2026 U.S. Nationals: Recaps and Discussion | Page 4 | Golden Skate

Replay Lounge 2026 U.S. Nationals: Recaps and Discussion

Replay Lounge
Autographs collected: Ellie and Danny, Paul Wylie, Raffella and Alexey (they also wrote “thank you - so cute) Jacob Sanchez (on flag and on signature card), Kirk, Polina Edmunds, Katie M, Caleb.
My old flag with signatures is MIA. I can only pray it’s in the garage with Jimmy’s dog. I had to buy a new one😢😢😢
Anyone who wants to make a “personal stuffie” can PM me and I’ll walk you through it.
 
el henry said:
4. No way should anyone get citizenship fast tracked because they are good at sports. A noodge for those that have met all the requirements and are delayed (Tanith Belbin) yes, fast tracked no.
Click to expand...
Actually, the Tanith Belbin case was quite intriguing. She was fast-tracked in 2006, but as I remember it, the situation was complicated by the fact that the legal requirements were changed during her waiting time.

But in any case the then-current law was that the applicant had to wait 5 years after getting her green card (2002 in Tanith's case). The U.S. Re[presentative serving Canton, Michigan (Zoueva/Sphilband's operation) went to bat for her and convinced long-time U.S. Senator Carl Levin to attach an amendment to an unrelated appropriations bill to allow hurry-up processing for gifted athletes in Tanith's position.

(Of course that was back in the days when the U.S. and Canada were on friendly terms. It would probably be more complicated now. :( )
 
Mathman said:
Actually, the Tanith Belbin case was quite intriguing. She was fast-tracked in 2006, but as I remember it, the situation was complicated by the fact that the legal requirements were changed during her waiting time.

But in any case the then-current law was that the applicant had to wait 5 years after getting her green card (2002 in Tanith's case). The U.S. Re[presentative serving Canton, Michigan (Zoueva/Sphilband's operation) went to bat for her and convinced long-time U.S. Senator Carl Levin to attach an amendment to an unrelated appropriations bill to allow hurry-up processing for gifted athletes in Tanith's position.

(Of course that was back in the days when the U.S. and Canada were on friendly terms. It would probably be more complicated now. :( )
Click to expand...
Also Tanith and Ben were winning World Championship medals and were expected to win Olympic medals. A/M are not.
 
el henry said:
1. The age old question of who should be the Olympics. I watch the Olympics for countries, not for the quote unquote "best". If that means four five or ten skaters with higher scores stay home so Donovan Carrillo can skate, well :love4: That to me is the point of the Olympics.
Click to expand...
This gives me a very fresh perspective. My tendency is to wish for less nationalism in sport, because I tend to support (or not) teams and athletes without regard to their flag. But you're right.

I think one of the goals of the Olympics is to have as many nations represented as reasonably possible. I mean, I'm not holding my breath for ski jumpers from Congo, but I bet people once said that about Mexican figure skaters, too. So maybe one day.

And it's a good thing. I never even heard of a Korean figure skater until Yuna Kim, and I am a very longtime fan of the sport. It only takes one to ignite a country's interest. So sure. We can make the case that three more Japanese women and three more Americans would be better than the one single representative from Somewhereland. But how important might that one person be? We can't know.
 
TontoK said:
This gives me a very fresh perspective. My tendency is to wish for less nationalism in sport, because I tend to support (or not) teams and athletes without regard to their flag. But you're right.

I think one of the goals of the Olympics is to have as many nations represented as reasonably possible. I mean, I'm not holding my breath for ski jumpers from Congo, but I bet people once said that about Mexican figure skaters, too. So maybe one day.

And it's a good thing. I never even heard of a Korean figure skater until Yuna Kim, and I am a very longtime fan of the sport. It only takes one to ignite a country's interest. So sure. We can make the case that three more Japanese women and three more Americans would be better than the one single representative from Somewhereland. But how important might that one person be? We can't know.
Click to expand...
First of all I agree with so many of your posts all over this forum. ❤️

I don't care about the nation too. I like the skater not his/her passport. I think olympics is about nations though and every nation should be able to send an athlete. So limiting the big nations to give smaller ones a chance to be there is ok. That's olympics and I still love Cool Runnings Bob Team Jamaica.

But worlds is different. Worlds should be the best of the world and if USA and Japan have 10+ each who are better than the others then yes send them.
 
Kiki5375 said:
First of all I agree with so many of your posts all over this forum. ❤️

I don't care about the nation too. I like the skater not his/her passport. I think olympics is about nations though and every nation should be able to send an athlete. So limiting the big nations to give smaller ones a chance to be there is ok. That's olympics and I still love Cool Runnings Bob Team Jamaica.

