Andrew Torgashev

[Kiki5375]

Of course I hope Andrew skates forever. I love skaters who skate forever (oh for the pro circuit days)

I read one quote that troubled me a little (and I apologize, I am not looking for it, so I hope I am not misquoting) to the effect of I'm going to train my 4S harder because I don't see the point in continuing without two quads.

WHAAAT? Andrew, my skating son, no one is watching you for your quads. At this point, your most devoted fans are not watching you to see you medal or podium internationally. (OK, maybe just one devoted fan ) What you bring to the ice is far more important than an extra revolution on a jump. Yes, I know it's a sport, duh, yes I know about competitive natures and athletes, double duh, but channel that competitive nature to amazing footwork and choreo and spins and throw in a few good jumps.

Please

I know his skating is beautiful even without jumps but it's not about what fans like but also about getting enough points to stay alive in a tank of sharks. And lets be honest. They will not push him with PCS like they did with other skaters so he has to earn it the hard way. And a 2nd quad added to such a good performance like the last ones would put him in the mix with the top 5 skaters. I think he already has the 4S but it's not good enough to risk it at competitions yet but he has all summer to work on that and 2 month with Stars on ice to spy how Ilia does it. He is a fighter he will be back and he will have his 2nd quad

 

[Absurda]

I read one quote that troubled me a little (and I apologize, I am not looking for it, so I hope I am not misquoting) to the effect of I'm going to train my 4S harder because I don't see the point in continuing without two quads.

It sounds even scary due to the risk of overtraining and injury
But if Andrew has the need to attempt and possibility to gain it, he will use this chance. I think.
So the plan is bold. He should be careful and stay smart in training.

 

[skatingfan4ever]

2026 Worlds - Andrew's Programs (World Feed) and NBC Interviews

2026 Worlds - Short Program

2026 Worlds - Free Skate

Andrew was interviewed by NBC after both his SP and his FS and I wrote down his responses.

SP Interview
How much did your experience at the Olympics factor into getting another PB today?
You know, just a great experience competing at the Olympics; knowing how to deal with a big moment. I took that expertise here. It was tough to train for this competition coming down from the Olympic high, but because of that experience I was able to perform well today.

How did you deal with the Olympic hangover?
Um, I didn't; I suffered [he says with a laugh and a smile]. But it doesn't matter. This program is in my body. I agreed to come to Worlds. It's an honor to compete as a part of the US team, and I came to perform well.

FS Interview
Describe your free skate and the fight it took.
You know, I was really expecting the worst. I could have gone out there and not have landed anything. So already I just had no expectations for how it was gonna go. I stayed in the moment. I know I have some base technique and base training already, so just wanted to enjoy the experience.

What are you happiest with from this season?
I'm happiest with my resilience and just my inability to quit. Even leading up to these Worlds it was really difficult, and I really was considering withdrawing, but I would never just quit: I could never do that. So my resilience, my tenacity, my ability to recover and always try for better, and I will take that with me.

What 's next?
Enjoy Prague for today and tomorrow, then go home for a week of golfing and sitting at the beach in California, then Stars on Ice.

 

[skatingfan4ever]

When he was interviewed on Unfiltered Waters after Nationals, I was surprised to hear Andrew speak about how competitive he is in everything he does. He comes across as really laid back in interviews, but by his own admission he loves to compete in everything. I really hope for no more injuries, but if he wants to put in a new quad, so be it. Now, if he puts it in and the program feels choreographically empty as a result, then I'll complain. I'd like him to compete as long as possible, and if challenging himself quad-wise will motivate him, then okay. He seems happy but not satisfied with Top 12/Top 10. We'll have to see how the future unfolds.

 

[Tav]

The next Olympic quad will be interesting, and different. They are all very different from one another, but I always have to wonder just how this next one will shape up...

Will Andrew be a major player in this one like he was in the current one coming to an end? Will Max? How much will Ilia continue to shape it? Will Jacob elevate? Will Lucas Broussard ever not be injured long enough to make a big comeback? Will Daniel Martynov jump consistently enough to get on the podium at Nationals? Will Patrick Blackwell nip at Ilia's heels for number of quads jumped in a competition? Will Lucius Kazeneki prove to be a great senior as he has proved to be a great junior competitor? I'm probably forgetting some other guys who will factor in next quad, and surely, we'll see some surprises along the way. Who will be on THAT Olympic team next time? It's crazy to think someone or someones could end up going who are not even on our current radar.

 

[Kiki5375]

The 2026 Olympic team will forever be my favourite though

 

[teddycat]

Andrew will face plenty of competition on the home front in the next few years. My guess is that he could potentially make top 6 at big events with 2 clean programs, but that he needs more quads to medal or even be seen as a contender.

He must know that he gets the most praise for his choreo and footwork sequences, so I doubt he would compromise that for higher tech. It is unlikely that he would put out boring or empty programs, but this may be the best time to see how far he can go on the world stage.

 

[el henry]

I just hope that the pressure is self imposed for more quads, for whatever his reasons, and not “I gotta be competitive” ( whatever competitive is).

How many beautiful skaters have we seen who put too many quads in their program, can’t do them, and the program suffers? And what happens when one brave skater finally pushes back against outside and fed pressure, says after years of trying that’s not what I can do, I’m tired of falling interfering with my programs, and I will do what I do best, and produces some of the most beautiful skates in the past five years? I think Andrew could do that, personally I would adore seeing it. I realize that’s just my opinion.

