Info 2026 World Figure Skating Championships

[brblja]

FYI, for those used to the stringent bag policies rampant in the US and at media-centered events like the Olympics: at almost all other events nowadays it’s pretty loose re: food/drinks. None of the bigger comps I’ve been (both EU and Japan), they did not enforce even if the policy was technically there. I had a water bottle/thermos and packed snacks and none of it got confiscated.

Re: cameras - this month at Junior Champs there were multiple people around me with 200-250 lenses and they had no trouble. Last year at Euros I also saw some, although not as many.

Out of the three majors I’ve been to in this and previous season, there were 0 bag checks. I had a pretty big bag or backpack and had no issues.

If you’re worried about bag checks/the official policies being enforced, this is my trick for events (because I need to have water/some food on me for health reasons): get one of those silicone foldable bottles/water bags and refill in the bathroom after you’re in (tap water is drinkable in Prague). For emergency food if mine gets confiscated, I get a protein bar/something small but packing calories/sugar/etc. into a clothes pocket, because event if they check bags, they won’t do full TSA and make you turn out the pockets.

 

[labgoat]

Do we need to do a Mark Bingo card?

We need 24 items plus one free space. I'd put a kilt in the free space.
Here is an example of Chris Howarth Bingo - I did not make it

I suggest good human, GoldenSkate, squeal from Mark for some others

 

[labgoat]

Just starting my predictions and it looks like the cut-offs will be brutal even with the withdrawals.

• The countries wanting to get extra spots are also going to have a battle. I would love to see Italy get more ladies spots. I wish UKR could get 2 pairs, but that seems very unlikely. Rooting for 3 spots in dance for FRA.
• I wonder which skaters are going to be fatigued from OG and which are desperate for redemptive skates.
• USA may have a hard time keeping three dance spots and three spots for men. There is a huge battle brewing for the 2 & 3 dance couples from both CAN & USA and ESP, FIN in dance to determine spots. Can Lilah & Lewis hold off Emilia & Vadym?
• Could JPN sweep the ladies - in what order? Will Niina P or Amber play spoiler?
• Which Daniel G will show up in men? Can Adam have a redemption skate? How high can Gogolev climb? Can Andrew & /or Jason save the third USA spot? What will Kao Miura do? What will Nika & Kevin do? Junhwan, Stephen, Kao, and Nika all have PB within a point of each other. Can Deniss V, Donovan & Genrikh make the freeskate?
• Can the Hungarians win the bronze in pairs ? How will Lia & Trennt compare with Alisa & Misha? Can USA secure three pairs spots? Will the CZE team make the free? The cut-off in pairs is going to be brutal again.

 

[4everchan]

Just starting my predictions and it looks like the cut-offs will be brutal even with the withdrawals.

• The countries wanting to get extra spots are also going to have a battle. I would love to see Italy get more ladies spots.

Women spots are the hardest to crack unless you are Japan, USA and Korea. So 3 spots are pretty much impossible for anyone else (heck, Korea only has two) and other countries, unless they had 2 spots already, need to place 9 or 10 to earn that second spot. Maddie Schizas was so close yet so far last year in 11th place ... Sigh.. Lara Naki will need to be the top European skater more or less to get this top ten. Both Ninas and Nastya, as well as Samo may not be letting anyone grab that top ten. It will be blood bath indeed, even without Alysa.

• I wish UKR could get 2 pairs, but that seems very unlikely

Indeed, unlikely.

• . Rooting for 3 spots in dance for FRA.

Easy done I would think. The reason why I am not too upset that Lolo and Guillaume are entered (I was dreaming of a Piper and Paul gold) is that at least, that way, they can earn that 3rd spot with Lopareva and my Geoffrey so Theo and Loicia can be there at worlds next year.

• I wonder which skaters are going to be fatigued from OG and which are desperate for redemptive skates.

I would suspect the medalists are most at risk.

• USA may have a hard time keeping three dance spots

I think it's still possible. Emilea and Vadym as well as C-Pom will both be promoted two ranks from the w/d. If Fear Gibson come back up to third place like expected, though it will be tight, my calculations would give 4 +9 = 13 for USA. So, indeed, 3 spots.

• and three spots for men.

Harder to succeed but not impossible at all. Ilya will most likely rebound and win it. One man in top 12 would do three spots so I can see it happening with a cleanish Jason or a Torgashev who does pretty much as well as the Olympics.

