2026 U.S. Nationals Senior Free Dance

[Joan1940]

I get the song is Paint It Black but these costumes are not my favorites.

I like the costumes better than the first one early in the season. However I would have liked that the lining of Maddie's skirt would have red like the original,more toreodor.

Good skate. Their programs always improve through the season. To win against the French, they need to improve their twizzle speed. Their lifts are significantly better than the French. Probably better performers and more complex choreo but, SS are obviously weaker. I think they can still win but they need higher GOE on the twizzles.

Really impressed by their speed tonight,this program gets better and better each time,plus C/B are always innovative. They never stay with one style like the French who maybe more lyrical but stay in their comfort zone. Maddie & Evan are creative taking chances which is what I like to see.

 

[Dawn825]

Chock and Bates were fabulous, the Browns and Neset/Markelov were my other favs tonight. Loving STL

 

[semosk8tfan]

I am gutted for Green and Parson. Alternates again.

 

[Libby96]

Of course we all knew Chock and Bates had this thing hands down, and deservedly so, but I am loving Zingas and Kolesnik, and I’m so excited that there will be many more years to watch them compete.

 

[16Olympics]

Madi and Evan didn't mail in it this year as some say. The filled every space as someone here mentioned. I think the costume will be given a boost for the Olympics. We may even see two new ones if they do the team event.

Compared to C/P, who they followed, Z/K were more effective in their theme of R & J and the program has more emotion to it. But, C/P have improved this program immensely, imo. I thought Scott was going to burst a blood vessel at hearing the scores. Well done, Team.

Green and Parsons have the absolute giant of a program with respect to choreography. It's really superb.

Great event through the last two flights. Great podium and I'm happy that the top 3 are Milano bound (I hope).

 

[ManyCairns]

Unabashed uber fan of Z/K here, and I couldn't be happier for my babies! But, despite the fact that I enjoyed C/P far more here than probably, well, ever -- imo they shouldn't be over Gr/P. Gutted for Gr/P -- I LOVE both their programs this year, and adored both last year, too. Gr/P are MAGNIFICENT - creative, and with edges to die for.

C/B keep improving competition after competition! They always refine their programs so much as the season goes on.

 

[Janice4th]

One thing I know is that Madi & Evan don't always show us everything at first. They save some things and release it out in bits and pieces. Their disadvantage was their height. They had to convince Igor to teach them. He thought they would never match their lines and edges. I think they found ways to match their height difference work for them and create a new vocabulary for teams of variable height - that is something , but not nothing.

Everyone has different taste. The Whale program is very one note for me.

 

[Joan1940]

Everyone has different taste. The Whale program is very one note for me.

I agree the French tend to be one note - lyrical,they don't take chances being innovative.

 

[rain]

Thee top three were an interesting study.

First, though, that scratchy skate mic is awful and must go immediately. It was distracting as hell. Skating doesn't need fake excitement of scratchy skates.

Of the top three Christina and Anthony were my favourite, by far. So glad they went back to this free dance. Interesting choreography, music and theme.

Which leads me to: Zingas/Kolesnik have clearly been the chosen ones this season to move up, and generally I like them more than Christina and Anthony. I adored their free dance last season. This season, Romeo and Juliet is such a pedestrian choice. There's some good choreography, but it's hardly groundbreaking, and as I sat watching I realized I'm just heartily sick of this music at the moment. I found it very interesting when Gabby commented that they were trying to find the darker side of Romeo and Juliet rather than just telling the love story — except, I didn't see ANY love story in this program at all. Maybe more than one note would have helped it. Anyway, it was well-skated.

As for Maddie and Evan, it made me sad as I watched this to realize that this uninspired piece is probably going to win an Olympic gold medal. Much as I'm over Romeo and Juliet, I'm over their music and wish they'd just picked an actual flamenco/ paso if that's what they wanted to do. The frantic choreography is quite clever in masking just how much slower they were compared to the other two top teams here. Lots of posing. That last lift, his position is so inelegant, hunched over and weird, I'm surprised they've left it like that. A whole lot of meh.

