TNTS2 05:00 – 06:00 Team Event Highlights
TNTS2 19:45 – 20:15 Team Event LIVE
TNTSU 19:45 – 20:15 Team Event LIVE
TNTS2 21:15 – 22:30 Team Event LIVE
TNTSU 21:15 – 22:30 Team Event LIVE

Sunday 8th February 2026
TNTS2 20:45 – 22:30 Team Event LIVE
TNTSU 20:45 – 22:30 Team Event LIVE

Monday 9th February 2026
TNTS2 19:45 – 22:30 Short Dance LIVE
TNTSU 19:45 – 22:30 Short Dance LIVE

Tuesday 10th February 2026
TNTS2 01:00 – 02:00 Short Dance Highlights
TNTS2 04:30 – 05:30 Short Dance Highlights
TNTS2 19:45 – 22:30 Men’s Short LIVE

Wednesday 11th February 2026
TNTSU 18:15 – 19:00 Free Dance LIVE
TNTS2 18:15 – 22:30 Free Dance LIVE

Thursday 12th February 2026
TNTS2 01:00 – 02:00 Free Dance Highlights

Friday 13th February 2026
TNTS4 20:00 – 22:00 Men’s Free LIVE
TNTS2 21:00 – 22:00 Men’s Free LIVE

Sunday 15th February 2026
TNTS2 20:45 – 22:30 Pairs Short LIVE
TNTSU 20:45 – 22:30 Pairs Short LIVE

Monday 16th February 2026
TNTS3 18:45 – 22:15 Pairs Free LIVE
TNTS2 21:15 – 22:30 Pairs Free LIVE

Tuesday 17th February 2026
TNTS2 02:00 – 03:00 Pairs Free Highlights
TNTS2 07:00 – 08:00 Pairs Free Highlights
TNTS4 16:00 – 17:00 Pairs Free Highlights
TNTS2 21:00 – 22:30 Ladies Short LIVE
TNTSU 21:15 – 22:30 Ladies Short LIVE

Thursday 19th February 2026
TNTS2 21:00 – 22:30 Ladies Free LIVE

Saturday 21st February 2026
TNTS4 20:00 – 21:30 Gala Exhibition LIVE

Sunday 22nd February 2026
TNTS2 18:00 – 22:30 Closing Ceremony LIVE
TNTSU 18:00 – 22:30 Closing Ceremony LIVE
 
Last edited:
I think Discovery+ basically just has a livestream for everything. If it's on, there will be a livestream on there somewhere!
 
ladyjane said:
Here's a lovely a-z interview with Ana and Luke:
anythinggoe.com

A to Z with Anastasia Vaipan-Law & Luke Digby

British pair Ana Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby answer the A to Z questionnaire.
anythinggoe.com
Click to expand...
Interesting to read, although some of the answers made me feel older than I wanted to. Like what year in the past would you like to visit, and Anastasia says she'd like to have been born in the 80s? My kids were born in the 80s! 👵🦽
 
Weetos said:
I think Discovery+ basically just has a livestream for everything. If it's on, there will be a livestream on there somewhere!
Click to expand...
The challenge I am having is that the digital platform for Discovery+ does not distinguish between the digital stream and the one which is also showing on TV. It shows both, and I cannot tell which is which. I want the digital version because that will (I hope!!!) be ad-free and the TV version will have lots of advertisement breaks.
 
FlossieH said:
The challenge I am having is that the digital platform for Discovery+ does not distinguish between the digital stream and the one which is also showing on TV. It shows both, and I cannot tell which is which. I want the digital version because that will (I hope!!!) be ad-free and the TV version will have lots of advertisement breaks.
Click to expand...

That has been one of my biggest complaints ever since Discovery+ had the makeover in September. You can't tell which version a stream is until you open it after it comes on air. Then you can usually tell once you start watching by the channel logo in the corner. If it just says "TNT Sports" or "Eurosport" with no number beside it, then it is the ad-free version. If there is a number beside the name, then it is the TV version. But it is the having to wait until it is on air to find out.

They are indicating on the thumbnails which streams are the UHD streams. So, I can't see why they can't also indicate on the thimbnails which are the TV streams, like they used to do.

My other big complaint is that they have taken away the Sports Schedule page that listed everything that was being streamed each day, be it from the TV channels or just online. Admittedly, they do have page doing this for the Olympics, but I wish they had it in the "normal" sports section as well.

Apparently, this new look is essentially HBO Max with a different logo in the corner. I hope that when the ownership of the TV channels is finally sorted out, that Discovery+ goes back to the previous version. Because I hate this version!

CaroLiza_fan
 
Just posted this in the Olympics Where Will You Be Watching thread, but thought I should copy it in here too since this is where the discussion started.

I'm going to reply to a few related posts from a number of different threads in one go here.

FlossieH said:
The challenge I am having is that the digital platform for Discovery+ does not distinguish between the digital stream and the one which is also showing on TV. It shows both, and I cannot tell which is which. I want the digital version because that will (I hope!!!) be ad-free and the TV version will have lots of advertisement breaks.
Click to expand...

CaroLiza_fan said:
I see the stream that we were assuming would be advert free isn't.

The no commentary soundtrack is on that stream. The TNT Sports 4 stream just has the commentary soundtrack.
Click to expand...

I was watching the Women's Downhill Training Run this morning (it wasn't being shown on the TV channels), and I accidentally made a discovery (pardon the pun).

The adverts on the additional streams are not "real" advert breaks. They are inserted. (You can tell by the yellow "Ad" logo in the top left hand corner). If you press the refresh button on your browser to re-load the page, you get to see the live pictures again.

Of course, this only works if you are actually watching LIVE. If you are playing catch-up while it is still on air, refreshing will take you LIVE, and you then have to find where you were. Which is a handling.

As for when they are archived, I just went back to yesterday's additional stream and checked the Short Dance Group 2 Warm-Up and, sure enough, the adverts that we watched when it was on LIVE were gone.

So, something to remember.

viennaskater said:
So great not having to listen to Mark!
Click to expand...

Mark was in the TNT Sports studio during the run-in to the Opening Ceremony, talking about who to look out for.

I think the studio stuff is being done from London. So, if the TNT Sports / Eurosport commentary is also being done from London rather than on site, I wouldn't be surprised if Mark made his way into the commentary box at some stage.

viennaskater said:
Only hope that they don't enlist that ghastly Catherine Whittaker. But hey, I've got my mute button just in case!
Click to expand...

Catherine was commentating on the Opening Ceremony last night, and was pointing out skaters, and talking about what had happened in the skating earlier in the day.

So, I wouldn't be surprised if she does end up commentating on the skating at some stage.

When you have an event like this, spread over a few weeks, it is probably a good idea to have a pool of commentators and rotate them.

Sorry, I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, @viennaskater.

CaroLiza_fan
 
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