U.S. Ice Dance 2026-27 Discussion - Changing of the (Skate) Guard

[Belsornia]

Anna Waugh and Matthew Jacoby (fifth in Novice last season) switched to Ireland. They’re included in the national team announced today: https://isai.ie/2026/07/06/2026-2027-figure-skating-national-team-members-named/

 

[spin2win]

Envelope funding for dance:

A1 - Zingas/Kolesnik
A2 - Carreira/Ponomarenko
B1 - Brown/Brown, Green/Parsons
B2 - Aboian/Veselukhin, Bratti/Somerville, Pate/Bye
C1 - Calhoun/Zheltysev, Neset/Markelov, Robertson/Rohner, Stapert/Korotcov, Wolfkostin/Tsarevski
C2 - Cui/Rogers, Peal/Peal
D1 - Kouevi/Haomawoo, Vaclavikova/Lissauer
D2 - Kartashov/Kartashov, Li/Zhu, Lukanin/O'Brien

 

[just tuned in]

Nothing for the Mullens?

 

[YukiNieve]

Before Dallas Classic takes place, allow me to cross-post some of the Chesapeake Open (June 24-28) performance:

Junior RD 1st: Rylen Lukanin & Patrick O'Brien
Ragtime

- YouTube

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

www.youtube.com

Junior FD 1st: Annelise Stapert & Maxim Korotcov
The Trees- Max Richter

- YouTube

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

www.youtube.com

Junior 2nd: Rylen Lukanin & Patrick O'Brien
Titanic

- YouTube

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

www.youtube.com

Junior 3rd: Anaelle Kouevi & Yann Homawoo
Crossing The Bridge - James Newton Howard

- YouTube

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

www.youtube.com

Senior FD: Caroline Mullen and Brendan Mullen
(They only skated FD)
Land of All, Guns for Hire- Woodkid

- YouTube

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

www.youtube.com

 

[Wyliefan]

Amelia Sandrine Reisinger has a new interview up with Abo/Ves.

Hana: This year, we are going to be doing, as I mentioned, the waltz and the tango, which are not something that we usually do. We haven’t ever taken any classics yet. So we’re going with very famous pieces skated by Marina Anissina and Gwendal Peizerat. And they’re just generally very known. So we’re going in at different point as athletes. And then, for the free dance, we’re going to be doing this Pharaohs program, which is completely different from what we’ve ever done. The music has been made just for us, for both programs. It was edited, changed, like, maybe 50 times.

Q&A with Hana Maria Aboian and Daniil Veselukhin

The reigning junior world ice dance champions are back and looking for more in 2026-27.

ameliasandrine.substack.com

 

[Sylvia]

There are currently 26 ice dance teams listed in USFS' ISP as of today, July 14, 2026:

Emily Bratti and Ian Somerville S5
Oona Brown and Gage Brown S6/4CC3
Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko S3/O11/W8
Amy Cui and Jonathan Rogers IDF-1/S10
Isabella Flores and Linus Jepsen IDF-5/S14
Caroline Green and Michael Parsons S4/4CC2
Raffaella Koncius and Alexey Shchepetov IDF-4/S13
Caroline Mullen and Brendan Mullen IDF-6
Leah Neset and Artem Markelov S8
Eva Pate and Logan Bye S11
Elliana Peal and Ethan Peal IDF-2/S12
Vanessa Pham and Anton Spiridonov IDF-3/S15
Katarina Wolfkostin and Dimitry Tsarevski S7
Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik GPF6/S2/4CC1/O5/W3

Zingas/Kolesnik - Skate America & NHK Trophy
Carreira/Ponomarenko - Grand Prix de France & NHK Trophy
Green/Parsons - Skate Canada & Finlandia Trophy
Brown/Brown - Skate Canada & Finlandia Trophy
Bratti/Somerville - Cup of China & Finlandia Trophy
Pate/Bye - Grand Prix de France & Cup of China
Neset/Markelov - Grand Prix de France
Wolfkostin/Tsarevski - Skate Canada

Skate America has 2 TBD spots.

