Competition articles/recaps, photos, quotes, pressers, backstage fluff from Prague 2026

[Sylvia]

ISU recaps - Day 1 (Wednesday, March 25):
Women SP: https://isu-skating.com/news/spectacular-sakamoto-skates-into-lead-at-farewell-world-championships/
Pairs SP: https://isu-skating.com/figure-skat...arrow-lead-in-exciting-pairs-short-in-prague/

Ice Skating International Online has uploaded the first 2 press conferences on their YT channel:
Women SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIrwucdXd0w
Pairs SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlAIJaGmcqo

ISU Quick Quotes and Press Conference documents (scroll down to under FOR MEDIA): https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/events/eventdetail/isu-world-championships-2026/

Getty Images - Women's SP

Getty Images - Pairs SP

Golden Skate has lots of mixed zone photos+quotes - link to their Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/goldsk8/

USFS' Day 1 recap: https://usfigureskating.org/news/20...me-medal-position-at-world-championships.aspx

Skate Canada's Day 1 recap: https://skatecanada.ca/2026/03/25/p...-2026-isu-world-figure-skating-championships/

 

[Sylvia]

Danny O'Shea is working backstage in Prague for the ISU :

ISU Figure Skating ⛸ on Instagram: "Surprise guest unlocked 👀 Danny O'Shea is taking you behind the scenes at #WorldFigure in Prague 🎥 First stop: the Mixed Zone, where athletes meet the media right after they step off the ice. What really goes on

1,609 likes, 37 comments - isufigureskating on March 25, 2026: "Surprise guest unlocked 👀 Danny O'Shea is taking you behind the scenes at #WorldFigure in Prague 🎥 First stop: the Mixed Zone, where athletes meet the media right after they step off the ice. What really goes on there? Let’s find...

www.instagram.com

Watching Sarah Everhardt's SP rinkside:

ISU Figure Skating ⛸ on Instagram: "Didn’t catch Sarah Everhardt’s program? Just watch Danny O'Shea’s reaction behind the boards 😂 From full hype mode to a spontaneous river dance… safe to say: outstanding debut ✔️ #WorldFigure 🇯🇵 サラ・エバーハード🇺🇸のSPを見

4,109 likes, 41 comments - isufigureskating on March 25, 2026: "Didn’t catch Sarah Everhardt’s program? Just watch Danny O'Shea’s reaction behind the boards 😂 From full hype mode to a spontaneous river dance… safe to say: outstanding debut ✔️ #WorldFigure 🇯🇵 サラ・エバーハード🇺🇸のSPを見逃してしまった？...

www.instagram.com

With Laurin/Ethier - "Explain a triple twist to a 5-year-old":

ISU Figure Skating ⛸ on Instagram: "Quick question with Danny O'Shea 😁 He’s putting Kelly Ann Laurin / Loucas Ethier on the spot… Explain a triple twist to a 5-year-old 😅 Let’s see how they do 👇 #WorldFigure #FigureSkating"

880 likes, 16 comments - isufigureskating on March 26, 2026: "Quick question with Danny O'Shea 😁 He’s putting Kelly Ann Laurin / Loucas Ethier on the spot… Explain a triple twist to a 5-year-old 😅 Let’s see how they do 👇 #WorldFigure #FigureSkating".

www.instagram.com

Danny's Pairs SP recap: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWUtIOUD6Eq/

Preview of Day 2 from the Old Town Square, standing in front the of the astronomical clock: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWWMkKPjEQh/

 

[Sylvia]

@clairecloutier is in Prague and posting updates from the arena and backstage media areas on X (thank you & ENJOY! ): https://x.com/adivinesport

 

[Sylvia]

Pj Kwong is in Prague for Skate Ontario - her recap from Day 1:

You say Skating - I say more - Prague Day 1 - Skate Ontario

By: Pj Kwong The 2026 ISU World Figure Skating Championships have arrived in Prague, bringing together the world’s best athletes and the best way for the season to go out with a bang. Day 1 of the competition featured the women’s and pairs’ short programs and through the Skate Ontario lens, this...

skateontario.org

Pj's first set of short interview during breakfast with Scott Moir, Barbara Fusar-Poli, Patrice Lauzon, 1962 World champion Don Jackson & his wife, Robin Cousins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tlfi4DlHISQ
These clips are posted on Skate Ontario's Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWWk3cplaZo/ & https://www.instagram.com/p/DWW8R71jxRp/ (Jackson)

Interview uploaded by Skate Ontario on March 25:

Let's Talk About It: Maria Jelinek & Debbi Wilkes - Skate Ontario

skateontario.org

"I am honoured t to welcome Maria Jelinek, Olympian and 1962 World Pair champion with her brother, Otto Jelinek. I am also thrilled to welcome Olympic and World pairs medallist Debbi Wilkes - who placed 4th at Worlds in Prague with her partner, the late Guy Revell, in 1962. Let's get into this conversation where I am going to ask my guests to please share their memories, insights, and the legacy of Canadian pair skating along with the unexpected behind the scenes stories." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-d7LU-NCyM

 

[Sylvia]

Mixed zone photos & quotes (individual links to skaters/teams) now are posted in the PBP threads.