• There is a huge battle brewing for the 2 & 3 dance couples from both CAN & USA and ESP, FIN in dance to determine spots.

couples ranked 3 will not count for spots. Canada should have 3 spots. Piper and Paul would be 2nd or 3rd and Lajoie-Lagha will benefit from the two w/ds and could be 8th. That would be more than enough for 3 spots. Spain should also benefit and place 7th, so that's two spots. Finland is in a trickier spot. Before the w/ds they were 12th. They will need top 12 if O/P makes the free which they should and top ten if not, which is possible anyways.
So, the only country really losing spots may be Italy.

• Can Lilah & Lewis hold off Emilia & Vadym?

That will be interesting indeed.

• Could JPN sweep the ladies - in what order? Will Niina P or Amber play spoiler?

I think Amber can play spoiler but I don't think Niina P can. I expect Japan to have 3 skaters in the top 5 for sure.

• Which Daniel G will show up in men? Can Adam have a redemption skate? How high can Gogolev climb? Can Andrew & /or Jason save the third USA spot? What will Kao Miura do? What will Nika & Kevin do? Junhwan, Stephen, Kao, and Nika all have PB within a point of each other. Can Deniss V, Donovan & Genrikh make the freeskate?

Men : I don't think I will lose your time and my time trying to even predict anything LOL

• Can the Hungarians win the bronze in pairs ?

Well, they are good but being perfect at the Olympics didn't bring them a medal... of course, there is room at the top now with three major contenders out and I would expect the judges to reward them a bit more now that they will be main contenders for the next quad... so my take : if they skate as well as at the games, they will be on the podium.

• How will Lia & Trennt compare with Alisa & Misha?

Lia and Trennt are a big question mark for me. We know what they are capable of : top team. But they often falter in one of the two programs. Alisa : it's all about rotating and then landing her jumps. She's shown she can do it. If they do, they are exactly what the judges like to reward. I don't like their love story program nor do I like Misha ( I find him a bit dead ) but I think they will outscore Lia and Trennt based on PCS and perhaps better consistency in throws.

• Can USA secure three pairs spots?

Without the Japanese, Canadian and Italians in there, they should .

• Will the CZE team make the free? The cut-off in pairs is going to be brutal again.

no idea. I hope the Dutch make the free though.


Sorry to have jumped off your predictions . I thought it was more fun to have a dialogue about it then just writing my own.. plus we have a lot of the same thoughts

 

[labgoat]

Women spots are the hardest to crack unless you are Japan, USA and Korea. So 3 spots are pretty much impossible for anyone else (heck, Korea only has two) and other countries, unless they had 2 spots already, need to place 9 or 10 to earn that second spot. Maddie Schizas was so close yet so far last year in 11th place ... Sigh.. Lara Naki will need to be the top European skater more or less to get this top ten. Both Ninas and Nastya, as well as Samo may not be letting anyone grab that top ten. It will be blood bath indeed, even without Alysa.

Indeed, unlikely.

Easy done I would think. The reason why I am not too upset that Lolo and Guillaume are entered (I was dreaming of a Piper and Paul gold) is that at least, that way, they can earn that 3rd spot with Lopareva and my Geoffrey so Theo and Loicia can be there at worlds next year.

I would suspect the medalists are most at risk.

I think it's still possible. Emilea and Vadym as well as C-Pom will both be promoted two ranks from the w/d. If Fear Gibson come back up to third place like expected, though it will be tight, my calculations would give 4 +9 = 13 for USA. So, indeed, 3 spots.

Harder to succeed but not impossible at all. Ilya will most likely rebound and win it. One man in top 12 would do three spots so I can see it happening with a cleanish Jason or a Torgashev who does pretty much as well as the Olympics.

couples ranked 3 will not count for spots. Canada should have 3 spots. Piper and Paul would be 2nd or 3rd and Lajoie-Lagha will benefit from the two w/ds and could be 8th. That would be more than enough for 3 spots. Spain should also benefit and place 7th, so that's two spots. Finland is in a trickier spot. Before the w/ds they were 12th. They will need top 12 if O/P makes the free which they should and top ten if not, which is possible anyways.
So, the only country really losing spots may be Italy.


That will be interesting indeed.

I think Amber can play spoiler but I don't think Niina P can. I expect Japan to have 3 skaters in the top 5 for sure.

Men : I don't think I will lose your time and my time trying to even predict anything LOL

Well, they are good but being perfect at the Olympics didn't bring them a medal... of course, there is room at the top now with three major contenders out and I would expect the judges to reward them a bit more now that they will be main contenders for the next quad... so my take : if they skate as well as at the games, they will be on the podium.

