- Joined
- Feb 24, 2012
Oh no. THis is so sad. I do wish them both the best. Both are so talented regardless of relationships. I do feel for their son if daddy is working in Italy and for his former students.
2025-26 U.S. Ice Dance
- Thread starter dancelion21
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
Interesting that Caroline desired to move to MIDA per your info. Still, it is well-known that USfigsk encouraged a number of teams to go to MIDA to help Charlie & Tanith with their start-up endeavor. In turn, IMO, MIDA teams were often favored by USfigsk.
Car/Pon's so-called storytelling was evident in their dramatic and highly praised Perfume FD. They improved a lot under Moir/ Hubbell's tutelage. Still, their FD was lacking this season, which is why they went back to the more successful Perfume FD for '26 U.S. Nats, Olympics and Worlds.
Gr/Par tech skills are superior, and the concepts they come up with are more interesting. I think Gr/Par lost their way a bit right after the switch to MIDA. In the last few seasons, they have gotten back on track with their creative choices and music selection. But in the meantime, they lost momentum and stature with ISU judges. This sport is highly competitive and unforgiving. The best skaters can do is to try and work toward personal goals incrementally, surround themselves with supportive, talented coaches and peers, and enjoy the process as much as possible.
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
While I was watching Flores/Jepsen practice at the US Championships, I was struck by how fluid and happy they seemed on the ice together. I was struck also by how versatile Isabella is. This is the third partner I've watched her skate with. (Tsarevski, Deseatov, now Jepson). She has looked and skated differently with each one; and at the same time she has kept something of herself. She is so adaptable. (but let's hope she doesn't have to adapt to another partner anytime soon.) She has a great personality on the ice. I was very impressed with the team. And since I'd heard nothing but negative about this new duo before that, from @BlissfulSynergy, I was happily surprised.
I also felt their speed was good. Then I had the pleasure of hearing Jean-Luc Baker echo aloud some of the very same thoughts I'd been having! How cool was that!
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
I frankly miss the figure skating commentary that both Tanith and Charlie expertly provided together and separately. They were both so good at it. Whereas their ice dance academy venture (described on one sm platform as 'a vanity project for Charlie with Tanith and Greg doing the heavy lifting'
) has had complicated, slow, and so-so results so far. Didn't Tanith and Charlie take on the venture together? Or, was it initially Charlie's desire and he convinced Tanith and Greg to join him as partners in the endeavor. Who knows?It's also been said that Charlie spoke to Scott Moir prior to being employed by Barbara Fusar-Poli. I definitely do not see Scott's I.AM offshoot in Ontario as a good fit for Charlie at all. Good luck to Charlie in Italy. It's very nice of Barbara to help him out.
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
here's a link to one of Flores/Jepsen's practices at nationals, with Jean-Luc commenting. He mentions he likes Jepsen's wildness ... which I agree with. It's always one of the things I loved about Meryl and Charlie.
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
Thanks for your comments @skylark. Bella is very special as a person and a skater. I'm sure she would be so pleased and appreciative to hear your comments.
I'm glad you were 'happily surprised' upon seeing Flores/Jepsen for the first time. Since I am a huge fan of Bella, and her sister, Liv, I have followed their careers very closely over the past several years. Indeed, Bella is a bright light personally and a shining talent on the ice dance scene. She could have been successful with her second partner, Mikhail Gumba (aka Johnson), but alas, he switched to pairs (with Winter Deardorff), and then retired during COVID to attend medical school. Kudos to Mikhail.
Bella went on as a junior to partner with British ice dancer, Adam Bouaziz, in 2019, but that partnership was barely off-the-ground before COVID struck and Adam had to return to the U.K. Next, Bella partnered with former fellow rinkmate and Colorado native, Dimitry Tsarevski. Dima had previously competed in Intermediate with Leah Neset before she found her life partner and ice dance match in Artem Markelov. The Flores/ Tsarevski partnership took off with a bang during the Fall 2020 virtual season. I did a doubletake when I first saw Bella & Dima together. They were so elegant, charming, delightful, and unique. My first thought was: 'Who is that young lady?'
For sure, Bella has looked different with Dima*, Vanya, and now with Linus. Part of that is simply her growth as an ice dancer and her maturation from hopeful young teenager to assured young woman. The one common denominator is how much Bella shines with her passion and authenticity, no matter who she's partnered with. I also admire her greatly for her courage, determination, and tenacity in forging ahead with her career after sudden, unfair setbacks that would have devastated most young athletes.
