2026-27 US Pairs Discussion - Howe Nagy to Twist Your Way to Starrdom

[Karen-W]

Well, we have GP Assignments today, so it seems like a good time as ever to start the new season's US Pairs Discussion thread. Credit to @my little pony for the thread title - especially seeing as the new partnerships of the three skaters honored were all bypassed for GP assignments despite qualifying under the "Return/Split Couple" clause. Nice to see the USFS dropping the ball there like that.

ETA - Returning Split Couple criteria changed from Top 7-12 at one of the most recent 3 Worlds to Top 7-10 at one of the most recent 3 Worlds.

https://isudam.blob.core.windows.net/isudamcontainer/GP-Pairs-1781605326-8021.pdf

Efimova/Mitrofanov - Skate Canada & Skate America
Liu/Bedard - Cup of China
Plazas/Fernandez - Cup of China & Finlandia Trophy
Williams/Lewer - NHK Trophy

Skate America - TWO TBD spots

Notable that Kam/O'Shea are not doing the GP - one has to think they're done competing.

 

[PRlady]

Really that Andrews/Parkman got no GPs given his talent and her track record in singles.

 

[SkateFanBerlin]

Not a fan but O'Shae/Kam did split?

 

[Karen-W]

Not a fan but O'Shae/Kam did split?

They're scheduled to appear at Sun Valley and Miura/Kihara's "Destiny on Ice" shows later this summer.

 

[Karen-W]

And we have an official coaching change announcement from Liu/Bedard!

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[Wyliefan]

Chris Pottenger? As in "previously suspended by SafeSport" Chris Pottenger?

 

[Rukia]

Chris Pottenger? As in "previously suspended by SafeSport" Chris Pottenger?

yes

 

[Willin]

Is he still in Anaheim? It looks like it.

Does this mean Bruno is now there too? Or are they travelling between countries?

Either way having 2/4 problematic coaches on your team is not a great look...

 

[Karen-W]

Is he still in Anaheim? It looks like it.

Does this mean Bruno is now there too? Or are they travelling between countries?

Either way having 2/4 problematic coaches on your team is not a great look...

I've heard that Bruno will be coaching them remotrely.

 

[miffy]

Really that Andrews/Parkman got no GPs given his talent and her track record in singles.

I hope they will get a TBD spot at SA at least? As they’ve left two open. I guess they need to see how all the many new teams do

 

[Theatregirl1122]

Really that Andrews/Parkman got no GPs given his talent and her track record in singles.

We’re they eligible for selection as even a host pick?

 

[Karen-W]

We’re they eligible for selection as even a host pick?

New teams are only eligible if they're on the USFS' ISP. Currently, McBeath/Nagy are the only one of the new teams who are on the ISP. I'd be surprised if Shin/Howe aren't added sooner rather than later given the level of pairs experience both bring to the partnership. Andrews/Parkman probably have to prove themselves at a NQS event before they're added.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

But they are eligible despite the new rules for minimums applying to host picks? It would go off McBeath/Parkman’s?

 

[Matryeshka]

Now the real question is if Deanna Stellato finds a US partner, does she get one of the host spots?

Nationals this year is going to be I mean, the politiking is going to be so confusing due to partner and coach swapping, judges might actually be forced to judge what's happening on the ice. I am, btw, cautiously optimistic about Andrews/Parkman.

 

[Karen-W]

But they are eligible despite the new rules for minimums applying to host picks? It would go off McBeath/Parkman’s?

Eligible for what? The GP? Not at this time.

The GP Host Commission changed the eligibility for Return Split Couples to a Top 7-10 finish at Worlds during the past 3 seasons. McBeath/Parkman finished 12th in 2026 and Chan/Howe finished 12th in 2024, which leave all three of the new teams formed so far ineligible for the GP Selection Pool unless & until they win a Challenger.

