U.S. Men 2024-25 news & updates

[Karen-W]

I think saying that we have 4 men skaters that can compete with many of the best in the worlds is a bit of an overstatement. None of them (not including Brown) have ever medaled on the GP and have only medaled on the CS circuit a handful of times adding them all together in their entire careers. They are all extremely inconsistent, going into any jump you literally have no idea what is going to happen and even on a good day don't medal anywhere. I am not sure how we know they could be competing with the best in the world when they are 30-40 points behind approaching any podium. They are very much ranked accurately to me. That doesn't mean I dislike their skating at all and would be happy if they were better but they haven't shown much progress in the many years most of that have been around.

I think what is frustrating to fans is that the success these men had at the junior level (Torgy, Naumov, Pulkinen & Hiwatashi) has not translated into success on the senior level. It does feel rather odd that not one of the four have managed to earn a single GP medal and that, at this point in their careers, no fan could count on any of them for a reliable top 10 Worlds finish. Even taking into account how consistent the men's field can be, it is clear that none of these guys are ever going to fully disembark from the old Team Trainwreck Train.

Having said that, aside from Ilia, none of the junior men coming up right behind him are fully in the medal mix even at the junior level - and the ones that have had some decent success at that level (Lucas) need to really up their technical difficulty to contend at the senior level. And there doesn't seem to be anyone who, at 12 or 13 is causing us to sit up and take notice and say "wow! this kid's gonna be something..." the way both Nathan and Ilia did at that age.

 

[Jarrett]

I think what is frustrating to fans is that the success these men had at the junior level (Torgy, Naumov, Pulkinen & Hiwatashi) has not translated into success on the senior level. It does feel rather odd that not one of the four have managed to earn a single GP medal and that, at this point in their careers, no fan could count on any of them for a reliable top 10 Worlds finish. Even taking into account how consistent the men's field can be, it is clear that none of these guys are ever going to fully disembark from the old Team Trainwreck Train.

Having said that, aside from Ilia, none of the junior men coming up right behind him are fully in the medal mix even at the junior level - and the ones that have had some decent success at that level (Lucas) need to really up their technical difficulty to contend at the senior level. And there doesn't seem to be anyone who, at 12 or 13 is causing us to sit up and take notice and say "wow! this kid's gonna be something..." the way both Nathan and Ilia did at that age.

Jacob Sanchez's results/scores are of similar qualities so I have some hope since he has some star quality to me that you see in top skaters. But obviously a long road ahead. I never saw the same gusto in Lucas or Liam.

 

[Karen-W]

Jacob Sanchez's results/scores are of similar qualities so I have some hope since he has some star quality to me that you see in top skaters. But obviously a long road ahead. I never saw the same gusto in Lucas or Liam.

I do like Jacob (and Aleksandr Fegan coming up behind). I'm not 100% on Jacob yet - I want to see if he can get his 3A consistent and add at least 1 quad this season before I put my next gen hopes in him.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

I am not sure how we know they could be competing with the best in the world when they are 30-40 points behind approaching any podium.

I mean, in the case of Camden, I would say you could make that argument based on his having literally finished 5th in the world. Which isn’t to say I have confidence he’ll do it again, but he has ranked with the best in the world which implies he can.

 

[Jarrett]

I mean, in the case of Camden, I would say you could make that argument based on his having literally finished 5th in the world. Which isn’t to say I have confidence he’ll do it again, but he has ranked with the best in the world which implies he can.

Yes I definitely loved those skates but it really were a one off LP never to be replicated again and quite a few of the skaters he placed ahead of progressed so much since then. He has never been like within 30-40 points of that FS ever again internationally.

 

[Wyliefan]

It's just the universe seeking balance, you guys. Nathan had a three-year undefeated streak. Ilia's breaking records and winning competitions right and left. The law of averages dictates that the rest of our men have to be subpar.

But seriously, these fallow periods happen in all the disciplines. We had one with women, and now we're starting to come back from that. Most likely we'll come back from this one too.

 

[her grace]

Serious question: Does it cost more to send juniors to a combined Sr B/Jr B event that the U.S. is already attending than it does to send a junior to a JGP? I mean, is the budget so bad that they weren’t planning on using more than 6 JGP spots had the U.S. men earned more?

