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

[Allskate]

When do they announce the Worlds team? I don't think it will happen, but I hope that Tomoki will get assigned to Worlds. Or, if they really just want to look at Nationals results, send Jacob to Worlds since he finished less than a tenth of a point behind Max.

 

[Karen-W]

Cross-posting from the USFS Int'l Assignments thread...

Press Release announcing the Olympic team and alternates -

U.S. Figure Skating Nominates 16 Athletes to 2026 U.S. Olympic Team - U.S. Figure Skating

U.S. Figure Skating today announced the 16 skaters nominated to the U.S. Olympic Team for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

usfigureskating.org

Men - Ilia Malinin, Maxim Naumov, Andrew Torgashev
1st Alternate - Jason Brown, 2nd Alternate - Tomoki Hiwatashi, 3rd Alternate - Jacob Sanchez

Really interesting order for the Alternates. I'm kind of annoyed that they went in reverse order of Nationals results, though I doubt it will matter.

Still waiting for the rest of the ISU Championships assignments.

 

[A.H.Black]

For once, my friends and I were 16 for 16. That said, the skaters made it pretty easy for the judges - including the men.

 

[Capt. DeSoto]

other assignments are up…

U.S. Figure Skating Announces World Championships, World Junior Championships and Four Continents Teams - U.S. Figure Skating

U.S. Figure Skating today announced its selections for the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2026, the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2026 and

usfigureskating.org

Worlds: Jason, Ilia, Andrew. Ordered alternates: Maxim, Tomoki, Jacob
4CC: Jason, Tomoki, Jacob. Ordered alternates: Liam, Jimmy, Daniel
WJC: Jacob, Lucius. Ordered alternates: Patrick, Caleb, Lorenzo

 

[Karen-W]

Can't believe they're sending Jason to Worlds over Tomoki.

Worlds
Men - Jason Brown, Ilia Malinin, Andrew Torgashev
1st Alternate - Maxim Naumov, 2nd Alternate - Tomoki Hiwatashi, 3rd Alternate - Jacob Sanchez

4CCs
Men - Jason Brown, Tomoki Hiwatashi, Jacob Sanchez
1st Alt - Liam Kapeikis, Jimmy Ma, Daniel Martynov

Jr Worlds
Men - Lucius Kazanecki, Jacob Sanchez
1st Alt - Patrick Blackwell, 2nd Alt - Caleb Farrington, 3rd Alt - Lorenzo Elano

Do we want to start a poll/betting pool in the Trash Can about whether or not Jason does actually go to 4CCs or Worlds?

 

[Capt. DeSoto]

Do we want to start a poll/betting pool in the Trash Can about whether or not Jason does actually go to 4CCs or Worlds?

I can see him making a European farewell tour out of it, but I imagine 4CC so soon will be tough. I can also see him stepping aside for others. Who knows but Jason. His legs are valuable on the show circuit, why risk any more 3As.

 

[misskarne]

In 2018 Jason (and Max) went to 4CC and laid down beautiful redemption skates. Jason then withdrew from Worlds.

I do not expect to see him at Worlds, but I hope he gives us a final gift at 4CC. It would be the saddest thing of all if that horror skate was his last.

 

[Capt. DeSoto]

In 2018 Jason (and Max) went to 4CC and laid down beautiful redemption skates. Jason then withdrew from Worlds.

I do not expect to see him at Worlds, but I hope he gives us a final gift at 4CC. It would be the saddest thing of all if that horror skate was his last.

Even if just with a nice clean beautiful 2A. There's no stakes for 4CC, right? We get three spots every year, and it doesn't determine any other assignments? Then yes, as long as he's not hurt and wants to do it, go give a beautiful 4CC performance and consider stepping aside for Worlds. Though, if he craves that over-sized crowd and attention, then Worlds could be an incredible farewell.

It doesn't matter what I think. It's up to him. He's earned the farewell of his choosing, and he will get zero criticism from me if he keeps both assignments.

 

[SkateSand]

I think Jason will do 4CC and/or Worlds because he won't want to end his competitive career with that free skate at Nationals. He'll want to go out on a high note for both himself and his fans.

 

[kwanfan1818]

I just can't believe that they assigned Brown to Worlds. But then it's a full circle moment, because in 2014, USFS didn't trust him with competing at Worlds and split the assignment, and here, they're putting their trust in him even though he didn't make the Olympic team.

 

[Lanie]

I love Jason but I think it’s a gift to give him Worlds, I hope he does and has a beautiful redemptive skate

 

[SidelineSkater]

I love Jason but I think it’s a gift to give him Worlds, I hope he does and has a beautiful redemptive skate

Agree. Or possibly they want him as the good-luck insurance he usually is when it comes to earn/keep the third spot. I say that in jest but also truth. No clue if he'll want a swan song world skate or if he's over it all and is done.

 

[moebius]

Sorry if this has been discussed, but if Jason had placed 4th overall, I bet he would be sent to the Olympics, with Max being the sacrificial lamb, like Ilia was 4 years ago, who I still think should have been sent to the Olympics in 2022 instead of Jason.

 

[misskarne]

Jason will be the insurance. USFS likely does not trust anyone else to help Ilia keep the third spot, and frankly, rightly so. The last time the Worlds team was Jason, Ilia, and Torgashev, it was not Jason who failed, despite the many gleeful predictions.

Jacob getting to go to 4CC alongside Jason will be a great experience for him and I hope he soaks it all in.

 

[tony]

Sorry if this has been discussed, but if Jason had placed 4th overall, I bet he would be sent to the Olympics, with Max being the sacrificial lamb, like Ilia was 4 years ago, who I still think should have been sent to the Olympics in 2022 instead of Jason.

