Lithuanian National Championships, 13-14 December 2025

[CaroLiza_fan]

Finally back on the desktop.

Milana SINIAVSKYTE (Kristal Ice) is wearing a pink dress that is darker in the middle, and lighter above and below.

She is doing a "Romeo And Juliette" programme.

Given the lead she had from the SP, and how she skated there now, there is no doubt that she has won the title.

Yep. She wins both the FS and overall by a massive margin!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Right, resurfacing now so I'm heading over to Spain for the Senior Free Dance.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Just while the Spanish Senior Dancers are doing their warm-up, and before the Senior Ladies come on here, here is is how the standings table for the head-to-heads now looks going into the Free Skate:

Name​	Club​	Warsaw Cup Total Pos​	Warsaw Cup Total Score​	Golden Spin Total Pos​	Golden Spin Total Score​	Nationals SP Pos​	Nationals SP Score​	Cumulative Pos​	Cumulative Score​
Meda VARIAKOJYTĖ	Startas	5​	157.17​	15​	142.03​	1​	53.62​	1​	352.82​
Jogailė AGLINSKYTĖ	IceLab Bergamo	8​	151.85​	23​	128.34​	2​	52.80​	2​	332.99​
Aleksandra GOLOVKINA	Dundee	12​	141.49​	18​	137.97​	3​	51.36​	3​	330.52​

This is just the box-office finale to the head-to-heads that the neutrals were looking for. All three girls being covered by practically nothing, and all in with a good shot for the title of Lithuanian Ladies Champion for the 2025-26 Season.

Of course, Meda is still odds-on to win the series. But, it is still up in the air as to who will be runner-up between Jogailė and Aleksandra.

I can't wait to see what happens in the Free Skate.

But, I'll be playing catch-up after my Sunday Dinner.

ALL THE BEST ALEKSANDRA, JOGAILĖ, AND MEDA!!!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Oh drat. They've come out early for their Warm-Up.

Right this is a placeholder for my comment about the Warm-Up.

---

Well, it was much the same as yesterday, just seeing the skaters crossing the camera shot. And I had to keep my wits about me, because whereas Jogailė took her jacket off early on to reveal a blue dress, Meda and Aleksandra kept their jackets on. And with the poor lighting, it was hard to tell them apart from a distance.

Aha! Aleksandra has now taken off her jacket to reveal a red dress. So, that makes things easier, with Meda still wearing her jacket.

ALL THE BEST ALEKSANDRA!!!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[shurasol]

Now, anybody understands what just happened? Aleks WDed?

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Now, anybody understands what just happened? Aleks WDed?

I just watched it. After being introduced, she came towards the camera and waved, then circled aroun the rink waving to the audience, and then went over to the panel.

After talking to them for a while, she moved off and some chanting and cheering came from the audience. She waved to the audience, and gathered up some gifts that had been thrown onto the ice.

You know, during the Warsaw Cup, there were a lot of things happening that convinced me that it was her swansong competition. But I was wrong.

Now, I think we have just seen the curtain call for real.

This is just my theory, but I think Aleksandra decided to bow out now before the Free Skate to make sure that she did not overtake Jogailė, and hence get selected for Europeans over her. Aleks has competed on the big stage lots of times, but Jogailė has only done it once. So she wanted to give the younger girl a clear run to get another chance to compete on the big stage.

You undoubtedly know Aleksandra a lot better than I do. But, from what I have seen of her over the years as a fan, it's just the sort of thing I would imagine she would do.

Aleksandra, thank you for all the happiness you have given us throughout your career.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Jogailė AGLINSKYTĖ (IceLab Bergamo) was wearing a beautiful royal blue dress.

She was doing an Andrea Farri programme - instrumental piece "The Tear Maker", followed by the song "Lullaby" with vocals by Valentina Costanzo.

She had a dodgy landing on a jump in the second half of the programme, but other wise was really good.

As she is the first to actually do her Free Skate, she goes into the lead of the FS and overall.

Judging by her reaction, I don't think she was expecting her score to be as high as it was!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Meda VARIAKOJYTĖ (Startas) is wearing a purple dress with white trim.

She is skating to beautiful piano music, which turns into "Maison" by Emilio Piano and Lucie.

That was sublime.

She already had a healthy lead from the SP. But she is going to win this by a country mile.

And she knows it. She is so happy. She can't stop smiling!