ISU Junior age-eligible (12):
Hana Maria Aboian and Daniil Veselukhin 2 JGP golds/JGPF1/J1/JW1
Marian Carhart and Denis Bledsoe IDF-7/J10
Jane Calhoun and Mark Zheltyshev 1 JGP/IDF-1//J3
Effie Chen and Gordei Chitipakhovian IDF-2
Sophia Feige and Wiles Middlekauff 1 JGP/IDF-10/J8
Grace Fischer and Luke Fischer 1 JGP/IDF-9/J7
Clara Fugate and Warren Fugate 1 JGP/IDF-6/J11
Anaelle Kouevi and Yann Homawoo 2 JGP/IDF-4/J5
Rylen Lukanin and Patrick O’Brien N1
Jasmine Robertson and Chase Rohner JGP bronze&gold/JGPF6/J2/JW11
Annelise Stapert and Maxim Korotcov 2 JGP/IDF-5/J9
Aneta Vaclavikova and William Lissauer IDF-3/J4

Dallas Classic NQS #1 - Senior/Junior photos by Robin Ritoss: https://figureskatersonline.com/news/2026/07/14/photos-2026-dallas-classic/
2 U.S. teams competed in Senior: Peal/Peal 148.83 (91.43 in FD), Flores/Jepsen 147.02 (87.45)
Junior top 6 in Dallas:
Chen/Chitipakhovian 145.91 (88.58 in FD)
Vaclavikova/Lissauer 143.78 (84.24)
Lukanin/O'Brien 131.02 (76.66); 2nd at Chesapeake 133.13 (78.35)
Fischer/Fischer 128.96 (77.25)
Kouevi/Homawoo 128.57 (76.90); 3rd at Chesapeake 125.58 (77.80)
Stapert/Korotcov 128.45 (80.17); 1st at Chesapeake 138.43 (84.82)

ETA link to IDC's Dallas Classic photos:

2026 Dallas Classic | 2026-2027 Season | Ice-Dance.com's Photography Section

July 10-12; Plano, TX; Photos by Daphne Backman & Robin Ritoss

photos2.ice-dance.com

Next up: Lake Placid NQS #2 & International, July 27-30, 2026
Event info (includes a preliminary schedule of events by day): https://lakeplacidolympiccenter.com/todo/lake-placid-ice-dance-championships-international/
Ticket prices: $8.00/day & $18 for all events
(currently waiting for entries to be published before starting the competition thread in Kiss & Cry)

 

[Kateri]

Amelia Sandrine Reisinger has a new interview up with Abo/Ves.

Q&A with Hana Maria Aboian and Daniil Veselukhin

The reigning junior world ice dance champions are back and looking for more in 2026-27.

ameliasandrine.substack.com

Of course. Marina Anissina! That's who she reminds me of, that's the energy she has!

 

[her grace]

Wangos are back

 

[Sylvia]

Update on Michelle Deych/Ryan Hu, 6th in Junior at 2026 Nationals (pewter medalist in 2025) & 16th at Junior Worlds, by figureskatinggoes:

Figure Skating Goes on Instagram: "Favorite junior ice dance programs number 8: Michelle Deych and Ryan Hu American ice dancers Michelle Deych and Ryan Hu’s free dance at the 2026 junior world championship. They qualified for their first junior worl

241 likes, 4 comments - figureskatinggoes on July 15, 2026: "Favorite junior ice dance programs number 8: Michelle Deych and Ryan Hu American ice dancers Michelle Deych and Ryan Hu’s free dance at the 2026 junior world championship. They qualified for their first junior worlds. They competed at...

www.instagram.com

"... Michelle and Ryan have since split as a team. They are not competing this coming season. I wish them both the best of luck. Michelle is heading to the University of Michigan. Ryan is going to Cornell Dyson School. They will both be the class of 2030."

I really enjoyed their Four Seasons FD, too.

 

[YukiNieve]

nm

 

[Sylvia]

So based on Jason's IG and other USFS posts, these skaters were at the Camp 2030 in Colorado Springs:
...
Dance: Emilea & Vadym, Christina & Anthony, Eva & Logan, Emily (& Ian ?), Caroline (& Michael?)

