2026-27 U.S. Pairs Figure Skating

[BlissfulSynergy]

Time for a new thread for a new season. The ISP list has not been accurately updated yet, but we have seen the preliminary GP assignments. It should be exciting to watch how all the new and returning teams evolve over the next four years. Of course, rules changes prevent many new teams from getting GP assignments. We'll have to wait and see which new U.S. pairs teams might get the tbd spots at Skate America. Plus, Challenger series events should be even more exciting to watch this season.

Returning teams:
Alisa Efimova/ Misha Mitrofanov
Linzy Fitzpatrick/ Keyton Bearinger
Chelsea Liu/ Ryan Bedard
Valentina Plazas/ Maximiliano Fernandez
Naomi Williams/ Lachlan Lewer
Sydney Cooke/ Matthew Kennedy

New teams:
Starr Andrews/ Daniil Parkman
Katie McBeath/ Balazs Nagy
Audrey Shin/ Spencer Howe
Lyndsay Ream/ Danny Neudecker

More announcements to come, as Mark Sadusky has teased a new partnership. And the following may or may not be looking:

Emily Chan
Timmy Chapman
Olivia Flores
Danylo Siianytsia
Luke Wang (maybe he's taking break to go to school and continue coaching)

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Regarding U.S. junior pairs. From current sources, here's a non-definitive list:

Elizabeth Hansen/ Damir Yakupov (recently announced; he's Russian)
Sofia Jarmoc/ Luke Witkowski
Elena Kerr/ Sam Herbert
Reagan Moss/ Jakub Galbavy
Kaitlyn Oh/ Michael Chapa [ETA: they have aged out of juniors]
Baylen Taich/ Nikolai Apter
Teryn Kim/ Laz Lune (new)
Elizabeth Yun/ Mitchell Castelletti
Olivia Jung/ Carter Griffin (new)
Gabriella Kaplan/ Matt Curtis
Juliet Meek/ Devin Meek
Genesis Lira/ Beck Strommer (new)
Tallulah Tanner/ Blake McGee (new)

Katie Shen/ Connor O'Grady (new, not sure if they are juniors or seniors)

Addyson MacDonald & Aaron Felberbaum -- split
Milada Kovar & Jared McPike (recently split?)

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I saw an IG post showing a training clip at SCOB of Audrey Shin and Spencer Howe. I don't think it was posted by either Spencer or Audrey, just someone sleuthing at the rink. In any case, in the jumping passes clip that was posted, they look really good.

I notice that their Clair de Lune sp will also include music from Ed Sheeran's Photograph. I'm really interested to see how these two pieces will be cut together.