Lia and Trennt are a big question mark for me. We know what they are capable of : top team. But they often falter in one of the two programs. Alisa : it's all about rotating and then landing her jumps. She's shown she can do it. If they do, they are exactly what the judges like to reward. I don't like their love story program nor do I like Misha ( I find him a bit dead ) but I think they will outscore Lia and Trennt based on PCS and perhaps better consistency in throws.

Without the Japanese, Canadian and Italians in there, they should .

no idea. I hope the Dutch make the free though.


Sorry to have jumped off your predictions . I thought it was more fun to have a dialogue about it then just writing my own.. plus we have a lot of the same thoughts

Your replies are welcome. I am a bit relieved that pairs may not be as disastrous as it often is for me. Men is a total crapshoot for me - I may stick names in a hat and draw them. Daniel Grassl is a constant headache for me.

By SB - two other bottlenecks
Junhwan CHA KOR 273.92
Stephen GOGOLEV CAN 273.78
Kao MIURA JPN 273.73
Nika EGADZE GEO 273.00

Kevin AYMOZ FRA 261.90
Andrew TORGASHEV USA 259.06
Jason BROWN USA 257.81
Aleksandr SELEVKO EST 257.21

 

[labgoat]

I think it's still possible. Emilea and Vadym as well as C-Pom will both be promoted two ranks from the w/d. If Fear Gibson come back up to third place like expected, though it will be tight, my calculations would give 4 +9 = 13 for USA. So, indeed, 3 spots.

I get 4+11 =15 or 4+10=14.
Lots of skaters bottle-necked here by SB.
Olivia SMART / Tim DIECK ESP 201.49
Marjorie LAJOIE / Zachary LAGHA CAN 199.80
Marie-Jade LAURIAULT / Romain LE GAC CAN 197.90
Christina CARREIRA / Anthony PONOMARENKO USA 197.62
Juulia TURKKILA / Matthias VERSLUIS FIN 196.03
Caroline GREEN / Michael PARSONS USA 194.72

 

[4everchan]

I get 4+11 =15 or 4+10=14.
Lots of skaters bottle-necked here by PB.
Olivia SMART / Tim DIECK ESP 201.49
Marjorie LAJOIE / Zachary LAGHA CAN 199.80
Marie-Jade LAURIAULT / Romain LE GAC CAN 197.90
Christina CARREIRA / Anthony PONOMARENKO USA 197.62
Juulia TURKKILA / Matthias VERSLUIS FIN 196.03
Caroline GREEN / Michael PARSONS USA 194.72

I don't look at PBs because they are from different competitions and judging panels and so on. Marie-Jade and Romain had that score at a very high scoring early event and never scored as highly the rest of the season. I think that the USA spots are safe but if they are not, it will make USA #2 stronger next year and spots will be regained early in the quad. It's actually the least critical year to lose a spot. It happened to LaLa : they went to the Olympics, then at worlds, it was a disaster for all Canadian teams and we lost the third spot. LaLa had to wait the following year to get back to worlds... but in the meantime, Canada's #2 team had risen in the rankings.. until well.. yeah, we won't go there.

So I am not really worried. I also think that Emilea and Vadym are getting a lot of love from the judges already. I mean, I agree, they are good... but sometimes, a team doesn't have to "wait for their turn" as long as the others... for instance, CPom and LaLa have been waiting for their turn for a long time... LaLa were even 5th in the world in 2024 and now fighting for top ten... UGH

So yeah... I guess the main thing I get from this : it's all in the hands of the judges

 

[labgoat]

no idea. I hope the Dutch make the free though.

Not going to be easy by SB again...
Gabriella IZZO / Luc MAIERHOFER AUT 171.24
Sofiia HOLICHENKO / Artem DARENSKYI UKR 169.41
Anna VALESI / Martin BIDAR CZE 168.52
Irma CALDARA / Riccardo MAGLIO ITA 168.25
Daria DANILOVA / Michel TSIBA NED 160.38
Anastasiia GOLUBEVA / Hektor GIOTOPOULOS MOORE AUS 141.95

 

[labgoat]

LaLa were even 5th in the world in 2024 and now fighting for top ten... UGH

I think LaLa will be fine - they may be able to slip ahead of Olivia & Tim in the RD where I worry since later are prone to errors. Next above them are Diana & Gleb who are either ahead or below - depends how they both skate.

 

[labgoat]

Finland is in a trickier spot. Before the w/ds they were 12th. They will need top 12 if O/P makes the free which they should and top ten if not, which is possible anyways.

This will be tough O/P are in the mix for the last spot but may have to beat the Phoebe/James or Milla/Nik. Retirements next year should make life easier for them.

