2026 World Figure Skating Championships | Pairs' Free Skate

[jorge2912]

Curious why Nikita said "her" career has only just begun. Is he retiring?

I don't think they he's thinking on retirement, maybe he was lost in translation.

Was watching Katie MCbeath & Daniil Parkman FS and was very elegant, some errors but was very nice.

Annika and Robert has surprised me, a very energetic and rhythmical FS, speechless..

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I don't think they he's thinking on retirement, maybe he was lost in translation.

Was watching Katie MCbeath & Daniil Parkman FS and was very elegant, some errors but was very nice.

Annika and Robert has surprised me, a very energetic and rhythmical FS, speechless..

It was reported that Annika and Robert are retiring to perform in shows. They certainly seem ready to entertain audiences on tour with the fun programs they executed so well this season.

McBeath/Parkman are very good and lovely to watch. Their quality is evident. They simply need more competitive experience and exposure, as well as unshakeable belief in themselves and all they can accomplish!

 

[Jumping_Bean]

It was reported that Annika and Robert are retiring to perform in shows. They certainly seem ready to entertain audiences on tour with the fun programs they executed so well this season.

Not sure where you heard this, and maybe they changed their mind since then, but this is what Robert had to say about the topic pre-Worlds:

"We've processed this year's Olympic participation. There are many unanswered questions, such as whether Berlin will remain a national training center. The continued funding of our training staff also depends on this. If the open questions are answered positively, things can move forward positively. If all the conditions are met, we'd definitely like to continue working together."

Directly following their Worlds FS, Robert also said that they have a five-and-a-half-week army camp coming up during the off-season and likely won't compete at the Nebelhorn Trophy as a result, which doesn't sound like they were intending to retire at the time.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Not sure where you heard this, and maybe they changed their mind since then, but this is what Robert had to say about the topic pre-Worlds:

"We've processed this year's Olympic participation. There are many unanswered questions, such as whether Berlin will remain a national training center. The continued funding of our training staff also depends on this. If the open questions are answered positively, things can move forward positively. If all the conditions are met, we'd definitely like to continue working together."

Directly following their Worlds FS, Robert also said that they have a five-and-a-half-week army camp coming up during the off-season and likely won't compete at the Nebelhorn Trophy as a result, which doesn't sound like they were intending to retire at the time.

Interesting. I heard this from Jackie Wong on his Rocker Skating Podcast. He referred to H/K's pre- or after-event comments, and he also spoke about how their fp lends itself to a promising show career. Jackie also mentioned H/K's concerns regarding federation support. Since Jackie talks directly to skaters bts, he may have misconstrued something that was said, or he felt it was a strong possibility H/K might not continue. Or, I may have misinterpreted Jackie's comments.

Apparently, many skaters are leaning toward coming back. There's an air of uncertainty right now and decisions are likely contingent on a multitude of factors. Thus, many skaters are not saying definitively whether they are retiring or continuing. The dust needs to settle and palates need cleansing.

I would have expected H/K to continue, in any case. She's 25 and he's 26. Unless they are tired, or injured, or have other ventures beckoning. Reportedly, Max Deschamps is retiring to coach, and Deanna Stellato desires to continue, though I don't believe this was officially announced. Hase/Volodin are sure to continue, albeit they also face federation financial support concerns. If they don't have a GoFundMe, they should launch one.

I was surprised when Conti/Macii indicated they would not continue. Miura/ Kihara retiring was a no-brainer due to Kihara's back issues and age. Plus, they have their Olympic gold in hand.

ETA:
Obviously, we surprisingly heard that Luke Digby decided to retire, thus Anastasia Vaipan-Law will need a new partner if she desires to continue.

 

[FlossieH]

ETA:
Obviously, we surprisingly heard that Luke Digby decided to retire, thus Anastasia Vaipan-Law will need a new partner if she desires to continue.

Luke retiring is disappointing, but not surprising. He got married last summer and there have been injury issues. I already had the impression that he was wanting to settle down and focus more on building his life with his actual partner (who is not a skater).

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Luke retiring is disappointing, but not surprising. He got married last summer and there have been injury issues. I already had the impression that he was wanting to settle down and focus more on building his life with his actual partner (who is not a skater).

Thanks. I've heard Luke and Ana speak briefly at events, but I don't follow them that closely. I knew he has an off-ice girlfriend, but I was unaware of his injuries and his personal life plans. Jackie Wong of Rocker Skating spoke about knowing Luke had other plans post-Olympics, and that Ana had told him she was uncertain whether she should retire, but ultimately she realized that she wants to continue.