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

[gsk8]

The 2026 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships were held January 4-11, 2026, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO.

Here are recaps along with comments from the mixed zone and press conferences.

Efimova and Mitrofanov defend U.S. Pairs' title in St. Louis

2026 U.S. National Figure Skating Championships: Pairs Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov defended their national title with over 10 points to spare on

www.goldenskate.com

Amber Glenn takes third consecutive U.S. Figure Skating title

2026 U.S. National Figure Skating Championships: Women Amber Glenn dominated the Women's event at the 2026 U.S. Championships, taking her third

www.goldenskate.com

Chock and Bates win historic seventh U.S. ice dance title

2026 U.S. National Figure Skating Championships: Ice Dance It's seventh heaven for Madison Chock and Evan Bates, winning their seventh U.S. National title

www.goldenskate.com

Ilia Malinin takes fourth straight national title

2026 U.S. National Figure Skating Championships: Men Quad God Ilia Malinin secured his fourth national championship title in St. Louis, Mo. on Saturday

www.goldenskate.com

Share your thoughts!

 

[moonvine]

I know I saw a rewatch thread but now can’t find it.

 

[Skating91]

/

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I don't know if this is being discussed in the U.S. Nationals threads, but here's a link to Olympics, Worlds, and Four Continents assignments. Wow, I'm pleasantly surprised about the men and pairs selections for Worlds and 4CCs!

U.S. Figure Skating Announces World Championships, World Junior Championships and Four Continents Teams - U.S. Figure Skating

U.S. Figure Skating today announced its selections for the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2026, the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2026 and

usfigureskating.org

We already know Olympics assignments, but this link includes alternates listings:

U.S. Figure Skating Nominates 16 Athletes to 2026 U.S. Olympic Team - U.S. Figure Skating

U.S. Figure Skating today announced the 16 skaters nominated to the U.S. Olympic Team for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

usfigureskating.org

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Does the US championships still have relevance? I was busy saying Brown would be automatically selected for the Olympics and World's no matter what happens, Brown couldn't have been worse when it counted yet automatically going to the Olympics and World's. After a lacklustre season no less.

It's not like Malinin with 5 or 6 quads having a bad performance you would overlook it because they ceiling is so high, but Brown is someone with no quads whatsoever, struggling to land triples.

Last year when he skipped the US championships with equipment issues, I said he'd be automatically selected for World's as well.

It would be better to just come out and say beforehand we are choosing Malinin and Brown no matter how they skate, no matter if they withdraw from the competition.

I think it was the same in the women's event. All three could have withdrawn at the last moment citing equipment issues or catching a cold, and would have been automatic selections.

Must be frustrating for many of the skaters to know their performances at this event are more or less in vain.

Jason Brown is not going to the Olympics. He was selected for Worlds and 4CCs. I'm fine with Jason having the chance to redeem himself at Worlds. Max gets to live his and his parents' dream at the Olympics. Hopefully, Max will shine at the Olympics and work hard to come back next season to fight for a Worlds berth. Tomoki fans can enjoy seeing him perform at 4CCs. If Tomoki wants to continue excelling and turning his career around, he can bring an even bigger fight next season. He's still young (ETA hint: Tomoki needs to clean up those 'q' and underrotated landings).

Skaters' performances at U.S. Nationals are certainly not in vain. Results are important in assignment consideration, in addition to setting the stage for the following season's international selection pool and byes to U.S. Nats, etc. I get frustration for your faves but this is a tough sport. It's about more than going to Olympics and Worlds, too. Not everyone has the luck to make it. Timing and good luck are key factors, as are personal results, politics, perceptions, and too often, favoritism. With these current selections, to some degree, U.S. fed appears to be attempting to spread the wealth. This is particularly true for pairs, where obviously some selections would have differed re the Olympics, if citizenship issues were not a factor.

 

[Skating91]

Jason Brown is not going to the Olympics. He was selected for Worlds and 4CCs. I'm fine with Jason having the chance to redeem himself at Worlds. Max gets to live his and his parents' dream at the Olympics. Hopefully, Max will shine at the Olympics and work hard to come back next season to fight for a Worlds berth. Tomoki fans can enjoy seeing him perform at 4CCs. If Tomoki wants to continue excelling and turning his career around, he can bring an even bigger fight next season. He's still young.

Skaters' performances at U.S. Nationals are certainly not in vain. Results are important in assignment consideration, in addition to setting the stage for the following season's international selection pool and byes to U.S. Nats, etc. I get frustration for your faves but this is a tough sport. It's about more than going to Olympics and Worlds, too. Not everyone has the luck to make it. Timing and good luck are key factors, as are personal results, politics, perceptions, and too often, favoritism. With these current selections, to some degree, U.S. fed appears to be attempting to spread the wealth. This is particularly true for pairs, where obviously some selections would have differed re the Olympics, if citizenship issues were not a factor.

