U.S. Men 2024-25 news & updates

[just tuned in]

Thank you @just tuned in for sharing Savary's performances at the Wissahickon (Philly suburb) Skating Club's winter show earlier this month!

After the Wiss show, Emmanuel came up to the lounge with the whole cast and everyone to partake in the post-party (hosted by the club skating director, Russ Witherby). It was very pleasant to chat with him. I noticed he had a bandage on his hand. He said he got the bandage from the first aid kit, which is amazing because he is probably the only person who has ever used the first aid kit at the rink.

 

[Sylvia]

Copying over from the Wichita Nationals planning thread re. the Championship/Senior Men SP starting order (1st 2 groups now will be separated from the 3rd and final group by the first 2 FD groups on Saturday, Jan. 25, HEAVY SIGH):

USFS Rulebook:
2720 Draws for Initial Starting Orders – Singles, Pairs and Ice Dance
2721 At the U.S. Figure Skating Championships only, the starting order for the junior and championship (senior) women’s, men’s and pairs short program and junior and championship (senior) rhythm dance events will be established as follows:
A. The competitors who hold an ISU World Standing in their discipline will skate in reverse order of their ISU World Standings, as of the date of the draw, with the highest ranked competitor skating last.
B. Any competitors who don't hold an ISU World Standing in their discipline will skate first in their event. The starting order for these remaining competitors will be by closed, random draw conducted by the chief referee and chief accountant.

Current ISU WS:
1 Malinin
21 Brown
24 Torgashev
26 Pulkinen
33 Sanchez
47 Ma //
50 Martynov
53 Naumov
64 Kapeikis
71 Hiwatashi
89 Strommer
94 Xie //
99 Endo
128 Klein
164 Kovar
172 Mindra
225 Kazanecki
unranked: Savary

Nationals Junior Men SP final group in the starting order will include:
121 Aleksandr Fegan
127 Patrick Blackwell
190 Kirk Haugeto
219 Lorenzo Elano
239 Vaclav Vasquez

A lucky 6th man will make the final group of the SP via the closed random draw that among these 13:
Ryan William Azadpour
Thomas Chen
Sergei Evseev
Isaac Fulton
Arsen Meghavoryan
Jared Sedlis
Alek Tankovic
Michael Jin
Louis Mallane
Brendan Man
Evan Neuhaus
Ethan Yan
David Zhao

 

[olympic]

^ yikes. Are US men going to hold 3 spots for Milan?

 

[layman]

^ yikes. Are US men going to hold 3 spots for Milan?

I think they can do it. I am assuming that the World Team will be Malinin, Brown and Torgashev. If Malinin wins and either (or both) Brown or Torgashev place in the Top Ten, they will do it! I think they are more than capable of earning the 3 spots.

 

[Sylvia]

If Malinin wins and either (or both) Brown or Torgashev place in the Top Ten, they will do it!

IF Malinin wins, then the second man would need to place 12th or higher for the U.S. men to retain 3 spots for the Olympics & Worlds next season (top 2 placements = 13 or less).

As we know, current ISU World Standings and/or Season Best scores aren't necessarily accurate predictors for what will happen at Worlds. Out of curiosity, I just skimmed last year's U.S. Men's news thread and @Marco posted this on March 12, 2024 (before Montreal Worlds where Jason peaked with his 5th place finish):

Yes, there is no one in the US more reliable than Jason other than Ilia. Everyone else delivers a good skate every once in a while but never consistently. And no one else gets the level of PCS and GOEs that Jason gets.
As for Jason's chances of top 10 in the coming Worlds, he is currently 25th on the SB scores list (based on this season's Warsaw Cup), and accounting for skaters who won't be at Worlds, he would still be outside of top ten. Let's just hope he lands more than 5 triples at Worlds. Torgashev placed barely above Jason on the SB scores list but he isn't going to Worlds, Camden is 5 spots and 6 points below Jason on the list.

Now, let's see what happens at Nationals ... and I'm sure we'll be discussing this topic again. .

 

[Karen-W]

IF Malinin wins, then the second man would need to place 12th or higher for the U.S. men to retain 3 spots for the Olympics & Worlds next season (top 2 placements = 13 or less).

Additionally, the 3rd man would need to qualify for the FS in order to automatically confirm three spots. If we have our 3rd man fail for make the FS like Vincent in 2021, then we'd have to send a man to the Olympic Qualifying Event next September to confirm the 3rd spot.

