U.S. Men 2025-26 Discussion - Quad God and the Mere Mortals

[skatfan]

Turn up the pressure for Nationals, because the Olympics are also going to be high pressure with the eyes of the world on them. Everyone wants someone who is going to rise to the challenge in a way they haven't really been doing.

Nationals is already the highest stress competition of the year since it is the last one before the Olympic teams are announced. There is absolutely no need to “turn up the pressure.”

 

[SkateSand]

I'm not particularly impressed by either of Torgashev's programs this year. Since it's such a nervy season, perhaps he and his team should consider going back to beloved programs that moved the audience and the judges. I have no problem with skaters re-using programs that were showstoppers or iconic, and muscle memory may help them overcome the extra stress of an Olympic season.

 

[Karen-W]

I'm not particularly impressed by either of Torgashev's programs this year. Since it's such a nervy season, perhaps he and his team should consider going back to beloved programs that moved the audience and the judges. I have no problem with skaters re-using programs that were showstoppers or iconic, and muscle memory may help them overcome the extra stress of an Olympic season.

Does Torgashev really have any signature, beloved programs? For his diehard fans, sure, but I would struggle to name a single program of his that stands out in my mind. The only reason I remember his FS from last season is because of the very shiny, white satin tunic he had for his costume.

 

[SkateSand]

Does Torgashev really have any signature, beloved programs?

L'enfer for one.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I wonder what would’ve been of Lucas without all of his injuries.

 

[Karen-W]

L'enfer for one.

I knew someone would chime in with that one.

Like I said, though, I think it's a beloved program for his fans, but I don't know that it's at the same level as say Jason's "Sinnerman" or "Riverdance" programs in terms of really hitting it out of the park across all of skating fandom as a brilliant, signature program.

 

[panda42]

I'm not particularly impressed by either of Torgashev's programs this year. Since it's such a nervy season, perhaps he and his team should consider going back to beloved programs that moved the audience and the judges. I have no problem with skaters re-using programs that were showstoppers or iconic, and muscle memory may help them overcome the extra stress of an Olympic season.

Interesting idea. I like his new programs, but it isn't helping him if he flubs one or both at every competition. I doubt that he would do L'enfer for a third time, but the 2023 long was well received and not seen that much. Everyone else is making changes, so he should try to maximize his chances.

 

[tangerine dream]

I wonder what would’ve been of Lucas without all of his injuries.

Same. I really fear he's going to have a Joshua Farris-esque way too early retirement from injuries.

 

[Private Citizen]

I’ll sign on to the recommendation of Torgashev bringing back both of last year’s programs.

 

[Allskate]

I wonder what would’ve been of Lucas without all of his injuries.

I frequently wonder about this. I'm sure he constantly wonders about it.

 

[Sylvia]

Lucas Broussard.

I'm so sad that his David Wilson-choreographed programs have not seen the light of day this season: https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00111284.htm

Lucas posted this message back on May 4, 2025 (with 3 photos of his longtime coaches in Seattle, Darin Hosier & Corrie Martin): https://www.instagram.com/p/DJP-IsIy49j

I’m going to Stanford! …after a gap year to focus on skating at the Toronto Cricket Club.
Thank you to everyone who has inspired me to seriously pursue this sport alongside my academic education.
I’m beyond grateful for what Corrie and Darin have taught me on and off the ice over the past nine years. It’s difficult to convey how significantly they’ve shaped me as an athlete and as a person. Thank you both for believing in me, pushing me, and reminding me why I do this.

He has only posted once more since then on Instagram, showing a clip of himself doing a layback to Biellmann spin at the Cricket Club on July 7. Lucas attended Champs Camp in August but did not skate due to injury. Since he did not compete at Pacific Coast Sectionals last week, I assume his season is over (far too early yet again); however, I am very glad he has Stanford University to look forward to!

 

[Allskate]

He has only posted once more since then on Instagram,

He rarely posts on Instagram, but I seem to recall him posting an IG Story over the summer, showing him jumping. And I caught a glimpse of him in one of Jason's videos over the summer, skating at the Cricket Club. He definitely was training during at least part of the summer. He withdrew from SCI in September. And he didn't withdraw from Finland at the same time. So, at some point, at least, they must have had some hope that he would be okay to skate later in the season. That seems gone now. I feel bad for him, missing most of last season with a bad injury, delaying college to come back and train and compete, and then not being able to use that gap year to compete.

