U.S. Men 2025-26 Discussion - Quad God and the Mere Mortals

[DreamSkates]

we're going to send them all out on epic quests and whoever survives makes the team!

Maybe that's what the GP and National skating competitions feel like to them. We get to sit back and watch, cheer them on or cry when they fall.

 

[YukiNieve]

Jason Brown did another Q and A during his stay in Japan for Friends on Ice show.

He talks about his programs, costume, vlog, the goals for this season, etc.

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On his SP Riverdance:

...my long part of this year is so personal, with such a personal story, that almost felt like the long was for me, and then I was able to, like, give back in the short, and the short was for you guys, and I'm just so overwhelmed and so grateful for all the support over the years that this short program is kind of like my gift to the audience and the fans and everyone that's been supporting me throughout my career as just like a thank you, and we're kind of celebrating it together, and we're in it together.

On his FS Say Something:

I've always struggled throughout my career to speak up and use my voice and advocate for myself, and I really wanted to… have a program that represented that and showed the growth that I was making, not only as a person and not only as a skater, but as a person on the ice as well.​

And so I really wanted to… do something that was so personal, and tell a story about really speaking up and using your voice and finding your voice.

(I apologize if I didn't write everything down - he speaks pretty fast, lol)

I find it interesting that both of the top two US men talk about their 'voice' in relation to their free skate this year.

I also wonder how he manages to carry four suitcases at the same time on his own

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Liam Kapekis was interviewed by GoldenSkate after his FS at Nebelhorn and one of his quotes was:

"My focus this season is on the Nationals, and I’m hoping to get this TBD spot for Skate America.”

Has no one told him he already got the spot??

 

[Stephanie]

Neither Kapeikis or Shin/Nagy are listed on the USFS website. My theory is that they had a deadline from the ISU to name their TBD’s but in reality might switch at the last minute, or at least after a few more challengers.

 

[Karen-W]

Neither Kapeikis or Shin/Nagy are listed on the USFS website. My theory is that they had a deadline from the ISU to name their TBD’s but in reality might switch at the last minute, or at least after a few more challengers.

Yeah. I suspect the USFS will decide on the Men's TBD spot after this weekend's Challengers with both Jacob & Liam competing.

 

[Kiki5375]

But wasn't Liam on the official ISU Pdf already?

 

[kwanfan1818]

It doesn’t matter: hosts can replace their entries (or toss them back into the pot for alternates to take) unless they are seeds, and that has to be for medical reasons.

 

[haribobo]

Congrats to Liam for the 4th highest US men score so far this season (behind Ilia, Andrew, and Tomoki) and finishing 3rd in the FS at Nebelhorn! Defeating Kazuki (4cc silver medalist and 3 times top 10 at Worlds) and Lukas (current European champion) in the free skate is quite a feat!

 

[layman]

Congratulations to Andrew Torgashev for winning the Silver Medal at Nebelhorn 2025!

57. Nebelhorn Trophy 2025 - Men

www.deu-event.de

 

[haribobo]

Yay Andrew! Things are finally creeping upwards for us men besides Ilia and Jason! Also with Caleb Farrington successful debut bronze at Baku!

 

[Allskate]

Congrats to Liam for the 4th highest US men score so far this season (behind Ilia, Andrew, and Tomoki) and finishing 3rd in the FS at Nebelhorn! Defeating Kazuki (4cc silver medalist and 3 times top 10 at Worlds) and Lukas (current European champion) in the free skate is quite a feat!

And also defeating Andrew in the free skate.

Yay Andrew! Things are finally creeping upwards for us men besides Ilia and Jason!

I think "creeping up" may be the right term. It wasn't a great free skate, but it definitely was better than Worlds.

But, they shouldn't be peaking this early in the season anyway.

I'm looking forward to seeing Jacob. I hope we can get video.

 

[Aceon6]

Liam and Jacob can’t wait. They need results early to improve their chances at Nationals. They need a PCS floor that won’t kill them before they even skate.

 

[Allskate]

Liam and Jacob can’t wait. They need results early to improve their chances at Nationals. They need a PCS floor that won’t kill them before they even skate.

Fair enough. I was thinking more about Andrew.

I can't find Jacob's short program. But, from the scores, it looks like his PCS was very respectable considering this is his first season competing internationally as a senior. I don't just mean raw scores. I mean in comparison to other skaters. They were slightly higher than Grassl's and Memola's, and Rizzo just edged him out by less than .2 points. The only other skater with higher PCS was Kevin (who got ridiculously high scores). Granted, some of these guys made mistakes and this wasn't a super strong field, but I don't expect Jacob to be top tier this season or for the third American man named to the Olympic team to be top tier either.

IMO, what some these guys really could use is a consistent triple axel.

 

[cheremary]

I can't find Jacob's short program.

