- Joined
- Aug 11, 2025
https://www.instagram.com/stories/d...ig_story_item_share&igsh=MWt4eHhhdHJmaDBzMQ==
Andrew playing tabletennis with Max
Andrew playing tabletennis with Max
Andrew Torgashev
- Thread starter el henry
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2012
You may need Instagram to see this, but SONJA HILMER was commissioned to do art pieces of all the 2026 USFS Olympians.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2012
The artist is the multitalented and much-loved Team USA singles skater Sonja Hilmer!!!
Not "an artist" who randomly "was assigned" to the special Olympic figure skating project.
Sonja is well-known for her exceptional creativity both on ice and off ice.
She also provided incredible artwork for Legacy On Ice (in a totally different style that also was beautiful).
I gotta believe that the Olympians appreciate the drawings of themselves all the more because Sonja is a friend and peer.
Sonja's USFS bio:
Sonja Hilmer - National Team: Figure Skating - U.S. Figure Skating
Sonja Hilmer (49) June 13, 1999 - 2025-26 SEASON NOTES SP Music: "Strange Meadow Lark," "Take Five" and "I Get A Kick Out Of You" by Dave Brubeck FS Music: "Isha's
usfigureskating.org
Last edited:
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2012
I missed that detail!!! Thank you!!! That makes it so much better!!! I love Sonja's skating and all her talents!!! I edited the post to reflect that.
Last edited:
I also hope that Andrew gets to skate in the TE. Many are assuming that he or Max would come in last place, but it depends on how the others do. Jackie Wong said that Andrew could get as high as second if he does as well as he did at Nationals.
Ilia has enough to worry about and it doesn't seem fair to have him carry the entire team, although I could see him getting pressured if the scores don't look great for the US after the short program. I don't think they will decide until the last minute.
Ilia has enough to worry about and it doesn't seem fair to have him carry the entire team, although I could see him getting pressured if the scores don't look great for the US after the short program. I don't think they will decide until the last minute.
Pairs is seen as the weak link for the US, so there may be some points to make up after the short. Ilia has more to lose since him winning gold has been hyped so much and almost seen as guaranteed.
Dance and women will be closer, even if the US does get individual gold. Of course, Ilia would likely do great no matter what he decides but it would be nice for Andrew or Max to get a chance to pull their weight as well.
Dance and women will be closer, even if the US does get individual gold. Of course, Ilia would likely do great no matter what he decides but it would be nice for Andrew or Max to get a chance to pull their weight as well.
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2012
I have such conflicting emotions. Some on GS are saying that Ilia "needs" to do both for the US to win. Maybe so. But what is so shameful about an OLYMPIC SILVER OR BRONZE MEDAL??? No one can touch Ilia in Team, yes, but that's true in the Individual also, and no one is saying "no one else should bother to skate in the Individual." So why is that suddenly okay to say in the Team context?
I worry also that if Andrew is chosen for the Free and doesn't skate perfectly clean/finishes 4th or 5th, it will give these same people an "I told you so" opportunity, which would in some ways be worse than Andrew not doing Team at all. Max could face the same problem if he's chosen, but he has much more general goodwill among skating fans and the public and we all know why (a few reasons).
For me personally, if Ilia skates both, the Team Event will be much less interesting in Men. I've never warmed up to Ilia's programs this season, although he delivers them well. If USFS chooses Ilia for both and he agrees, it is what it is, but I hope they don't. The wildcard-ness of Andrew and Max makes it much more interesting to me, not to mention I like their programs (all four of them) so much more.
I wonder also if people are underestimating how hard it might be for Ilia to do four programs in such a short time, even watered down. No one else attempts quads the way he does. No one has ever jumped like him in the history of figure skating. I'm sure it's harder than he makes it look.
And so we wait and see. Thanks for listening.
I worry also that if Andrew is chosen for the Free and doesn't skate perfectly clean/finishes 4th or 5th, it will give these same people an "I told you so" opportunity, which would in some ways be worse than Andrew not doing Team at all. Max could face the same problem if he's chosen, but he has much more general goodwill among skating fans and the public and we all know why (a few reasons).
