News & fluff via social media (figure skating focus)

[terisa]

I don't know how to link to it, but Jean-Luc Baker proposed to Olivia Smart in Milan, and she said yes. So congrats to them (and confusion for me because I'm not sure which of them I'm more jealous of! )

 

[victorskid]

I don't know how to link to it, but Jean-Luc Baker proposed to Olivia Smart in Milan, and she said yes. So congrats to them (and confusion for me because I'm not sure which of them I'm more jealous of! )

Jean-Luc Baker on Instagram: "It’s always been you."

8,547 likes, 682 comments - jeanlucbaker on February 14, 2026: "It’s always been you.".

www.instagram.com

 

[Cachoo]

Alright I have a question about ice conditions. How different is the preferable ice for figure skaters as opposed to speed skating? Both groups seem unsatisfied with the ice.

 

[BaileyCatts]

I know it's pretty much impossible but I wish figure skating and short track had their own rinks for the Olympics. I remember Apolo doing a story at one of the past Olympics about how differently they have to prepare the ice for figure skating versus short track. Or do all figure skating events first, then turn the rink over to short track (or short track then figure skating). Then they can both have the ice the way the want it.

 

[vireo]

Alright I have a question about ice conditions. How different is the preferable ice for figure skaters as opposed to speed skating? Both groups seem unsatisfied with the ice.

I think the ice is softer for figure skating and harder for speed skating. The temperature of the ice is raised or lowered between events in an effort to get the ice just right. However, the repeated adjusting of the temp can sometimes cause problems with the ice.

It's not uncommon for this to be an issue at the Olympics. But there seem to be more complaints at Milan.

 

[Sylvia]

Alright I have a question about ice conditions. How different is the preferable ice for figure skaters as opposed to speed skating? Both groups seem unsatisfied with the ice.

Saw this 3-post thread on X:

Short track and figure skating use different ice temps, and normally the ice is adjusted overnight - that's why short track and figure skating generally use the practice/competitive arena on different days.
When short track complained the ice was too soft, I figured it hadn't cooled enough, but if it's just too soft at the "correct" temp (which for figure skating is warmer than just about any rink in the U.S. normally keeps their ice), that would be a nightmare
Ice temp across the whole surface is actually really difficult to regulate, especially since the impact of TV lights, a full audience, and the impact of the exterior temp/humidity/etc. need to be estimated, and depend on ice thickness, being level, etc.

ETA: Thanks @MsZem for the NYT gifted link - would you mind also posting it in the Figure Skating Articles thread that I started for noteworthy articles (can I re-post your link in GSD)? https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...les-competition-photos-milan-olympics.113678/

I've created a fan thread for Robert Samuels : https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...htful-articles-more-from-the-olympics.113709/

 

[Sylvia]

From the Men's FS PBP thread yesterday (Feb. 13) - gave me a much-needed smile this morning and I tweeted the link out thanking Elladj for mentioning Denis Ten:

How even the former skaters felt - video of Elladj Balde and a couple of other Canadian former figure skaters [Asher Hill & Nam Nguyen] watching today’s men’s the last 3 men
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUtyJn-DsDJ/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

64.3K views on Insta so far!

Coach Tadao Kusaka never fails to entertain!

https://twitter.com/x/status/2022433347860074783

 

[Karen-W]

I know it's pretty much impossible but I wish figure skating and short track had their own rinks for the Olympics. I remember Apolo doing a story at one of the past Olympics about how differently they have to prepare the ice for figure skating versus short track. Or do all figure skating events first, then turn the rink over to short track (or short track then figure skating). Then they can both have the ice the way the want it.

Screw that. The IOC requires two hockey rinks - one for the men's tournament and one for the women's tournament. They also have an entirely separate facility for curling. Speed-skating gets its own because it's a 400m oval. There's no reason, other than not wanting to increase the expense/trouble for the organizers to not have separate rinks for short-track and figure skating. And now that we're at a point where the events are being spread out across a large region of a country, you can't convince me there wasn't a suitably-sized arena with ice-making capabilities outside of Milano but within the Lombardy/Veneto/Trentino-Alto Adige regions to put short-track.

 

[Sylvia]

Happy 23rd Maddie Schizas! Her birthday vlog:

Madeline Schizas on Instagram: "Olympic edition birthday vlog! What a crazy experience/day 🥳🥳 #figureskater #goldenmoments #olympics #teamcanada #milanocortina"

2,774 likes, 54 comments - maddieschizas on February 14, 2026: "Olympic edition birthday vlog! What a crazy experience/day 🥳🥳 #figureskater #goldenmoments #olympics #teamcanada #milanocortina".

www.instagram.com

She said the team photo was taken today because the Canadian ice dancers are all leaving (have to leave 2 days after you're done competing!)

