Where is this taking place and is it live?
It's at the Worlds Gala Banquet - and yes, it is live.
ISU Figure Skating Awards- International Skating Union
isu-skating.com
The ISU Figure Skating Awards 2025 are fast approaching, and excitement is building! With votes from fans and media representatives now counted, the nominees for Most Entertaining Program, Best Costume, Best Newcomer, Best Choreographer, and Best Coach are officially revealed (see full list...
isu-skating.com
Most Entertaining Program -
Junhwan Cha (KOR) brings the passion and emotional depth of Tango on to the ice with his Free Skating to “Balada para un loco” by Astor Piazzolla and Milva.
Ilia Malinin (USA) interprets “Running” by NF in his very contemporary and innovative Short Program, showing the different emotions of the song.
Olivia Smart/Tim Dieck (ESP) turned heads with their captivating Free Dance to “Dune” that takes the spectators right with them into a mysterious world.
Best Costume -
Junhwan Cha’s (KOR) red and black costume reflects perfectly the character of his tango Free Skating Program to “Balada para un loco” by Milva and Astor Piazzolla. It was designed by Ms. Kyongsool Bae.
Ilia Malinin (USA) impresses with his sophisticated costume for his Free Skating program to “I’m Not a Vampire” by Falling In Reverse. This costume, designed by Ms. Satomi Ito is very elaborate and full of details.
Olivia Smart/Tim Dieck’s (ESP) costumes look like they came right out of the movie “Dune” and are already as iconic as their Free Dance. Olivia Smart’s costume was designed by fellow Ice Dancer Madison Chock (USA) while Tim Dieck’s costume was created by Mathieu Caron.
Best Newcomer -
Sarah Everhadt (USA) performed consistently throughout the whole season, taking gold and silver medals in two Challenger events as well as placing fourth and fifth in her debut at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating. She capped it off with a bronze medal at her first ISU Four Continents Championships this year.
Pair Skaters
Ekaterina Geynish/Dmitri Chigirev (UZB) are newcomers on the international scene and claimed the silver medal in their very first ISU Grand Prix event Skate Canada 2024. The couple went on to win the Asian Winter Games and placed 8th at the ISU Four Continents Championships 2025.
Anna Pezzetta (ITA) drew attention with her excellent performances in her debut at the ISU European Championships 2025, coming fifth with a new personal best score.
Best Choreographer -
Shae-Lynn Bourne (CAN), a former competitive Ice Dancer and the 2003 ISU World Champion with partner Victor Kraatz, has choreographed the programs of
Ilia Malinin and
Junhwan Cha this season, among others. Bourne has won the Best Choreographer Figure Skating Award in 2020 and 2023. She was also nominated in 2024.
Stéphane Lambiel (SUI) is a two-time ISU World Champion and the 2006 Olympic silver medalist. He is known for his innovative choreography that he creates for his students. This season, he crafted the programs for
Deniss Vasiljevs (LAT),
Lara Naki Gutmann (ITA/Short Program) and
Koshiro Shimada (JPN) for example. Lambiel was nominated for Best Choreographer in 2024 as well.
Benoît Richaud (FRA) competed in Ice Dance at the international level before turning to choreography. He has created programs for
Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA),
Loicia Demougeot/Theo Le Mercier (FRA),
Nina Pinzarrone (BEL),
Bradie Tennell (USA) and
Chaeyeon Kim (KOR/Short Program) this season. Richaud won the ISU Figure Skating Award for Best Choreographer in 2024.
Best Coach -
Mie Hamada (JPN) has taught generations of successful athletes. She currently coaches at the Kansai University Skating Club in Takatsuki, Osaka in Japan. Her current students include three-time ISU World Junior Champion
Mao Shimada, 2024 ISU Grand Prix Finalist
Hana Yoshida, and 2024 ISU Grand Prix Final silver medalist
Mone Chiba.
Michael Huth (GER) has led many athletes to the top. He currently works in Oberstdorf, Germany. His current students include 2025 ISU European Champion
Lukas Britschgi (SUI),
Kimmy Repond (SUI),
Lea Serna (FRA) and
Anastasia Brandenburg (SUI).
Tatiana Malinina (UZB) and her husband
Roman Skorniakov (UZB) are former Olympic athletes. Malinina is the 1999 ISU Four Continents Champion and ISU Grand Prix Final Champion and the first to win any titles for Uzbekistan. They have been coaching their son
Ilia Malinin from childhood and led him to the World title in 2024. They also coach
Sarah Everhardt among others.
Skaters of the Year
Replacing the Most Valuable Skater award, this new category recognizes the top-performing Single Skater and Couple (Pairs or Ice Dance) of the season, determined by a points system based on results at ISU Grand Prix events, ISU Championships, and the ISU World Figure Skating Championships.
Lifetime Achievement Award - announced during the Gala Exhibition - Scott Hamilton
The Lifetime Achievement Award honors a Figure Skating legend having achieved great success and popularity and is considered as a role model for the Figure Skating World.