Novice Ice Dance: PDs & FD

[Sylvia]

Pattern Dance (Starlight Waltz): https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2026/36273/CAT001SEG001.html

1 Sophia Kartashov, Florida Everblades FSC / Nicholas Kartashov, Florida Everblades FSC
2 Anna Waugh, Carolinas FSC / Matthew Jacoby, Philadelphia SC & HS
3 Natalie Leitan, Washington FSC / Nathan Leitan, Washington FSC
4 Katherine Li, IceWorks SC / James Zhu, IceWorks SC
5 Rylen Lukanin, All Year FSC / Patrick OBrien, SC of New York

Pattern Dance (Quickstep): https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2026/36273/CAT001SEG002.html

1 Natalie Leitan, Washington FSC / Nathan Leitan, Washington FSC
2 Katherine Li, IceWorks SC / James Zhu, IceWorks SC
3 Rylen Lukanin, All Year FSC / Patrick OBrien, SC of New York
4 Sophia Kartashov, Florida Everblades FSC / Nicholas Kartashov, Florida Everblades FSC
5 Anna Waugh, Carolinas FSC / Matthew Jacoby, Philadelphia SC & HS

IDC's preview: https://www.ice-dance.com/site/prev...-head-to-st-louis-for-2026-u-s-championships/

Info copied from the program book:

Kartashov/Kartashov DOB | April 10, 2013/April 10, 2013 HOMETOWN | Estero, Fla./Estero, Fla. TRAINING TOWN | Estero, Fla. CLUB | Florida Everblades FSC/Florida Everblades FSC COACHES | Marina Zoueva /Ilya Tkachenko CHOREOGRAPHER | Marina Zoueva SP MUSIC | “Blue Danube “ by The New 101 Strings Orquestra, “Puttin on the Ritz” by Tony Evans Orquestra FS MUSIC | Music from Oklahoma by Richard Rodgers
U.S. Ice Dance Final, 4th

Leitan/Leitan DOB | May 14, 2012/May 6, 2009 HOMETOWN | Rockville, Md./Rockville, Md. TRAINING TOWN | Rockville, Md. CLUB | Washington FSC/Washington FSC COACH | Dmytri Ilin CHOREOGRAPHERS | Greg Zuerlein, Tanith Belbin, Charlie White SP MUSIC | Starlight Waltz: “I Put a Spell on You” by Annie Lenox Quickstep: “4 Minutes” by Madonna, Justin Timberlake FS MUSIC | “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John
U.S. Ice Dance Final, 3rd

Li/Zhu DOB | July 9, 2011/July 14, 2011 HOMETOWN | Newtown Square Pa./Newtown Square, Pa. TRAINING TOWN | Aston, Pa. CLUB | IceWorks SC/ IceWorks SC COACHES | Nick Buckland, Penny Coomes, Colin Mcmanus, Anastasia Cannuscio, James Hernandez, Zhanna Palagina CHOREOGRAPHERS | Nick Buckland, Penny Coomes, Colin Mcmanus, Anastasia Cannuscio, James Hernandez, Zhanna Palagina SP MUSIC | “Piano Man” by Billy Joel, “That Man” by Caro Emerald) FS MUSIC | “Dr. Who” music compilation by BBC Radiophonic Workshop
9/29/25 IDC article: https://www.ice-dance.com/site/li-zhu-carry-the-dream-forward/
2025 Bolero Cup Adv. Novice 1st; U.S. Ice Dance Final, 2nd

Lukanin/O'Brien DOB | Jan. 22, 2013/July 30, 2012 HOMETOWN | Livingston, N.J./ North Caldwell, N.J. TRAINING TOWN | Little Falls, N.J. CLUB | All Year FSC/SC of New York COACHES | Igor Lukanin, Kristen Fraser-Lukanin CHOREOGRAPHER | Igor Lukanin SP MUSIC | “Perfect” and “If You Could See Me Now” FS MUSIC | “The Wiz and Wicked” by Cynthia Erivo
2025 Bolero Cup Adv. Novice 2nd; U.S. Ice Dance Final, 1st

Waugh/Jacoby DOB | Nov. 22, 2011/March 18, 2009 HOMETOWN | Statesville, N.C./Bala Cynwyd, Pa TRAINING TOWN | Ardmore, Pa. CLUB | Carolinas FSC/Philadelphia SC and Humane Society COACHES | Slava Uchitel, Oleg Fediukov, Zhanna Palagina CHOREOGRAPHER | Slava Uchitel SP MUSIC | Starlight Waltz: “Hijo de la Luna” by Mercado; Quickstep: “Sparkling Diamonds” by Nicole Kidman from Moulin Rouge! FS MUSIC | “Hit the Road Jack,” “It had to be You,” “Shake a Tail Feather” by Ray Charles
U.S. Ice Dance Final, 5th

 

[Lizziebeth]

Novice ice dance is starting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSxQISqqRJU

When I first opened it up is said a different time, but then they announced the skaters ??