Here you go: https://x.com/moozuru/status/1971672002340835797

 

[Allskate]

I'm bummed for Jacob. Ninth in the LP at Nepela. He's continuning to have triple axel problems. In the LP, he fell on one triple axel and got -3s and -4s GOE on the triple axel combo. He popped the loop and lutz near the end, but I think the triple axels are the biggest problem.

I realize that Jacob isn't the only one who had jump problems, including triple axel problems, this weekend. Liam fell on his triple axel in the short program and popped a triple axel in the free skate. (He did land the axel combo in the free.) Andrew fell on his triple axel combo in the free.

And other than Ilia, it's not like any of the American men have had stellar performances so far this season. Plus, I know that Jacob doesn't have the amount of experience that the other American men have. I'm just bummed for him and was hoping he'd have a better skate. On the bright side, I think that the FS PCS was pretty good compared to the other skaters, even with the mistakes. Plus, at least he is competing. I'm really missing Lucas.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

I’m giving Jacob some grace since he was doing a new free skate from what he had at Cranberry.

 

[Evgeniafan]

I’m giving Jacob some grace since he was doing a new free skate from what he had at Cranberry.

I am glad he has a new free skate. His short program score is good. I think he gets over excited, and then he makes mistakes. I have seen him live and he has good ice coverage.

 

[Karen-W]

I’m giving Jacob some grace since he was doing a new free skate from what he had at Cranberry.

I'm just glad he changed the FS from the one he had at Cranberry, which was a total miss for me. This new program is much better, even with the jumping issues today, which were many beyond the 3a problems.

 

[Allskate]

I’m giving Jacob some grace since he was doing a new free skate from what he had at Cranberry.

Fair. TBH, though, this isn't the first time he has had problems with his triple axel. As I said, I think the triple axel issues are more important than the other problems he had today.

 

[Karen-W]

Fair. TBH, though, this isn't the first time he has had problems with his triple axel. As I said, I think the triple axel issues are more important than the other problems he had today.

His 3a has been a lot more stable in the last year than it was before. I wouldn't say it's a money jump, but I felt like it had gotten to the point where it was pretty reliable in the SP and the FS was approaching 75% consistent on hitting them both - but that's just a feeling based on memory rather than reviewing judging protocols, so I may be way off base in my estimation.

 

[Allskate]

His 3a has been a lot more stable in the last year than it was before. I wouldn't say it's a money jump, but I felt like it had gotten to the point where it was pretty reliable in the SP and the FS was approaching 75% consistent on hitting them both - but that's just a feeling based on memory rather than reviewing judging protocols, so I may be way off base in my estimation.

I just remember him not having great triple axels at Cranberry or the JGPF and having a sense that his axels aren't that great. But, I trust your memory and impressions more than mine.

I'm really hoping to see one of the younger American guys really step up. But, I could just be both impatient and expecting too much. We've been very fortunate with the young American men over the last decade.

ETA: I forget that Ilia is still quite young.

 

[Karen-W]

I just remember him not having great triple axels at Cranberry or the JGPF and having a sense that his axels aren't that great. But, I trust your memory and impressions more than mine.

I'm really hoping to see one of the younger American guys really step up. But, I could just be both impatient and expecting too much. We've been very fortunate with the young American men over the last decade.

We have a lot of talented up-and-comers, but none of them have quite put it all together yet - Blackwell, Kazanecki, Broussard, Sanchez, now Farrington also - each has either a 3a or at least 1 quad. I just have to remind myself that even Ilia during the 2021-22 season was still really inconsistent - yes, his 3a was mostly there, but his quads were not. One of these guys is going to put it all together - or so I hope, lol.

 

[Allskate]

I just have to remind myself that even Ilia during the 2021-22 season was still really inconsistent - yes, his 3a was mostly there, but his quads were not.

Yes, Ilia was inconsistent then. Also, he was just 16! His jumping consistency (and difficulty) has dramatically improved since then, and so has his presentation. I'm not going to expect any of the guys to approach his level. That would be completely unrealistic. And Nathan was an incredible jumper as well. Jason as a youngster wasn't a jumping bean, but really has had something very special of his own.

I haven't seen Farrington skate yet. I'll have to check him out.

 

[layman]

Congratulations to Caleb Farrington for his Bronze Medal at Junior Grand Prix Baku!

ISU JGP Baku 2025 - Junior Men

results.isu.org

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[Allskate]

I checked out Caleb Farrington's programs from this week. He is lovely. He has a quad toe but not a triple axel?

 

[bladesofgorey]

I've never seen Caleb Farrington skate before- I just watched his short program and he has just gorgeous lines and positions coupled with good flow. If he can get a 3a and a couple quads solid he's going to be a force in the senior ranks.

 

[Allskate]

I've never seen Caleb Farrington skate before- I just watched his short program and he has just gorgeous lines and positions coupled with good flow.

And better connection to the music than most juniors, IMO. Definitely one to watch. Lots of promise.

Speaking of American guys with promise, has anyone heard any updates about Lucas Broussard?