But worlds is different. Worlds should be the best of the world and if USA and Japan have 10+ each who are better than the others then yes send them.
Click to expand...
Thank you, you are very kind. Obviously, a person of great discernment.

I'm not sure if I agree with your position on Worlds, and that's OK. We don't all have to agree on every topic. Disagreements make the board interesting, so long as they are made in good conscious and contribute to lively discussion.

I've noticed your posts, too, and I love seeing newcomers to the board be active. We NEED new voices here. Sometimes I wonder if I'm having the same conversations with the same people. Post often, friend.
 
ManyCairns said:
On another topic, WHOSE PROGRAMS DID YOU FIND YOURSELF RE-WATCHING?

Before they expired on Peacock (and I will also hunt for them in other places), I watched these performances multiple, multiple times:
Zingas and Kolesnik RD and FD; Green and Parsons FD; Amber Glenn short program.

There are many more that I watched twice, but I really binged those three. How about you?
Click to expand...
Zingas and Kolesnik RD and FD

Efimova and Mitrofanov SP and FS

Chan and Howe FS

Brown and Brown "Godfather" FD (Gage's face! I gaze and gaze at it, he's so expressive ... and that flip over Oona!)

Bratti and Somerville RD and FD
 
This was my first time attending Nationals for several days. I went to 2023 US Nationals men's LP, but this was way more fun and exciting.

I didn't get to the competition until Thurs, so my favorite performances that I saw live were Amber FS, Bradie FS, Torgashev FS, Jacob FS, Ilia SP, and Chock/Bates FD. Those performances were just electric, beautifully emotional, and/or technically spectacular. I'm sure I would have had said the same thing about Amber's SP had I seen it live. Worst event was pairs FS. Duds all around. I'm happy that Efimova/Mitrofanov won their 2nd title though.

I also loved the Making the Team show. Great idea and it was fun to find out the team in real-time, see them get their jackets from their loved ones, get interviewed, show off a little personality. Amber and Ilia's performances were also amazing to end the show with.
 
moonvine said:
Also Tanith and Ben were winning World Championship medals and were expected to win Olympic medals.
Click to expand...
Although... I believe that there are many valid reasons why an individual might want to immigrate to a new country and to obtain citizenship. I can't automatically say that "Because I want to compete in the Olympics" is a more compelling aspiration than those of just plain folks.
 
Last edited:
Mathman said:
Although... I believe that there are many valid reasons why an individual might want to emigrate to a new country and to obtain citizenship. I can't automatically say that "Because I want to compete in the Olympics" is a more compelling aspiration than those of just plain folks.
Click to expand...
There is an extraordinary talent clause, like it or not. There are also other ways to speed the process such as H1B visa and fiancé visa. So everyone isn’t starting equally anyway.
 
Mathman said:
Yes, there is, and no, I don't. Favors are also available for people who have money versus people who don't. Prospective immigrants from some countries are welcome, immigration from other countries is discouraged. Etc.
Click to expand...
It’s just like I can’t emigrate to Canada because I’m too old and disabled. It is what it is.🤷‍♀️
 
moonvine said:
It’s just like I can’t emigrate to Canada because I’m too old and disabled. It is what it is.🤷‍♀️
Click to expand...
:( It is a thorny and heartbreaking situation. All Western countries are torn between supporting UN conventions regarding nondiscrimination and access for disabled people, while at the same time almost all countries require that prospective immigrants prove that they have the financial wherewithal to pay for medical care and social services without the government having to step up. And,Canada is better than most.

My grandmother was a school teacher in 1896 (she was 16 and had just graduated from the eighth grade). She took a four week teacher's training course and returned in September to the same one-room school house -- this time as the teacher -- where in June she had been a student. Her contract with the school board contained the language (this was long before Social Security of course), "The appointee will be expected to set aside savings from her salary ($5 per week) so that she will not become a burden on society in old age.
 
Last edited:
Mathman said:
:( It is a thorny and heartbreaking situation. All Western countries are torn between supporting UN conventions regarding nondiscrimination and access for disabled people, while at the same time almost all countries require that prospective immigrants prove that they have the financial wherewithal to pay for medical care and social services without the government having to step up. And,Canada is better than most.
Click to expand...
My daughter in Scotland has a friend who is snarled in red tape these days, trying to bring her 90-year-old mother with dementia from the US to live with her in the UK. Her mother had retired to the US as a widow to live with her son (the friend's brother and a single parent) and help raise his kids. Now the son can't afford care for her and his sister and her husband have the money to support her at home or in a Scottish hospice. No one can agree what to do about the poor woman within the rules.
 
Late to this party, but I've been wanting to make note of Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov's comments that they gave, as Ted Flett quoted. I thought it was great that they put their emphasis on bringing their experience in living up to the pressure that they've felt in the past year's competitions, culminating in this US pairs comp. They focused on bringing this experience (and the confidence that they lived up to that pressure) to future international competitions. So they made it about looking ahead.