For me personally, if Ilia skates both, the Team Event will be much less interesting in Men. I've never warmed up to Ilia's programs this season, although he delivers them well. If USFS chooses Ilia for both and he agrees, it is what it is, but I hope they don't. The wildcard-ness of Andrew and Max makes it much more interesting to me, not to mention I like their programs (all four of them) so much more.
I wonder also if people are underestimating how hard it might be for Ilia to do four programs in such a short time, even watered down. No one else attempts quads the way he does. No one has ever jumped like him in the history of figure skating. I'm sure it's harder than he makes it look.
And so we wait and see. Thanks for listening.
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2012
In other news, Andrew and Max are still in Bergamo, according to Adam Rippon on The Runthrough.
I have had a lot of the same concerns about the TE. There is nothing wrong with an Olympic silver or bronze medal, but Andrew would get tons of flak if he isn't perfect and that costs the US the gold. Max would face much less criticism. Some might even blame Andrew for taking a medal from Max, but I don't think he could "transfer" his assignment to Max even if he wanted to.
There are cases of skaters going all out in the TE and then faltering in the individual event. I guess it wouldn't be the end of the world if that happened to Andrew since he isn't likely to get close to the podium. Of course, worst case scenario would be flopping in both events and it being a very bad experience. Brandon is in Milano now, so that's good at least!
It's all up to Ilia and I can see the logic of him going either way. He might feel great and want to prove that he can handle the challenge. All of the talk about only wanting to do the short could be bluffing. I actually like Ilia's programs this year (especially the long) better than in the past because he shows more maturity and artistry, but it would be more exciting to see a mix of athletes and not just the big stars in the TE.
There are cases of skaters going all out in the TE and then faltering in the individual event. I guess it wouldn't be the end of the world if that happened to Andrew since he isn't likely to get close to the podium. Of course, worst case scenario would be flopping in both events and it being a very bad experience. Brandon is in Milano now, so that's good at least!
It's all up to Ilia and I can see the logic of him going either way. He might feel great and want to prove that he can handle the challenge. All of the talk about only wanting to do the short could be bluffing. I actually like Ilia's programs this year (especially the long) better than in the past because he shows more maturity and artistry, but it would be more exciting to see a mix of athletes and not just the big stars in the TE.
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2012
Beyond the Team Event, I will be so relieved after the individual short, if Andrew and Max both make the individual free. I want them both to skate both of their programs on Olympic ice.
Bye for now. I really need to get myself off GS.
Bye for now. I really need to get myself off GS.
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2014
I just love (as we all do) Andrew's LP and would love to see it more than once, as in the Team Event.
I don't know why gold in the Team has suddenly become the priority, when it was not in previous Olys. It would be great for skaters like Andrew, who (we can as fans be honest) will not individually medal, but why would Ilia, or Madi and Evan need that responsibility? This is the team that the USFS chose and now they should call on them.
Andrew makes the most sense from a skating standpoint, but you would have to have a heart of stone not to feel for Max.
I don't know why gold in the Team has suddenly become the priority, when it was not in previous Olys. It would be great for skaters like Andrew, who (we can as fans be honest) will not individually medal, but why would Ilia, or Madi and Evan need that responsibility? This is the team that the USFS chose and now they should call on them.
Andrew makes the most sense from a skating standpoint, but you would have to have a heart of stone not to feel for Max.
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2012
Ilia and Max are getting most of (all of?) the US press attention going into the Men's Olympics. This may be a benefit to Andrew, if he stays in his bubble and stays focused. As.long as he doesn't hyper-focus for too long and tie his skate laces too tight. May he live up to his LP lyrics again and rise above his doubts and negative thoughts in Milan. That was my main thought when I rewatched Nationals again yesterday: He really did rise above it all during those four minutes. How glorious it was to see.
May he live up to his LP lyrics again and rise above his doubts and negative thoughts in Milan. That was my main thought when I rewatched Nationals again yesterday: He really did rise above it all during those four minutes. How glorious it was to see.