 

[Capt. DeSoto]

Serious question: Does it cost more to send juniors to a combined Sr B/Jr B event that the U.S. is already attending than it does to send a junior to a JGP? I mean, is the budget so bad that they weren’t planning on using more than 6 JGP spots had the U.S. men earned more?

Obviously there's the cost of coach and skater (travel, lodging, meals) and then there's the somewhat insignificant cost of the competition entry fee. There's "savings" in that they've already paid for everything for the federation representative to be there.

I'm sure USFS would pay for more JGP entrants if more slots were allocated. I can't imagine their pay-to-play scheme would include JGP. Members should riot if that were to happen (even if it were pickup allocations).

 

[ice coverage]

... I mean, is the budget so bad that they weren’t planning on using more than 6 JGP spots had the U.S. men earned more?

IMO, it would be impossible for us to know the answer to this question?
After JW at beginning of March, USFS already would have known that U.S. men would have no more than six 2024-25 JGP spots -- with no possibility of gaining reallocated spots.
2024-25 USFS budget was approved at Governing Council at end of April.

 

[Trillian]

I think what is frustrating to fans is that the success these men had at the junior level (Torgy, Naumov, Pulkinen & Hiwatashi) has not translated into success on the senior level. It does feel rather odd that not one of the four have managed to earn a single GP medal and that, at this point in their careers, no fan could count on any of them for a reliable top 10 Worlds finish. Even taking into account how consistent the men's field can be, it is clear that none of these guys are ever going to fully disembark from the old Team Trainwreck Train.

And honestly, I was thinking about Jimmy Ma, not Tomoki, but that tells you how much of a gray area “potential” always is.

I mean, in the case of Camden, I would say you could make that argument based on his having literally finished 5th in the world. Which isn’t to say I have confidence he’ll do it again, but he has ranked with the best in the world which implies he can.

Yeah, and I was using “best in the world” more loosely - like competitive for the top 10 or 15. I would argue that we have 3-5 guys beyond Ilia and Jason who “could” be capable of a finish like that. It may not be the norm for any of them, but it feels like they should at least have those once in a while breakthrough performances internationally, and we’re not even seeing that. Everyone besides Ilia and Jason keeps peaking at nationals, which is probably not what anyone really wants.

 

[japanice]

[ICE TIME] Taira Shinohara Benefits from Training with Yuma Kagiyama | SportsLook

After practicing with Kagiyama for seven days, American Taira Shinohara said

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[livetoskate]

[ICE TIME] Taira Shinohara Benefits from Training with Yuma Kagiyama | SportsLook

After practicing with Kagiyama for seven days, American Taira Shinohara said

featured.japan-forward.com

Great article! I'm impressed that Taira is going to study mechanical engineering at UC Irvine. Do you know who his coach will be when he moves there? Thank you.

 

[YukiNieve]

At Dreams on Ice show in Japan, Ilia Malinin skated to Running (NF).
This must be his SP music for the new season, I think?

- 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]

At Dreams on Ice show in Japan, Ilia Malinin skated to Running (NF).
This must be his SP music for the new season, I think?

- 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

Confirmed by @AnythingGOE. I've put it in the program music thread.

 

[marshallpond]

Freeskate music from some of the junior men at the Broadmoor Open:

Marlo Rosen = Fantasia in G Major
Louis Mallane = Hazy Shade of Winter (Hidden Citizens version)
Nicolas Brooks = Standards by Leslie Odom
Peter Malakhov = The Lion's Heart by Audiomachine
Alek Tankovic = Woodkid medley (Iron / Conquest of Spaces)

 

[Karen-W]

At Dreams on Ice show in Japan, Ilia Malinin skated to Running (NF).
This must be his SP music for the new season, I think?

- 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

Video of his new SP - https://x.com/TheIliaSociety/status/1806998034846544381?t=oI6RBz-zVS2ogNPhrDQa_A&s=1

Some rough spots since he's clearly not in competition season shape right now but I like it for him. It's a nice progression from last season, especially the FS.

 

[LeafOnTheWind]

Is it just me or did Ilia go from 80% legs to 90%

It could just be that I haven't seen a video of him in a while.

 

[Rukia]

Video of his new SP - https://x.com/TheIliaSociety/status/1806998034846544381?t=oI6RBz-zVS2ogNPhrDQa_A&s=1

Some rough spots since he's clearly not in competition season shape right now but I like it for him. It's a nice progression from last season, especially the FS.

