2026 U.S. Nationals Senior Men Free Skate

[Janice4th]

He did not compete last year due to problems

It must be the year before I remember. I was in Columbus and Kansas.

 

[Janice4th]

I think none of the skaters (except Ilia of course) is very consistent, that's why sticking to the results of the competition would probably be a wise choice. There would surely be an uproar if they leave Max out, and I would join it first line. Consistency is his problem, but SS and Artistry wise I do think he is better than most of the other contenders.
It would be like a family curse repeating itself, considering how many times also his parents suffered undemarking and controversial split decisions in their days, like historical skating enthusiasts will recall.

A voice of reason!

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Jason got the chance to get that 3rd spot because he got a spot for worlds although he skipped Nationals. We do not know if Camden who finished 3rd at Nationals and didn't get to go to worlds would have gotten that 3rd spot for USA, too.

Yeah, I think we're going to miss Jason and his gorgeous skating. We need to have some satisfying closure with and for Jason. As I said, I wonder if Jason might still have something left, or is his mastery of the 3-axel completely gone?

If U.S. fed feels Jason still has something, maybe he can be sent to Worlds over Max for a proper goodbye to a stellar career. Or at the very least, send Jason, Tomoki, and Jacob to 4CCs. And Jacob may also get junior Worlds.

With Ilia likely first at Worlds, one of the other U.S. men who are sent, only need to land in 12th place or higher, right? That should be doable.

 

[TontoK]

And like I said in my previous post, the real drama, missed by NBC, was Jacob Sanchez pulling up from 7th to 3rd in the fp, and by percentage points, nearly beating out Max for third overall.

What might have been. If Jacob had handled that SP 3A... or the second 3A in the free... to his normal standard, we'd be having a completely different discussion right now.

I'd be "all in" on Jacob.

 

[Kiki5375]

Wow that went fast with Andrew... so first one is fix

 

[moonvine]

In a way, I'm now glad I wasn't able to get a working stream to watch the US Nationals - Jason's skate sounds heartbreaking, (and I'm a devoted fan of his).

It was.

 

[moonvine]

Yeah this was relitigated on here quite a lot. I was on the side that agreed with the decision. Jason came in top six at that Olys and Ilya top 7 at that Worlds. Ilya was not the most consistent skater at the time and in the end it hasn't hurt his career. It might have made him more determined. Has he ever complained about that decision? Ilya had such great potential but Jason had the creds IMHO. And to your point about Jason being given 4CC this time, I say no.

He’s turned down 4CC often. I doubt he would accept it if offered.

 

[moonvine]

Yeah, I think we're going to miss Jason and his gorgeous skating. We need to have some satisfying closure with and for Jason. As I said, I wonder if Jason might still have something left, or is his mastery of the 3-axel completely gone?

If U.S. fed feels Jason still has something, maybe he can be sent to Worlds over Max for a proper goodbye to a stellar career. Or at the very least, send Jason, Tomoki, and Jacob to 4CCs. And Jacob may also get junior Worlds.

With Ilia likely first at Worlds, one of the other U.S. men who are sent, only need to land in 12th place or higher, right? That should be doable.

If Jacob is eligible for Junior Worlds they should certainly send him.

 

[Jeanie19]

If Jacob is eligible for Junior Worlds they should certainly send him.

He is eligible. But I think 4CC would be better.

 

[moonvine]

didn't Jason also get a spot at last year's Worlds' despite not competing at Nationals?

Yes

 

[moonvine]

They really need to ditch the sheet. It would be horrible if they got injured.

 

[moonvine]

Weird. Announcing Torgashev and then all the obvious ones?

 

[moonvine]

He is eligible. But I think 4CC would be better.

I dunno, I think he’d very possibly win JW (or at least medal) and probably be middle of the pack at 4CCs.

 

[teddycat]

I bet they will drag it out before announcing the other non-Ilia spot to keep people watching, hopefully Max.

 

[Arigato]

Andrew, Max, Ilia. No shocker.

 

[Jeanie19]

I dunno, I think he’d very possibly win JW (or at least medal) and probably be middle of the pack at 4CCs.

But the 4CC of the Olympic year is weak, so he could be top 5. JR Worlds, the top 2 are secure , so he will be 3-5.

 

[moonvine]

I told yall. They’re going with the podium!

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I told yall. They’re going with the podium!

Wow, what a surprise. NOT! I also said it in the men's fp thread. It would be surprising if it isn't the top three.

 

[moonvine]

But the 4CC of the Olympic year is weak, so he could be top 5. JR Worlds, the top 2 are secure , so he will be 3-5.

Good point.

 

[moonvine]

Wow, what a surprise. NOT! I also said it in the men's fp thread. It would be surprising if it isn't the top three.

There were quite a few people who did not think they would.