2025-26 U.S. Pairs Figure Skating

[BlissfulSynergy]

I am not that sold on their connection, it is their weakest point (SS would be the strongest). I am trying not to read too much in it but Spencer looks like he does not want to be on the ice with Emily at all. I saw no compassion towards Emily from him during/after their disastrous FS in Prague. I wonder what their relationship is off the ice and how its influenced by that Emily's boyfriend is training alongside them. I could be wrong, I would be happy to be wrong but something is not ok there. It should not impact on my enjoyment of their skating but it does, unfortunately.

We should try not to read too much into the body language or expressions of athletes, especially when we do not know them personally. I doubt that Sasha Selevko training in Boston with Emily has any adverse impacts on anyone. Quite the contrary. It all seems positive to me. From every available evidence, Emily and Spencer seem supportive of each other, and willing to work through career conflicts and setbacks. They were probably both shocked, numbed, and embarrassed by the mishaps they experienced during the recent fp at Worlds in Prague.

I have heard that Em & Spence briefly dated at one point. I'm not sure of that, though. I do know that Spence & Gabby Izzo were in a long term relationship. But since Gabby is now pursuing her pairs career repping Austria, and training in Europe, I'm not certain if they still have an ongoing personal connection. Based on IG posts many years ago, Spencer used to date now retired Canadian pairs skater, Justine Brasseur. That was when he was training in Canada, prior to his partnership with Emily Chan.

 

[moonvine]

Will an Euler count as a jump between two bigger ones?

I don’t know.

 

[moonvine]

Hopefully, this means Nica's expensive bone-related operation was a success!

Yes, I do hope so!

 

[ladyjane]

My big problem with a three jumps sequence is mostly the lack of synchronisation. Some pairs can do that too, but not many. And the drifting apart, while to me the 'together jumping sbs' is the thing. One of the few possible changes in the rules I do like.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Sadly, I heard on a skating podcast that Emily & Spencer had been signed to the main U.S. SOI tour. But they pulled out for unstated reasons which led to Carreira/Pono getting signed to do most of the tour dates instead. It is unknown whether or not Spencer had military commitment conflicts. The podcast hosts also alluded to unconfirmed speculation that Emily and Spencer may be splitting. This is the first I've heard any reference to them possibly splitting. It may be just an unfounded rumor.

 

[Tutto]

We should try not to read too much into the body language or expressions of athletes, especially when we do not know them personally. I doubt that Sasha Selevko training in Boston with Emily has any adverse impacts on anyone. Quite the contrary. It all seems positive to me. From every available evidence, Emily and Spencer seem supportive of each other, and willing to work through career conflicts and setbacks. They were probably both shocked, numbed, and embarrassed by the mishaps they experienced during the recent fp at Worlds in Prague.

I have heard that Em & Spence briefly dated at one point. I'm not sure of that, though. I do know that Spence & Gabby Izzo were in a long term relationship. But since Gabby is now pursuing her pairs career repping Austria, and training in Europe, I'm not certain if they still have an ongoing personal connection. Based on IG posts many years ago, Spencer used to date now retired Canadian pairs skater, Justine Brasseur. That was when he was training in Canada, prior to his partnership with Emily Chan.

I agree with most of what you said and I always try not to rush to conclusions. But I also trust body language over any words.

 

[Tutto]

Sadly, I heard on a skating podcast that Emily & Spencer had been signed to the main U.S. SOI tour. But they pulled out for unstated reasons which led to Carreira/Pono getting signed to do most of the tour dates instead. It is unknown whether or not Spencer had military commitment conflicts. The podcast hosts also alluded to unconfirmed speculation that Emily and Spencer may be splitting. This is the first I've heard any reference to them possibly splitting. It may be just an unfounded rumor.

Let’s hope it is !
It does not tally up with them going to that seminar with other Boston team, at the same time unfortunately rumours of that kind more often than not are confirmed eventually.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Well, @Tutto, if a split is true, it would likely have much more to do with Emily/Spencer's overall relationship and career trajectory than with any perceived 'body language' in the kiss 'n cry at '26 Worlds. Understandably, they were both in shock after their meltdown in the fp. They never struck me as a team that were ever overly demonstrative with each other in any case. Spencer has the more outgoing personality while Emily has always seemed more reserved.

 

[paulusfr]

I am not that sold on their connection, it is their weakest point

I think that comment was more about performance connection rather than their personal dynamic. Spencer Howe stands out among male partners for his ability to project emotion outward, and it aligns well with her expression. It's easier for the audience to read that than through the structure or subtle atmosphere.
Not much positives apart from that. The way he literally drops her from the lifts is scary, little to no control. The impression it leaves does not help the lyrical story they are trying to portray at all.

You are right, the Worlds were disappointing for Alisa/Misha fans. I don't know what I am more upset about - the fact that they underperformed or that they seemed very content with 6th place finish and not improving on their PB. They did not move up a place or score compared to Boston. To me it was rather discouraging to see.

Skating fans value skaters for what they bring, not just for the placements, don't they.
I get why you felt that, it's fine to want more for them, but this was the first major event where they arrived as real medal contenders. The context has changed for them. Learning how to handle pressure is part of the process. Almost every top pair goes through that phase, and that transition is rarely smooth. And relief after a stressful competition is completely normal. It was not a disaster. It doesn't mean they're not aiming higher.
For example, Pereira and Michaud (who ended up third) were not really seen as podium contenders at Worlds by most people. But now they will find themselves in a completely different psychological situation. From ~170 predictions on this forum, only 6 had them on the podium, compared to about 40 for Alisa and Misha.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I think that comment was more about performance connection rather than their personal dynamic.