Thank you for correcting me, I must misread something.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

In any case, let's wait and see if Jason actually decides to go to both 4CCs and Worlds. He was hoping for one last Olympics sayonara. That was surely his main reason for staying in-the-mix another four years. I'm not exactly sure how Jason is going to feel about missing out on a final Olympics. He's a very gracious and kind person who cares deeply about his fans, so he may go to 4CCs. It takes place in Beijing this year. Worlds will be held in Czech Republic (that's the way Czechia is named in the press release. Both are valid ways of referencing the country).

If Jason opts out of 4CCs, the first alternate is Liam Kapeikis. If Jason opts out of Worlds, the first alternate is Max Naumov.

I wish Jason could be named to the Olympics as a Team Ambassador.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Everyone must be exhausted by the past days' events! I still have to catch up with some Canadian Nats events. Meanwhile, Euros is almost upon us! It formally begins January 13, although some sources give today as the start date.

Looking more closely at U.S. Nats' assignment list, I'm intrigued whether Danny might retire after the Olympics. I hope he and Ellie stay around another season at least. But, if he does retire, 1st alternates to Worlds are Shin/ Nagy.

For junior Worlds, I'm surprised to not see Kouevi/ Homawoo listed as alternates. Does anyone know why they weren't. Are they injured?

 

[Mathman]

Best performance: Kam and O'shea, exhibition. They did a Detroiter AND a head-banger!

Ladies: For me the two performances that stood out were Amber Glenn and Bradie Tennell LP.s. Every movement served a choreographic purpose. For many of the ladies they seemed to be just checking off the jumps as if negotiating a mine field, fearful that they might misstep at any moment snd blow themselves up.

 

[Tutto]

A bittersweet victory for Alisa/Misha. Heartbroken for them. I wish they had not been given a hope in the first place, it must be really hard. Well, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger...
Most importantly a catastrophe was avoided - Alisa's skate was literally into his face... it was such a near thing - now I see why M/K do their sbs on opposite sides of the rink, very wise!
I will be rooting for them doing well at 4CC and Worlds.
The Boston club will be, however, represented in Milano as a consolation prize that I guess what might have been a deciding factor in Emily/Spencer favour.
On the side note, this week we get to know if Emily boyfriend will be joining her at Olympics

 

[slider11]

As with most Olympic selections there was happiness and heartbreak. I applaud the selection committee for being very objective but empathetic in their overall choices. As much as I'd like to have seen Jason at the Olympics, it's fair that Max is there instead. I like that they named Jason to the 4C's and Worlds which to me is a testament to his career and to the fact that HE has a chance to maintain 3 spots for next year for the men. If Ilia wins gold at the Olympics, what will he do? Retire? He's young but he may pull an Alysa Lui and immediately step away and consider returning in 2-3 years. As has been said, Torgashev is a great jumper and maybe this is his time to shine. But the committee is hoping Jason sticks around for Worlds and has an epic last performance that keeps the US with 3 placements.

My only other disappointment is that Green and Parsons are alternates. Caroline is only 21 so maybe they have another 4 years in them. It's gotta be hard for Michael. He has had hip issues and injury can be so hard to endure. I also think their skills are so outstanding. Christina and Anthony were definitely given the green light early on. Their Nationals performance earned them their Olympic spot but it's Caroline and Michael's performance that I will rewatch. Go get 'em at 4C's

 

[TontoK]

During all my watching and celebrating, especially for Max, I forgot to be totally petty about Alex Shibutani.

Theres not much fun in doing it so long after the fact, but here's my celebration about that:

Here's one more knife in the back for you, Alex, before I pledge to be a better person.

 

[moonvine]

Everyone must be exhausted by the past days' events! I still have to catch up with some Canadian Nats events. Meanwhile, Euros is almost upon us! It formally begins January 13, although some sources give today as the start date.

Looking more closely at U.S. Nats' assignment list, I'm intrigued whether Danny might retire after the Olympics. I hope he and Ellie stay around another season at least. But, if he does retire, 1st alternates to Worlds are Shin/ Nagy.

For junior Worlds, I'm surprised to not see Kouevi/ Homawoo listed as alternates. Does anyone know why they weren't. Are they injured?

Please don’t put the R word and Danny in the same sentence. There is still much for them to win.