Pairs FS: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...-pbp-loathe-story.113822/page-14#post-6916464

Men's SP: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...ech-ered-his-tory.113820/page-18#post-6916494

Pairs SP: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...-pbp-prague-fling.113818/page-11#post-6915988

Women's SP: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...hiteness-of-e-ing.113817/page-14#post-6915974

 

[skatfan]

Christine Brennan and Brian Boitano do a quick episode of Milan Magic on Worlds:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

 

[Sylvia]

Rocker Skating/Jackie Wong's Day 1 recap with Michelle Ellis - Women's SP & Pairs SP yesterday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhzZo57bagQ

Jackie's Day 2 recap of the Men's SP & Pairs FS today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evxKbO02jFc

My new favorite journalist from the Olympics, Robert Samuels, is in Prague!
His content on X (https://x.com/newsbysamuels is different from what he posts on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/newsbysamuels/).

 

[Sylvia]

ISU's Pairs FS recap: https://isu-skating.com/news/hase-v...ld-gold-for-germany-in-eight-years-in-prague/

ISU's Men's SP recap: https://isu-skating.com/news/quad-g...s-short-program-with-personal-best-in-prague/

Getty Images - Men SP, Pairs FS & Awards

Skate Canada's Day 2 recap:

Pereira and Michaud Take Bronze at 2026 ISU World Championships

PRAGUE (CZECHIA) March 26, 2026 – The 2026 ISU Figure [...]

skatecanada.ca

USFS' Day 2 recap:

Malinin Delivers Statement Short Program at World Championships - U.S. Figure Skating

Ilia Malinin swept aside his Olympic Games disappointment to deliver a statement short program on Thursday at the ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2026 in

usfigureskating.org

ETA - full press conference videos uploaded by Ice Skating International Online again:

Men's SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOOXQamD6pA

Pairs FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0n7qmARnvo

 

[Sylvia]

Rob Brodie's Day 2 recap:

Worlds 2026: How Canada found more pairs glory in Prague

The Czech city that has been magical for skating duos from this country was just the right place for Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud's breakthrough medal

rwbrodiewrites.substack.com

Day 1 recap: https://rwbrodiewrites.substack.com/p/worlds-2026-how-canada-found-more

Pj Kwong had a quick word with Lia & Trennt after the medal ceremony:

Skate Ontario on Instagram: "Incredible finesse, athleticism and attention to detail in two solid performances at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships earns Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud a world bronze medal. Incredible!!! 👏👏👏 please join us i

144 likes, 2 comments - skateontario on March 26, 2026: "Incredible finesse, athleticism and attention to detail in two solid performances at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships earns Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud a world bronze medal. Incredible!!! 👏👏👏 please join us in congratulating...

www.instagram.com

Pj spoke to Piper & Paul about their RD:

Skate Ontario on Instagram: "Wishing the absolute best of luck to Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier as they take on the rhythm dance event at Worlds tomorrow 🇨🇦✨ We are so excited to watch these two - fresh off of an Olympic medal! - bring something uni

80 likes, 1 comments - skateontario on March 26, 2026: "Wishing the absolute best of luck to Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier as they take on the rhythm dance event at Worlds tomorrow 🇨🇦✨ We are so excited to watch these two - fresh off of an Olympic medal! - bring something unique and powerful to...

www.instagram.com

 

[Wyliefan]

Grassl said in his post-free skate interview that he's one of a few Italian athletes who have been invited to meet the pope. I wonder if Leo will have words for him about that voiceover.

Golden Skate on Instagram: "Pope will meet pope soon 🤩 Daniel GRASSL 🇮🇹 166.41/ 254.94 On securing spots for Italy and his performance today: “It was a bit on my mind, but I knew if I do my job, I can do it—top 10—and overall I’m happy with today’s

67 likes, 0 comments - goldsk8 on March 28, 2026: "Pope will meet pope soon 🤩 Daniel GRASSL 🇮🇹 166.41/ 254.94 On securing spots for Italy and his performance today: “It was a bit on my mind, but I knew if I do my job, I can do it—top 10—and overall I’m happy with today’s performance. Of...

www.instagram.com

 

[Debbie S]

Men's FS press conference: https://youtu.be/Q2dO-IUj2lA?si=9ZQGCTNliMSgO20w

One of the last questions, from Robert Samuels of the Wash Post, was about the proposed rule changes. It was clear none of the three are happy about the changes and noted that the ISU should be getting input from the athletes. Yuma specifically mentioned that he thinks the ISU needs to address the issue of music rights instead of the proposed changes.

 

[Debbie S]

FD press conference: https://youtu.be/TD4hy-ZaGmY?si=dOn6bl4jP1NClOsP