2026 U.S. Nationals Senior Rhythm Dance

[danceblade]

Caroline and Michael were first alternates for the Olympic Team in 2022, I really want to see them qualify for the 2026 team now.

 

[Mathman]

I really liked Isabella Flores and Linus Jepsen. They almost made me appreciate the '90s theme.

I see that he is listed as an "individual member" of USFS, rather than as affiliated with a skating club?

 

[ChiGal]

It’s really not a good sign that the Shibutanis were scoring better internationally during the GP with mistakes than for this Nationals RD where they need to be getting Nationals inflation scoring. Their dream of returning to the Olympics is essentially over now.

Even the usually positive Ben Agosto stated on air that they are no longer a great team. Ouch!

I am just getting caught up on the chat! First, BIG THANKS to labgoat for providing the practice cam feed along with the commentary. Great background information that is more interesting than listening to T&J re-hash their Olympic experiences AGAIN.... I was not enthralled with the Shibs new RD, as something felt off with them? I also got a weird vibe when they did their post-skate interview, where Maya always looked at Alex when answering, like she wanted to make sure she was saying the right thing for his approval.

There were a lot of good skates tonight, especially in the last group. After C&B, its going to be a tough call on who will be named to the Olympic team. Someone's heart will be broken for sure! Everyone will need to bring it to the Free Dance!

 

[crazydreamer]

Zingas and Kolesnik are so good, I look forward to them dominating in the years to come.

 

[ManyCairns]

Zingas and Kolesnik are so good, I look forward to them dominating in the years to come.

From your mouth to God's ears!

 

[skatemd1]

IMHO, the team that was sent a message was Green/Parsons. I thought they absolutely outskated C/P here and yet they were given lower PCS.

Totally right. G/P totally outskated C/P, and this has happened many times before. The obvious favoritism in the judging and overscoring of C/P is getting hard to take. Michael and Caroline are the best technical skaters out there. Period. Their edges, just wow. Last night the difference was striking. Standings and Olympic team should be C/B, Z/K and G/P in that order, if judges went by how these teams skate instead of playing favorites.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

The Shibs are tenth. USFS is sending them a message loud and clear, twizzles or no twizzles.

Oh for sure. I'm just questioning how on earth (Shibs or not) someone can get +2's (and +GOE overall) when one does a different number of rotations than the other, on a key element... in the RD.

An ice dance technical panel/judge should be able to spot that no problem.

 

[Silevril Ilumire]

Madison Chock & Evan Bates are my absolute favorites and I've been their fan since forever - since I discovered ice dance, that is. There are many wonderful teams in the world that I enjoy for many reasons, but Chock & Bates are special in a way that cannot be compared. They have everything that I want in ice dance: class, charm, boundless creativity, both intricacy and clarity, with lovely personalities to top it off. The unveiling of new programs each season is like Christmas morning for me. I haven't liked too many of the decades themed RDs, but I can always count on them to make a RD that I will actually want to rewatch.

I will miss them dreadfully when they retire, but now I'm confused because I thought it was confirmed that they plan to retire at the end of this season but the lady with the microphone who stopped them to ask them a question didn't seem to think so, and they did not correct her. Have you heard anything?

Christina & Anthony have one of my favorite RDs as well. I liked it as soon as they performed it at Summer Sizzler. I haven't liked all of their CDs in the last few years, but I think their skating has great qualities. So strong and beautiful; they have the kind of grace that comes from power, something I associate with Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue. I don't understand why they haven't received many levels for their pattern type steps this season when they have been so good at this in the past. I remember them getting level 4s early in the season in the past - but maybe that was for real pattern dances and not whatever they are doing now, I would have to check. I hope they fight back in the second half of the season!

 

[FlyingFeather]

When I went to Nationals last year, K/S and C/R were my favorites to see live. Seeing how K/S handled their music troubles graciously (a little better than the Taschlers, I must say), makes me even more of a fan! And I like how their music is different than a lot of the other teams.