 

[Sylvia]

PD: livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSxQISqqRJU

 

[her grace]

Kartashovs

Nice, pleasant dance. Pretty close in height, but as twins, he may get his growth spurt later

 

[Rukia]

Waugh/Jacoby were definitely weaker. They just lacked some of the push needed and their lobes looked shallower as a result.

 

[her grace]

Leitan/Leitan

Nice smooth glide, would like to see more clarity in the body positions and posture

Pretty maroon costumes

 

[Rukia]

Leitan/Leitan have really good basics for the most part, but they need a lot of work on the free leg and upper body.

Edit: lol the rare fsu agreement which clearly means we are factually correct

 

[Lizziebeth]

Interesting choice of music for Li and Zhu lol. They are dressed like they are going to a ball. However they are very cute.

 

[her grace]

Li/Zhu

Efficient use of the blades to generate momentum, leg line a bit ragged, they have some panache, she especially

 

[Rukia]

Li/Zhu

Efficient use of the blades to generate momentum, leg line a bit ragged, they have some panache, she especially

One thing I noticed about them is that they don't know how to control their speed if that makes sense? They really wide step some of the turns because they are going on these fast, deep lobes when I wish they would place the foot down closer to the other and keep the curve neater. Not surprised they are in first though.

 

[her grace]

Lukanin/O’Brien

Smooth steps and did a good job matching each other’s movements

 

[Rukia]

I want Lukanin/O'Brien to get deeper in the knees. They could really sit into those movements and look even better.

 

[her grace]

Spot on judging thus far

 

[just tuned in]

Leitan/Leitan have really good basics for the most part, but they need a lot of work on the free leg and upper body.

Wide-stepping by her, and a swinging free leg on the turns. (I recognize this only because I am learning a waltz and I make these same mistakes ...)

 

[Rukia]

Wide-stepping by her, and a swinging free leg on the turns. (I recognize this only because I am learning a waltz and I make these same mistakes ...)

I too am a wide stepper hahahaha

 

[her grace]

Leitans

Better synchronization and unison in quick step, still some finishing to do with carriage

 

[her grace]

Li/Zhu

Ooh a stumble! That will hurt, felt a bit rushed afterwards. They are doing the best at performing and not just doing the steps

 

[Rukia]

Yeah that was a big stumble there. They have tons of talent though.

 

[just tuned in]

Sound on in the KnC, nice for the fans.

 

[Rukia]

Beautiful edge control on some of the tougher parts of that pattern for Lukanin/O'Brien

 

[her grace]

Lukanin/O’Brien

I want more snap and quickness to this quickstep. Felt they were more suited to the waltz

 

[just tuned in]

Lukanin/O’Brien

I want more snap and quickness to this quickstep. Felt they were more suited to the waltz

Their quickstep felt (to me) more genuine than their waltz.

 

[her grace]

Kartashovs

A little off balance in places, but handled, good energy

 

[kwanfan1818]

Watching on replay, I really like the Kartashovs. Extra points for skating to traditional ballroom music, Blue Danube and Puttin' on the Ritz. He's got style. Hopefully he'll grow quite a bit taller.

Li/Zhu skate very closely together. So nice to see Colin McManus in KnC with them. I always liked him and Anastasia Cannuscio.

 

[her grace]

Kinda sad that everyone medals but one team

 

[Sylvia]

Novice FD start order/results: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2026/36273/CAT001SEG003.html

Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNS6ODlxkBY

 

[Karen-W]

Kinda sad that everyone medals but one team

Yes, but at least it looks like there's a pretty clear separation between the team that won't medal and the ones who do wind up on the podium.

 

[her grace]

Li/Zhu

Lift with lots of changes of position, skating close together, nice twizzles. Exciting ending pose. They seem well-matched and she’s like a young Chock with good flexibility and dynamic presentation; he doesn’t fade away either. Good skate!

 

[just tuned in]

Li/Zhu

Lift with lots of changes of position, skating close together, nice twizzles. Exciting ending pose. They seem well-matched and she’s like a young Chock with good flexibility and dynamic presentation; he doesn’t fade away either. Good skate!

I love this team. I think she is better than Chock.

 

[just tuned in]

She-Leitan has gotta learn to straighten her legs.