Official retirement announcements by figure skaters in 2025-2026

[Vagabond]

But Tomoki keeps training through Worlds as Alt 2?

In the Kiss and Cry after his Free Skate in Beijing, he looked at the camera and told the viewers that it was his last competition.

 

[Rob]

In the Kiss and Cry after his Free Skate in Beijing, he looked at the camera and told the viewers that it was his last competition.

Wow, maybe he just thinks he’ll never get the call as Alt 2, but it is an Olympic year and who knows what’s up with Jason Brown.

 

[Vagabond]

Wow, maybe he just thinks he’ll never get the call as Alt 2, but it is an Olympic year and who knows what’s up with Jason Brown.

I believe that if you check other threads here, you can find a link to a social media post confirming his announcement.

 

[Karen-W]

I believe that if you check other threads here, you can find a link to a social media post confirming his announcement.

Yes, but I think the surprise is that Tomoki seems quite definitive that 4CCs was his last competition seeing as we wound up going to the 2nd Alternate for the Men in 2022 - Jason was the 1st Alternate and declined the assignment when Nathan withdrew, so Camden, as 2nd Alternate, wound up being called up instead. It seems plausible that we'll have a similar scenario again this year if Ilia wins and withdraws due to media commitments and then Jason also decides to withdraw.

 

[Evgeniafan]

Yes, but I think the surprise is that Tomoki seems quite definitive that 4CCs was his last competition seeing as we wound up going to the 2nd Alternate for the Men in 2022 - Jason was the 1st Alternate and declined the assignment when Nathan withdrew, so Camden, as 2nd Alternate, wound up being called up instead. It seems plausible that we'll have a similar scenario again this year if Ilia wins and withdraws due to media commitments and then Jason also decides to withdraw.

Well, I hope Jacob will be ready as third alternative. Wasn't Max Aaron 3rd alternative in 2018?

 

[Rukia]

Well, I hope Jacob will be ready as third alternative. Wasn't Max Aaron 3rd alternative in 2018?

I mean Jacob has to keep training for junior worlds anyway so it's not like he's going to be ending his season yet

 

[Sylvia]

Wasn't Max Aaron 3rd alternative in 2018?

Yes - he saved USFS as the 3rd alternate (not sure how much he was training at the time?) by placing high enough (11th + Nathan's 1st place) to retain the 3 spots for 2019 Worlds.
BTW, this was Max's April 20, 2018 official retirement post:

Max Aaron on Instagram: "It feels like yesterday I was just lacing up my first pair of figure skates, dreaming to be one of the best. I have certainly experienced so many amazing moments throughout my career that will last a lifetime. To end a career

4,337 likes, 171 comments - maxtaaron on April 20, 2018: "It feels like yesterday I was just lacing up my first pair of figure skates, dreaming to be one of the best. I have certainly experienced so many amazing moments throughout my career that will last a lifetime. To end a career saying that...

www.instagram.com

Good news about who isn't retiring after this season! https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...eason-news-updates.112906/page-4#post-6878806

 

[kwanette]

Well, I hope Jacob will be ready as third alternative. Wasn't Max Aaron 3rd alternative in 2018?

Yes, he was and did his job

 

[jlai]

Yes - he saved USFS as the 3rd alternate (not sure how much he was training at the time?) by placing high enough (11th + Nathan's 1st place) to retain the 3 spots for 2019 Worlds.
BTW, this was Max's April 20, 2018 official retirement post:

Max Aaron on Instagram: "It feels like yesterday I was just lacing up my first pair of figure skates, dreaming to be one of the best. I have certainly experienced so many amazing moments throughout my career that will last a lifetime. To end a career

4,337 likes, 171 comments - maxtaaron on April 20, 2018: "It feels like yesterday I was just lacing up my first pair of figure skates, dreaming to be one of the best. I have certainly experienced so many amazing moments throughout my career that will last a lifetime. To end a career saying that...

www.instagram.com

Good news about who isn't retiring after this season! https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...eason-news-updates.112906/page-4#post-6878806

I like him and am glad he isn't retiring

 

[ice coverage]

I would imagine that USFS preemptively will be having a private conversation with Tomoki in order for both parties to be super-clear in advance on what would happen if/if/if the second alternate were to be needed for Worlds.
I for one would not rule out the possibility that Tomoki maybe would want to "unretire" and compete at his first Worlds. Stranger things have happened.
For me, what we have heard so far from Tomoki is not 100.00% "proof" that he absolutely would not be interested in Worlds.
(If he explicitly lets USFS know that he absolutely would not be interested, all good.)

Every situation is unique, but some fans of U.S. dance will recall that TJ Carey announced his retirement on Nov 22, 2022, after he and his partner did not advance to 2023 Nats from U.S. Dance Final.

tj carey🌨 on Instagram: "i guess the end is here 🥲 • after having the time of my life doing what i love most for the last 20(‼️😳) years, it’s time for me to move on from competitive ice dancing. as bittersweet as this decision is, having my best comp

545 likes, 122 comments - tjcarey124 on November 22, 2022: "i guess the end is here 🥲 • after having the time of my life doing what i love most for the last 20(‼️😳) years, it’s time for me to move on from competitive ice dancing. as bittersweet as this decision is, having my best competition...

www.instagram.com

But then ... Hawayek/Baker withdrew from Nats on Jan 17, 2023. TJ quickly unretired, and he and his partner did compete at Nats just days later.

 

[Amy L]

Hell, I am old enough to remember when Angela Nikodinov was in Bulgaria and couldn't be contacted about participating at 1998 Worlds.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Hell, I am old enough to remember when Angela Nikodinov was in Bulgaria and couldn't be contacted about participating at 1998 Worlds.

The queen.