Best and worst 2026 Olympics prospects as of the beginning of the season

[Marius]

I have a funny feeling about Ladies and it is that the Olympic Champion will not be one who we expects to be an Olympic Champion rn. I think the competition will be more to who skates the cleanest than who has the most risky layout. I'm probably wrong but, if she will be on the team (and given the level we have seen from the Japanese Ladies this season so far, it is not a given), Mone Chiba is my bet.
Ilia is already golden, though Yuma's FS this year is something special. I don't think a clean Yuma beats an almost-clean Malinin though, as today.
Gold in ID has FB/C written all over it already.
Pairs: I think the favourites atm are pretty clearly M/K, but for me it will be a tough battle between them and H/V; the tendency of M/K to make mistakes under pressure could be crucial.

 

[macy]

I have a funny feeling about Ladies and it is that the Olympic Champion will not be one who we expects to be an Olympic Champion rn.

at this point, this is the most likely thing we can probably say. at least for ladies the skater thought to win hasn't won since Yuna Kim almost 16 years ago. Yuna was expected to win in 2014, Medvedeva in 2018, Valieva in 2022, none of them did.

 

[Mathman]

at this point, this is the most likely thing we can probably say. at least for ladies the skater thought to win hasn't won since Yuna Kim almost 16 years ago. Yuna was expected to win in 2014, Medvedeva in 2018, Valieva in 2022, none of them did.

And going back the other way, in 2006 Slutskya was favored with Sasha Cohen her main rival, in 2002 it was between Slutskaya and Kwan, but Sarah Hughes won, and in 1998 Michelle was favored over Tara.

 

[Ziotic]

And going back the other way, in 2006 Slutskya was favored with Sasha Cohen her main rival, in 2002 it was between Slutskaya and Kwan, but Sarah Hughes won, and in 1998 Michelle was favored over Tara.

For clarity, Shizuka Arakawa won in 2006

 

[macy]

the ice is the most slippery at the olympics it seems

 

[Anna K.]

Thus far, I have an impression that the leading Women competitors had been thinking about the above a lot. They are somehow all starting their season low key... Are they trying to avoid being favored?

 

[4everchan]

Ilia will win. That's all I know.
Pairs : I feel the Germans will win but the Japanese are the judges favourite.
Dance : FBC seem to have already reached 10s even with unpolished programs. I guess the judges have already decided they are going to win it. Seeing Chock and Bates, I wasn't impressed though with them, they really start slowly in the season and get more speed and flow and difficulty included later on.... Seeing Piper and Paul will be interesting in that race. I no longer think the Italians are winning a medal at home.
Women : at this point, who knows. I'd bet on the flag though. Japanese.

 

[Anna K.]

Women : at this point, who knows. I'd bet on the flag though. Japanese.

I'll bet on the U.S. flag then for the sake of balance in nature
In fact, I already have a name. My early pick is Alysa Liu. She will most likely have my betting money. The key is her "Nerves? What nerves?" character. It's ideal for big events.
Ami Nakai is very much the same but Ami Nakai has not qualified yet... This weekend may lit a lot of light on who will be the #3 in both team U.S. and team Japan, actually.

By the way, it's GP #3 and it may be decisive for the #3... Do any competitors have more 3s in their statistics? Just wondering

 

[TontoK]

My most unlikely prediction right now is that Sarah Everhardt will somehow make the Olympic Team.

But that will mean one of Alysa, Isabeau, or Amber will not - and given the selection criteria, I'm not sure how that happens.

Oh, the contradictions!

 

[4everchan]

I'll bet on the U.S. flag then for the sake of balance in nature
In fact, I already have a name. My early pick is Alysa Liu. She will most likely have my betting money. The key is her "Nerves? What nerves?" character. It's ideal for big events.
Ami Nakai is very much the same but Ami Nakai has not qualified yet... This weekend may lit a lot of light on who will be the #3 in both team U.S. and team Japan, actually.

By the way, it's GP #3 and it may be decisive for the #3... Do any competitors have more 3s in their statistics? Just wondering

I am waiting for someone to say that the flag will be turquoise It could also be South Korea's
I agree that the turning point of the season is after this weekend, 3rd GPs. By then, we usually have seen all the seeded teams compete in pairs and dance, and often even all the seeded single skaters. It's hard to talk about dance without having seen Piper and Paul, though as I mentioned, judges just love FBC already. Looking forward to Skate Canada