U.S. Men 2025-26 Discussion - Quad God and the Mere Mortals
- Thread starter Karen-W
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Look, I'm a HUGE Jason stan, but I don't think he was in any shape to get the US three spots next year.
Last season he had a rough fall but a good Nationals. This he's just been... rough. And not just on the 3A, but on jumps I'd normally expect him to have no problem with.
We'll have two spots and there's no one to blame other than the US men only really having one great skater right now, but I would've blamed Jason for going if he went and put out skates like he had this fall or at Nationals.
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He was 12th at the Olympics and IIRC at least two who finished higher won’t be there. Jason can’t be asked to do more than what he’s already done , for which I’m grateful. He’s clearly past his prime and another Nats-like performance would be needlessly humiliating.
Karen-W
Let the fan wars of the Olympic season begin!
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Well, I'd blame the US men specifically for not getting the job done - something I've consistently said the past few seasons. And I'd blame the USFS in general for relying on Brown the past few seasons instead of putting the feet of the other men to the fire and forcing them to step up & get the job done.
Three - Shaidorov, Cha & Gumennik - won't be at Worlds, which would move Torgy up to 9th - he was less than 1 point away from beating Aymoz & 1.21 points away from beating Egadze in Milano. Theoretically, I think 8th is probably the highest he's likely to finish, though he could be lower if Miura or Britschgi show up in better shape than they were in Milano.
Provided Ilia is on the podium in Prague I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that we keep three spots for next season, but I'm convinced of Torgashev quiet yet despite two good competitions in a row (Nats & Olympics).
Vagabond
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It's all a huge konspiracy against Jason. Always has been, always shall be. 
Badams
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I can't imagine being a skater like Jason, securing 3 spots for the men time and time again, and being diminished by Internet fans non-stop. What a glorious career he's had.
Sylvia
Flight #5342: I Will Remember You
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IMO it's just a minority and not worth getting too upset about - Jason has a LOT of love from many, many more fans around the world.
While there are people who have always hated him and drag him...
I think it's also delusional to say that he would've definitely earned 3 spots this year. Yes, he's had an AMAZING career and is one of my favorite skaters of all time, but I can't deny his skating this season hasn't been up to his standard. It's not diminishing him or his accomplishments over the years, it's being realistic.
Am I sad to see him go out this way? Yes. But I also won't lie to myself and say he's the same Jason who can be relied on to finish in the Top 10.
Vagabond
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Brown's Total Score at Nationals this season would have put him in eighteenth place at the Olympics, more than thirty points behind Torgashev, who finished in twelfth. Shaidurov and Gummenik won't be competing in Prague. I think that there is a good chance that Malinin and Torgashev can, together, earn a third entry at next year's Worlds for the U.S. men.
Karen-W
Let the fan wars of the Olympic season begin!
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Cha also will not be in Prague, so that's 3 men who finished ahead of both Ilia & Torgy. I think they SHOULD be able to retain three spots but it's going to depend on Torgy handling the pressure of being the clear US #2 man & needing to deliver.
Vagabond
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The U.S. #1 man needs to deliver too. 
Sasha'sSpins
Magick 🪄
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True. Fortunately though, Ilia has delivered 15 times in 16, with the exception of his individual Olympic Free Skate. He has come through at his GP events, Worlds, and the Olympic Team event. Actually, I forgot that he has also done great at World Team Trophy. Obviously, Max and Jacob are currently on a different level but Ilia has proven himself at his last 3 Worlds. His record at Worlds has been outstanding. I think he'll do fine. And I have faith in all three young men.The U.S. #1 man needs to deliver too.
misskarne
Handy Emergency Backup Mode
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Wasn't that what you were all carrying on about last year too? How'd that work out for you?
kwanfan1818
RIP D-10
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That was before Torgashev placed 12th at the Olympics, an even bigger stage than Worlds. He no longer has just the potential to place that high: he's done it.
It's not inconceivable that Torgashev will place higher given that Jirenbayev may not make the FS, and Russia can't compete at ISU championships, at least this year. I don't have a sense of how the other Cha will do. I wouldn't expect Miura to underachieve again, though.
I hope Sanchez has great skates, too, and that he can make the most of this opportunity.
It's not inconceivable that Torgashev will place higher given that Jirenbayev may not make the FS, and Russia can't compete at ISU championships, at least this year. I don't have a sense of how the other Cha will do. I wouldn't expect Miura to underachieve again, though.
I hope Sanchez has great skates, too, and that he can make the most of this opportunity.
Vagabond
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I don't think so. My only post from last season using the words "Torgashev" and "World(s)" was this one: Post in thread 'U.S. Men 2024-25 news & updates' https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/u-s-men-2024-25-news-updates.111831/post-6703580
On the other hand, I did post make this post last year about Brown:
Next time, check your facts before you accuse people.
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Some people do better with more responsibility. Torgy might be well aware that Jason saved his bacon last year, but now he’s the number two guy and it could be his own spot he loses next year. We’ll see.
jägerbomb
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I do not understand the source of your hostility. As a longtime Jason fan, I can confidently say Jason would not want you acting like this!
Torgy had no way of knowing where Jason would place when he was skating at Worlds last year. I don't see how he wasn't skating for an Olympic spot, both generally and his own. At the Olympics, he didn't have that same amount of pressure and all the expectations were on Ilia.
But, I don't think he has as much as pressure at Worlds this year. Olympic spots aren't in play. Jason, Max, and Tomoki likely won't be around next year and he's pretty clearly the number 2 American going into next season, assuming he's going to continue competing.
Sylvia
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Jackie Wong just mentioned in his Worlds preview live podcast that Jacob Sanchez was snowboarding when he got the call for Worlds!
