- Joined
- Mar 14, 2007
It’s one of those times I hate being right.
2025-26 U.S. Pairs Figure Skating
- Thread starter BlissfulSynergy
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2007
He’s promised me he’s coming back.I would be overjoyed to see Mark again. Hoping…
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2015
Yes!
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2012
" #Aprilfools " is literally part of the post from Skating Club of Boston.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DWmaA2qgbz1/
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2024
lol, I totally fell for it!!!!! Hahaha
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
Exactly. It was known back at the time Mark and Nica split due to Nica planning surgery. I wonder if Nica was able to crowd fund the money needed for her surgery?
In any case, Mark told those who asked him that he was taking some time off to heal from his injuries, to reset, and to continue coaching. He also said he would be coming back to compete. So, I wasn't surprised to see his IG post teasing his comeback. The only question was, Who would he partner with? I do hope it is Audrey. I think they would make a good match. Mark is a coach, so that would seemingly be helpful for Audrey as she continues her pairs journey.
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2024
I'm super excited for Mark's return. I did enjoy Nica and him and saw great improvement under MMPairs. I hope Nica is on the road to recovery and doing well.
It looks like they had a big pairs training session in Colorado where some folks could try pairs for the first time to see if they'd like it and try some new partners as well. I would love if it's Audrey as I think he would have maybe more of a patience (not to say others didn't but...it seemed that way) that she could respond well too. Starr would be good as well.
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
Yeah, it's very sad.
Those who are in-the-know are aware of the fact that there were tensions, and Balasz was apparently impatient and unkind toward Audrey. Chelsea had also made indirect comments about her previous partnership with Balasz, after she came back with Ryan Bedard. Yet, Chelsea was not very specific about what she had experienced, nor did she divulge the reasons why she and Balasz had split. There seemed to be some involvement by U.S. fed, but the exact nature and timing behind the Liu/ Nagy split are unclear.I can understand impatience from Balasz surrounding both partnerships, in his efforts to find elusive career success as a competitive skater. Still, it's important for him to learn from his mistakes and repair poor behavior. Again, my feeling is that U.S. fed placed a lot of ill-advised pressure on both pairings. Hopefully, there has been a learning curve for U.S. fed to understand it's best not to try and fast track the development of a team. Offer assistance, advice, and opportunities, but stop trying to manufacture a successful team.
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2024
I wonder if he could convince Tarah to make a comeback?Yeah, it's very sad.
I can understand impatience from Balasz surrounding both partnerships, in his efforts to find elusive career success as a competitive skater. Still, it's important for him to learn from his mistakes and repair poor behavior. Again, my feeling is that U.S. fed placed a lot of ill-advised pressure on both pairings. Hopefully, there has been a learning curve for U.S. fed to understand it's best not to try and fast track the development of a team. Offer assistance, advice, and opportunities, but stop trying to manufacture a successful team.
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
I know what you mean, but on the other hand, I have a very hopeful feeling about Audrey and what she's taking away from this experience. She's still very young. And look how happy Chelsea looks skating with Ryan Bedard now.
I couldn't copy the whole post, but it's well worth reading. Here's another quote from Audrey:
"Experiences like this can be tough, but they also help clarify what you want moving forward."
As I watched Audrey with Balazs, I was always remembering Audrey's joy as a single skater, and it was hard seeing that joy fade. I'm really glad that skaters can now say their mental and emotional well-being are just as important as other things.
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2021
Cayla Smith had bilateral hip dysplasia based on her Instagram. Surgery was done in one hip on January 6, and "once healed, I'll have surgery on my left hip as well." If she will come back it will be in 2027 https://www.instagram.com/p/DTZPNGsjfD-/?img_index=1
Sonia Baram hasn't posted on social media but she did not skate at all last year
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
Sorry to hear about Cayla. I hope she heals fully and is able to come back competitively, if that's her desire and intention.
Regarding Sonia, who knows? I have felt since her split with Daniel Tioutmentsev, after they won the 2023 World junior pairs title, that Sonia has simply not been interested in finding another pairs partner. She continued to skate singles for at least one more season. I suppose Sonia has other interests she prefers to pursue. This is not an unusual occurrence for some young athletes. Daniel, too, has been enjoying his space engineering career, based on his IG posts.
But, oh boy, Sonia and Daniel were an exciting pairs team for the U.S.
usfigureskating.org
Regarding Sonia, who knows? I have felt since her split with Daniel Tioutmentsev, after they won the 2023 World junior pairs title, that Sonia has simply not been interested in finding another pairs partner. She continued to skate singles for at least one more season. I suppose Sonia has other interests she prefers to pursue. This is not an unusual occurrence for some young athletes. Daniel, too, has been enjoying his space engineering career, based on his IG posts.
