2026 Worlds Free Dance PBP - Whale, That's All Folks!

[Private Citizen]

Someone did the work on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/FigureSkating/s/1tFrVJx6vO

Thank you! Can anyone here spot a meaningful difference? There's nothing on the Reddit thread that convinces me that this lift is any different than it was in previous competitions.

Seems foul that this was called for the first time in the last competition of the season by a caller who thought it was OK previously.....

 

[Cachoo]

Someone did the work on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/FigureSkating/s/1tFrVJx6vO

Interesting. Why is "locked arms" such a sin?

 

[BittyBug]

Interesting. Why is "locked arms" such a sin?

Because dem’s da rules.

 

[Debbie S]

Interesting. Why is "locked arms" such a sin?

Because then it becomes a pairs lift, particularly when the lifted partner is overhead. The IDTC doesn't want dance to turn into pairs, basically.

We debated this 4 years ago with the Hubbell/Donahue overhead lift and how could it be legal, and I think it was @thvu who looked up the rule and confirmed the bent elbows caveat. And also the lifted partner can't be stationary over the head and I think Lilah was in this instance for a few secs?

 

[Badams]

I'm gonna miss Piper and Paul.

 

[jlai]

Jackie Wong is going over the lift now on youtube

 

[NinjaTurtles]

Because then it becomes a pairs lift, particularly when the lifted partner is overhead. The IDTC doesn't want dance to turn into pairs, basically.

We debated this 4 years ago with the Hubbell/Donahue overhead lift and how could it be legal, and I think it was @thvu who looked up the rule and confirmed the bent elbows caveat. And also the lifted partner can't be stationary over the head and I think Lilah was in this instance for a few secs?

, yes it was many of the same FSU Characters then (me, you, Thvu):
https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/2021-us-classic-ice-dance.108634/page-11#post-6059147

https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...beijing-2021-2022.108381/page-12#post-6059470

 

[Rackon]

I read, during the Olympics I believe, a quote from Vadym saying how G/P have been very welcoming to them this season as rookies and kind of helped/guided them at times. A friendly face they could count on of sorts. I am really paraphrasing here but that was the gist of it.

What he and Emi said was that Piper and Paul had been friendly and helpful to them since ZK started competing internationally, back when they were “nobodies “. They first met at skate Canada 2023. Emi especially looks up to Piper as a role model - Emi has ovarian tumors and Piper (who is an ovarian cancer survivor) was helpful with health advice/support. P2 text ZK good luck messages before they compete. Both Emi and Vadym have said Piper and Paul are the nicest people in skating.

 

[NinjaTurtles]

Thank you! Can anyone here spot a meaningful difference? There's nothing on the Reddit thread that convinces me that this lift is any different than it was in previous competitions.

Seems foul that this was called for the first time in the last competition of the season by a caller who thought it was OK previously.....

I’d be curious to see additional angles of the lift from Prague. I’m wondering more and more if it’s a matter of Lilah resting on his head accidentally.

Still, it’s picky and I really hope they’re able to get clarity from the Specialist and Controller.

 

[marbri]

Jackie Wong posted

"Fear/Gibson confirmed in the mixed zone that they called this an illegal element because of the straight arms. Gibson thinks it’s “impossible” for him to straighten his arms. Fear said they would like to better understand the call."

Apparently they sought clarification from the tech panel. Although it doesn't look like they agree and are still unclear

 

[kwanfan1818]

It’s interesting that Car/Pon were again second highest base value (and really they tied for first in the RD); says something about the change from +/-3 to +/-5 GOE.

Amplified by the three choreo elements at base value.

Why would they quit 2 years out from a home Olympics?

They wouldn't likely, but they might take a few years off and then return a year before the Olympics, like Virtue/Moir did. That scenario might be why some teams we might hope/expect to retire won't, for that elusive World title.

 

[Cachoo]

I’d be curious to see additional angles of the lift from Prague. I’m wondering more and more if it’s a matter of Lilah resting on his head accidentally.

Still, it’s picky and I really hope they’re able to get clarity from the Specialist and Controller.

1. Has the lift been executed the same way all season?

2. Is it indeed illegal?

3. If yes, then doesn't the fault fall on previous tech panels for NOT calling it? Or is this tech panel being too picky?

4. If no then WTF?

 

[Amy L]

I was out of town today so I'm catching up. So... this means Smart/Dieck gets another small medal and ZingKol gets a Worlds medal with zero small medals?

 

[jlai]

I have mixed feelings about F/G v. Z/K. I think the two point deduction was and largely have the same reaction as Kolesnik. BUT. I also think even had F/G been perfect, they should be behind Z/K.

Even Mark said "they don't have the purest of skating skills".

1. Has the lift been executed the same way all season?

2. Is it indeed illegal?

3. If yes, then doesn't the fault fall on previous tech panels for NOT calling it? Or is this tech panel being too picky?

4. If no then WTF?

Z/K got the lowest steps and pattern levels they hhave gotten all season at worlds. I agree with Jackie Wong that this is a harsh panel.