This is Andrew’s fan fest. We will disagree on other skaters, so I don’t want to get mired in that, we all love Andrew. I first saw Andrew live in 2017. I will support him no matter what. But I want him to do what is good for him, not what others in his circle may think.

And I want him to skate to classical again, that would be so cool!

 

[skatingfan4ever]

Andrew was certainly nowhere on my radar in 2022. I don't watch or follow junior competitions (following seniors takes enough of my time as it is), so I had seen Andrew at 2020 Senior Nationals and then forgotten about him, until he showed up at at 2023 Senior Nationals. He was a delightful surprise there and the rest is history. As inconsistent as Andrew still can be, he is much more consistent now than he was as a junior. He has improved his jump technique and his mental strength.

The next four years will be interesting. No matter what, Andrew is a 2026 Olympian and finished 10th at Worlds in 2026. I even wonder how long Ilia will be able to maintain this many quad jumps - what he's doing is really in uncharted territory. When there are quad jumps involved, there are so many unknowns. Men's skating truly is a roller coaster these days.

 

[skatingfan4ever]

You raise valid points, @el henry. I appreciate Andrew's honesty and bluntness on one hand, but on the other it gives me more to wonder about. Who knows how much pressure is internal and how much is external. This is Andrew's journey, and who knows what he'll decide. He's been honest about his successes and honest about his challenges, so I could see it going any number of ways.

I wonder if he'll do a new program at SOI (and if someone will take a fancam). He did Sweet Caroline at Nebelhorn. At "Making the Team" he did L'Enfer. He didn't skate in other galas this season.

 

[el henry]

I may have been misleading with my post too, I first saw a video of Andrew in 2014. He was an adorable 14 year old with gloves, a beautiful style even at that age, and graceful bows. Isn’t it funny what we remember?

I saw him live for the first time in 2017. Including Moonlight Sonata

 

[teddycat]

Stars on Ice is underway! It looks like Andrew has 2 solos, one the last segment from his FS and the other "Out of Time" which is a guitar solo done by Bradley Cooper in "A Star is Born".

The following is a recent interview taped prior to the first show yesterday. He sounds very pleased to be doing the shows and it will be great experience for him:

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[Kiki5375]

That's a great interview. Thank you

 

[teddycat]

That's a great interview. Thank you

You're welcome! It's always nice to hear what he has to say since he doesn't do much press.

 

[skatingfan4ever]

A fun piece of info in that interview is "Sweet Caroline" wasn't a pre-prepared gala program. He didn't have a gala ready, so he picked "Sweet Caroline" because he saw video of people in Munich dancing to it. Sounds like he improvised it. For being improv/quick-made it was really good, I thought. I also liked his answer to what he loves about figure skating.

I open up Instagram this morning and what do I see on Andrew's story? His Apashe choreo sequence from the first show, of course! (Sharing the repost from a Japanese fan account).

 

[Kiki5375]

I was in Oberstdorf and watched his practice for the gala. Isabeau and Amber were sitting next to me and Amber was telling him to add a jump at least because he was only practicing steps and spinns. He came to us and he had a plan which he discussed with Amber.. i couldn't understand everything but she agreed. I expected a duo showprogram but in the end they both did their own thing

 

[skatingfan4ever]

Andrew's IG stories today are even better. There's a taste of "Out of Time." I truly hope I get to see a full fancam at some point. Three butterflies into a full-commit knee slide (both knees), running on the ice, flying spin/death drop takeoff into a planned landing on his back for the ending pose. Oh. My. Word. I don't even like this type of music very much, but Andrew's skating to it is chef's kiss. For posterity, I saved it and another fun surprise.
Andrew on "Home Ice" in Sunrise, Florida

The show on April 17th was at Amerant Bank Arena, which is where Andrew's beloved Florida Panthers hockey team plays their home games. He got a Panthers jersey and took a celebratory lap in it (second clip above). Here's a photo on Instagram:


FULL CIRCLE MOMENT: Andrew and other Panthers FSC skaters were honored at a Panthers home game in January 2015, right after Nationals had happened (where Andrew won Junior Men with a national record score). Check this out! Haven and Brandon were still training there then, so Brandon was honored as well. Note: The name of the arena changed between then and now, but it is the same arena; the arena has had a few name changes over the years, according to Wikipedia. From Junior Champion being recognized here, to Olympian SKATING ON THIS ICE as part of Stars on Ice. How wonderful!

 

[Tav]

I had no idea that the Stars on Ice tour is doing 29 shows this year!!! Wow! That's amazing. Andrew will certainly bring home some smoky, fat BACON! Dollah billz... Nice. I'm so happy for him!

It's giving the mid-90s times with all these tours dates. I remember those days when figure skating was really popular in the U.S. Olympians would graduate up to pro-level competing that really mixed show elements and even dimmed lighting for their programs.

 

[teddycat]

Andrew may not be making a fortune with SOI since he isn't a headliner, but much better than not doing shows! It is also reminding me of the mid-90s when skating was so huge. It is nice to see the full arenas and enthusiastic crowd response for everyone.

I haven't seen a full video for "Out of Time" yet, but the following is the closest with a couple of snippets in the SOI link. Andrew is also in a lot of the practice segments. There is decent sound and visual quality compared to many fancams:

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[teddycat]

Someone posted the entire "Out of Time" from SOI. I wonder if Andrew choreographed it himself? I see bits and pieces from some of his other programs. It looked a little rough with the stumble, but he will likely fine-tune and become more comfortable with it throughout the tour:

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