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

[Karen-W]

Or they could do junior domestically.

True enough. There are usually a handful of pairs competitions in November & January where they'd be able to earn CTES mins if they're good enough to be in the mix for a Jr Worlds assignment.

 

[Flip Jump]

11 hours ago Natalia Mishkutenok posted a photo on IG with 8 pairs teams.
2 notable pairings: Olivia Flores being lifted by Timmy Chapman and Audrey Shin lifted by Mark Sandusky

 

[Skaterbob]

11 hours ago Natalia Mishkutenok posted a photo on IG with 8 pairs teams.
2 notable pairings: Olivia Flores being lifted by Timmy Chapman and Audrey Shin lifted by Mark Sandusky

im not mad!

 

[Karen-W]

11 hours ago Natalia Mishkutenok posted a photo on IG with 8 pairs teams.
2 notable pairings: Olivia Flores being lifted by Timmy Chapman and Audrey Shin lifted by Mark Sandusky

I saw that too and wasn't sure who was lifting Olivia and who Mark was lifting, so thanks for the identification.

ETA - here's the photo -

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Luke is still on vacation in SoCal as far as I know - he was in a video clip with Starr & another skater advertising a summertime "Unity Ice Camp" being held in Lakewood.

 

[Karen-W]

Well, today was not bad, though not great for US pairs at Worlds.

ChanHowe - she doubled the SBS 3t but other than that, they laid down a great program - L4 on every element including the 3tw and death spiral. They're sitting in 6th with 69.02 points, less than a point out of 4th place!

EfiMit - her SBS 3t was a mess & called <, then she two-footed the throw landing; just a bit nervy overall. They're currently in 7th with 67.29 points but obviously have all the potential in the world to move up.

McBark - she doubled the SBS 3t; apart from that a solid program, though they need to improve their levels on the rest of their elements. Perfectly respectable score of 64.42 and sitting in 11th - the push for them will be to try and move into the top 10 to guarantee themselves 2 GPs next season.

If ChanHowe & EfiMit maintain their current places then the US will retain 3 pairs for next season.

 

[Willin]

Mark is a good skater and terrific human. He's just always had issues finding the right partner. I hope it works out!

 

[Skaterbob]

Audrey Shin posted an instagram story announcing the end of the relationship. I would paste here but they expire eventually.

 

[Stephanie]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2037287573005988208

 

[just tuned in]

^ Yikes.

 

[Allskate]

^ Yikes.

That was my reaction, too. This partnership did not end well. He has not posted anything on Instagram.

She makes a point of saying that she decided to end the partnership. She does not say if she is retiring.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2037287573005988208

I would like to see Audrey team up with Starr, #JustSaying

 

[Sylvia]

3 throw 3S clips posted by Natalia Mishkutenok today - Timmy Chapman with Ellie Kam (ETA) Audrey Shin then with Olivia Flores; new team of Katie Shen/Connor O'Grady (didn't take long for Katie to land it cleanly! ):

Natalia Mishkutenok on Instagram: "Today’s 3S throws 😁"

228 likes, 5 comments - natalia.mishkutenok on March 25, 2026: "Today’s 3S throws 😁".

www.instagram.com

ETA:

Looks like Danny O'Shea is having a great time working backstage with ISU's social media team in Prague!

 

[TanithandBenFan]

So she’s the second Nagy partner who publicly ended the partnership because of mental health. Hey, USFS, think you might want to address this?

 

[Sylvia]

I believe Audrey Shin's family lives in Colorado Springs so I wouldn't assume anything "official" with Mark Sadusky at this time.

ETA: Plus Audrey landed a throw 3S with Timmy Chapman in Natalia M's clip (thanks to the person who let me know it was not Ellie Kam! ).

 

[Sylvia]

2 spots for U.S. pairs next year in Tampere, Finland... Prague Worlds final results:
6 Alisa EFIMOVA / Misha MITROFANOV USA 202.51 7 5
12 Katie McBEATH / Daniil PARKMAN USA 179.60 11 12
16 Emily CHAN / Spencer Akira HOWE USA 169.91 6 20

Mixed zone photos & quotes:

Efimova/Mitrofanov after FS:

Golden Skate on Instagram: "Alisa EFIMOVA / Misha MITROFANOV 🇺🇸 135.22 / 202.91 Misha: “We’re definitely feeling a lot better today. I’m very proud of Alisa and very proud of us as a team. We came into the free skate with a fresh mind. It wasn’t eas

