2025-26 U.S. Ice Dance News, Updates & Discussion - Backstreet Boys & Spice Girls

[Rukia]

I’m going to go out on a limb… a long one… and say that “Fix You” is not actually their program. They were doing steps in-between twizzles that looked closer to what teams are doing now during their last exhibition in like 2019, so I don’t understand why they’d be doing the same exact twizzle sequence. Of course, a lot of their choices have been perplexing for many, so this may be par for the course.

twizzle sequence requirements change and are different for the rd and fd so if their previous sequence meets the requirements there's no reason not to do it (not saying this is 100% their program but I don't think that's indicative of it not being their program either)

 

[VGThuy]

twizzle sequence requirements change and are different for the rd and fd so if their previous sequence meets the requirements there's no reason not to do it (not saying this is 100% their program but I don't think that's indicative of it not being their program either)

Right but I think their old twizzle sequence is a sequential twizzle which is a RD requirement while the FD calls for synchronized twizzles, allowing up to 4 steps in between. I mean I guess they can do the same ones but it seems the ISU dance committee wanted teams to do steps and “dance” in-between the twizzles in the FD.

 

[Badams]

It's amazing how fast a person can go from courageous cancer survivor to spot stealing, undeserving, shiester in just a matter of months.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Both can be true at the same time: there's nothing contradictory about them.

People change their feelings about others all the time.

 

[Willin]

I’m going to go out on a limb… a long one… and say that “Fix You” is not actually their program. They were doing steps in-between twizzles that looked closer to what teams are doing now during their last exhibition in like 2019, so I don’t understand why they’d be doing the same exact twizzle sequence. Of course, a lot of their choices have been perplexing for many, so this may be par for the course.

I haven't seen the footage and I don't know what the sound quality is. But I do know a lot of CCTV doesn't have audio or at least good quality audio (yes, even LiveBarn), so it's entirely possible Dave edited it in. It's also possible they're practicing the timing with old music.

Repeating lifts and twizzles isn't a bad idea if it gets the element called. Now, it may be a bad idea in this case since calling standards have changed, but it's not wrong to keep what works if its still within the margins of current calling standards. AFAIK these twizzles would work for at least one program, but may not be stylistically up to date for GOE purposes.

 

[VGThuy]

I haven't seen the footage and I don't know what the sound quality is. But I do know a lot of CCTV doesn't have audio or at least good quality audio (yes, even LiveBarn), so it's entirely possible Dave edited it in. It's also possible they're practicing the timing with old music.

Repeating lifts and twizzles isn't a bad idea if it gets the element called. Now, it may be a bad idea in this case since calling standards have changed, but it's not wrong to keep what works if it’s still within the margins of current calling standards. AFAIK these twizzles would work for at least one program, but may not be stylistically up to date for GOE purposes.

I’m going to take what you say and manifest it into reality .

 

[Rukia]

I haven't seen the footage and I don't know what the sound quality is. But I do know a lot of CCTV doesn't have audio or at least good quality audio (yes, even LiveBarn), so it's entirely possible Dave edited it in. It's also possible they're practicing the timing with old music.

he filmed it from his phone lol the sound is legitly terrible but also it would be more time than it's worth to put process music to make it sound that bad and timed perfectly with their fix you twizzle sequence they are doing

 

[marbri]

I can't imagine them coming back after all this time just to skate to Coldplay again. It has to be an exhibition they were whipping together because the alternative is just so dull.

 

[Badams]

I can't imagine them coming back after all this time just to skate to Coldplay again. It has to be an exhibition they were whipping together because the alternative is just so dull.

I'd rather shave the skin off my face than listen to Coldplay, but they apparently have actual fans.

 

[princeton123]

Doing Fix You again is so lazy I’m actually flabbergasted

Like what’s even the point of coming back if this is what you’re going to offer

 

[chameleonster]

Having seen the footage, it seems incredibly unlikely that Dave edited it because it is so authentically terrible(if he did I'd be sort of impressed). However, there are some options:
1. They have a legit totally new FD and they're using Fix You as a gala program only and Dave was either mistaken or just trying to cause outrage by implying they're redoing Fix You. I don't know how likely this is, I probably wouldn't be wasting time on drilling a gala at this point in the season, but maybe it was a brief practice run of something old and comfortable and familiar at the end of a long day or something.
2. They have a partially new FD where most of it is genuinely new other than the bare minimum for the current technical requirements and to new music and ends with a somewhat reworked Fix You section including the same twizzles. Not my personal favorite choice artistically, but could be effective to get some nostalgia going potentially?
3. It's more or less the same FD from ten years ago just changed to fit current requirements. The most baffling option and one I sort of refuse to accept unless I literally see it happen in front of me.

Maybe the Shibs just want to be on competition ice one last time and so don't feel the need to push themselves artistically. Maybe they think a revamp of Coldplay WILL show their artistic growth over the past decade. Maybe they think seeing actual dance holds will drive current ice dance fans to tears and we'll be transported back a decade when hope was high and life worth living and we had multiple step sequences and levels mattered. Maybe they just think that Coldplay is the pinnacle of music. Maybe Dave is just stirring shit. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

 

[BittyBug]

they gently consciously uncouple throughout the sequence then maia starts a wellness brand right on one of the judges' computers

As long as she doesn't simulate steaming her hooha during the choreo step sequence.