To each their own in what they see when looking at different teams in various stages of their development. After Bella/Linus' first competition last summer in Lake Placid, they received important feedback from the judges, which Bella mentioned to her subscribers. They put in a huge amount of work to make their different styles more compatible. Linus has had some issues with twizzles and with lifts. He needs to work on his posture and strenghtening his core [my observations, which Jean-Luc also mentioned, btw
]. IMO, Bella is a step ahead of Linus in terms of talent and experience. But they are supportive partners working hard to find a way forward. This is definitely a more challenging partnership for Bella, whereas her previous two were more like lightning in a bottle. 
️ 
Training in France and learning a new technique (as well as a new language) has been a growth experience for Bella. I love the way she pushes forward fearlessly taking a huge bite out of life! She explained to her IG subscribers some of the differences between Russian and French ice dance techniques. I have definitely learned a lot I never knew about ice dance since I first began following Bella. She's a gem!
I heard that Bella and Linus are currently training in Ontario with Scott and Madi. They had worked with them a bit in the lead-up to U.S. Nationals. And Scott/ Madi sat with them in the RD kiss 'n cry, subbing for their French coach who couldn't get to the U.S. until later. I haven't heard anything yet about a coaching switch. They are probably just trying to get all the help they can to improve as much as they can.
* Unsurprisingly, Dima also looks very different with current partner, Katarina Wolfkostin. She's taller than Bella and it's a completely different vibe altogether. While Wolf/Tsar are still developing, their greatest strength is their technical abilities. They have room to grow emotionally and aesthetically.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2024
Quite a few switched from Kiliakov's school to MIDA. Just like IAM, I haven't seen a homegrown skater from MIDA that has good skating skills though.
To me Perfume is Car/Pon's only good free dance so far that I have seen. That's also the only program I actually see Hubbell's influence in Christina's skating. I did not care for their Carmen, but I could at least see the story they were telling. The earlier FD's this season I had no clue what was going on. I agree they have improved, but I find their skating still lacking especially comparing them to Lajoie/Lagha. I feel that is a fair comparison as La/La and Car/Pon have been number 2 for their countries (except this season in the US as Z/K took it) for a bit and are expected to be towards the top for the next quad.
For Gr/Par I think they have found their way again with the help of Jean Luc. Green has had a hand in their choreo for a bit now and I think Jean Luc really responds to that.
I hope that the Waltz RD with the pattern dance back next season will bring ice dance back to focus on skating skills.
I hope Jean-Luc sticks with MIDA and the school can reset with their students and attract others. Greg Z may not be a big name but he seems to be a good teacher and coach. I see Tanith is back to Belbin and certainly has the credentials. For a young skater having a male and female coach, I think is a good combination.
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2024
For political clout I agree but only if they went to Moir/Hubbell/Diaz. Otherwise Gr/Par are great skaters and just need to be more consistent with their programs.
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2021
JL is certainly emerging as one of the notable choreographers nowadays. He spends most of his time in IAM Montreal, then occasionally goes to MIDA for choreo/lessons. It will be interesting to see how MIDA grows in this new chapter (or what their new name will be, if it will be changed.)
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2024
I doubt this will happen because of location and age of at least one of the skaters, but since Michelle Deych and Ryan Hu split for a second time (this time sounds more permanent than the first time) I think that Olivia Ilin (as she and Dylan split as well) and Ryan Hu would make a great dance team. Maybe they could split training between Dmytri Ilin (MD) and Shpilband (MI)?
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
Isabella Flores confirmed to her IG subscribers that she & Linus Jepsen have switched from Lyon, France to train in London, Ontario, with Moir/ Hubbell/ Diaz.
Seemingly, Caroline & Michael are comfortable with Tanith and Greg, thus are likely to stay at MIDA.
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2024
I think it makes sense for Flores/Jepsen to switch because he has to establish residency in the US. I imagine he'll do the same thing that Christina did and get a place in MI to then commute to Canada. Hopefully he has already submitted for a green card to get the ball rolling with citizenship.
I don't know about anyone else, but I am getting tired of the IAM hold on everything. Even though Moir/Hubbell/Diaz are a IAM branch, to me it has more to do with politics and clout than actual training and packaging. Its smart to remain connected but I also wish they would break from IAM.