 

[LeReveur]

A few thoughts from the arena:

The Browns were an absolute delight.

Zingas/Kolesnik were like watching a ballet. Great execution.

I have always enjoyed Green/Parsons, and I think they were underscored in both programs.

Carreira/Ponomarenko were a bit bland for me in the rhythm dance, but I enjoyed this program a lot.

I will co-sign the fact that Chock/Bates are slower than other top teams.

 

[Dawn825]

I think the C/B FD will be a difficult match to the French's "whale" theme FD. Maybe it's just my preference but I have more interest in watching and rewatching the French.

Idk I think of the quote from Sandra Bezic re:2018 vs V/M - when it's fire vs water, it's rlly hard to be water...might be the same situation this year.

 

[yelyoh]

I was hoping for Green and Parsons but they were not the chosen ones. I still liked them best along w the Browns.

 

[Miya88]

Everyone has different taste. The Whale program is very one note for me.

So it is not abut skating itself, edges etc etc?
French are much better skaters overall, Americans cannot skate on one leg to save their lives

 

[Miya88]

Idk I think of the quote from Sandra Bezic re:2018 vs V/M - when it's fire vs water, it's rlly hard to be water...might be the same situation this year.

yes, but V/M were much better skaters, lets face it. It is only about slow program against faster one?

 

[reader3]

The Browns are always fun to watch.

 

[readernick]

I was hoping for Green and Parsons but they were not the chosen ones. I still liked them best along w the Browns.

These are my two favorite teams, too. Such great basics, partnering, and also interesting choreo. I am glad the national judges went with the Browns. OTHO, it was clear after the SP when G/P completely outskated C/P and were still put behind them that they were not going to be scored generously. I'm glad they can be proud of what the put out here.

 

[SmileHappy34]

Yes it auto for chock and bates, where is it read for others going
Are we going by national placements or past Olympics.

Before Nationals is is assumed the Olympics would be Ilia, Chock and Bates, Amber. Alysa, and Isabeau.

The others wasn't national.
More likely Jason who ever finished 3rd

Emilia and Vadym, Carrera and Ponomarenko
Outside Green and Parsons


Unless somewhere out . How do u know

U body of evidence that u made based on what u interpreted.
They also put their opinio. In ascto why and why jot the selection committee.

Are u selection committee.?

Natio al placement than yes

If i remember correctly emilia and vadym split so did green and parsons.

 

[IceDancingQueen]

Idk I think of the quote from Sandra Bezic re:2018 vs V/M - when it's fire vs water, it's rlly hard to be water...might be the same situation this year.

I can see that for sure. It will also depend on the placement the teams skate.

 

[teraytan]

Great free dance. Most of the teams I think left the ice happy in spite of their placements, which is always good to see.

C/B really delivered in their FD in the way that might be lacking in their RD. That Olympic gold medal is more and more tangible by the day.

Z/K's breakout year has been so well deserved. They skate like seasoned veterans for a team so new - beautiful lines, great intensity and polish. I am so excited for the next quad. They still have so much upside to offer. USFS made a great choice backing them for their potential.

C/P. Great decision to return to Perfume. That choreography gives you chills each time. I thought they looked a bit tentative, which is understandable considering the shaky year they've had.

G/P. Gutted that they are once again the first alternates. But they skated beautifully and seemed happy with what they left on the ice. The scores should have been closer to C/P, I thought. I hope they continue for another quad.

Shibs ending up in 9th place was not in my bingo card when they announced their comeback. Especially with all the sponsors and the publicity. Alex saying they don't know yet if they'll continue boggles the mind. Either way, I hope Maia is happy with whatever happens. She will always have my heart.

 

[Artistry]

I haven’t followed the sport this season closely. I vaguely remember Carreira/Ponomarenko doing Carmen. What happenned? Why change?