Are you referring to @skylark's comment about Chan/ Howe's performance value that @Tutto was responding to?

It's easier for the audience to read that than through the structure or subtle atmosphere.
Not much positives apart from that. The way he literally drops her from the lifts is scary, little to no control. The impression it leaves does not help the lyrical story they are trying to portray at all.

Could you explain what you mean by "structure or subtle atmosphere"?

For example, Pereira and Michaud (who ended up third) were not really seen as podium contenders at Worlds by most people. But now they will find themselves in a completely different psychological situation. From ~170 predictions on this forum, only 6 had them on the podium, compared to about 40 for Alisa and

I think it's fair that more people expectedAlisa/Misha to be on the podium based on their overall results this season. They won 4CCs, and so appeared to be in decent form. Obviously, it had to be difficult for them to be forced to sit out the Olympics. Thus, no results for fans to measure there. Despite Pereira/Michaud doing well in the team event and placing third in the sp at the Olympics, they were 8th overall. I might have expected a bit more podium predictions for them at Worlds, but lagging behind Alysa/Misha in the predictions seems logical enough. That's the predictions game.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

The way he literally drops her from the lifts is scary, little to no control. The impression it leaves does not help the lyrical story they are trying to portray at all.

Can you provide example clips of what you are referring to? Pairs includes a number of intricate lift dismounts. The female is as responsible as the male for using her core strength to safely exit lifts. Plus, no pairs duo have time for the male to set the female down like a piece of china. They must swiftly, efficiently, and safely move through all elements of their program. I'm sure there's no intention by Spencer to carelessly endanger his partner.

Just as Georgia's Luca Berulava looks hella scary with his footwork on lifts carrying Anastasia Metelkina in a hold overhead, but it may seem more scary to viewers than it actually feels for them. Fortunately, they managed to avoid any serious mishaps during the season. Hopefully, their coaches have been working with Berulava to improve his lift technique.

 

[Diana Delafield]

Spencer Howe stands out among male partners for his ability to project emotion outward, and it aligns well with her expression. It's easier for the audience to read that than through the structure or subtle atmosphere.
Not much positives apart from that. The way he literally drops her from the lifts is scary, little to no control. The impression it leaves does not help the lyrical story they are trying to portray at all.

As with any other moves, different male pairs skaters set their partners down with subtle differences the watcher can't see. Over the years, doing lifts with quite a few partners, I have felt that some maintain the tension in their upper body muscles until her blade touches the ice. Some start to relax that tension a split second before. It may look like a slightly heavier landing for her, but I actually prefer the ones who relax the control that split second earlier. It makes my lift landing feel more like a jump landing and I feel more in control of the roll of my blade and the run-out. A landing by a partner who maintains rigid control until my blade is on the ice feels a bit awkward. I'm too close to his body to runout with a deep knee bend as I would a jump landing.

It's very subtle, but one of those little things that can click with one pairing but give problems when the same skaters work with other partners. I have no idea which way Howe does it or Chan prefers. Watching them on TV, I haven't noticed any problem.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Thanks for your knowledgeable input @Diana Delafield. It's always helpful and instructive to hear about pairs from your personal experience vantage point.

 

[Diana Delafield]

Thanks for your knowledgeable input @Diana Delafield. It's always helpful and instructive to hear about pairs from your personal experience vantage point.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Based on his IG, Luke Wang is attending UCLA. I wonder if this means full-time, or whether he might try to combine academics with continuing to skate?

 

[moonvine]

All I want is Mark and Timmy to find partners, and no r word for Danny and Ellie. Is this asking too much?

 

[moonvine]

Well, @Tutto, if a split is true, it would likely have much more to do with Emily/Spencer's overall relationship and career trajectory than with any perceived 'body language' in the kiss 'n cry at '26 Worlds. Understandably, they were both in shock after their meltdown in the fp. They never struck me as a team that were ever overly demonstrative with each other in any case. Spencer has the more outgoing personality while Emily has always seemed more reserved.

I would have sworn they said they were skating another year.
He’s VERY nice in person.

 

[skylark]

I would have sworn they said they were skating another year.
He’s VERY nice in person.

That's what I understood/ read that they have said.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

We do not know until we find out. Many things can be said or suggested. And then, logistics, personal matters, and/ or unforeseen injuries and other circumstances can change plans and expectations.

It is known that Em & Spence had to pull out of some early scheduled SOI U.S. tour dates (for undisclosed reasons). Perhaps this is what gave rise to recent 'split rumors.' They are apparently scheduled to appear later on the tour as well. So, maybe they will still make some of the scheduled dates. We'll see.

Check out recent podcasts by Jackie Wong (Rocker Skating Podcast) and the Scoreography podcast by two married fan hosts. Wong probably has more solid info and insights than the Scoreography hosts.

Wong also most recently posted a delightful discussion/ season wrap-up with Andrea Joyce and Nick McCarvel, held at Joyce's NYC abode.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

All I want is Mark and Timmy to find partners, and no r word for Danny and Ellie. Is this asking too much?

Mark and Timmy may now have solidified with new partners. Everything seems to be currently being purposely kept underwraps and fairly mysterious regarding a number of potential new pairings and new partnership searches.

Forget about retirement announcements. Some skaters move forward without ever officially retiring.