Her entertaining vlogs & vids, cont:

Madeline Schizas on Instagram: "Come adopt a plant with me in the Olympic village! Stay to the end for the name reveal lol #figureskater #olympics #figureskating #athlete #heatedrivalry"

4,818 likes, 43 comments - maddieschizas on February 5, 2026: "Come adopt a plant with me in the Olympic village! Stay to the end for the name reveal lol #figureskater #olympics #figureskating #athlete #heatedrivalry".

www.instagram.com

Madeline Schizas on Instagram: "Come to the Olympic opening ceremony with me! #figureskater #figureskating #olympics #teamcanada #milanocortina"

11K likes, 92 comments - maddieschizas on February 7, 2026: "Come to the Olympic opening ceremony with me! #figureskater #figureskating #olympics #teamcanada #milanocortina".

www.instagram.com

Madeline Schizas on Instagram: "WELCOME BACK TO THE VLOG! This time on a little Olympic field trip 🤭 #figureskater #olympics #figureskating #teamcanada #milanocortina"

6,492 likes, 51 comments - maddieschizas on February 10, 2026: "WELCOME BACK TO THE VLOG! This time on a little Olympic field trip 🤭 #figureskater #olympics #figureskating #teamcanada #milanocortina".

www.instagram.com

Madeline Schizas on Instagram: "We are only one week into Olympics and she is already tired of me I think 🥰🥰 #figureskater #olympics #athlete #teamcanada #milanocortina"

8,599 likes, 61 comments - maddieschizas on February 11, 2026: "We are only one week into Olympics and she is already tired of me I think 🥰🥰 #figureskater #olympics #athlete #teamcanada #milanocortina".

www.instagram.com

Madeline Schizas on Instagram: "Day in my life on day 7 of the Olympic Games! I’m having the BEST time and can’t wait to go back to Milan tonight 🥰🥰 #figureskater #olympics #teamcanada #milanocortina #dayi̇nmylife"

9,959 likes, 72 comments - maddieschizas on February 13, 2026: "Day in my life on day 7 of the Olympic Games! I’m having the BEST time and can’t wait to go back to Milan tonight 🥰🥰 #figureskater #olympics #teamcanada #milanocortina #dayi̇nmylife".

www.instagram.com

Madeline Schizas on Instagram: "Happy birthday to me I guess #olympics #milanocortina #figureskater #birthday #teamcanada"

6,031 likes, 137 comments - maddieschizas on February 13, 2026: "Happy birthday to me I guess #olympics #milanocortina #figureskater #birthday #teamcanada".

www.instagram.com

 

[BaileyCatts]

.....She said the team photo was taken today because the Canadian ice dancers are all leaving (have to leave 2 days after you're done competing!) .....

What?! Why? What if they want to stay for the Closing Ceremony? Or stay to cheer on their teammates in Pairs and Womens or go to other events?!

 

[manhn]

That’s been a thing for awhile now.

 

[mtnskater]

But won’t at least Piper & Paul be invited to skate in the gala?

 

[Lanie]

Do they just go home then come back or go elsewhere and come back?! Or stay in a hotel? That's so weird!

 

[MsZem]

ETA: Thanks @MsZem for the NYT gifted link - would you mind also posting it in the Figure Skating Articles thread that I started for noteworthy articles (can I re-post your link in GSD)? https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...les-competition-photos-milan-olympics.113678/

Sure, go ahead. I can't really keep track of all the threads anymore

 

[skatingguy]

What?! Why? What if they want to stay for the Closing Ceremony? Or stay to cheer on their teammates in Pairs and Womens or go to other events?!

The problem is that the athletes that are done competing are bit like college/university students who are done with finals, and the partying causes issues for the athletes still competing, and for the athlete village staff & volunteers who have to clean up the mess.

 

[Sylvia]

Happy Valentine's Day in Milan!

Canadian Olympic Team on Instagram: "Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier surprised strangers in Milan ❤️⁣ ⁣ -⁣ ⁣ Piper Gilles et Paul Poirier ont surpris des inconnus à Milan ❤️"

12K likes, 104 comments - teamcanada on February 14, 2026: "Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier surprised strangers in Milan ❤️⁣ ⁣ -⁣ ⁣ Piper Gilles et Paul Poirier ont surpris des inconnus à Milan ❤️".

www.instagram.com

ETA:

Jason Chan on Instagram: "Valentine’s at the Olympics 🥰 >>> #MilanoCortina2026 #olympics #forzateamaus #figureskating"

3,411 likes, 54 comments - jason.chan0 on February 14, 2026: "Valentine’s at the Olympics 🥰 >>> #MilanoCortina2026 #olympics #forzateamaus #figureskating".

www.instagram.com

 

[Spikefan]

What?! Why? What if they want to stay for the Closing Ceremony? Or stay to cheer on their teammates in Pairs and Womens or go to other events?!

They go get a hotel room. That’s what Olivia said she did. I do wonder if you are in the gala or a flag bearer in the Closing if it gets paid for? I hope so.

