2026 US Nationals Free Dance "Nix You"

[Coco]

This is probably the first time I really loved this program. Before I enjoyed it but spent the whole time worrying about the skirt. Is it shorter? It looks shorter at least in the front.

Yesterday I said no one should have to skate after Z/K, but I take that back.

This was so well performed. Sublime control, maturity and elegance.

 

[Baby Yoda On Skates]

At least dance made it easy to pick the team. The top teams skated great.

 

[Skaterbob]

I can’t believe how much Madi/Evan’s free skate has grown on me. When I first saw it, it seemed like such a mishmash of ideas that didn’t add up. Now I feel like it’s all come together. I love the tempo changes and flamenco touches. It’s just fun to watch.

Same, I was completely anti this program when I first saw it. It changed a lot since the fall just like their 2023 FD which ended up at WTT as my favorite FD of theirs.

 

[terisa]

OK, here's the tl;dr up front. I don't warm to this program because I don't think it has "chemistry" but I can admire the ability and skill.

Long ago, in the Disco Era, the DJ at a bar I used to hang out in was an incredible disco dancer. She and her partner would dance to every techno tune, and their dancing was very precise, very synchronized, very PERFECT. But also very cold and mechanical. I get the same feeling from Chock and Bates. I can admire the skill, but no tears of joy for the FEELING of it.... don't know if that makes sense to anyone but me.

 

[Messalina]

That's interesting. It was a little weird to me when Ben Agosto is right there doing great dance commentary, but I do love Gabi.

Johnny is the one who should get the old heave-ho. I say Ben + Gabi!

 

[Lara]

Gotta say I liked that FD from C&B much more than previous years (including live at Montreal Worlds). Kudos to them, they’re definitely ready for Milan.

 

[overedge]

@terisa that makes perfect sense.

 

[susieB129]

I can take or leave C/B's program, I'd just like to see her in a more blingy, more Olympian costume.

 

[tangerine dream]

Do you ever watch these athletes and think to yourself, I bet they never eat cheese puffs. While sitting and eating cheese puffs? Because I do. Lol

Reminds me of the story Rippon told on their podcast about how the first time he met Shoma Uno he was backstage eating Oreos and drinking Coke before his skate.

ETA: IIRC Adam said Shoma beat him in that competition as well as every time they competed against each other after that.

 

[~tapdancer~]

Now, the given. It's just all so "so what" to me.

So very happy for CarPon and Z/K. They are what matter to me and I hope they get some good Olympic coverage. Honestly, as far as C/B with the other international teams, I don't think they are a shoe-in at all for Olympic Gold. They will have to earn it, I think.

What Gabby just said is what C/B are always about...they never start a season ready. It always has to build. Getting their pre-Olympic national (biased) huge score. I know I need to stop but honestly, I have never gotten over Evan dumping Emily and I guess it shows, especially since they just refuse to retire. They have had some good programs through the years but now it just feels like the old days of ice dance, you get to the top and you stay there till you retire. I am thankful there were other great teams who knew when it was time to go because up and coming teams deserve their time to shine. You can't convince me that C/B are that much better than Z/K or CarPon.

 

[Baby Yoda On Skates]

I can take or leave C/B's program, I'd just like to see her in a more blingy, more Olympian costume.

Nah she looks fantastic. Love the lipstick.

 

[overedge]

I can take or leave C/B's program, I'd just like to see her in a more blingy, more Olympian costume.

I was really surprised when the program ended to see all the bling on Madi's dress. It wasn't visible at all while they were skating.

 

[jenny12]

And Johnny had to tell us about three minutes in that this was not a typical R&J program. Thanks for stating the obvious, doofus.

Johnny’s ice dance commentary sounds like me in junior high trying to BS my way though a book report.

 

[peibeck]

Dance, like the women, were worth the price of admission, probably even more so. I'd happily watch most of those programs again right now.

 

[overedge]

Johnny’s ice dance commentary sounds like me in junior high trying to BS my way though a book report.

Only less coherent and more poorly researched.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Re: the anti-hair thinning commercial: if you're afraid to be around the guys because they'd bust your chops because your hair is thinning, you need new guys.

 

[tangerine dream]

At least dance made it easy to pick the team. The top teams skated great.

There are basically two worlds of US figure skating at the moment. On one hand we have dance and women, each with an abundance of riches and a pretty clear top 3 and on the other we have pairs and men where outside of Malinin everyone's kind of unpredictable/messy.

 

[personwhoishere]

Perfect 10s for C/B's composition mark: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/lea...------FNL-000100--_JudgesDetailsperSkater.pdf

 

[kwanfan1818]

I don't think that Bates is incapable of being a bull under different circumstances. He just can't convince people he'd ever hurt Chock.

 

[skipaway]

Karaoke to the Killers Mr. Brightside is not quite family friendly. “She’s touching his chest now “ with camera on a 7 yr old girl

 

[MacMadame]

Johnny’s ice dance commentary sounds like me in junior high trying to BS my way though a book report.

I don't understand why there has to be three people in the booth.

 

[clairecloutier]

for G/P getting 4th two Olympic nationals in a row

Not complaining about the judging, just a hard break for them

I know. It’s tough. They’re such great skaters.

 

[~tapdancer~]

I know it's supposed to be a coronation, but I am so not into this dance.

I miss the astronaut and the alien.

That was my favorite of their skates. Was so different.

 

[terisa]

Johnny is the one who should get the old heave-ho. I say Ben + Gabi!

JEAN-LUC and Gabi!!!

 

[MacMadame]

That was my favorite of their skates. Was so different.

My favorite is the Snake program.

 

[Skaterbob]

JEAN-LUC and Gabi!!!

I want the commentator from Boston Worlds during the ladies back. Who was that? Someone from Canada right? She was quiet but showed here excitement during the programs too. Was it Kirsten Moore-Towers?

 

[kwanette]

I want the commentator from Boston Worlds during the ladies back. Who was that? Someone from Canada right? She was quiet but showed here excitement during the programs too. Was it Kirsten Moore-Towers?

Kirsten Moore Towers

 

[Skaterbob]

Kirsten Moore Towers

Thanks. And I'm not saying I don't want Gabriella, she was been very entertaining and funny even if she hasn't meant to be. I just don't want Johnny anymore. lol

 

[Belsornia]

for G/P getting 4th two Olympic nationals in a row

Not complaining about the judging, just a hard break for them

Michael Parsons, likely three time Olympic alternate. That's tough.

 

[Rackon]

I think G/P could have beaten C/P by the ID equivalent of a Malinin victory, and they'd still send C/P on BOW.

So Kolesnik, who could probably have his pick of partners after he and Nguyen split in 2020 as World Junior champion, is told by his coach, "Hey, I have this PERFECT girl for you. She's never been an ice dancer." And he says, "Okie, dokie." That has to have been huge trust in Shpilband. And here they are, six years later, possibly the front-runners to take over as US #1 from Chock/Bates after this season.

Igor did good! They were all pretty brave methinks.

ZK started training together in January 2022, so zero to Olympics in 4years.

And…they are a couple off ice.

For those keeping track: Igor 1. Marina 0