(Not a fan of Ms. Paltrow....)

 

[litenkyckling]

Ayy, I was thinking it was 98/99, not 2000.

This is actually an issue I personally have because so much fun to dance to music that can be super wider audience friendly (that I think would be good) is from like 1997-2002/3. Just miss the cut off!

 

[Spiralgraph]

Stepping carefully into these shark filled waters. On my account, would I prefer it if the Shibs had entered a challenger and test out their programs and how they are ranked to their competitors? You bet, yes, so I am disappointed in that regard. However to me as a fan, I don't have a crystal ball I don't know how well they are practicing daily, and I certainly don't know that they're potentially stealing another team's spot.

It seems to me many of these posts reflect jealousy and resentment that fans are in the dark; that frequent updates on the Shibs status and peeks of their programs aren't out there for all to analyze like it's the secret formula to cure cancer forever. When any of their favorites are threatened sanity goes out the window.

I'll say it now. I'm not going to whine, take cheap shots at the other dance teams, should the Shibs skate poorly. Let the best teams get to the podium. period.

 

[peibeck]

Maybe they caught wind FB/Ciz are basically rehashing Pap/Ciz material and thought "It's fine to be lazy?"

 

[VGThuy]

I’d laugh my butt off and give up on understanding figure skating if they somehow pull it off with a rehash of “Fix You”. I mean, if they had to subject us to Coldplay yet again, they could have at least adapted their 2018-19 show programs to “Us Against the World/Life in Technicolor II” into an FD. Their Daft Punk show program from that season would have been preferred, but that is too much to ask for, apparently .

 

[barbk]

If they do well on the GP (better than other possible #2/#3s) and place top three at Nationals, I don't see why they wouldn't be a good choice for the Olympic team. All the other teams have to do is beat them. Seems fair. (And I'll take Fix You over Je Suis Malade any day of the week.)

 

[her grace]

Have C/P revealed what music they’ll skate to in their new FD?

 

[Rukia]

Have C/P revealed what music they’ll skate to in their new FD?

not yet but they are competing at nebelhorn so we'll find out soon

 

[Wyliefan]

It seems to me many of these posts reflect jealousy and resentment that fans are in the dark

Welcome to skating fandom!

 

[litenkyckling]

Stepping carefully into these shark filled waters. On my account, would I prefer it if the Shibs had entered a challenger and test out their programs and how they are ranked to their competitors? You bet, yes, so I am disappointed in that regard. However to me as a fan, I don't have a crystal ball I don't know how well they are practicing daily, and I certainly don't know that they're potentially stealing another team's spot.

It seems to me many of these posts reflect jealousy and resentment that fans are in the dark; that frequent updates on the Shibs status and peeks of their programs aren't out there for all to analyze like it's the secret formula to cure cancer forever. When any of their favorites are threatened sanity goes out the window.

I'll say it now. I'm not going to whine, take cheap shots at the other dance teams, should the Shibs skate poorly. Let the best teams get to the podium. period.

Unfortunately this is ice dance. Cruelly reminded of that after enduring that Olympic qualifier event...

 

[AJ Skatefan]

What Spiralgraph said. I can’t believe that people are getting so wound up about this. The Shibs can do what they want.

 

[jackson]

Stepping carefully into these shark filled waters. On my account, would I prefer it if the Shibs had entered a challenger and test out their programs and how they are ranked to their competitors? You bet, yes, so I am disappointed in that regard. However to me as a fan, I don't have a crystal ball I don't know how well they are practicing daily, and I certainly don't know that they're potentially stealing another team's spot.

It seems to me many of these posts reflect jealousy and resentment that fans are in the dark; that frequent updates on the Shibs status and peeks of their programs aren't out there for all to analyze like it's the secret formula to cure cancer forever. When any of their favorites are threatened sanity goes out the window.

I'll say it now. I'm not going to whine, take cheap shots at the other dance teams, should the Shibs skate poorly. Let the best teams get to the podium. period.

I agree with you! I am perplexed by the negativity!

 

[Jammers]

I think the resentment of the Shibs is less about them and more that no one trusts the USFS to not have to some kind of sleazy deal in place to put the Shibs on the Olympic team over more deserving teams who skate better then them at Nats.

 

[Karen-W]

I think the resentment of the Shibs is less about them and more that no one trusts the USFS to not have to some kind of sleazy deal in place to put the Shibs on the Olympic team over more deserving teams who skate better then them at Nats.

I mean, the USFS has made all sorts of inexplicable decisions that screw other teams out of a shot at the Olympics when it suits them - look no further than the Shin/Nagy assignment to the OWG Qualifying comp and the quotes & comments by them that they're being sent to "earn our spot" - as if there aren't 2-3 other teams who could beat them at Nats & earn the spot in a fairly judged event.

