Articles & Photos, incl. previews, competition news & recaps

[Sylvia]

2026 Nationals media calls happened with Chock/Bates, Malinin & Glenn plus there are 2 pre-event articles by USFS so far (all links have been posted earlier in relevant FSU threads):

Reuters article on Chock/Bates by Rory Carroll (Dec. 30, 2025): https://www.reuters.com/sports/choc...ilano-cortina-could-be-last-games-2025-12-31/
Excerpts (in case paywalled now):

"We're certainly all in," Chock told reporters on Tuesday.
"We're entering each competition with the intention to win. We have a lot of experience under our belts and are 100% confident in our capabilities to deliver our best performances."
Bates said the way they were handling the pressure of high expectations was by sticking to their process, trusting their coaches and keeping their routines consistent.
He added that this Olympics, the duo's fourth, carried added meaning because it "could be our last."
"The older we get, the more appreciation we have for the opportunity and realizing how special it really is," he said.
"So like Maddie said, we are 100% all in and aiming for the top of the podium in Milan with also the goal to fully experience and enjoy it."

Asked whether they would be clad once again in all black for the [FD] routine, Chock said 'yes', but added that she was hoping to add a glittering accent to the ensemble.
"Oh, we'll always be painting it black," she said.
"We might even paint it a little gold," she said with a grin.
Chock and Bates will look to capture a record seventh U.S. ice dance title when U.S Championships kick off Sunday in St. Louis.

Ilia Malinin's media call recapped by @clairecloutier (Dec. 30, 2025): https://adivinesport.com/2025/12/30/malinin-i-want-to-skate-in-3-olympics/
Claire also summarized Amber's pre-Nationals media call in 4 slides: https://www.instagram.com/p/DS6OzWPEdkx/

Amber Glenn article by Troy Schwindt (Dec. 30, 2025): https://usfigureskating.org/news/20...focused-measured-as-championships-arrive.aspx

Zingas/Kolesnik and Carreira/Ponomarenko article by Taylor Dean (Dec. 29): https://usfigureskating.org/news/20...g-now-its-on-us-to-do-our-job-on-the-ice.aspx

(I'm currently compiling links to articles on the "lesser-known" skaters and will post them here in the near future.)

 

[Sylvia]

More links posted earlier in various FSU threads:

Bradie Tennell had a very thoughtful conversation with "St. Louis on the Air" NPR when she did a local media blitz there last month: https://www.stlpr.org/show/st-louis...skating-championships-bradie-tennell-st-louis
She says she was attendance the last time St. Louis hosted Nationals in 2006 (age 7-almost-8)!

SkatingChina interviewed Sarah Everhardt at 2025 NHK Trophy (Nov. 16): https://skatingchina.com/2025/11/sarah-everhardt-reflects-on-her-nhk-trophy-experience/

Jacob Sanchez was a guest on Polina’s podcast [uploaded on Dec. 22, 2025]: https://bleav.com/shows/bleav-in-figure-skating/episodes/on-the-come-up-jacob-sanchez/

And if you haven't yet watched the short documentary film about Jacob (includes footage from when he was young through 2023 Nationals in San Jose when he won the Junior silver medal), here's the link to the TV Alerts thread post: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...b-sanchez-olympic-dreams.111022/#post-6850561

Lucius Kazanecki article by @Jayar before he won the bronze at the JGP Final (Dec. 4, 2025): https://usfigureskating.org/news/2025/12/4/features-kazanecki-riding-a-wave-of-momentum.aspx

ETA - Red Bull's feature article on Isabeau Levito, titled Born to Soar, published on her sponsor's website (Dec. 11, 2025): https://www.redbull.com/us-en/theredbulletin/isabeau-levito-figure-skater-interview-2025

 

[pixie cut]

Tim Goebel and Scott Smith say nice things about Ilia Malinin in this article

Malinin Favored in Figuring Skating as he Begins Olympic Chase - Falls Church News-Press Online

With three U.S. Senior Men’s titles already under his belt, Falls Church-area native Ilia Malinin is the clear favorite to claim the title at the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, which begin on Jan. 4 in St. Louis, Missouri. While he and fellow reigning World Championship gold...

www.fcnp.com

 

[Capt. DeSoto]

I’m not sure if you’re intending for this thread to be about championship-level (senior) athletes only. If not, then FigureSkatingBoys has some recent interview articles on three junior skaters. Singles skaters Joshua Snyder and Alek Tankovic, as well as pairs skater Sam Herbert.

 

[Simone411]

Here's the link to Figure Skating Boys if anyone wishes to check it out.

Figure Skating Boys: Parent Tips, Stories & Figure Skater Resources

Explore tips for parents, inspiring stories, and resources to support figure skating boys and help every young figure skater thrive on and off the ice.

figureskatingboys.com

 

[Sylvia]

(I'm currently compiling links to articles on the "lesser-known" skaters and will post them here in the near future.)

