2025-26 US Pairs Discussion - Milano-Bound By Way of Beijing & St. Louis

[Sasha'sSpins]

They  were recognized. At the medal ceremony.

Yes but this is in reference to skating at the Gala. It would be strange not to invite the champions of each event whether they're named to the Olympic team or not.

 

[Carolla5501]

I expect the athletes are much less disappointed than posters want to believe.

Juniors and first time medalists maybe but the headliners????

 

[hoptoad]

Does this mean no novice or junior champions in the gala?

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Does this mean no novice or junior champions in the gala?

The media lady at the men’s press conference said each Oly team member will be revealed throughout the show and then perform so the focus is all on “Making the Team.”

 

[Barbara Manatee]

I wouldn't want to skate having won a medal but not made the team, while everyone else is going wild with joy. Remember Mirai performing in tears in 2014? Gutting.

 

[Private Citizen]

What a horrible idea. Nationals are about more than just making the Olympic team.

Other skaters will go on to Four Continents and Worlds. It's a shame if junior champions are excluded, and wouldn't it be nice for fan favorites like Jason Brown and Bradie Tennell (who presumably won't make the team) to have a chance to skate a farewell? In Brown's case, it could be a really nice opportunity to go out on a higher note.

 

[BrightSkates]

I expect the athletes are much less disappointed than posters want to believe.

Juniors and first time medalists maybe but the headliners????

Its not even about being them being disappointed- which I'm sure they are as it would be pretty numb to win and not be included and have fun with the fans and their teammates all because of a passport. It's about respect, as well as the finale of the competiton, which they were a big part of.

 

[Rukia]

a lot of assumptions are being made about what is going on with no real idea of what is actually happening or the feelings of anyone involved

 

[PRlady]

So it looks to me that they created this Making the Team program as an unabashed promo for Oly coverage, and NBC wants the focus on athletes that will be there and not those who came up short or are ineligible. (“What a downer,” sez some marketing type.) Hence the NDAs and all that.

What time is this on? This was going to be my first night in four with a normal sleep schedule.

 

[Wyliefan]

So it looks to me that they created this Making the Team program as an unabashed promo for Oly coverage, and NBC wants the focus on athletes that will be there and not those who came up short or are ineligible. (“What a downer,” sez some marketing type. Hence the NDAs and all that.

What time is this on? This was going to be my first night in four with a normal sleep schedule.

2 p.m. Eastern.

 

[Carolla5501]

So it looks to me that they created this Making the Team program as an unabashed promo for Oly coverage, and NBC wants the focus on athletes that will be there and not those who came up short or are ineligible. (“What a downer,” sez some marketing type.) Hence the NDAs and all that.

What time is this on? This was going to be my first night in four with a normal sleep schedule.

It’s on at two eastern, but I’m not bothering to watch. Two hours of interviews with Andrea and babbling on by Tara and Johnny about why they disagree or agree with the selections. I’m sure there’ll be at least one skate from each of the skaters, but the pain to reward ratio is way too high.

 

[Karen-W]

It’s on at two eastern, but I’m not bothering to watch. Two hours of interviews with Andrea and babbling on by Tara and Johnny about why they disagree or agree with the selections. I’m sure there’ll be at least one skate from each of the skaters, but the pain to reward ratio is way too high.

Yeah, it's going to be an obnoxious slog.

 

[BrightSkates]

Heard from an insider that they didnt get the citizenship for Alisa.

 

[Rukia]

Heard from an insider that they didnt get the citizenship for Alisa.

it was truly the longest of long shots, but it was definitely a chance worth taking

 

[Karen-W]

Cross-posting from the USFS Int'l Assignments thread -

Press Release announcing the Olympic team and alternates -

[Pairs - Emily Chan/Spencer Akira Howe, Ellie Kam/Danny O'Shea
1st Alternate - Audrey Shin/Balazs Nagy, 2nd Alternate - Valentina Plazas/Maximiliano Fernandez, 3rd Alternate - Chelsea Liu/Ryan Bedard

A little surprised the USFS passed over FlorWang for the 3rd alternate spot in favor of LiuBed, though I think that's probably fair & correct since Chelsea's been dealing with her mystery illness & they didn't skate up to their full potential this week as a result. Small bone thrown to @AngieNikodinovLove (ANL), lol.

 

[BrightSkates]

Cross-posting from the USFS Int'l Assignments thread -

A little surprised the USFS passed over FlorWang for the 3rd alternate spot in favor of LiuBed, though I think that's probably fair & correct since Chelsea's been dealing with her mystery illness & they didn't skate up to their full potential this week as a result. Small bone thrown to @AngieNikodinovLove (ANL), lol.

To me, Flores and Wang looked like it could have been a goodbye skate. I also heard rumors that they left Meekins and that's why he wasn't there in Kiss and Cry.

 

[Karen-W]

To me, Flores and Wang looked like it could have been a goodbye skate. I also heard rumors that they left Meekins and that's why he wasn't there in Kiss and Cry.

I don't think they've left Meekins - he was with them in the KnC during the SP along with Natalia Mishkuteniok, IIRC.

 

[Karen-W]

Worlds
Pairs - Alisa Efimova/Misha Mitrofanov, Ellie Kam/Danny O'Shea, Katie McBeath/Daniil Parkman
1st Alternate - Audrey Shin/Balazs Nagy, 2nd Alternate - Emily Chan/Spencer Akira Howe, 3rd Alternate - Valentina Plazas/Maximiliano Fernandez

4CCs
Pairs - Alisa Efimova/Misha Mitrofanov, Katie McBeath/Daniil Parkman, Audrey Shin/Balazs Nagy
1st Alt - Valentina Plazas/Maximiliano Fernandez, 2nd Alt - Chelsea Liu/Ryan Bedard, 3rd Alt - Olivia Flores/Luke Wang

Jr Worlds
Pairs - Olivia Flores/Luke Wang, Reagan Moss/Jakub Galbavy
1st Alt - Sofia Jarmoc/Luke Witkowski, 2nd Alt - Naomi Williams/Lachlan Lewer, 3rd Alt - Milada Kovar/Jared McPike

About the only surprise here are ShiNagy being named as 1st Alts for Worlds ahead of ChanHowe, but maybe that was the compromise within the committee meeting since ChanHowe did get the Olympics spot.

 

[BrightSkates]

I don't think they've left Meekins - he was with them in the KnC during the SP along with Natalia Mishkuteniok, IIRC.

I mean maybe they just made Natalia the main coach?

 

[kwanfan1818]

Plus Howe's military duty might come smack dab in the time they'd need to train for Worlds. There are other alternates if a spot opens if that happens.

Howe is going to be a great recruitment story for the military and a reminder of a role that isn't the first that people think of. NBC is going to fly with this one.

 

[Karen-W]

Plus Howe's military duty might come smack dab in the time they'd need to train for Worlds. There are other alternates if a spot opens if that happens.

Howe is going to be a great recruitment story for the military and a reminder of a role that isn't the first that people think of. NBC is going to fly with this one.

Yes - and he's quite notable as, I believe, the first figure skater to be a part of the Army's WCAP. Their current Winter Sports athletes include lots of sledders & biathletes as well as some Nordic combined & one snowboarder, so he may be the first skater (figure, speed or short-track) ever.