Not to be forgotten: Alisa and Misha winning 2 US pairs championships in a row is the first time that's been done since Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir did it in 2013 and 2014. It's a very high pressure situation. I also loved their comments: Misha thanked Alisa for holding him up (with her strong hand) in the SP program, and Alisa thanked Misha for doing the same for her in the FS.

Someone mentioned in the pairs thread (as a bit of consolation) that Alisa and Misha are young. Actually, Misha is 28 now, which means in 2030 Olympics he'll be 32. This is funny, because Danny O'Shea is pretty much considered the Old Man of pairs at age 34 (although he'll be 35 on Feb. 13). So it's all a matter of perspective.

Then, tonight I was reading a Canadian Pairs thread elsewhere, and it mentioned Maxime Deschamps is 34. So, the same age as Old Man Danny! No one ever talks about Max's age, because people are so busy talking about Deanna's.
 
skylark said:
Late to this party, but I've been wanting to make note of Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov's comments that they gave, as Ted Flett quoted. I thought it was great that they put their emphasis on bringing their experience in living up to the pressure that they've felt in the past year's competitions, culminating in this US pairs comp. They focused on bringing this experience (and the confidence that they lived up to that pressure) to future international competitions. So they made it about looking ahead.

Not to be forgotten: Alisa and Misha winning 2 US pairs championships in a row is the first time that's been done since Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir did it in 2013 and 2014. It's a very high pressure situation. I also loved their comments: Misha thanked Alisa for holding him up (with her strong hand) in the SP program, and Alisa thanked Misha for doing the same for her in the FS.

Someone mentioned in the pairs thread (as a bit of consolation) that Alisa and Misha are young. Actually, Misha is 28 now, which means in 2030 Olympics he'll be 32. This is funny, because Danny O'Shea is pretty much considered the Old Man of pairs at age 34 (although he'll be 35 on Feb. 13). So it's all a matter of perspective.

Then, tonight I was reading a Canadian Pairs thread elsewhere, and it mentioned Maxime Deschamps is 34. So, the same age as Old Man Danny! No one ever talks about Max's age, because people are so busy talking about Deanna's.
Click to expand...
I have been thinking the same - a few posters actually mentioned that in the pairs and, I think, in the recap thread too, and it is not the case, maybe people assume Alisa and Misha are young because 1) they do look younger than their age 2) they have been skating together only 2.5 years (and already 2 time National Champions!) so the general perception might be stemming from the fact that they are young pair. Unfortunately, it is not the case (Alisa is 26) and while it is not out of the realm of possibility, their participation in 2030 Olympics will depend on many factors - general health, injuries, younger competition and so on. It is tragic they cannot go to Milano but it is what it is.
On the lighter note I really enjoyed the commentary to the practice session during US Nationals where Alisa was likened to a giraffe :laugh4::

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com

BTW who are commentating - Tara and Johhny?

Noting also how elegant Alisa is even for practice sessions (y)
In her FS dress she gives off Grace Kelly's vibe to me (probably many people would not agree)
 
I'm pretty sure it's Gracie Gold commenting with (the usual) Jean-Luc Baker.

I loved and also noticed the giraffe comment. I just read a book called "Russian Winter." The main character is a Russian ballerina, it starts in her childhood (1940s) when she and her best friend are training.

Later in the book, she's complimented on her beautiful, long neck. She says it's an optical illusion -- that they were taught that when they're on pointe, on their toes, that when they come down from pointe, they're to leave their heads up there. :yes2:

One of the first things I loved about Alisa was her head positions in lifts, and in the pairs spin. Which is to say I love her shoulders and neck. So expressive and always, as you said, elegant.

I've also been worrying if they'd continue competing till 2030. Their comments after winning Nationals again make me think the confidence they've gained in their ability to live up to pressure will hopefully have them continuing to compete. Also, they both mentioned that this win has given them even more motivation for the future.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

gsk8
Replay Lounge 2026 Canadian Nationals: Recaps and Discussion
Replies
13
Views
2K
4everchan
4everchan
gsk8
Replay Lounge 2026 Europeans: Recaps and Discussion
2
Replies
39
Views
4K
Mathman
Mathman
gsk8
Replay Lounge 2026 Four Continents: Recaps and Discussion
2 3 4
Replies
62
Views
7K
Zora
Z
GS Forum Staff
Replay Lounge 2026 Worlds
6 7 8
Replies
141
Views
15K
Anna K.
A
gsk8
Replay Lounge 2026 Junior Worlds
Replies
9
Views
2K
4everchan
4everchan
Back
Top