But, oh boy, Sonia and Daniel were an exciting pairs team for the U.S.
Baram and Tioumentsev Clinch World Junior Championships Gold - U.S. Figure Skating
Sonia Baram and Daniel Tioumentsev brought home gold for Team USA as the first medals of the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2023 were awarded today
usfigureskating.org
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
They are friends, and probably still date. If they were going to partner, it would surely have happened by now. I'm not convinced that Tarah wants to compete again after what she suffered that led to her retirement. She seems to have great insights and an engaging delivery, as per her practice commentary with Jean-Luc Baker at '26 U.S. Nats. Thus, it would be great to see her land a commentating gig, if she's interested. During her career, Tarah's skating skills were a drawback, while her dramatic flair was stellar.
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
I haven't seen much commentary about Worlds results for U.S. pairs. Probably because the outcome was so disappointing. What a difference from U.S. pairs Worlds results post '22 Olympics. 
No excuses, but of course, it must have been hard for Alisa and Misha having to sit out the '26 Olympics as U.S. pairs champs. Even winning 4CCs was likely not enough consolation. Still, it's too bad they seemed a bit back on their heels and not fully motivated at Worlds. The quality in their skating was so present, despite the errors. It was certainly possible for them to place at least third had they skated more cleanly and with more conviction. The judges were clearly giving them high GOE at the start. But the high numbers begin to decrease with errors, as the judges' perceptions take a downturn.
Unclear what happened to Emily and Spencer in the fp. It's sad because they had overcome so much, went to the Olympics and performed well there. They placed 7th overall at the recent Olympics, ahead of Lia & Trennt in 8th, and Kam/ O'Shea in 9th. Of course, Lia/Trennt were 3rd in the Olympics sp. But the whole final group dynamic was tense and anticlimactic after all the points given to M/K for their clean fp after their lift mistake in the sp. It was so obvious when the final group warmed up that M/K had already secured the pairs Olympic gold medal.
After the Olympics, Emily/ Spencer had indicated they plan to return. They probably did not expect to go to Worlds since they were second alternates. But K/O pulled out with injury and Shin/ Nagy had already split. The U.S. and Canada, IMO, need three spots to help give their deeper pairs fields opportunities to fully develop. The U.S. seemingly has even more parity and depth than Canada at the moment, albeit Canada will have some good teams coming up to seniors. I wonder if Canadian senior pair, Bombardier/ Mimar, will come back strong. Fiona has been rehabbing from surgery.
A case in point, re the need for three spots for deep fields: Canadians, Laurin/ Ethier, have been able to go to Worlds every year over this past quad, and that consistent experience has helped them improve, in addition to gaining exposure with the judges. L/E are now getting great help fine-tuning and developing aesthetically. Of course, they experienced a bit of a meltdown, too, in the fp at Worlds, which led to Canada also losing their third spot.
It is rather ridiculous for Georgia and Germany to have three spots (meaning 2 additional spots each at Worlds for nonexistent teams). Possibly, Germany could field a second team if they can obtain minimums (Roscher/ Schuster have split). I don't think Georgia has any options unless another Russian team manages to arrange Georgian citizenship.
This current quota system is cumbersome and needs reworking. This is a sport that doesn't make sense when talented teams have to sit at home for Worlds and Olympics, with few opportunities to break through.
Oh well, I don't see the sport changing in any beneficial way. It is exciting to see the bright possibility of new pairs teams being formed in the U.S., despite the prospect of them having very few opportunities to develop. It's a good call for MMPairs to have different skaters trying out for a while instead of quickly rushing into new partnerships. Hopefully, U.S. fed will truly learn from the mistake of overmanaging one new team as if it was a done deal they were going to excel if fastracked! It takes time for partnerships to develop, and especially for singles skaters to make the transition to pairs.
No excuses, but of course, it must have been hard for Alisa and Misha having to sit out the '26 Olympics as U.S. pairs champs. Even winning 4CCs was likely not enough consolation. Still, it's too bad they seemed a bit back on their heels and not fully motivated at Worlds. The quality in their skating was so present, despite the errors. It was certainly possible for them to place at least third had they skated more cleanly and with more conviction. The judges were clearly giving them high GOE at the start. But the high numbers begin to decrease with errors, as the judges' perceptions take a downturn.