 

[Sylvia]

From Athlete Mindset Media Olympic Correspondent Raymond Braun:

Raymond Braun on Instagram: "2x Olympian and 7x French National Champion @kevin_aymoz is a true original. One of the most creative and expressive skaters in the sport, he is fearless in taking risks and skating on his own terms. Here, he shares an i

186 likes, 3 comments - raymondbraun on February 15, 2026: "2x Olympian and 7x French National Champion @kevin_aymoz is a true original. One of the most creative and expressive skaters in the sport, he is fearless in taking risks and skating on his own terms. Here, he shares an important...

www.instagram.com

Raymond Braun on Instagram: "The Paris chocolate muffin is back at the Winter Olympics in Milan, and you can find it at… #MilanoCortina2026 #WinterOlympics #Olympics"

541 likes, 22 comments - raymondbraun on February 11, 2026: "The Paris chocolate muffin is back at the Winter Olympics in Milan, and you can find it at… #MilanoCortina2026 #WinterOlympics #Olympics".

www.instagram.com

 

[skategal]

Humour/Meme:

New theory about what happened to Ilia.

I busted out laughing.

Better to laugh than cry, right?

https://www.reddit.com/r/olympics/s/l2JnLsZ2oM

 

[Karen-W]

Humour/Meme:

New theory about what happened to Ilia.

I busted out laughing.

Better to laugh than cry, right?

https://www.reddit.com/r/olympics/s/l2JnLsZ2oM

As they say on South Park - "Blame Canada!"

 

[just tuned in]

What did the Canadian curler do (at competition)? Did he touch a stone?

 

[skategal]

What did the Canadian curler do (at competition)? Did he touch a stone?

Boopgate.

Canadian curler accused by Swedes of double touching stone.

He had a meltdown and told Swedes to F off.

Lots of videos online showing the boop.

Lots of interpretation and mis-interpretation of rules.

Federation makes a statement.

Canadian women’s player and Great Britain men’s player accused of double touch today with stones removed.

Canadian women’s and Great Britain players today didn’t have boops just a slight feathering as they removed their hands from releasing the stones.

Refs observing are implementing rules as announced by Federation but it’s akin to when the technical caller started calling base and level 1 twizzles on the ice dancers mid-season.

Mess.

 

[victorskid]

... deleted non-skating reply

 

[Sylvia]

Note to the curling fans - this is the figure skating fluff thread! ETA that I've quoted the 2 posts above and have posted them in the Curling thread.

Pride House Milano held an event last night: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/lgbtq-in-figure-skating.108407/page-5#post-6896266

 

[skategal]

Elmo and Chock/Bates.

Sesame Street on Instagram: "Ciao, Rocco! We are SO glad you made it to Milan just in time to meet up with our friends Madison Chock and Evan Bates! 🪨⛸️ ❄️🇮🇹 #WinterOlympics"

69K likes, 458 comments - sesamestreet on February 14, 2026: "Ciao, Rocco! We are SO glad you made it to Milan just in time to meet up with our friends Madison Chock and Evan Bates! 🪨⛸️ ❄️🇮🇹 #WinterOlympics".

www.instagram.com

 

[Sylvia]

A second video of C/B with Elmo yesterday :

Elmo on Instagram: "Thank you to Ms. Madison Chock and Mr. Evan Bates for reminding Elmo that teamwork makes the dream work! ⛸️❤️ Elmo asked a lot of questions, and you both gave a lot of great answers! Elmo needs a nap now 😴 #WinterOlympics"

20K likes, 118 comments - elmo on February 14, 2026: "Thank you to Ms. Madison Chock and Mr. Evan Bates for reminding Elmo that teamwork makes the dream work! ⛸️❤️ Elmo asked a lot of questions, and you both gave a lot of great answers! Elmo needs a nap now 😴 #WinterOlympics".

www.instagram.com

Photo:

Elmo on Instagram: "Ciao everybody! Elmo has made SO many new friends in Milan already! 🇮🇹⛸️❄️ Thank you to Ms. Madison Chock and Mr. Evan Bates for spending time with Elmo! ❤️ Elmo loves you! ❤️ #WinterOlympics"

24K likes, 65 comments - elmo on February 14, 2026: "Ciao everybody! Elmo has made SO many new friends in Milan already! 🇮🇹⛸️❄️ Thank you to Ms. Madison Chock and Mr. Evan Bates for spending time with Elmo! ❤️ Elmo loves you! ❤️ #WinterOlympics".

www.instagram.com

ETA that Cookie Monster and Grover also interviewed Madi & Evan: https://x.com/sesamestreet/status/2023089978650280113

 

[Coco]

Peacock has a kiss and cry highlights video up. You can find it on the figure skating page.

In true fashion, they went with dramatic moments. So trigger warning, because they are not all happy reactions.

 

[Impromptu]

Mexico (Donovan), USA (Ilia), Canada (Piper) forming the North American seat brigade to watch pairs short:

https://x.com/TheIliaSociety/status/2023132115148083605/photo/1

 

[victorskid]

I watched an IOC briefing/news conference on YouTube earlier today with two of their Scholarship athletes - one being Donovan and one being a young lady competing at one of the other sites. I can't find the link at the moment but it is worth watching if you spot it.

 

[allezfred]

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