Emily Bratti's photos from the recent Camp 2030 in Colorado Springs, the (mostly) ice dance edition, shows Ian and also includes the Browns (photo #11):

Emily Bratti on Instagram: "Moments from champs camp ⭐️ #usfigureskating #teamusa #shenanigans"

103 likes, 15 comments - emily.bratti on July 19, 2026: "Moments from champs camp ⭐️ #usfigureskating #teamusa #shenanigans".

www.instagram.com

 

[livetoskate]

Just wondering what happened to Jeffrey Chen? Did he stop skating and go to college?

 

[happycamper2554]

Just wondering what happened to Jeffrey Chen? Did he stop skating and go to college?

Still suspended by SafeSport

 

[ice coverage]

So based on Jason's IG and other USFS posts, these skaters were at the Camp 2030 in Colorado Springs:
...
Dance: Emilea & Vadym, Christina & Anthony, Eva & Logan, Emily (& Ian ?), Carolina (& Michael?)

Emily Bratti's photos from the recent Camp 2030 in Colorado Springs, the (mostly) ice dance edition, shows Ian and also includes the Browns (photo #11):

Emily Bratti on Instagram: "Moments from champs camp ⭐️ #usfigureskating #teamusa #shenanigans"

103 likes, 15 comments - emily.bratti on July 19, 2026: "Moments from champs camp ⭐️ #usfigureskating #teamusa #shenanigans".

www.instagram.com

Michael Parsons is seen in video montage from the camp that was shared by Randi Strong today.
As are all other dancers already mentioned by Yuki and/or Sylvia, including Browns, Wolfkostin/Tsarevski, and Neset/Markelov.

Randi Strong on Instagram: "USA Champs Camp Pt. 1 👀"

5,715 likes, 32 comments - randistrong on July 20, 2026: "USA Champs Camp Pt. 1 👀".

www.instagram.com

ETA:​

Camp 2030 photos from the Browns:​

Oona & Gage Brown on Instagram: "We had a a fantastic week in Colorado last week! Thank you @usfigureskating ❤️ #Camp2030 #TheBrowns"

215 likes, 3 comments - thebrownsofficial_ on July 21, 2026: "We had a a fantastic week in Colorado last week! Thank you @usfigureskating ❤️ #Camp2030 #TheBrowns".

www.instagram.com

(BTW: Not a dancer, but Torgashev is one of the men in Randi Strong's camp video.)

 

[Sylvia]

Unfortunate news - Jasmine Robertson & Chase Rohner jointly have announced the end of their partnership:

Jasmine Robertson and Chase Rohner on Instagram: "After so many unforgettable moments on and off the ice, we have made the difficult decision to end our ice dance partnership. We are deeply grateful for the years of training, competing, growing, and

8 likes, 0 comments - robertson.rohner25 on July 22, 2026: "After so many unforgettable moments on and off the ice, we have made the difficult decision to end our ice dance partnership. We are deeply grateful for the years of training, competing, growing, and creating together, and for everyone...

www.instagram.com

After so many unforgettable moments on and off the ice, we have made the difficult decision to end our ice dance partnership. We are deeply grateful for the years of training, competing, growing, and creating together, and for everyone who supported us along the way.
This chapter has shaped us in ways we will always carry forward. While our paths are moving in different directions, we part with respect, appreciation, and pride in what we accomplished together.
Thank you to our coaches, families, teammates, friends, and fans for believing in us. We are excited for what comes next and wish each other nothing but success in the future.

 

[Wyliefan]

Oh poop! They were so good together!

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Unfortunate news - Jasmine Robertson & Chase Rohner jointly have announced the end of their partnership:

Jasmine Robertson and Chase Rohner on Instagram: "After so many unforgettable moments on and off the ice, we have made the difficult decision to end our ice dance partnership. We are deeply grateful for the years of training, competing, growing, and

8 likes, 0 comments - robertson.rohner25 on July 22, 2026: "After so many unforgettable moments on and off the ice, we have made the difficult decision to end our ice dance partnership. We are deeply grateful for the years of training, competing, growing, and creating together, and for everyone...

www.instagram.com

NOOOOOO. These dang junior kids keep sucking me in and breaking my heart. They had so much potential!!