 

[Sylvia]

Washington state article ("Cascadia Daily News is a locally owned newspaper created in a brick-and-mortar newsroom in Bellingham, Washington") on 20-year-old Liam Kapeikis (Jan. 8):

Blaine figure skater preparing for 2025 U.S. Championships | Cascadia Daily News

Liam Kapeikis began skating with his family as a toddler

www.cascadiadaily.com

Excerpts:

In early 2019, Liam and [mother/coach] Louise first moved outside of Vancouver, British Columbia, with Louise’s mother so he could be in a more competitive environment than Wenatchee’s recreational facility. His primary coach is Keegan Murphy, the director of skating programs for Connaught.
“It is great to have Louise,” Murphy said. “There is a lot less unknown than other situations since the family knows skating. I was able to see the potential he had when he was younger and it has just been a lot of hard work to where he is now.”
Liam placed fifth in the U.S. Novice Championships and 12th in the Junior Grand Prix in Latvia in 2019. When the pandemic arrived, the border shut down and competitions went virtual. During that time, Liam was sleeping on his grandmother’s extra bed in the garage for two years.
“All of that made training difficult and I struggled with motivation and nerves through that time,” Liam said. “But, I am a big person on habits and had to put myself through this so I can skate.”

When Liam jumped into the senior division toward the end of 2022, he began competing alongside Olympians, including three-time world champion Nathan Chen.
“My favorite time skating is during practice sessions with the best in the world,” Liam said. “I felt like I was in my element and this is where I want to be.”
Liam placed seventh in Skate America, which is the Grand Prix of figure skating, and sixth in the U.S. Championships in 2023.

 

[DreamSkates]

Additionally, the 3rd man would need to qualify for the FS in order to automatically confirm three spots. If we have our 3rd man fail for make the FS like Vincent in 2021, then we'd have to send a man to the Olympic Qualifying Event next September to confirm the 3rd spot.

Hoping that was a one-time freak occurrence.

 

[zigzig]

I applaud Camden's decision to create a skating-life balance but would have also loved for him to train fully and solidly establish himself as the US number 2 in the pre-Olympic season. Love Torgy but to me Camden has more raw talent.

 

[Karen-W]

I applaud Camden's decision to create a skating-life balance but would have also loved for him to train fully and solidly establish himself as the US number 2 in the pre-Olympic season. Love Torgy but to me Camden has more raw talent.

This post is so random that I was left wondering if Camden had suddenly withdrawn from Nats (he hasn't). Don't scare us like this 10 days before Nats starts!

 

[Sylvia]

Camden performed in the Vail show before Xmas and appears to be training in Colorado Springs - he's in this young skater's Instagram reel (with Amber, Sonja & others): https://www.instagram.com/p/DEq4r6PxVnt/

 

[layman]

I applaud Camden's decision to create a skating-life balance but would have also loved for him to train fully and solidly establish himself as the US number 2 in the pre-Olympic season. Love Torgy but to me Camden has more raw talent.

I agree that Camden has a great deal of raw (skating) talent. Over the course of at least two (more like three) Olympic cycles, Camden has had every opportunity to prove himself but he just has not done it. We say it every year with Camden, it's now or never, but in this case I feel that this may indeed be his last opportunity.

 

[olympic]

I applaud Camden's decision to create a skating-life balance but would have also loved for him to train fully and solidly establish himself as the US number 2 in the pre-Olympic season. Love Torgy but to me Camden has more raw talent.

I'm an all-in or all-out person. To me, searching for a 'work-life' balance in an extremely competitive Olympic sport seems counterintuitive, especially one with such raw talent and potential but to each their own ...

 

[Sylvia]

Enjoy this clip of Samuel Mindra's sequence of Ina Bauer up to split jump down to forward lunge/rising on a deep forward inside edge:

AXIS ON ICE on Instagram: "Choose calm over chaos 🌗 @s.a.m.u.e.l_m.i.n • • • #figureskating #sherwood #pdx #portland #oregon #pnw #axisonice #usfigureskating #teamusa #learntoskate #lovetoskate #risport #johnwilsonblades #gliding #choreo #oregon

191 likes, 3 comments - axisoniceofficial on January 10, 2025: "Choose calm over chaos 🌗 @s.a.m.u.e.l_m.i.n • • • #figureskating #sherwood #pdx #portland #oregon #pnw #axisonice #usfigureskating #teamusa #learntoskate #lovetoskate #risport #johnwilsonblades #gliding #choreo...

www.instagram.com

 

[Rukia]

we complain about skaters who seem to have no idea what to do with their life post-skating and then we complain about a skater who has found a way to have a life outside skating because they're not doing it the way we want lol

 

[Evgeniafan]

we complain about skaters who seem to have no idea what to do with their life post-skating and then we complain about a skater who has found a way to have a life outside skating because they're not doing it the way we want lol

Camden seemed to have a good job in the long term that is important. I don't think even a very clean Camden would podium at 4CC or Worlds. Mens are so competitive and there are many that can score 260 and above.