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2012
Piper and Paul were never part of IAM, and I am sure they'll stay with Carol Lane cs. if they continue. There still are more schools in ID, in Canada, the US (Emilea and Vadym aren't from IAM either), in Europe (both Maurizio (Finland) and Barbara (Italy) put forth some great ID-couples). So, yes there is the political clout but I wouldn't call it the 'hold' of IAM.
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
Ah, I do not think switching to Moir/ Hubbell/ Diaz is solely or chiefly about it being 'political as a branch of IAM'. It's about the fact that the London, Ontario team are absolutely superb, supportive, kicka$$ coaches with demonstrated results. Skaters are overjoyed to work with them. And I'm also gonna bet that not everyone can get accepted to train there. Subscribe to Bella's IG in order to hear how she describes and feels about this coaching change. Just like other skaters who train there, Bella praises the coaching staff's vast knowledge and experience, as well as the palpable energy and excitement in the air at the rink every day.
The London, Ontario coaching staff for sure is about training, refining, and packaging. Just ask the Peals, Car/Pom, and Lauriault/ Le Gac! Madi & Scott are def top-notch coaches, moreso than political operatives. As a branch of IAM, politics as an advantage obviously can kick in, but I do not see that as Moir/Hubbell's focus, value, or aura of prestige within the ice dance community.
Last edited:
At least this year's World medal group came from 3 different training schools.
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2024
Sure there are other schools and academies out there and with that are exceptions. But when you see the majority of ice dance teams that continuously rank in the top are from one skating school and they are there not for their overall skating quality..... (Yes, there is also performance, but the GOEs are supposed to be more focused on the skating and the PCS score is for the performance.) That's what I mean by hold, not that there aren't other coaches and training schools and that they don't rank up there at times. I love Guignard/Fabbri and Turkkila/Versluis. IAM is able to somehow push their skaters into positions that are often times questionable in my opinion, beating out some of those other schools and highly skilled ice dance teams. How many times should Gilles/Poirier have beat Chock/Bates at Worlds? I would say at least once.
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2024
Oh I agree that those coaches are unbelievably talented and actually help their teams they are coaching improve. I love the way that the Moirs (because its his family too that are involved in it) with Hubbell and Diaz supports and really looks at the skaters. How they come up with a way to develop them. Like the teams you named, every single one of them I have watched over the years have greatly improved under their tutelage. I was just saying that it's smart for them to remain a part of IAM as ice dance is very political that's all. Not that the coaching staff isn't deserving of any praise in their own right.
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
I agree that Piper/ Paul should have won at least one Worlds against Chock/ Bates. Montreal 2024 should have been the time! PiPa's momentum suffered due to Piper's illness and time off. But no complaints, cuz Piper healed and she was able to come back in great form. So that's a blessing. But, of course, C/B were able to cement their standing and seemed to have the edge mostly afterward. While PiPa won 2025 4CCs over C/B, that was seemingly a consolation prize since C/B would go on to win 2025 Worlds in Boston.
You didn't mention which IAM teams you feel get 'pushed into questionable positions' over other skilled teams. Are you referencing Fear/Giɓson (apologies to F/G's fans); Lim/Quan; Davis/Smolkin; Reed/Ambrulevicius; or even Olivia/Tim? (Tho' the latter's FD material has been worth its weight in gold, and Allison/Saul are known to be entertaining fan faves with the right material like they had this past season).
There's no doubt that IAM's international stable of skaters gives them political leverage. Still, we can't discount that IAM is able to help so many teams excel with their academy's skilled approach, dedicated team of coaches, deft packaging, and well thought out strategies for the athletes. Judges also like to reward excellence and consistency. Obviously, C/B have been helped by their years of experience and ability to pull programs together in a way that camouflages their weaknesses. As well, C/B are strongly backed by U.S. fed, combined with status borne of persistence, determination, and survival instincts.
I question moreso when Cappellini/ Lanotte won Worlds in 2014, and when Sinitsina/ Katsalapov were pushed up to win Worlds in 2021 and silver at the 2022 Olympics. Also, Guignard/ Fabbri consistently being on the podium until suddenly they weren't. 🌪 None of these teams trained at IAM. Politics matters all the way, for every team, along with other factors.