 

[Jammers]

In any case, let's wait and see if Jason actually decides to go to both 4CCs and Worlds. He was hoping for one last Olympics sayonara. That was surely his main reason for staying in-the-mix another four years. I'm not exactly sure how Jason is going to feel about missing out on a final Olympics. He's a very gracious and kind person who cares deeply about his fans, so he may go to 4CCs. It takes place in Beijing this year. Worlds will be held in Czech Republic (that's the way Czechia is named in the press release. Both are valid ways of referencing the country).

If Jason opts out of 4CCs, the first alternate is Liam Kapeikis. If Jason opts out of Worlds, the first alternate is Max Naumov.

I wish Jason could be named to the Olympics as a Team Ambassador.

If Jason is going to Worlds i'd prefer if he skipped 4CC and work on being the best he can for Worlds. The turnaround to competing so quickly after Nationals worries me. On the other hand if he skates decent it could help with his confidence so what do i know.

 

[TontoK]

Here's my most "controversial" take about the competition. I thought Isabeau was better than Alysa in the long program. I mean a lot better, not just a little. For all the buzz about Gaga, it just wasn't that good.

Jackie Wong reports it will be McArthur Park in Milan, so I think even she recognizes it. Personally, I'm a little tired of that program, but it can win, and I don't think Gaga can. So, smart move on her part.

 

[noskates]

This will probably be an unpopular opinion but I don't think skaters should be allowed to compete for the US unless they have citizenship in the first place. I feel really bad for Alisa and Misha because they worked hard and are really very, very good. But now we have a 4th place team representing the US. And please don't get me wrong - my favorite team is Spencer and Emily. Have always loved watching Spencer through the years but taking 6 months off for basic training has really taken a toll. I wish them well.

As for Isabeau and Alysa, Isabeau just doesn't have the fire power. And quite frankly, if Alysa used the 3A that she supposedly has, and landed it cleanly, she would have won the competition. In person, Alysa is SO dynamic and fun to watch. Isabeau still has that really awkward jumping style and you find yourself gritting your teeth hoping that she lands the jump. She's very elegant on the ice and her music was perfect for her. But....

Okay - fire away.

 

[Mathman]

Here's my most "controversial" take about the competition. I thought Isabeau was better than Alysa in the long program.

The judges agreed. Isabeau scored higher in PCS and overall than Alysa.

 

[Tutto]

This will probably be an unpopular opinion but I don't think skaters should be allowed to compete for the US unless they have citizenship in the first place. I feel really bad for Alisa and Misha because they worked hard and are really very, very good. But now we have a 4th place team representing the US. And please don't get me wrong - my favorite team is Spencer and Emily. Have always loved watching Spencer through the years but taking 6 months off for basic training has really taken a toll. I wish them well.

As for Isabeau and Alysa, Isabeau just doesn't have the fire power. And quite frankly, if Alysa used the 3A that she supposedly has, and landed it cleanly, she would have won the competition. In person, Alysa is SO dynamic and fun to watch. Isabeau still has that really awkward jumping style and you find yourself gritting your teeth hoping that she lands the jump. She's very elegant on the ice and her music was perfect for her. But....

Okay - fire away.

No, it is not a popular opinion. Do you realise how difficult for pair skaters to find a suitable partner? It is the hardest discipline of all, the skaters willing to take the risks should be rewarded and not punished by putting even more obstacles in their way. Do you really think that e.g. Alisa moved from country to country just for fun? In her native Finland were no pair coaching so she moved to Russia to train with the best. That’s why we are lucky to see the true classic pair elements from her, so thank you Alisa for the sacrifices you made to settle there. Korovin eventually left her so she moved to Germany and just when she settled there Ruben decided that it was not worth his while to continue so Alisa again had to look for a partner. I honestly have no idea how people do it. I emigrated once and God wasn’t the hardest thing I ever done. And you are seriously suggesting the rules should be tightened?
I have a different idea altogether that it’s IOC should recognise that partnered sports are different and allow pairs compete if one partner is non citizen.

 

[Skatingcat]

I’m really sad Jason isn’t going to the Olympics. He didn’t get the scores to go of course, but I feel like it would have been a nice way to end his career.

Was surprised at how much I liked Amber’s skates. They were amazing.

And (don’t hate me), I just can’t with Alysa. She’ll probably win the Olympics and good for her if she does, but personally, I don’t find her skates compelling or very artistic. I adore her attitude though.

And yes- Alex messing up the twinkle was karma. Up until that point, I don’t think I’ve ever seen them make a mistake. It will be interesting to see what they do going forward.

I didn’t like C/B’s short program but damn they brought it in the free.

 

[Mathman]

Isabeau still has that really awkward jumping style and you find yourself gritting your teeth hoping that she lands the jump.

I think that Levito's jump technique is quite a bit improved this season, as well as her overall posture.