Ultimately it is his decision.

 

[layman]

we complain about skaters who seem to have no idea what to do with their life post-skating and then we complain about a skater who has found a way to have a life outside skating because they're not doing it the way we want lol

I think at some point these athletes have to decide whether or not they are all in for skating (perhaps for one last season) or whether or not to move on (to life after skating), but to have a toe in both (to be semi-moved on or semi-in for skating)...well that's obviously not going to work and it has not worked for Camden this season.

 

[Karen-W]

Camden seemed to have a good job in the long term that is important. I don't think even a very clean Camden would podium at 4CC or Worlds. Mens are so competitive and there are many that can score 260 and above.

Ultimately it is his decision.

Well, a clean Camden would score in that range and would easily place Top 10 at Worlds, which is what we need in order to have 3 spots next season.

 

[Rukia]

I think at some point these athletes have to decide whether or not they are all in for skating (perhaps for one last season) or whether or not to move on (to life after skating), but to have a toe in both (to be semi-moved on or semi-in for skating)...well that's obviously not going to work and it has not worked for Camden this season.

it's their life, their money, their time, and their choice

 

[Carolla5501]

I think at some point these athletes have to decide whether or not they are all in for skating (perhaps for one last season) or whether or not to move on (to life after skating), but to have a toe in both (to be semi-moved on or semi-in for skating)...well that's obviously not going to work and it has not worked for Camden this season

I think the skater gets to make this call. Maybe they’re happy with the results they are getting understanding the commitment they’re putting in

I go back to a couple other skaters who tried this and it worked out pretty well in the long run Nathan Chan, Paul Wylie. Ever heard of them?The same things were said about both of them and both of them seem to have an Olympic medal.

Yes, at one point both of them stepped full time back into skating and maybe Camden will do that too in the future


Maybe we should just let Camden work this out on his own.

 

[olympic]

it's their life, their money, their time, and their choice

You are absolutely right, but this is a fan board, and we are just all throwing in our unsolicited .$02.

I could never imagine spending $$$ on rink time, coaching, consultants, costumes, getting up at the crack of dawn, when I have immense talent, year after year, and thinking 'well, I need work-life balance'. You can sleep in and save a lot more money for that

 

[her grace]

Polina Edmunds interviewed Timothy Goebel on her podcast recently.

Grit and Glitter ft. Tim Goebel
January 7, 2025

The Iron Butterfly: Grit and Glitter ft. Tim Goebel

I interview 2002 Olympic Bronze Medalist Tim Goebel on his career and experiences skating.

bleav.com

A clip:

Polina Edmunds Bast on Instagram: "🗣 2002 Olympic Bronze Medalist and the original Quad King Timothy Goebel on the importance of applying feedback and listening to criticism as it applies to sport and real life^ I interview Tim on his career and exp

178 likes, 11 comments - polinaedmunds on January 7, 2025: "🗣 2002 Olympic Bronze Medalist and the original Quad King Timothy Goebel on the importance of applying feedback and listening to criticism as it applies to sport and real life^ I interview Tim on his career and experiences skating...

www.instagram.com

Highlights
-Interesting discussion of the changes to the USFS qualification system: the do-or-die nature of regionals and sectionals, which included the lower levels versus today's system, which does not have as many pressure-packed competitions for younger skaters. He felt that experience really helped him as he moved up because he had been in pressure situations many times before.
-Goebel explains that he moved to Frank Carroll for finishing school. Frank once told him, "You are not special. The jumps are not enough. There are two marks."
-I felt for him when he compared his readiness, which took until October-November to have his programs with jumps under control, with training mate Michelle Kwan, who was ready already in the summertime.
-Fascinating discussion about training methods in his time versus now (then: way too many numbers of jumping quads, today: much more cross-training and limiting the jump numbers)
-He shared his perspective on transitioning from full-time athlete to normal student and employee. It's difficult and humbling to go from exceptional to average.
-Goebel explains that he is still involved in the sport through serving on boards and committees. I thought this was great to show that there's other ways to stay involved in the sport beyond coaching or judging.

 

[Vagabond]

Pulkinen may not enjoy full-time training at the expense of education and career development. I don't think that elite skaters should compete or train more than they want to, though I do think that they should be prepared for the consequences of their choice.