This is very good I think. Also he had a really pretty landing position in his combo? I know that's a weird thing to say, but his landings aren't usually the best parts of his jumps lol, and his posture there was just gorgeous.

 

[Karen-W]

Is it just me or did Ilia go from 80% legs to 90%

It could just be that I haven't seen a video of him in a while.

I think it's that you haven't seen a video of him in awhile, and also that this was a fan cam with not the best angle and no close-ups. I certainly hope that at 19 he's done adding height, lol.

 

[Frau Muller]

Video of his new SP - https://x.com/TheIliaSociety/status/1806998034846544381?t=oI6RBz-zVS2ogNPhrDQa_A&s=1

Some rough spots since he's clearly not in competition season shape right now but I like it for him. It's a nice progression from last season, especially the FS.

wake me up!

 

[kwanfan1818]

-10 points off PCS for grabbing your head. I'm looking at youze guys, Ilia and Yuma.

 

[Jarrett]

I found that program kind of boring. I am sure it will progress. That type of music is just generic to me.

 

[BittyBug]

I found that program kind of boring. I am sure it will progress. That type of music is just generic to me.

It would not be my choice of music, but as far as the program goes, he would have had to adjust it to account for the smaller ice surface due to the on ice seats, so I'll reserve judgment until I've seen it skated on a regular ice surface (NHL or Olympic).

 

[sharpblade]

Video of his new SP - https://x.com/TheIliaSociety/status/1806998034846544381?t=oI6RBz-zVS2ogNPhrDQa_A&s=1

Some rough spots since he's clearly not in competition season shape right now but I like it for him. It's a nice progression from last season, especially the FS.

 

[sharpblade]

I love this programme for him. It’s only going to get better!

 

[Wyliefan]

It would not be my choice of music, but as far as the program goes, he would have had to adjust it to account for the smaller ice surface due to the on ice seats, so I'll reserve judgment until I've seen it skated on a regular ice surface (NHL or Olympic).

I saw Kaori nearly skate right off the ice during her performance!

 

[cailuj365]

Yeah, I'm not sure if I like that yet. It's OK so far. Ilia + HOPE felt bold and genuine, like a statement of who he is, but this is much more tame musically. The step sequence seemed pretty short, and the end of the music and program feels particularly anti-climactic, so I wouldn't be surprised if the 2nd half looks different by the fall. Overall, I think there's potential and room for more with the choreography, but I also wouldn't be opposed if he scrapped this and found a different program either. All that said, I do like that Ilia is trying out new styles and genres and bringing new artists to figure skating. I also want him to be happy with what he skates to, so if this artist and music makes him happy, that's great and important.

 

[YukiNieve]

A Golden Skate article about Lucius Kazanecki, Junior Men's champion for the 2024 US Nationals.
I did not know that he started as a skater for Theatre on Ice.

2024-2025
SP: Intersteller
FS: Music by Woodkid
Choreographer (both): Tommy Steenberg

Significant strides for USA's Lucius Kazanecki

Lucius Kazanecki USA's Lucius Kazanecki has made significant strides since last season. He competed at 2024 Eastern Sectionals in the junior division,

www.goldenskate.com

 

[tony]

Ilia's most certainly putting the effort to include more in his program. Even from this rough early outing, I saw more attention to holding positions, more creativity with using his upper body, and more transitional work.

That being said, he still moves pretty clunky (or choppy, if you prefer) and he doesn't gain speed from any of it because he still has yet to really master the sweet spot of his blades. I know the surface was small, but that's not what I'm getting at.

As for the music- obviously he likes it. But he can get the audience screaming with three big jumping passes and skating circles around the ice for the rest of the 2 minutes, but he needs a song that rises/gains excitement. This just duds out.

 

[Stephanie]

Cross-posting from the JGP thread: the JGP announcement was just published and Gdansk is the one event with no US men (they earned 6 spots in 7 events per junior worlds results). Therefore, USFS has spots at the first 4 events, a one week break, and then spots at the last 2 events.

Based on this, I would guess that 4 men will get initial assignments based on Skate Milwaukee, with the other spots TBD based on JGP performances and perhaps NQS performances.