2026 World Figure Skating Championships | Men's Short Program

[ladyjane]

When Alexandr is on, he is on! Wow! I love this Prince programme but it has to work and be clean. Let's hope all these good guys don't play Cactus and do a good Free as well.

 

[Perkie1968]

Thanks Saine. I appreciate that, though I did end up watching the French feed. That commentator was quite enthusiastic!!

Someone explain to me how Selevko ended up in 3rd? I didn't go back to check but I thought he only did one Quad. I would have had Shun in 3rd and Stephen in 4th, but that's just me!

 

[Demandred]

Selevko had the most enjoyable skate for me, gorgeous jumps and his overall performance was inspired, this song is a perfect choice for him.

Adam was excellent too,when he goes clean his speed and commitment are really impressive.

Malinin showed his mental resilience here, he is just an unbelievable jumper.

Yuma was so unlucky with this rut on the ice, hopefully he'll have better luck and perform better in the free.

Ted is very unusual in his approach to commentary, unique in pretty much the entire history of figure skating commentary. From what I understand, his particular approach was impacted by the fact that he started, and continues to do most of his commentary on the Junior Grand prix, and therefore wanted the skaters to have video footage of their International experiences without a lot of commentary or critique. When he has been called on to do commentary at the senior level, he has been instructed to provide more commentary during the actual program itself.

Compared to most other commentators, particularly of the American variety, Mark and Tonia are very reserved, respectful, non-dramatic, and definitely don't talk as much throughout the programs.

And when Mark has commentated junior events he also doesn't speak during the skates. But the ISU wants senior levels commentators to talk during the skates so they do that. I understand why and I don't mind it much myself but the calling of every jump is just pointless when the score box exists and should have been phased out long ago.

 

[reneerose]

Soon to watch Yuma. Read spoilers. Ugh.

 

[babyskate]

Despite the fall, Yuma still was the most entertaining skater for me. He oozes style and charisma. His other jumps were beautiful. I wish him well in the free skate.
While I appreciate what Mallinin does technically, his music choice, costume and overall skating just doesn't do it for me .
Congratulations to Jacob Sanchez for a beautiful, clean short program. Was very much entertained by him as well. Love his costume
Looking forward to all the men skating their best in the free skate.

 

[Skating91]

When Yuma fell, the commentator mentioned that he may have hit a rut in the ice. I noticed when Ilia was skating that he does some moves where the back part of his blade digs into the ice. I was wondering if that could have been the cause of some of the ruts.

Maybe it was from the backflip Ilia did. His blades really slap hard onto the ice.

 

[yelyoh]

Ok I'm dealing with some kind of karmic cold so I slept through the early flights but Donovan in 14th. I mean the second group for the FS. : ) I was hoping for maybe 12th from Andrew but 7th and Jacob 10th?!?!?! Still there's the FS but it's looking hopeful for three spots for US next year. Gogo went and did it and is in the final flight. I am so impressed with his growth as a skater and could be two spots for Canada. Deniss just skated so beautifully. Program from the 6.0 era and would have been on the podium then. But his spins 2s??? Selevko in third? Holy skate blades. Yuma just bad luck. Still he's so utterly charming and talented. He has the chance for a medal.

 

[yelyoh]

Wrong thread.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

When Yuma fell, the commentator mentioned that he may have hit a rut in the ice. I noticed when Ilia was skating that he does some moves where the back part of his blade digs into the ice. I was wondering if that could have been the cause of some of the ruts.

This post shows a focused slow motion of the slip:

https://x.com/Alizarinnne/status/2037199552004898853?ref_url=

By the way, the U shape of the mark which seems to have caused Yuma Kagiyama to slip, doesn't seem to have been made by a Backflip? It's well marked but I've already seen such marks, I would like to read the opinion of Figure Skating technicians but I rather got the impression that it was the angle of Yuma Kagiyama's take off that was "incompatible" with that mark configuration, that is, a pure lack of luck?

 

[dorispulaski]

That does not look like Ilia's back flip mark at all. He landed it on two feet this time, so there should be two parallel marks.

 

[SmileHappy34]

Rewatch some of men short.
Amazing no Carolina Kostner.
Is this before Yuma switched coaches

 

[rabidline]

Nathan Chen spoke extensively during his commentary in Milan 2026 about keeping his eye on where his competitors will do each jump both in runthroughs at practice sessions and then at six minute warmups, and then chart his own jumping paths to avoid as much of the remains of the jumping passes of his competitors as much as possible.

I think the top skaters at that level are very aware of it. Yuma admitted that he saw the divot but wasn't able to make the necessary adjustments to avoid it. So I always think it's both bad luck, but also likely a lapse in focus that results in a lack of observation, which can be fatal at this level. It also makes sense since some skaters are known to be mostly focusing on themselves (it's not a wrong thing to do, just personal preferences) rather than external factors that may impact the ice to avoid overthinking, and as they get older they become more aware of it and adjust accordingly.

 

[skatedreamer]

Nathan Chen spoke extensively during his commentary in Milan 2026 about keeping his eye on where his competitors will do each jump both in runthroughs at practice sessions and then at six minute warmups, and then chart his own jumping paths to avoid as much of the remains of the jumping passes of his competitors as much as possible.

I think the top skaters at that level are very aware of it. Yuma admitted that he saw the divot but wasn't able to make the necessary moves to avoid it. So I always think it's both bad luck, but also likely a lapse in focus that results in a lack of observation, which can be fatal at this level. It also makes sense since some skaters are known to be mostly focusing on themselves (it's not a wrong thing to do, just personal preferences) rather than external factors that may impact the ice to avoid overthinking, and as they get older they become more aware of it and adjust accordingly.

interesting perspective from Nathan; thanks!

 

[rabidline]

Nathan's coverage was very fun. I always thought he can hold a seminar on how to lock in as a competitor he articulates his analysis well and put it in simple terms. He just talks very fast sometimes.

This was what he said about paying attention to what other competitors are jumping and where:



Very relevant IMO to Yuma's situation and realistically can be done by most skaters, even though there is still matters left to luck.

 

[frompolandwithlove]

I just checked Aleksandr Selevko got 7,75 in Presentation from one judge. What??? I'm confused.