I was traveling yesterday so fell behind in my posting.

FigureSkatingBoys.com currently has 6 articles on 2026 Nationals competitors, going back to the JGP season (links below are in chronological order):

Chase Rohner (Junior Ice Dance):

Chase Rohner: USA Ice Dancer & JGP Medalist - Figure Skating Boys

From premature birth to Junior Grand Prix bronze, U.S. ice dancer Chase Rohner is a rising star in ice dance. Learn more about Chase’s journey today.

figureskatingboys.com

Ryan Hu (Junior Ice Dance):

Ryan Hu: Team USA Junior Ice Dancer’s Inspiring Journey | Figure Skating Boys

Discover how Ryan Hu rose from a late start and 4 a.m. practices to become a U.S. junior ice dancer, Team USA athlete, and advocate for the skating community.

figureskatingboys.com

Ryan William Azadpour (Junior Men):

Ryan Azadpour: Rising U.S. U.S. Junior Figure Skater - Figure Skating Boys

Discover the story of Ryan William Azadpour, a two-time U.S. Nationals competitor whose passion and discipline extend beyond the ice through his Alzheimer’s Caregiver Tribute Project—uniting skaters worldwide to honor caregivers and inspire compassion.

figureskatingboys.com

Joshua Snyder (debuting at Nationals in Junior Men):

From Learning to Glide to the U.S. Championships: The Steady Rise of Junior Men’s Qualifier Joshua Snyder - Figure Skating Boys

When Joshua Snyder steps onto the ice, there is a quiet sense of purpose—an intensity softened only by the clear joy he feels when he jumps, spins, and powers

figureskatingboys.com

Alek Tankovic (Junior Men):

Alek Tankovic: Inside a Junior Men’s Journey to the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Nationals

Junior men’s figure skater Alek Tankovic reflects on qualifying for his third U.S. Nationals, relocating to Colorado to train, building consistency, and growing through pressure on and off the ice.

figureskatingboys.com

Sam Herbert (Junior Pairs):

Sam Herbert’s Road to U.S. Junior Pairs Nationals | Figure Skating Journey

Junior pair skater Sam Herbert shares his journey from early mornings in South Carolina to his first U.S. Figure Skating Championships, reflecting on growth, partnership, pressure, and purpose.

figureskatingboys.com

 

[Sylvia]

Detroit Skating Club's Emilia Nemirovsky (making her Senior national debut at 15, the youngest in this year's field; coached by Julie Berlin), and 2 Novices who qualified for the Junior event - Mia Smith, 13 (coached by Jennifer Jeffrey) and Stella Vajda, 14 (coached by Laura Lepzinski) - are featured in this local Detroit news piece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV7-DDYiyFM

FSO's article on Junior Kaya Tiernan and her mother, Mojca Kopač, who competed in 3 Olympics for Slovenia: https://figureskatersonline.com/new...-kaya-tiernan-following-in-mothers-footsteps/

 

[Sylvia]

Ice-Dance.com has published 2 "New Team Series" articles on Junior medal contenders Jasmine Robertson and Chase Rohner: https://www.ice-dance.com/site/new-team-series-jasmine-robertson-chase-rohner/

And Jane Calhoun and Mark Zheltyshev: https://www.ice-dance.com/site/new-team-series-jane-calhoun-mark-zheltyshev/

IDC's Novice Dance preview/Q&A with all 5 teams: https://www.ice-dance.com/site/prev...-head-to-st-louis-for-2026-u-s-championships/

Olympics.com's article on the Junior ice dance cousin team of Anaëlle Kouevi, 15, and Yann Homawoo, 16, who, like Robertson/Rohner and Calhoun/Zheltshev, made their JGP debut earlier this season: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/ic...ouevi-yann-homawoo-making-mark-figure-skating

 

[Sylvia]

This year has not only been a breakthrough season for Josh [Snyder, qualified for his first Nationals in Junior Men]; it has been a comeback one. To truly understand Josh as the athlete he is today, we have to start much, much closer to the ground.
In our conversation with Josh and his mother, Marci, we learned about the experiences and lessons that took Josh from a wobbly novice to a standout competitor in just ten incredible years. - Orion Township (Michigan) local govemment article:

https://www.oriontownship.org/_T7_R92.php

Josh says that if he could give advice to any younger athlete hoping to compete at his level, he’d emphasize resilience. “I feel like resilience is a really important attribute not only for being an athlete, but for being a normal teenager—being in school, with friends, everything.”
And with resilience comes patience: “Don’t assume everything is going to happen at once…go day by day and continue, instead of letting go because something is tough.”
Josh now teaches skating twice a week, and the message he gives his athletes is simple and honest: falling, failing, and struggling are normal.
“I still go through this,” he tells them. “And I’ve been skating for 10 years.”
Josh’s “take it day by day” mindset isn’t a rejection of big dreams—it’s what keeps them grounded in reality.
And if you’re curious what those dreams are:
“Other than wanting to go to the Olympics and wanting to be a high-level skater, it’s taking it day by day.”

