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

[Cayuse]

I think Green/Parsons started the season a bit slowly but had some real momentum at the end. Much better at Nationals and close to tying Z/K at 4CCs in the RD. Maybe they are hitting stride and just need to be ready a bit earlier (rather than a coaching change)?

Green and Parsons are a talented couple. Their skating skills are very good. A choreographer who can emphasize their strengths and keep the program moving out (they have speed when the choreography doesn't slow them down) is what they need. Over the shoulder lifts will never look good on this team. Jean Luc is a developing dance choreographer (there don't seem to be very many dance choreographers) has worked with them and it's been a little hit and miss. I'm thinking they should try a new genre - maybe jazz?

 

[A.H.Black]

The one year that Green/Parsons did so well, was the year they chose (or had chosen for them) music for the free dance that was familiar and accessible to the audience (aka judges) - Rhapsody in Blue. So many years they have chosen music to showcase "their" style; music that wasn't appealing to most of the audience, or at best, music that had to grow on people over the year. Most of the figure skating audience only sees them once or twice a season so the music doesn't get a chance to grow. This was also true when Parsons was still skating with his sister. I have always wished they would give extra attention to the choice of music with the thought that it should be more accessible. The one year they did, was the one year they were the most successful. Of course, this could be said of other teams, but I have always felt strongly about it with Green/Parsons.

They are a great team. Why not choose music that immediately invites the audience along with them rather than something that requires acceptance and resignation before we can enjoy the skate.

 

[Firedancer]

US Ice Dancers were asked for their thoughts about future rhythm dances:
https://www.ice-dance.com/site/u-s-...s-about-future-rhythm-dance-music-and-themes/

 

[Wyliefan]

They want waltzes! They want tangos! They're with us!

 

[Taso]

US Ice Dancers were asked for their thoughts about future rhythm dances:
https://www.ice-dance.com/site/u-s-...s-about-future-rhythm-dance-music-and-themes/

Are y'all listening USFSA/ISU.

WALTZ!

And TANGO!

 

[Rukia]

Are y'all listening USFSA/ISU.

WALTZ!

And TANGO!

the skaters have planned out 2 seasons of rd for them

 

[Debbie S]

the skaters have planned out 2 seasons of rd for them

Emilea planned out 4 seasons. I say we go with her idea.

 

[Karen-W]

Emilea planned out 4 seasons. I say we go with her idea.

I didn't hate her idea but I also don't know how one can expect to compare a tango to a waltz to a quickstep to a rumba to a cha-cha if the five different teams in any given warm-up group chose different dances from within the 5-7 designated options the IDTC gave them. I also didn't like that she'd let a team repeat one of those dances during the 4-year period.

 

[Allskate]

I didn't hate her idea but I also don't know how one can expect to compare a tango to a waltz to a quickstep to a rumba to a cha-cha if the five different teams in any given warm-up group chose different dances from within the 5-7 designated options the IDTC gave them. I also didn't like that she'd let a team repeat one of those dances during the 4-year period.

I get this. But, I don't have confidence in the judging anyway. Plus, I think it's fairer this way because different teams have different strengths. Plus, I'd rather have more variety. I'd also prefer to have skaters skating their strengths and not have the luck of the draw determine who does better, though obviously this has always been something the ice dancers have dealt with to some extent. But, the judges are already comparing different lifts, different footwork sequences, etc.

Most of them don't want decade themes, and ITA. This year in particular is an example of how that doesn't work well, IMO.

I also agree with Raffaella, who said that "the rhythm dances the last couple of years, have been so high paced, or fast paced that it would be nice to see something at least go a slower tempo into a higher tempo and not have it so high tempo the whole time." I want something less frenetic, with more varied tempo, and more of an opportunity for holding edges longer.

 

[skategal]

what has Charlie done as a coach to make little IAM want him?

I’m wondering how that’s going to work out with the custody situation for his kid or will he take up the mantle of “The Christina Carreira Commuting Club” now that she can give it up.

 

[Lanie]

ISU aka Retstatt and Weaver: best we can do is another 120bpm theme this time the 00s

I want the required patterns back damn it.

 

[Cpomfan]

I’m wondering how that’s going to work out with the custody situation for his kid or will he take up the mantle of “The Christina Carreira Commuting Club” now that she can give it up.

As it is likely that Tanith has custody of Charlie III, probably the latter. My guess is that he stays in Canada during the weekdays and goes back to Michigan on the weekends

 

[A.H.Black]

Emilea planned out 4 seasons. I say we go with her idea.

I like it too but there needs to be a foxtrot in there somewhere.

 

[my little pony]

I don’t know if they want an older team but Gregory/Petukov has some great results with juniors.

that's Haus of Diamonds!

 

[Sylvia]

Thank you to @ice coverage for originally posting these links in Zingas/Kolesnik’s fan thread (I also was able to read Seidel's in-depth article via the link in the journalist’s tweet https://x.com/seideljeff/status/2017955904566526233):

Long article by Jeff Seidel of Detroit Free Press, reposted by Yahoo at free link below.

Novi ice dancers overcame war, surgeries and a test to make Olympics​

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/novi-ice-dancers-overcame-war-100719973.html (Feb 1)​

Accompanying gallery of sixteen photos on freep.com:

Ice dancers Emilea Zingas, Vadym Kolesnik went from war to Olympics​

https://www.freep.com/picture-gallery/sports/olympics/2026/02/01/ice-dancers-emilea-zingas-vadym-kolesnik-went-from-war-to-olympics/88423381007/

On freep.com, Seidel's article itself is behind paywall:

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/jeff-seidel/2026/02/01/emilea-zingas-vadym-kolesnik-ice-dance-novi-2026-olympics/88402657007/

Madison posted photos from her and Evan's arrival in Milan yesterday:

Madison Chock on Instagram: "Getting ready for our 4th @olympics together (Evan’s 5th!) with @teamusa in Milan 🇺🇸❣️ Still feeling just as excited as the first time and even more appreciative of everything and everyone that makes this experience so s

5,956 likes, 53 comments - madisonchock on January 31, 2026: "Getting ready for our 4th @olympics together (Evan’s 5th!) with @teamusa in Milan 🇺🇸❣️ Still feeling just as excited as the first time and even more appreciative of everything and everyone that makes this experience so special for...

www.instagram.com

Getty Images (9 photos featuring Madi & Evan on Jan. 31, at the Welcome Experience/Team Processing in Milan)

Check out Zingas/Kolesnik's and Carreira/Ponomarenko's fan threads for many photos & clips from their exciting experiences in Milan so far!