Having said that, the new GP Selection Doc allows the GP Hosts to add skaters/teams to the Alternate List at their discretion should the Alternates List fall below 10 skaters/teams. The Pairs Alternates List has less than 10 teams right now, IIRC, so it's entirely likely that some of the new US, Canadian and Italian teams could be added even if they don't win one of the early Challengers.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

Eligible for what? The GP? Not at this time.

Right, so that is what I initially said. That they weren't eligible for GP selection at all under the current rules. You said new teams are only eligible if they are on the USFS ISP.

 

[Karen-W]

Right, so that is what I initially said. That they weren't eligible for GP selection at all under the current rules. You said new teams are only eligible if they are on the USFS ISP.

And that still stands. The new teams that aren't on the USFS' ISP wouldn't be included by the USFS for selection even if the old rules had applied.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

And that still stands. The new teams that aren't on the USFS' ISP wouldn't be included by the USFS for selection even if the old rules had applied.

Oh my god.

 

[Karen-W]

I can't copy the link at the moment but Mark Sadusky has an IG story of him holding hands with a clearly feminine hand and the emoji. Certainly seems to be teasing about a new partner announcement forthcoming.

 

[my little pony]

of who is left, who do we think? I'll put my chip on Olivia Flores.

 

[hlp728]

I can't copy the link at the moment but Mark Sadusky has an IG story of him holding hands with a clearly feminine hand and the emoji. Certainly seems to be teasing about a new partner announcement forthcoming.

His TikTok post from four days ago, said “ dancing for joy, partner, search over.”

 

[Karen-W]

of who is left, who do we think? I'll put my chip on Olivia Flores.

Either Olivia or Ellie Kam (if she wants to continue). Ruling Emily Chan out simply because she's in Boston & seems pretty settled, likewise I can't see Mark wanting to leave Colorado Springs.

 

[Jammers]

Man US Pairs have seen some lean years before but i can't remember the last time there has been so little depth going into a new Olympic cycle.

 

[Aceon6]

Man US Pairs have seen some lean years before but i can't remember the last time there has been so little depth going into a new Olympic cycle.

No depth? There’s a new pairs team on every corner.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Ellie Kam seems busy with hard launching her and James Hernandez (and I don’t blame her!)

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[Jammers]

No depth? There’s a new pairs team on every corner.

Well quality depth.

 

[Karen-W]

It appears Luke Wang has officially relocated to southern California.

Los Angeles Skating Academy on Instagram: "🚨Introducing our newest coach, Luke Wang! 🚨 @lukeawang is an accomplished U.S. National Team figure skater and coach with over three years of coaching experience. As a pairs skater, he reached the Top 20 IS

170 likes, 5 comments - laskatingacademy on June 18, 2026: "🚨Introducing our newest coach, Luke Wang! 🚨 @lukeawang is an accomplished U.S. National Team figure skater and coach with over three years of coaching experience. As a pairs skater, he reached the Top 20 ISU World Rankings and #1 on...

www.instagram.com

 

[happycamper2554]

Looks like Blake Eisenach might have a new partner Sarah Nunez per the Oakton Edge rink instagram stories

 

[just tuned in]

It appears Luke Wang has officially relocated to southern California.

Los Angeles Skating Academy on Instagram: "🚨Introducing our newest coach, Luke Wang! 🚨 @lukeawang is an accomplished U.S. National Team figure skater and coach with over three years of coaching experience. As a pairs skater, he reached the Top 20 IS

170 likes, 5 comments - laskatingacademy on June 18, 2026: "🚨Introducing our newest coach, Luke Wang! 🚨 @lukeawang is an accomplished U.S. National Team figure skater and coach with over three years of coaching experience. As a pairs skater, he reached the Top 20 ISU World Rankings and #1 on...

www.instagram.com

Feels like a waste. He is a strong skater. I don’t understand why he and Olivia (?) split, after Starr chose Parkman.

 

[Karen-W]

Feels like a waste. He is a strong skater. I don’t understand why he and Olivia (?) split, after Starr chose Parkman.

Flores & Wang had outgrown each other. They weren't making the technical progress & no longer looked like a good match physically. I'm sure both will find new partners soon enough.