2025-26 Retirements, Splits and New Partnerships | Page 22 | Golden Skate

2025-26 Retirements, Splits and New Partnerships

I wasn't planning on sharing this based on the Patinage Québec teams that were updated a couple days ago but no sign of Max and Deanna (which is not really shocking) nor of Kelly Ann and Loucas, which is actually more surprising considering their age.

There is no official statement from either team but not being on this list would mean that they will not be funded next year so that would imply they are no longer skating or perhaps in the case of Kelly Ann and Loucas a combination of retirement and split or whatever...

My heart was ready to take one hit.. but not two.

Make of that as you want, perhaps best to hear from the skaters themselves but Patinage Québec is very good with these things. We learned of new teams that way :).

On the brighter side of things, it would appear that Lauriault and Le Gac are still planning to compete.


I should add that the list will be official when Skate Canada issues the National Team/ Next Gen carding... but yeah. things can still evolve.
What? No! I just became of fan of both Fabbri/Ayer and Laurin/Ethier this year! I suppose I should leave Canadian fandom alone because I keep jinxing these teams...
 
What? No! I just became of fan of both Fabbri/Ayer and Laurin/Ethier this year! I suppose I should leave Canadian fandom alone because I keep jinxing these teams...
I don't believe we fans have real jinxing powers... There are a lot of other Canadian teams to cheer for and I hope you will do so. I agree, those two losses are hard on the system though.
 
Regarding Liv Flores and Luke Wang, I was not caught by surprise because my sibling had a theory they would split. But I am still sad. Liv & Luke were my favorite pairs skaters since I saw them on the JGP because of their performance style and interesting program composition, and friendly energy off-ice. My sibling's theory also predicts that Luke will skate with Starr Andrews, but that is a topic for another thread. Best of luck to Liv and Luke in their new endeavors! 🥲🥲
 
ondered what his commitment to the Army is and whether it involves continuing competing in figure skating.
I heard that the military program Spencer joined was in large part to help fund his athletic career. Therefore, there appears to be a timeline allowed for him to continue skating while receiving financial assistance and likely some designated continued military training and/ or deferred service till he retires from skating.
 
Yeah, I don't know why the list is being published now. In any case, there were already a lot of rumors of a F/W split. Then, the MMPairs post seemed to further seal the rumors, with them missing on the ISP list a confirmation, quickly followed by Luke's IG post. We also expect C/B to retire. But I can see them wanting to make their own official announcement.

There has consistently been unintentional omissions, corrections, and removals from the ISP list. Thus, I never view it's appearance as being completely accurate or final.
 
Regarding Liv Flores and Luke Wang, I was not caught by surprise because my sibling had a theory they would split. But I am still sad. Liv & Luke were my favorite pairs skaters since I saw them on the JGP because of their performance style and interesting program composition, and friendly energy off-ice. My sibling's theory also predicts that Luke will skate with Starr Andrews, but that is a topic for another thread. Best of luck to Liv and Luke in their new endeavors! 🥲🥲
Yeah there has been a Starr on the horizon I have been suspecting. I really liked Olivia and Luke. I hope she winds up w someone great as she is an absolute joy.
 
Isla Shenton and Joel Kirby (a junior pair from the UK) have split.



Isla has also been competing in Singles alongside skating with Joel in Pairs. So, I wonder if she will carry on doing the odd Singles competition while focussing on her education.

I know @La Rhumba has long had high hopes for her as a Singles skater.

CaroLiza_fan
 
Isla Shenton and Joel Kirby (a junior pair from the UK) have split.


That's disappointing. I liked how they were developing as a pair. However, Joel was based at Whitley Bay and Isla was somewhere else (I think Sheffield?), so training arrangements would have been more complex than for some pairs. They are at an age where the balance between skating career, family, and education are a difficult juggling act.
 
I don't believe we fans have real jinxing powers... There are a lot of other Canadian teams to cheer for and I hope you will do so. I agree, those two losses are hard on the system though.
Very true. It is something we say to make ourselves feel better about this crazy, out-of-our-control sport! My first introduction to figure skating was 2010 Joannie Rochette, so I will always love Canadian skating.
 
Very true. It is something we say to make ourselves feel better about this crazy, out-of-our-control sport! My first introduction to figure skating was 2010 Joannie Rochette, so I will always love Canadian skating.
Mine was the battle of the Carmens and Brians... 1988 Olympics.... and well I fell for Liz Manley then who should have won gold. So 1) always a Canadian skating fan... 2) always thinking Canadians should have won anyways LOL
 
I will miss her so much. She's an actress on the ice. There's noone performing like her at the moment, and she has been such a joy to watch for the last several years. I wish her well in whatever she decides to do from now on! 🌻 Thank you for the memories, Josefin!
 
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