Unclear what happened to Emily and Spencer in the fp. It's sad because they had overcome so much, went to the Olympics and performed well there. They placed 7th overall at the recent Olympics, ahead of Lia & Trennt in 8th, and Kam/ O'Shea in 9th. Of course, Lia/Trennt were 3rd in the Olympics sp. But the whole final group dynamic was tense and anticlimactic after all the points given to M/K for their clean fp after their lift mistake in the sp. It was so obvious when the final group warmed up that M/K had already secured the pairs Olympic gold medal.
After the Olympics, Emily/ Spencer had indicated they plan to return. They probably did not expect to go to Worlds since they were second alternates. But K/O pulled out with injury and Shin/ Nagy had already split. The U.S. and Canada, IMO, need three spots to help give their deeper pairs fields opportunities to fully develop. The U.S. seemingly has even more parity and depth than Canada at the moment, albeit Canada will have some good teams coming up to seniors. I wonder if Canadian senior pair, Bombardier/ Mimar, will come back strong. Fiona has been rehabbing from surgery.
A case in point, re the need for three spots for deep fields: Canadians, Laurin/ Ethier, have been able to go to Worlds every year over this past quad, and that consistent experience has helped them improve, in addition to gaining exposure with the judges. L/E are now getting great help fine-tuning and developing aesthetically. Of course, they experienced a bit of a meltdown, too, in the fp at Worlds, which led to Canada also losing their third spot.
It is rather ridiculous for Georgia and Germany to have three spots (meaning 2 additional spots each at Worlds for nonexistent teams). Possibly, Germany could field a second team if they can obtain minimums (Roscher/ Schuster have split). I don't think Georgia has any options unless another Russian team manages to arrange Georgian citizenship.
This current quota system is cumbersome and needs reworking. This is a sport that doesn't make sense when talented teams have to sit at home for Worlds and Olympics, with few opportunities to break through.Oh well, I don't see the sport changing in any beneficial way. It is exciting to see the bright possibility of new pairs teams being formed in the U.S., despite the prospect of them having very few opportunities to develop. It's a good call for MMPairs to have different skaters trying out for a while instead of quickly rushing into new partnerships. Hopefully, U.S. fed will truly learn from the mistake of overmanaging one new team as if it was a done deal they were going to excel if fastracked! It takes time for partnerships to develop, and especially for singles skaters to make the transition to pairs.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
McBeath/Parkman are a lovely team. They need much more competitive experience. Katie knows how to land those jumps and her throws are often beautiful. She really needs to develop more confidence. That comes through consistent opportunities. The Worlds experience is invaluable, but not as useful if you can't get there consistently. Still, Katie & Daniil have come a long way and they are a quality team. They have beaten Emily & Spencer several times, at least, so being designated the third U.S. team at Worlds status-wise, is just wrong. Of course, when you get competitive opportunities, it's important to show up and truly demonstrate how good you are.
On the recent Rocker Skating podcast, Michelle Ellis (an NBC staffer) who reviews events with Jackie Wong, bravely mentioned that while she is patriotic, she wondered if it wouldn't benefit McB/Park to rep Georgia.
Sounds good since Georgia now has 3 spots for Worlds. Yet, while Katie might obtain citizenship faster there than Daniil can here, obviously USfigsk would never release Katie. Also, I think Daniil had some issues with Georgian fed, which may be, in part, why he came to the U.S. Daniil will likely not receive U.S. citizenship by 2030, unless he's on a different immigration track due to his father having U.S. citizenship, I believe, via a former work visa.
On the recent Rocker Skating podcast, Michelle Ellis (an NBC staffer) who reviews events with Jackie Wong, bravely mentioned that while she is patriotic, she wondered if it wouldn't benefit McB/Park to rep Georgia.
Sounds good since Georgia now has 3 spots for Worlds. Yet, while Katie might obtain citizenship faster there than Daniil can here, obviously USfigsk would never release Katie. Also, I think Daniil had some issues with Georgian fed, which may be, in part, why he came to the U.S. Daniil will likely not receive U.S. citizenship by 2030, unless he's on a different immigration track due to his father having U.S. citizenship, I believe, via a former work visa.
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2024
Thank you for that updated information.
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
Ah, yes. Canada has had the third spot in pairs for so long, I forgot. Okay, thanks for the correction. There were only two Canadian teams at Worlds this year and Deanna/ Max were not one of them this time.
Still, what with Lia/Trennt doing so well, Laurin/ Ethier only needed to place 10th. Or even had Lia/ Trennt deservedly landed in 2nd place, Laurin/ Ethier would have only needed to place 11th to regain 3 spots, which was doable. They were 12th in the sp, and sadly dropped to 18th in the fp and 19th overall.
Chan/ Howe had a disaster in the fp, placing last (20th) 
, but their 6th place in the fp left them 16th overall.Similar threads