Knowing that has happened, only just in the last 6 weeks and for a team that has far less international reputation than a team like the Shibs in dance, it's hard to not think and worry that a backroom deal has already been cut in the Shibs favor.

 

[Rhumba d’Amour]

I mean, when they announced their comeback, many people were joking that they wondered which Coldplay song they would use this time. I think no one really expected them to actually skate to Coldplay again, so the added layer from today is understandable. It's also not helping that in the clip, they were performing the exact same twizzles sequence as they did in their 2018 FD. And when you compare it to the other US dance teams that they will fight for a spot, those teams have been continuously pushing themselves and being innovative with their material, and really pushing themselves technically as well.
So yes, we have not officially seen them skate even for a minute since they announced their comeback, but what we do know (either missing Champ Camps or getting special treatment there, not doing any challenger or a senior B, likely going for a Fix You 2.0) is not making people optmistic, and I don't think it's an unreasonable reaction to all of these.

A weird thought popped into my head as I was reading the last few posts. Could USFS’s willingness to support a Shibs comeback have been rooted in worry that Christina Carreira and Vadym Kolesnik might not be able to achieve citizenship in time for the Olympics?
Yes, there would still be a number of very capable teams to choose from, but eliminating those two teams from contention would narrow USFS’ options somewhat.

 

[Rukia]

A weird thought popped into my head as I was reading the last few posts. Could USFS’s willingness to support a Shibs comeback have been rooted in worry that Christina Carreira and Vadym Kolesnik might not be able to achieve citizenship in time for the Olympics?
Yes, there would still be a number of very capable teams to choose from, but eliminating those two teams from contention would narrow USFS’ options somewhat.

Except that they had to know Vadym was very close (he has since gotten his) and Christina seems to indicate she's also in a good place to get it in plenty of time. These things aren't done in a vacuum. Vadym even thanked USFS in his post about his citizenship.

The thing is, there are certainly some things that indicate that USFS is happy to have the Shibs around, but there's nothing to indicate they're being given a free ride to the Olympics. And I would propose that the fed liking the idea of having former Olympics medalists with an interesting story around is not the same thing as them wanting them on the team. Obviously my thinking on this could change if I see weird stuff happening lol, but it's concievable to me that usfs would like the potential publicity they can get without worry about putting the fix in to get them on the team. It's a long season for them to fill with content and keep public interest up. Might as well throw in as many storylines as they can.

 

[BittyBug]

It seems to me many of these posts reflect jealousy and resentment that fans are in the dark; that frequent updates on the Shibs status and peeks of their programs aren't out there for all to analyze like it's the secret formula to cure cancer forever. When any of their favorites are threatened sanity goes out the window.

I think it's more a case of people being concerned about politics leading to an unfair result. The early promotion of their return to competition by USFS, followed by not attending Champs Camp when every other athlete on the national team was required to attend and not competing prior to the GPs could to some give the appearance of a confidence that implies that they've been assured of a spot so they don't need to put in the work to earn it. (I'm not saying that's actually what's going on, just what it could look like to some observers given the politics of ice dance.)

 

[ice coverage]

Did anyone else not find it suspicious when the USFS came out with a new rule saying any former Olympic medalists automatically get byes to Nationals, regardless of how long they'd actually been out of competition? ...

Anyways, seeing how there's zero way around saying it wasn't a Shibutani-specific modification ...

... The thing is, there are certainly some things that indicate that USFS is happy to have the Shibs around, but there's nothing to indicate they're being given a free ride to the Olympics. ...

Adding to what BittyBug wrote immediately above, I agree with Tony that the favoritism of USFS giving the Shibs a free ride at least to Nationals is inescapable.
We do not know whether or not the Shibs will show up at any internationals before St. Louis, but we do know that they have the luxury of not needing to earn a bye to Nats by competing at three of the designated internationals [and/or by qualifying for GPF].

From what I can tell, it seems [so far] to be a one-time modification that the 2026 USFS document re bye criteria says: "any Olympic Winter Games (not including the team event)." [Reinforcing the suspicion that the Shibutanis were the reason.]
The language in the 2025-26 USFS rulebook [pp. 124-125] continues to be: "Athletes who won a medal in the same event at the most recent Olympic Winter Games (not including the team event)."

 

[Rukia]

Adding to what BittyBug wrote immediately above, I agree with Tony that the favoritism of USFS giving the Shibs a free ride at least to Nationals is inescapable.
We do not know whether or not the Shibs will show up at any internationals before St. Louis, but we do know that they have the luxury of not needing to earn a bye to Nats by competing at three of the designated internationals (and/or by qualifying for GPF).

From what I can tell, it seems [so far] to be a one-time modification that the 2026 USFS document re bye criteria says: "any Olympic Winter Games (not including the team event)." [Reinforcing the suspicion that the Shibutanis were the reason.]
The language in the 2025-26 USFS rulebook continues to be: "Athletes who won a medal in the same event at the most recent Olympic Winter Games (not including the team event)."

Yes, I noted that. But giving them a free ride to nats does not equal giving them a free ride to the olympics. Maybe they are, but we have no proof of that yet.