Massive hug with her team when the scores are announced. And high fives.

She wins both the FS and overall.

But, not by as much as I was expecting. She only won the FS by 2.36 points.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Mantas GRYBA (Startas) is wearing exactly the same as he did yesterday! Black T-shirt, black gloves and black trousers, with just a patch of skin bare on each lower arm.

Unfortunately, they didn't turn the sound back on until shortly after he had started. I can't rememebr what it is called, but I remember the BBC using it to advertise their coverage of one of the big sporting events held in the past decade.

No major issues.

He looks disappointed.

And even more so when the scores were announced.

He goes into the lead of both the FS and overall.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Luka IMEDASHVILI (UNQ Skating Academy) is wearing a light blue shirt with white collar, red braces, and black trousers.

Skating to "Take Five" by Dave Brubeck and "Sing Sing Sing" by Louis Prima. This is the sort of music we need to hear more of!

He was so good!

And then he fell getting into his finishing position! He then lay down on the ice in embarrassment!

Well, with the lead he had from the SP, it isn't going to cost him the title. And I don't think it will cost him much in the FS either.

They're keeping him waiting a long time to tell him that he's won.

But it was worth the wait just for that reaction!

He wins the FS and the title.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Onto the Seniors, and Daniel KORABELNIK (Startas) was wearing a white T-shirt, open black short-sleeved shirt with a sparkly skull and two roses on the back, and blue jeans.

Skating to Guns And Roses' cover of "Knocking On Heavens Door"

He had a fall trying to land a jump in the second half. But, apart from that, he was good.

Again, the ponytail was taken apart as soon as he finished his bows.

Well, with being the only entry, we know he's won. But, will he be happy with his scores?

He doesn't look too thrilled waiting for them.

No, he's disappointed with them.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

And that's it for the Lithuanian Championships.

No, hang on. We have Podium Ceremonies.

Good! That'll pass the time until the Pairs FS competitions start in Spain at half past the hour!

Some sound would be nice, though.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Ah, they're not doing it in the order the competitions were held in. They are doing it in order of level.

So, effectively, what they have done is moved Senior Ladies from the middle to the end.

We lost the picture after the presentations during the Junior Men's ceremony, and it didn't come back until the photos after the Senior Men's ceremony.

Now for the Senior Ladies. Will there be something happening?

The sound has come back. So, maybe there is.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Well, the announcer said something about Aleksandra before the ceremony started, but because I don't understand the language, I don't know what he said.

Then they went ahead with the ceremony with other two girls.

Right, the winner is being presented with a painting. I assume that is the artist giving a speech and then handing it over.

I thought Aleks might have been coming out to make a speech to announce her retirement. But, she didn't appear.

I'm kinda relieved. As a fan, I'm not ready for this yet.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[shurasol]

I just watched it. After being introduced, she came towards the camera and waved, then circled aroun the rink waving to the audience, and then went over to the panel.

After talking to them for a while, she moved off and some chanting and cheering came from the audience. She waved to the audience, and gathered up some gifts that had been thrown onto the ice.

You know, during the Warsaw Cup, there were a lot of things happening that convinced me that it was her swansong competition. But I was wrong.

Now, I think we have just seen the curtain call for real.

This is just my theory, but I think Aleksandra decided to bow out now before the Free Skate to make sure that she did not overtake Jogailė, and hence get selected for Europeans over her. Aleks has competed on the big stage lots of times, but Jogailė has only done it once. So she wanted to give the younger girl a clear run to get another chance to compete on the big stage.

You undoubtedly know Aleksandra a lot better than I do. But, from what I have seen of her over the years as a fan, it's just the sort of thing I would imagine she would do.

Aleksandra, thank you for all the happiness you have given us throughout your career.

CaroLiza_fan

There is a message on Instagram from her. My take from it is slightly different, but hey, everyone can understands it differently.

Now I have another question though. Luka represents Georgia internationally. How come he competes in Lithuanian national? I didn't know you can do that

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

There is a message on Instagram from her. My take from it is slightly different, but hey, everyone can understands it differently.

Right, I haven't looked at her Instagram recently, so I'll have a look now.

Yeah, it's the same as the last time I visited after the Warsaw Cup. When I saw it the first time, I thought "I hope she's not being given a hard time online. There are some really horrible people out there".