116 likes, 1 comments - goldsk8 on March 26, 2026: "Alisa EFIMOVA / Misha MITROFANOV 🇺🇸 135.22 / 202.91 Misha: “We’re definitely feeling a lot better today. I’m very proud of Alisa and very proud of us as a team. We came into the free skate with a fresh mind. It wasn’t easy, especially with...

www.instagram.com

After SP: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWUq_j5DLNZ/ & https://x.com/adivinesport/status/2036917764871594204

McBeath/Parkman after FS: https://x.com/adivinesport/status/2037251477811716550
After SP: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWUeudDDNhu/

Re. Chan/Howe's FS - "This crowd in Prague took Emily & Spencer in their hands and lifted them through that program. They wouldn't let them let go. Amazing." https://x.com/adivinesport/status/2037260954136953322
After their SP (2 posts yesterday): https://x.com/adivinesport/status/2036908009969029336

Golden Skate on Instagram: "Emily CHAN / Spencer Akira HOWE 🇺🇸 69.02 On coming off the Olympics: Spencer: “We actually had this conversation a few times. We felt it was kind of a blessing in disguise for us. Everyone coming off the Olympics seemed p

245 likes, 6 comments - goldsk8 on March 25, 2026: "Emily CHAN / Spencer Akira HOWE 🇺🇸 69.02 On coming off the Olympics: Spencer: “We actually had this conversation a few times. We felt it was kind of a blessing in disguise for us. Everyone coming off the Olympics seemed pretty tired, and it...

www.instagram.com

 

[Karen-W]

So she’s the second Nagy partner who publicly ended the partnership because of mental health. Hey, USFS, think you might want to address this?

No kidding. First Liu two years ago and now Shin; plus we know that Kate Finster's mom was posting here on FSU hinting that he was the problem when they were partners back in their junior days. And I got the impression he left Pavlova high and dry with nary a word 4 years ago.

Good for Audrey for having the dignity and self-respect to know that it is time to wash that man right outta her hair. I hope she is able to find a partner as good to her as Chelsea & Masha have found since parting ways with Balazs.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Emily and Spencer said today they will probably compete next season.

https://x.com/inthelopodcast/status/2037351925927055767?s=46&t=-4teGSabTvGXystNvsOwhQ

 

[Karen-W]

Emily and Spencer said today that will probably compete next season.

https://x.com/inthelopodcast/status/2037351925927055767?s=46&t=-4teGSabTvGXystNvsOwhQ

They also said they're intrigued by the changes coming next season, especially the choreo lift option. That doesn't surprise me at all. One less jumping pass in the FS is a good change for them and they're so good with the lifts, they get a chance to be creative & experiment.

 

[Rob]

Skating Lesson FB says Starr Andrews is trying out with Luke Wang and Balazs Nagy

 

[PRlady]

Not Balasz, Starr! He’s used up his chances of demonstrating good partnerships.

 

[Skaterbob]

Maybe Starr wants to go blonde for the summer...

 

[Tinycities]

Have Luke and Olivia split?

 

[Willin]

@Tinycities There's been hints of it but no official confirmation. I do think he would be a good choice.

 

[VALuvsMKwan]

Maybe Starr wants to go blonde for the summer...

Will she be skating to Etta James?

https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.4a06bd7d2fe3e63a8ffc388df5fa4011?rik=UwFtxaAk7JZ7Ww&riu=http%3a%2f%2fs3.amazonaws.com%2fproduction.mediajoint.prx.org%2fpublic%2fpiece_images%2f239592%2fEtta_James_png.png&ehk=mnwtgVbk0NifJRfheOQbB1mrQq16rXR9gPVZ0cqeLRg%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0

 

[Karen-W]

Skating Lesson FB says Starr Andrews is trying out with Luke Wang and Balazs Nagy

Hmmmmm... Balazs posted on his IG story last night a series of pics that looked like he was in a tropical but rocky location - I would have thought somewhere in the Caribbean rather than SoCal.

Also, I'd much rather Starr & Luke partner together.

 

[Aceon6]

Starr is well connected. I’m sure if it’s Nagy, it’s business.

 

[Skaterbob]

Will she be skating to Etta James?

https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.4a06bd7d2fe3e63a8ffc388df5fa4011?rik=UwFtxaAk7JZ7Ww&riu=http%3a%2f%2fs3.amazonaws.com%2fproduction.mediajoint.prx.org%2fpublic%2fpiece_images%2f239592%2fEtta_James_png.png&ehk=mnwtgVbk0NifJRfheOQbB1mrQq16rXR9gPVZ0cqeLRg%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0

lol I dunno, but every Nagy partner fries their hair when skating with him.

 

[AYS]

I don't see Starr changing up her style for anyone.