Italy is in a tough spot with neither team looking close sadly.

 

[ladyjane]

Not going to be easy by SB again...
Gabriella IZZO / Luc MAIERHOFER AUT 171.24
Sofiia HOLICHENKO / Artem DARENSKYI UKR 169.41
Anna VALESI / Martin BIDAR CZE 168.52
Irma CALDARA / Riccardo MAGLIO ITA 168.25
Daria DANILOVA / Michel TSIBA NED 160.38
Anastasiia GOLUBEVA / Hektor GIOTOPOULOS MOORE AUS 141.95

I really am hoping for the Dutch (Well, I am Dutch so it's not so strange) who had a good SP at the Olympics and still didn't make the cut....

 

[CoyoteChris]

FYI, for those used to the stringent bag policies rampant in the US and at media-centered events like the Olympics: at almost all other events nowadays it’s pretty loose re: food/drinks. None of the bigger comps I’ve been (both EU and Japan), they did not enforce even if the policy was technically there. I had a water bottle/thermos and packed snacks and none of it got confiscated.

Re: cameras - this month at Junior Champs there were multiple people around me with 200-250 lenses and they had no trouble. Last year at Euros I also saw some, although not as many.

Out of the three majors I’ve been to in this and previous season, there were 0 bag checks. I had a pretty big bag or backpack and had no issues.

If you’re worried about bag checks/the official policies being enforced, this is my trick for events (because I need to have water/some food on me for health reasons): get one of those silicone foldable bottles/water bags and refill in the bathroom after you’re in (tap water is drinkable in Prague). For emergency food if mine gets confiscated, I get a protein bar/something small but packing calories/sugar/etc. into a clothes pocket, because event if they check bags, they won’t do full TSA and make you turn out the pockets.

I would like to hear from others here attending US events, skating or otherwise. I havent attended a US skating event since 2023, but it seems to me they SAID only clear bags allowed. Other events I have attended, mostly outdoor, there is a quick bag check but smuggling in protein bars was not an issue, and bottled sealed water was allowed. (Ref: the binoculars at this event...I think that odd....why? When the ice dance guy busted his boot at Jr. Worlds, people were using them....but they were small....if someone used some Navy 10 power binocs, all the time...yes, they could obstruct someone's vision.

 

[desertskates]

Based on what I've experienced at music events in the US, I'm heading to O2 Arena with my clear belt beg well within the size limits. I'll have phone w/ sm. battery boost pack, wallet, my glasses, a chap stick and keys. Everything else, I'll assume I'll be buying inside. Probably just water or a coke/beer.
In my experience, Czech food sticks to the ribs, so people may not need the snacks. YMMV, of course.
Really excited to see the full Japanese Olympic men and ladies teams in action! And of course, Amber Glenn

 

[NoNameFace]

All the talk about arena policies makes me wonder about getting in with my crafting kit and crowns...we shall see I guess. I worried about Montreal, but it got quite well.

 

[CoyoteChris]

We need 24 items plus one free space. I'd put a kilt in the free space.
Here is an example of Chris Howarth Bingo - I did not make it
View attachment 11039
I suggest good human, GoldenSkate, squeal from Mark for some others

The first one for Mark has to be "Looootz" (Hey, at least this isnt like the Bob Newhart show drinking game where every time you hear "Hi Bob" you have to take a drink)

 

[Diana Delafield]

The first one for Mark has to be "Looootz" (Hey, at least this isnt like the Bob Newhart show drinking game where every time you hear "Hi Bob" you have to take a drink)

Lutz with a short u is the American pronunciation. Any Europeans I know pronounce the name Lootz, unless they've spent a lot of time training in North America.

 

[CoyoteChris]

Lutz with a short u is the American pronunciation. Any Europeans I know pronounce the name Lootz, unless they've spent a lot of time training in North America.

Yes indeed. In German, it is "lootz." Since I dont listen to Euro commentators much he is the only one I have heard. Of course, Germans pronounce W as a V so can they be trusted?

 

[Diana Delafield]

Yes indeed. In German, it is "lootz." Since I dont listen to Euro commentators much he is the only one I have heard. Of course, Germans pronounce W as a V so can they be trusted?

I only hear Canadian and British commentators, and their accents sound normal to me .

 

[4everchan]

Lutz or Lootz is fine by me... don't give me a Rittberger though

 

[dorispulaski]

All the talk about arena policies makes me wonder about getting in with my crafting kit and crowns...we shall see I guess. I worried about Montreal, but it got quite well.

If they give you trouble, maybe Ted or Mark can get you in-they know you!