 

[Sylvia]

Entries & subs published for JGP #1:

17 Jane CALHOUN / Mark ZHELTYSHEV USA
18 Annelise STAPERT / Maxim KOROTCOV USA
Hana Maria ABOIAN / Daniil VESELUKHIN S
Marian CARHART / Denis BLEDSOE S
Sophia FEIGE / Wiles MIDDLEKAUFF S
Grace FISCHER / Luke FISCHER S
Clara FUGATE / Warren FUGATE S
Anaelle KOUEVI / Yann HOMAWOO S
Rylen LUKANIN / Patrick O'BRIEN S
Jasmine ROBERTSON / Chase ROHNER S
Aneta VACLAVIKOVA / William LISSAUER S

Only team in ISP not listed: Effie Chen and Gordei Chitipakhovian

 

[skatfan]

Bakerie interviewed by Rocker Skating:

- 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

 

[Theatregirl1122]

These are not confirmed by USFSA yet, correct? So just placeholder assignments? But the subs list gives us clues on the overall picture?

 

[Sylvia]

These are not confirmed by USFSA yet, correct?

I assume USFS already has confirmed these assignments with the skaters/coaches. We're still waiting for USFS' 2026-27 International Assignments and Results page to be published on their website - the names listed there usually indicate confirmation.

 

[Karen-W]

These are not confirmed by USFSA yet, correct? So just placeholder assignments? But the subs list gives us clues on the overall picture?

There have been credible rumors floating around for a couple weeks that Calhoun/Zheltyshev were assigned to China and that the USFS was trying to avoid sending either them or AboVes to Poland or Latvia due to the visa challenges for Mark and Daniil (and Gordei Chitipakhovian too). There was also, apparently, monitoring the Sunday after Dallas Classic and the teams who didn't compete there were asked to fly in for that.

Seeing as we have 14 spots again on the JGP, I don't see any reason to think these are placeholders. We usually only see placeholder assignments for the later JGPs when the USFS is waiting on results from the earlier ones before finalizing the last assignments.

 

[Sylvia]

I went through the JGP CHN entries and 4 of the U.S. ice dance teams' ISU bios are updated with their 2026-27 music:

Calhoun/Zheltyshev: https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/pairs/jane-calhoun-mark-zheltyshev/
RD: Woland (from "The Master and Margarita") by Igor Korneliuk / Waltz by Igor Korneliuk
FD:
Yo Soy Maria by Milva, Astor Piazzolla
María de Buenos Aires by Dulce Pontes, Astor Piazzolla
No Title by Karl Hugo
María de Buenos Aires by Dulce Pontes, Astor Piazzolla
(Coach/Choreographer lines are currently "N/A")

Stapert/Korotcov: https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/pairs/annelise-stapert-maxim-korotcov/
RD: Oh Ms Believer by Twenty One Pilots / Implicit Demand for Proof by Twenty One Pilots
FD: The Trees by Max Richter [a video from Chesapeake Open is linked in post #34 above]
Coaches: Alexei Kiliakov, Elena Novak, Elizabeth Tkachenko
Choreographer: Elena Novak, Sean Cheeseman

Vaclavikova/Lissauer: https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/pairs/aneta-vaclavikova-william-lissauer/
RD:
Young and Beautiful (from "The Great Gatsby") by Lana Del Ray
A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (from "The Great Gatsby") by Fergie, Q-Tip & GoonRock
FD: Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven performed by Sandra Kissy (last's season's music)
Coach: Melissa Gregory, Denis Petukhov
Choreographer: Haus of Diamonds

Lukanin/O'Brien: https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/pairs/rylen-lukanin-patrick-obrien/
RD: New Music by Mark Jacoby, Marin Mazzie, Steven Sutcliffe, Brian Stokes Mitchell [original Broadway cast of Ragtime: The Musical]
FD: Titanic (soundtrack) by James Horner - [their videos from Chesapeake Open are linked in post #34 above]
Coaches: Kristen Fraser-Lukanin; Igor Lukanin; Anna Zadorozhniuk, Brooke Tufts
Choreographers: Kaitlyn Weaver, Igor Lukanin

Maybe the latter 2 teams have been assigned to #2 Riga?

 

[her grace]

Oooooh, I love Master and Margarita! Looking forward to seeing that RD.