This was discussed heavily as what I thought could happen, either with Tomoki or Andrew 2nd and Max staying 3rd.

There ain’t no way in hell Max was gonna get dumped off the team. Tomoki maybe. But not Max.

 

[misskarne]

Sorry if this has been discussed, but if Jason had placed 4th overall, I bet he would be sent to the Olympics, with Max being the sacrificial lamb, like Ilia was 4 years ago, who I still think should have been sent to the Olympics in 2022 instead of Jason.

If Jason had finished fourth there would have been a perfectly fine argument to send him. The argument would then have been Maxim vs Torgashev and it is not at all certain which way that would have gone.

Jason going in 2022 was absolutely the correct decision and he proved it not only at the Olympics but many times over afterwards.

 

[Allskate]

If Jason had finished fourth there would have been a perfectly fine argument to send him. The argument would then have been Maxim vs Torgashev and it is not at all certain which way that would have gone.

Of course there would have been a good argument to send Jason, especially if they were looking at and applying the rules, which go beyond one event. But, I don't think that they would have sacrificed Max if there was any possible rationalization to send him. IMO, it seems pretty obvious that TPTB want him at the Olympics.

 

[moebius]

Sorry if this has been discussed, but if Jason had placed 4th overall, I bet he would be sent to the Olympics, with Max being the sacrificial lamb, like Ilia was 4 years ago, who I still think should have been sent to the Olympics in 2022 instead of Jason.

Now that I think I about it, will TPTB bail Jason out a 2nd time? They didn't bail Ashley Wagner the 2nd time when she placed 4th at Nationals b4 the 2018 Olympics.

 

[PRlady]

I’m really sorry for Tomoki and wish he were first alternate for Worlds.

 

[her grace]

Every committee does things a little differently and the selection criteria also changes from year to year so it’s hard to say here’s the takeaways from this year’s choices. That said, it looks like the men’s, pairs, and dance committees didn’t put much stock in Challenger/Senior B success. If an athlete didn’t also achieve success on the GP, then they didn’t pass athletes who finished above them at nationals and were in danger of being passed themselves.

Hiwatashi’s circumstances, however, seem especially unique between Naumov’s heartbreaking loss and Brown’s historic contributions. I could easily see him named to the world team or first alternate if the other athletes involved didn’t have such compelling stories/past achievements.

 

[Aceon6]

I hope Tracy has him ready with whatever jumps he can land for the short at Worlds. If he does 2A, 3F/2 or 3T, and a decent 3L without an error, he will make the long. There are a LOT of inconsistent guys.

 

[Jonas]

I'm not shocked w/the USFSA assigning Brown to Four Continents and Worlds, but I very honestly hope that Brown ultimately decides to pass up on both to allow the alternates (who I feel are more deserving of the actual/initial assignment) to compete there.

I also noticed that Jacob Sanchez got Jr. Worlds along w/Four Continents (as expected). Blackwell, IIRC, is age eligible next season, and would benefit greatly from gaining points from an ISU Championship. Another illogical decision here, IMO.

Your thoughts...

 

[Debbie S]

I was surprised too...i figured Jacob finishing high enough to get 4CC would mean Patrick would get JW along with Lucius. I imagine USFS is thinking in terms of maximizing JGP spots for next season, and Jacob has so far proven to be more consistent than Patrick.

 

[OrioleBeagle]

How do Andrew and Max compare to the Russian men?

 

[kwanfan1818]

Only one Russian man is relevant, Gummenik, who has an extra quad or two cushion over Torgashev and Naumov at their best. Torgashev's skating skills are probably superior and visibly so, but I haven't seen Gummenik live since he was a junior, so maybe not, and that's not really applicable to judging except in rare cases (Brown, Vasiljevs).

 

[Private Citizen]

Jason will be the insurance. USFS likely does not trust anyone else to help Ilia keep the third spot, and frankly, rightly so. The last time the Worlds team was Jason, Ilia, and Torgashev, it was not Jason who failed, despite the many gleeful predictions.

There’s no guarantee Malinin will go to Worlds, especially if he wins in Milan. Few to no US gold medalists go to Worlds. Cashing in on endorsements or show opportunities is usually worth more.

The US could quite easily go from 3 spots to 1 without Malinin, although I would hope three guys could achieve at least a 13th and 15th in what will probably be a depleted field.

 

[Capt. DeSoto]

There’s no guarantee Malinin will go to Worlds, especially if he wins in Milan.

I feel like those at the very top though would want to work towards yet another broken record... most championships, longest streak, etc. His victory is so assured, he's probably already inked contingent sponsorship deals (heck, might have even already done the photo shoots for a few).

 

[sk9tingfan]

Everyone in CT is going crazy about Maxin Naumov. And he lives in the town next to mine!

 

[barbk]

I'm not shocked w/the USFSA assigning Brown to Four Continents and Worlds, but I very honestly hope that Brown ultimately decides to pass up on both to allow the alternates (who I feel are more deserving of the actual/initial assignment) to compete there.

I also noticed that Jacob Sanchez got Jr. Worlds along w/Four Continents (as expected). Blackwell, IIRC, is age eligible next season, and would benefit greatly from gaining points from an ISU Championship. Another illogical decision here, IMO.

Your thoughts...

Putting Jason on the World team increases the chances of keeping an extra spot for 2027. And, his BOW is way better than anyone left off the team. National free program was his worst skate in more than a decade. I don't think that should imply that all his future skates will be like that one.

 

[skateboy]

Everyone in CT is going crazy about Maxin Naumov. And he lives in the town next to mine!

Love this.

And it's your 10,000th post, congratulations!