 

[mini_mim85]

Statement just out from British Ice Skating saying that they are formally challenging the decision with the ISU and calling for an independent review of the officiating process.

British Ice Skating on Instagram: "Statement from British Ice Skating regarding the Free Dance at ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2026."

91 likes, 6 comments - britishiceskating on March 28, 2026: "Statement from British Ice Skating regarding the Free Dance at ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2026.".

www.instagram.com

 

[jlai]

It's very hard for me to root for this appeal when there are other lower ranked skaters who should have ranked above them.
(a bit like C/B at Olympic scenario here)

 

[Cachoo]

Even Mark said "they don't have the purest of skating skills".

Z/K got the lowest steps and pattern levels they hhave gotten all season at worlds. I agree with Jackie Wong that this is a harsh panel.

Look, the truth for me is that Z/K are more talented but if F/G have been doing that lift the same way all year and haven't been called on it then there is a problem. I'm thrilled for Z/K because they have worked so hard and they are uber talented imho (especially Vadym.) But the way F/G lost doesn't sit well with me...yet.

 

[jlai]

Look, the truth for me is that Z/K are more talented but if F/G have been doing that lift the same way all year and haven't been called on it then there is a problem. I'm thrilled for Z/K because they have worked so hard and they are uber talented imho (especially Vadym.) But the way F/G lost doesn't sit well with me...yet.

Perhaps the correct judging is really lower goe for F/G and levels compared to the lower-ranked teams with better skating quality, then the -2 deduction wouldn't matter and moot.
I do have a problem with this being this huge issue, while teams like L/B and L/L who should beat the Brits and/or scream for injustice couldn't say anything.

this is a bit like people saying C/B should dispute the results for the Olympics but forgot the fact that C/B became world title contenders based on politiks too.

 

[once_upon]

Purely my perspective from my living room couch.. louis' arms/elbows looked locked in

 

[~tapdancer~]

I was out of town today so I'm catching up. So... this means Smart/Dieck gets another small medal and ZingKol gets a Worlds medal with zero small medals?

Two programs. RD counts too.

 

[barbk]

It's very hard for me to root for this appeal when there are other lower ranked skaters who should have ranked above them.
(a bit like C/B at Olympic scenario here)

Isn't this a "field of play" issue that cannot be retroactively changed?

I would not mind one bit if there was substantially more consistency in calling.

 

[kwanfan1818]

I thought this was controversial earlier, and Gibson said he can't straighten his arms, so that couldn't be an issue, but then the response was that it whatever locked for him meant for him, ie, the most he could extend.

 

[NinjaTurtles]

1. Has the lift been executed the same way all season?

2. Is it indeed illegal?

3. If yes, then doesn't the fault fall on previous tech panels for NOT calling it? Or is this tech panel being too picky?

4. If no then WTF?

What’s fully extended mean? I would say the lift at a minimum isn’t in the spirit of the rule.

Frames of the position across multiple revolutions: https://imgur.com/a/eoUWMgB

 

[barbk]

I thought this was controversial earlier, and Gibson said he can't straighten his arms, so that couldn't be an issue, but then the response was that it whatever locked for him meant for him, ie, the most he could extend.

I'm sorry, but this sounds way too much like Andrew's claim that he can't sweat.

 

[Amy L]

Two programs. RD counts too.

Weren't they 4th and 4th but 3rd overall? I haven't made my way through the entire competition yet but I looked at spoilers.

 

[peibeck]

Like the Hubble/Donahue stationary lift that strayed and didn't get called until 4CC, it seems like Fear/Gibson were lucky until they weren't. It has definitely verged on a pairs lift (including her transitional jump out) all season, and his arms seem more extended as the season progressed in the Reddit video above, most notably in Milan and in Prague from how it debuted at GPdF.

His arms are extended out to his side but his elbows don't seem notably bent as they rotate in the later videos.

The ISU obviously needs to clarify the rules further or ban a lift where one partner's whole body is fully lifted over the head of the head of the other partner.

 

[peibeck]

Weren't they 4th and 4th but 3rd overall? I haven't made my way through the entire competition yet but I looked at spoilers.

Yes, Z/K were 4th in both segments but 3rd overall.

 

[Tinycities]

Purely my perspective from my living room couch.. louis' arms/elbows looked locked in

Earlier in the season you could see the bend pretty clearly, but this time it looked fully straight, almost over extended.

 

[shan]

Isn't this a "field of play" issue that cannot be retroactively changed?

I would not mind one bit if there was substantially more consistency in calling.

I was wondering what possible outcome there could be in this appeal.

 

[once_upon]

Earlier in the season you could see the bend pretty clearly, but this time it looked fully straight, almost over extended.

Like I said - I yelled, not a legal move and had a green blob. DH asked why and I explained his arms were extended and elbows locked.
Then I saw the yellow review indicator.

Believe me, I wanted Lilah and Lewis to medal. It just seemed over adrenaline move