I would understand if he just decides to focus on academics, but I would be very sad not to see him skate again.

 

[tlk]

I wonder what would’ve been of Lucas without all of his inj

Lucas Broussard.

I'm so sad that his David Wilson-choreographed programs have not seen the light of day this season: https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00111284.htm

Lucas posted this message back on May 4, 2025 (with 3 photos of his longtime coaches in Seattle, Darin Hosier & Corrie Martin): https://www.instagram.com/p/DJP-IsIy49j

He has only posted once more since then on Instagram, showing a clip of himself doing a layback to Biellmann spin at the Cricket Club on July 7. Lucas attended Champs Camp in August but did not skate due to injury. Since he did not compete at Pacific Coast Sectionals last week, I assume his season is over (far too early yet again); however, I am very glad he has Stanford University to look forward to!

He was my original pick for the 3rd spot on this year's US Olympic team. I'm so sad that it won't be happening. I would have enjoyed seeing those two programs!

 

[Capt. DeSoto]

He was my original pick for the 3rd spot on this year's US Olympic team. I'm so sad that it won't be happening. I would have enjoyed seeing those two programs!

That was surely his plan… Olympics, then school. Then presumably three years of school with maintenance training (and perhaps sporadic competitions). Then maybe another gap year for another go in 2030. Injuries suck. They derail so many careers. You work your whole young life towards one thing, and then some random body part wants out.

Just going to the Olympics would have earned him four years of Nat’s byes, right? Or is that just for medalists? [Edit: I just looked it up and it’s for singles medalists. No guarantees they keep that criteria year to year].

 

[DreamSkates]

I need to go rewatch the men. I was half asleep and sadly have no memory of this

Sadly, Ma's LP was not memorable for a competition. Maybe a fun exhibition number. Second half was entertaining but I've seen it before.

 

[DreamSkates]

My men's assessment thus far that no one asked for:

I called Tomoki as my dark horse for one of the Olympic spots before the Grand Prix even started because he has shown clear improvement this year. He has always been a fun skater to watch for me because he just puts 100% into it but in doing so, appeared out of control which in turn resulted in some train wreck performances. This year, he appears much more calm, focused, and most importantly, looking like he is truly fighting for that spot and doing the work to get there. That being said....

If all of the contenders skate their absolute best, Tomoki would finish last among them because he just doesn't have the PCS or GOE potential of the rest. With the exception of Jacob, they all have relatively the same technical content so PCS and GOE matter a lot when differentiating.

I personally believe that if everyone skates their best, Andrew is at the top, with Camden not far behind (his spins are what will hold him back). I have a hard time figuring out exactly where Naumov would fit because I don't know if I have ever seen him perform to his best, so it is hard to gauge where he would land but he is likely somewhere in that top 3 as well.

Jacob has improved his presentation sooo much this year, especially how he hold and uses his arms/hands. He just doesn't have the technical yet to hit that top if everyone skates their best.

Jimmy falls a bit above Tomoki for me because he is a natural performer and will get a bit higher PCS, but he also has a lower GOE potential than others.

So far, Tomoki has the lowest max scoring potential, but on the flip side, he is the only one performing this season where he is coming close to hitting that max scoring potential. I am not in any way saying Tomoki has this in the bag or is the front runner, just that based on performances thus far, he is the only one who has shown that his max score performance is something that is repeatable. It could also be that he peaked early and can't sustain it through Nationals.

I enjoy all of the men for different reason so I will be happy for whomever makes it and gutted for those who don't. Same with the women. I think it will be possible to make an argument for nearly any of the options because they are all really close in ability and even more so, inconsistency.

And lastly, I don't necessarily think the this will come down to whomever finished 3rd at Nationals. Outside of 2014, Jason does not have a stellar record for Olympic year Nationals performances. While I think his Olympic spot is a given, I don't believe for one second that it is a given that he will finish 2nd at Nationals.

Didn't Naumov have a great result recently? Torgashev not so much although I hope he can get whatever he needs to get his best score.

 

[jägerbomb]

The competition for the third Olympics spot has been underwhelming at best.

I guess I'm rooting for Tomoki or Naumov at this point.

 

[Evgeniafan]

The competition for the third Olympics spot has been underwhelming at best.

I guess I'm rooting for Tomoki or Naumov at this point.

Your Avatar looks like Brenda Dickson, the original Jill Abbott.