East Greenwich, Rhode Island news article (Dec. 30, 2025) on Patrick Blackwell who won Junior Men's bronze last year:

https://eastgreenwichnews.com/eg-figure-skater-competes-on-national-level/

 

[Sylvia]

I've posted articles on Ken Mikawa (alternate who replaced Camden), Ilia, and Lorenzo Elano in the U.S. Men's news thread in GSD, starting here (posts #511-513): https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...-the-mere-mortals.112914/page-18#post-6858463

The very well-done feature article by Mitch Dudek of the Chicago Sun-Times on Lorenzo Elano was also published by WBEZ Chicago Public Media/NPR on Jan 3rd:

Chicago skater Lorenzo Elano prepares to glide into the national spotlight

Although the teen skater — who is the reigning U.S. junior champion — may not be in the conversation for the upcoming Olympics in Italy, he has already set his sights on 2030.

www.wbez.org

 

[Capt. DeSoto]

Here's a Michigan TV station with a short piece on Maxim Naumov

 

[Sylvia]

USFS' Junior & Novice recap articles:

Day 2:

Repeat Champions Crowned in Junior Pairs, Ice Dance - U.S. Figure Skating

Day two of the 2026 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis, Missouri, saw a historic milestone established in junior pairs and repeat champions

usfigureskating.org

Day 1:

Juniors, Novice Set The Tone at 2026 U.S. Championships - U.S. Figure Skating

Hannah Kim and Patrick Blackwell secured narrow leads after the junior women's and junior men's short programs, respectively, on Monday evening at the 2026 Prevagen

usfigureskating.org

 

[Capt. DeSoto]

It's so weird that I can't seem to find much of anything about the junior podiums. No photos from medal ceremonies or anything. It's so annoying that they don't air those on either Peacock or YouTube. The cost to stream stuff is practically free (compared to network airtime of old).

 

[Rukia]

It's so weird that I can't seem to find much of anything about the junior podiums. No photos from medal ceremonies or anything. It's so annoying that they don't air those on either Peacock or YouTube.

usfs posted pics of the podiums on bluesky (and I presume other social media platforms) but yeah I wish they did air the medal ceremonies

 

[Capt. DeSoto]

Episode 1 of "Milan Magic" from USA Today Sports. It looks to be a video/podcast series with Christine Brennan and Brian Boitano. The first episode has special guest Ilia Malinin.

 

[Wyliefan]

Good piece on nationals with some fantastic photos.
https://www.npr.org/sections/the-pi...utm_social_post_id=649492413&utm_campaign=npr

 

[Ross H]

The Today show did a nice introduction/profile on the skaters this morning that I’m sure will make it onto social media later today. Each skater had a nice moment and quote, even “Michael” Ponomarenko (as introduced by Hoda in voiceover).

 

[Capt. DeSoto]

The Today show did a nice introduction/profile on the skaters this morning that I’m sure will make it onto social media later today. Each skater had a nice moment and quote, even “Michael” Ponomarenko (as introduced by Hoda in voiceover).

 

[Karen-W]

Omg! Hoda's voice-over has Anthony renamed as Michael Ponomarenko!!!!

 

[Sylvia]

Jamie Squire was the photographer for Getty Images in St. Louis (he posted 9 photos on his Instagram account on Jan. 12 - #3 is Logan Higase-Chen; Squire also photographed 2025 Skate America in Lake Placid):

Jamie Squire on Instagram: "Making the Team :: 2026 US Figure Skating Championships #gettysport #usfigureskating"

397 likes, 8 comments - squirephoto on January 12, 2026: "Making the Team :: 2026 US Figure Skating Championships #gettysport #usfigureskating".

www.instagram.com

Getty Images - Sunday, Jan. 11

Getty Images - Saturday, Jan. 10 (Men's FS, Free Dance)

Getty Images - Friday, Jan. 9 (Pairs & Women's FS)

Getty Images - Thursday, Jan. 8 (Rhythm Dance & Men's SP)

Getty Images - Wednesday, Jan. 7 (Pairs & Women's SP)

You also can search by skaters' names.

 

[Capt. DeSoto]

Here’s a pair of “late to the presses” articles that posted a few days ago. They’re quick Q&As quotes from most of the top-finishing junior singles and novice pairs skaters.

The junior men’s and women’s thoughts from The Gateway City – Figure Skaters Online

Novice notes from the Gateway City – Figure Skaters Online