And I really hope that her withrawal today isn't because of somebody saying something nasty to her online. But, it didn't seem like that. She did seem to be happy waving at everybody in the audience. So, it seems like her own decision.

Now I have another question though. Luka represents Georgia internationally. How come he competes in Lithuanian national? I didn't know you can do that

It's not that uncommon. Normally these foreign skaters compete as guest skaters, such as the two Cypriot girls that train in Bulgaria have been doing at the Bulgarian Championships. But sometimes they are put into the main event.

Just this week, there were a few skaters representing other countries competing at the Spanish Championships, because they train there. There was a Ukrainian, a Russian (who actually withdrew), and an Andorran who represents France. (Actually, it is normal for Andorran skaters to do the Spanish Championships. Just like it is normal for Monagasque skaters to the French Championships).

Hey, you should go and wrangle Edward spots at a few overseas Nationals! Get him some more experience against different skaters.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[shurasol]

Yeah, I still think you need to have dual citizenship to take part in several Nationals or at least be in the process of getting a residency... Ed potentially could be taking part in Ukrainian one but russians bombed the ice rink in my home town.

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Yeah, I still think you need to have dual citizenship to take part in several Nationals or at least be in the process of getting a residency...

I think that was how it worked with Leilah Patten when she was training in Bulgaria. But neither Varvara Abramkina nor Marilena Kitromilis have any ties to Bulgaria. Personally, I suspect that the Denkova-Staviski club have an arrangement with the Bulgarian Fed to allow their foreign students to take part in Bulgarian Nationals (which I believe are this week).

Ed potentially could be taking part in Ukrainian one but russians bombed the ice rink in my home town.

So sorry to hear that.

I often wondered what Ed's heritage was. And when you were so keen to watch these nationals, I thought you might be Lithuanian. But, I suppose you were like me and wanted to see how Aleksandra got on.

With the way things are, any Ukrainian skaters (or those with Ukrainian heritage) who are based overseas are better off competing in the country where they train.

Sending best wishes to you and all your family, both here in the UK and back home in Ukraine.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[shurasol]

I think that was how it worked with Leilah Patten when she was training in Bulgaria. But neither Varvara Abramkina nor Marilena Kitromilis have any ties to Bulgaria. Personally, I suspect that the Denkova-Staviski club have an arrangement with the Bulgarian Fed to allow their foreign students to take part in Bulgarian Nationals (which I believe are this week).



So sorry to hear that.

I often wondered what Ed's heritage was. And when you were so keen to watch these nationals, I thought you might be Lithuanian. But, I suppose you were like me and wanted to see how Aleksandra got on.

With the way things are, any Ukrainian skaters (or those with Ukrainian heritage) who are based overseas are better off competing in the country where they train.

Sending best wishes to you and all your family, both here in the UK and back home in Ukraine.

CaroLiza_fan

Edward was born here, in England, so he's proper Geordie and England is his home , he just POTENTIALLY could have ties with Ukraine as we moved here 25 years ago....
And Aleks was training at our home rink for a while before moving to Dundee, so we were following her journey since...

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Edward was born here, in England, so he's proper Geordie and England is his home , he just POTENTIALLY could have ties with Ukraine as we moved here 25 years ago....

Don't worry, I realise that. You can't be born and reared in Geordieland without ending up Geordie through-and-through.

Hey, look at Declan Donnelly - his parents are from a village that is 15 miles from my hometown. But he is as Geordie as you can get.

And Aleks was training at our home rink for a while before moving to Dundee, so we were following her journey since...

I have been a fan of Aleks for just over 10 years, since she was one of three skaters (with Anastasia Galustyan and Angelina Kučvaļska) that did the 2015 EYOF in Austria and 2015 Europeans in Sweden in the same week, with the SP in Sweden being the day after the FS in Austria. I was in total awe of these young girls not just for doing it, but for being able to get decent results in both competitions! And I have been following their careers ever since.

And then I was delighted when she moved to the UK for Uni, and then started competing again towards the end of her course. Although, I was surprised when she left Whitley Bay to go to Dundee. But, she has done so well since resuming her career. It just shows that the UK does have what is needed to support elite international skaters.

She was an inspiration 10 years ago when she did those two competitions in one week, and she has been an inspiration again since she came back from her original retirement.

That is why I am going to miss her so much whenever she does retire.

CaroLiza_fan