 

[Sylvia]

"We caught up with Andrew during the NHK Trophy to discuss what has been driving his strength this season, his choice of classical music for his free skate, and his ambitions as he looks toward the Olympic season."
Absolute Skating's Andrew Torgashev article by Ayaka Okumura (Jan. 14): https://absoluteskating.com/index.php?cat=interviews&id=2025torgashev

Excerpts:

After Four Continents last year, I took some time to try different training approaches. I've always liked to push myself on the ice as much as possible - pushing and pushing until, honestly, I'd end up injured. This time, from around March to June, we focused on skating less and doing more off-ice training, getting stronger, and being smarter about my overall routine. I worked closely with my off-ice trainer to build strength so I could handle all the run-throughs I'd need to do later in the season.
But after preparing for the Cranberry Cup and Nebelhorn Trophy, I fell back into my old habits, which led to some pain in my foot and back. That was a wake-up call to adjust again and train smarter. I'm getting older, and I feel my body more now - it's more sensitive if I'm not careful about how I train.
In the summer, I did as much preparation as I could, training smarter with lots of run-throughs since Oberstdorf, building confidence with the jumps. Once I get to the competition, I focus on trusting the work I've already done.

Yes, and that's why I'm still in the sport. You know, many of the guys I used to compete with and grew up with have retired, but I'm still training so hard because I want to make the Olympic team - it's my biggest goal. I've dreamed of this since I was a child.
So, yes, I want to be smart and calculated in how I approach my training, to be one of the top skaters in the US. Ideally, I'd love to be in the top 10, pushing toward the top 5 in the world. But the US Olympic team is the biggest goal, and I'll do my best to take all the right steps to make it happen.

 

[mtnskater]

Enjoy this clip of Samuel Mindra's sequence of Ina Bauer up to split jump down to forward lunge/rising on a deep forward inside edge:

AXIS ON ICE on Instagram: "Choose calm over chaos 🌗 @s.a.m.u.e.l_m.i.n • • • #figureskating #sherwood #pdx #portland #oregon #pnw #axisonice #usfigureskating #teamusa #learntoskate #lovetoskate #risport #johnwilsonblades #gliding #choreo #oregon

191 likes, 3 comments - axisoniceofficial on January 10, 2025: "Choose calm over chaos 🌗 @s.a.m.u.e.l_m.i.n • • • #figureskating #sherwood #pdx #portland #oregon #pnw #axisonice #usfigureskating #teamusa #learntoskate #lovetoskate #risport #johnwilsonblades #gliding #choreo...

www.instagram.com

On Ashley and Adam’s podcast they mentioned Samuel Mindra as one of the U.S. men skaters they are excited to watch at Nationals . Me too! I hope he is better from the injury he had at sectionals. I’m sorry I won’t be there in person to give him a standing ovation again this year as I’ve done in previous nationals. But I’ll look forward to seeeing him on Peacock!

 

[nguyhm]

I hope that this is the right thread to ask what happens to Lucas Broussard. I saw him at Skate America (2024) but I don't see him on the list to compete at Nationals. Any news anyone can share would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DreamSkates]

You are absolutely right, but this is a fan board, and we are just all throwing in our unsolicited .$02.

I could never imagine spending $$$ on rink time, coaching, consultants, costumes, getting up at the crack of dawn, when I have immense talent, year after year, and thinking 'well, I need work-life balance'. You can sleep in and save a lot more money for that

That's rational thinking which could and should come into play when making such a decision. But there is also what that choice means to you which can be much more than is equivalent to any kind of money plus the investment already of time, effort, money and much more that weighs in in a decision.
Example: Deanna Stellato-Dudek.
(sorry if that's misspelled).

 

[Wyliefan]

I hope that this is the right thread to ask what happens to Lucas Broussard. I saw him at Skate America (2024) but I don't see him on the list to compete at Nationals. Any news anyone can share would be greatly appreciated.

I'm afraid he's out the rest of the season with a fractured pelvis. https://www.instagram.com/p/DCgEfBDxE8A/

 

[maureenfarone]

I hope that this is the right thread to ask what happens to Lucas Broussard. I saw him at Skate America (2024) but I don't see him on the list to compete at Nationals. Any news anyone can share would be greatly appreciated.

He fell and fractured his pelvis (maybe at Skate America) and announced he would not be able to compete for the rest of the season.

 

[HaNguyen]

I hope that this is the right thread to ask what happens to Lucas Broussard. I saw him at Skate America (2024) but I don't see him on the list to compete at Nationals. Any news anyone can share would be greatly appreciated.

He broke his leg? Or, something ike that. Either way, he's out for the season. Exact details were posted earlier in this forum.