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2025
That's exactly what I hope for. Max is lowest in the ranking and starting 2nd only because Petr has no ranking for ovious reason. Max needs to skate a PB to reach freeskate. If you look at the PB and SB scores Andrew should be able to reach something between 15 and 10 and if he skates clean and others don't who knows whats possible but we should expext somthing between 15 to 10. People who only tune in for Olympics will expect both to reach top 10 because they are Team USA. I hope Andrew and Max just go out there and enjoy and don't worry about the ranking.Beyond the Team Event, I will be so relieved after the individual short, if Andrew and Max both make the individual free. I want them both to skate both of their programs on Olympic ice.
Bye for now. I really need to get myself off GS.
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2012
I'm calm about the Team Event and everything else now. I have zero control over any of it, so I might as well relax.
I know Andrew practiced today, but I've heard nothing about how he did. He was in the arena for Team Event Day 1. It was fun spotting him in the USA K&C a few times.
I know Andrew practiced today, but I've heard nothing about how he did. He was in the arena for Team Event Day 1. It was fun spotting him in the USA K&C a few times.
Last edited:
Andrew didn't go to the opening ceremony. He said that he needed to relax, but he may be on standby in case Ilia decides against doing the free. I believe that Ilia, Amber and Chock and Bates were the only other team members who weren't there.
We'll know soon enough, so I agree about not getting too stressed. It was nice to see him supporting the team in the pairs and women's short yesterday no matter what happens.
We'll know soon enough, so I agree about not getting too stressed. It was nice to see him supporting the team in the pairs and women's short yesterday no matter what happens.
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2012
Are earlier reports inaccurate that Ilia never wanted to do the Team Free? Or he could have changed his mind, or they're waiting to see the standings after today. It's likely between Ilia and Andrew since Max did march in the Opening Ceremony.
Jackie Wong is doing practice reports. Yesterday morning, Andrew seems to have jumped well. Andrew seems to be in excellent spirits, and Brandon will be by his side. Is Raf even in Italy?
EDIT: I could post the link to Jackie's practice report, but it's only a list of jumps each skater did and any jump mistakes. Boring, although better than nothing.
Jackie Wong is doing practice reports. Yesterday morning, Andrew seems to have jumped well. Andrew seems to be in excellent spirits, and Brandon will be by his side. Is Raf even in Italy?
EDIT: I could post the link to Jackie's practice report, but it's only a list of jumps each skater did and any jump mistakes. Boring, although better than nothing.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2014
I admit I am a little disappointed that Andrew did not attend the Opening Ceremony. Had I been an Olympic athlete 45 years ago (hahahahaha), at my age now, looking back, I would be much more inclined to look back with fondness on the opening ceremonies than on whatever my skate was in a team event.
But I am not and never was an Olympic athlete, and Andrew needs to do Andrew. Fingers crossed and candles lit.
But I am not and never was an Olympic athlete, and Andrew needs to do Andrew. Fingers crossed and candles lit.
I haven't heard anything about Raf, but I'm so glad that Brandon is there. Ilia said more than once that he only wants to do the SP, but I don't know if he could be convinced otherwise. The US may lose the gold without him skating both, according to what I have read.
It's hard to believe that Andrew would miss the opening ceremony unless Ilia indicated more firmly about skipping the free. I guess I would pick an Olympic medal myself over the long opening ceremony and speeches. He can attend everything else, hopefully.
It's hard to believe that Andrew would miss the opening ceremony unless Ilia indicated more firmly about skipping the free. I guess I would pick an Olympic medal myself over the long opening ceremony and speeches. He can attend everything else, hopefully.
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2012
In a couple of hours, we'll find out about the Team Free.
Nine out of ten scores over 80 in the Team SP. I hope Andrew can find his 2025 Worlds SP magic again for Tuesday. He'll need it if people are skating/scoring like this in the Individual.
Nine out of ten scores over 80 in the Team SP. I hope Andrew can find his 2025 Worlds SP magic again for Tuesday. He'll need it if people are skating/scoring like this in the Individual.