 

[Sylvia]

Chock/Bates worked with Raffaella Koncius & Alexey Shchepetov on their FD:

Raffaella Koncius & Alexey Shchepetov on Instagram: "Thank you so much to Madi & Evan for working with us on our new FD!!🤩 ✨PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT✨ 2026-2027 Free Dance: Evita"

217 likes, 20 comments - koncius_shchepetov on July 24, 2026: "Thank you so much to Madi & Evan for working with us on our new FD!!🤩 ✨PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT✨ 2026-2027 Free Dance: Evita".

www.instagram.com

PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT
2026-2027 Free Dance: Evita

Penn State World Campus' July 9th feature on Koncius who completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology online degree this past spring:

She trains for Team USA. She still found time to finish her degree. - Penn State World Campus

Raffaella Koncius has spent 20 years as a competitive figure skater with no off-season, no flexibility, and no room for a traditional college experience. Penn State World Campus provided the path to a degree that fit her life.

www.worldcampus.psu.edu

 

[Sylvia]

Calhoun/Zheltyshev: https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/pairs/jane-calhoun-mark-zheltyshev/
RD: Woland (from "The Master and Margarita") by Igor Korneliuk / Waltz by Igor Korneliuk
FD:
Yo Soy Maria by Milva, Astor Piazzolla
María de Buenos Aires by Dulce Pontes, Astor Piazzolla
No Title by Karl Hugo
María de Buenos Aires by Dulce Pontes, Astor Piazzolla
(Coach/Choreographer lines are currently "N/A")

C/Z posted about their choreographers back in the spring:
Nikolai Morozov (FD): https://www.instagram.com/p/DWz1hlEEXbq/
Lukas Csolley (RD): https://www.instagram.com/p/DY8XuEloWDm/ (also Neset/Markelov's RD)

The Browns confirmed today that they will NOT be competing in Lake Placid this year and included a clip from their FD to The Queens Gambit:

Oona & Gage Brown on Instagram: "Putting that summer work in♟️ We are so happy to be back in Lake Placid!🥰 A time we look forward to each and every year! Unfortunately, we will not be participating in the competition this July, but we are excited to

1,415 likes, 47 comments - thebrownsofficial_ on July 26, 2026: "Putting that summer work in♟️ We are so happy to be back in Lake Placid!🥰 A time we look forward to each and every year! Unfortunately, we will not be participating in the competition this July, but we are excited to cheer...

www.instagram.com

June 16 in the Programs/Choreographers thread:

Oona Brown/Gage Brown (USA)
FD: The Queen's Gambit soundtrack

Oona & Gage Brown on Instagram: "“Chess isn’t always competitive. Chess can also be beautiful.” We are very excited to announce that we will be skating to music from The Queen’s Gambit for our 2026-2027 Free Dance! Let the game begin! Photo credit

1,885 likes, 120 comments - thebrownsofficial_ on June 16, 2026: "“Chess isn’t always competitive. Chess can also be beautiful.” We are very excited to announce that we will be skating to music from The Queen’s Gambit for our 2026-2027 Free Dance! Let the game begin! Photo credit: @joeldear...

www.instagram.com

 

[Wyliefan]

Unfortunate news - Jasmine Robertson & Chase Rohner jointly have announced the end of their partnership:

Jasmine Robertson and Chase Rohner on Instagram: "After so many unforgettable moments on and off the ice, we have made the difficult decision to end our ice dance partnership. We are deeply grateful for the years of training, competing, growing, and

8 likes, 0 comments - robertson.rohner25 on July 22, 2026: "After so many unforgettable moments on and off the ice, we have made the difficult decision to end our ice dance partnership. We are deeply grateful for the years of training, competing, growing, and creating together, and for everyone...

www.instagram.com

Jasmine is now on Ice Partner Search.

Jasmine Robertson | Ice Partner Search

 

[deegee]

Bakerie interviewed by Rocker Skating:

- 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

oh wait... this should be in the canadian ice dance thread?

 

[Alilou]

oh wait... this should be in the Canadian ice dance thread?

Yes!

 

[Sylvia]

oh wait... this should be in the canadian ice dance thread?

It is as well (thanks to @Alilou ): https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/2026–27-canadian-ice-dance-news-and-updates.113948/#post-6942268