U.S.Women [#9]: Now That's What I'm F*@&%!$ Talking About!

[Wyliefan]

I missed the injury. What’s going on?

There were reports she was taking it easy on the jumps at SoI because of some minor injury. Not sure what kind.

 

[Allskate]

I missed the injury. What’s going on?

She said in an interview that she injured herself during a bad fall in an SOI show but will be fine as long as she doesn't keep falling until it heals. She didn't go into details about the injury.

She's hardly been jumping in the SOI shows. But, she is able to perform. Instead of doing jumps in practice, she apparently is working on ice dance. Not really, but I have seen clips of her doing some ice dance moves with Jason and with C&P. She's not so injured that she can't skate at all.

Here's the interview. It mentions the injury and her plans about preparing for and competing next season:

MSN

 

[Icetalavista]

She said in an interview that she injured herself during a bad fall in an SOI show but will be fine as long as she doesn't keep falling until it heals. She didn't go into details about the injury.

She's hardly been jumping in the SOI shows. But, she is able to perform. Instead of doing jumps in practice, she apparently is working on ice dance. Not really, but I have seen clips of her doing some ice dance moves with Jason and with C&P. She's not so injured that she can't skate at all.

Here's the interview. It mentions the injury and her plans about preparing for and competing next season:

MSN

This explains the lack of jumps in her short program in SOI…

 

[Allskate]

Isabeau is working with Benoit. I had been wondering if this might happen - and I know these photos will set tongues wagging for reasons other than skating.

I'm sure this is just for a few weeks during Benoit's summer camp, but I think it's great that she is working with someone new. I think her coach/choreographers do a good job with her choreography, but she's been working with them forever and it's beneficial to work with a variety of choreographers.

She still wasn't jumping last week, but she was playing around with choreo and ice dance, so hopefully this will be productive.

B E N O I T R I C H A U D on Instagram: "Back in my second home, Courmayeur 🤍"

5,015 likes, 39 comments - benoitrichaud on June 10, 2026: "Back in my second home, Courmayeur 🤍".

www.instagram.com

 

[Aaron MB Fan]

Benoit’s summer camp means more time together for Isabeau and Stephen! A nice bonus perk of them both sharing the same choreographer.

 

[floridaice]

Benoit’s summer camp means more time together for Isabeau and Stephen! A nice bonus perk of them both sharing the same choreographer.

Maybe this could lead to a coaching change for Isabeau! Not necessarily with Stephen's team, but in the general area?

 

[Allskate]

Maybe this could lead to a coaching change for Isabeau! Not necessarily with Stephen's team, but in the general area?

She's very close to her coach and has been with her since she was three. I'm not sure if she would change coaches just because she has been with Stephen for a few months, but there are plenty of other reasons for her to work with other coaches and choreogaphers.

Jason Brown left his long-time coach for Toronto. Lucas Broussard went to the Cricket Club, too. (And Isabeau is friends with both Lucas and Jason.) There's good coaching and ice in Toronto, and I think Isabeau clearly likes being around other elite skaters. She can't work on her jumps right now, but she wants to work on a triple axel and there are coaches who could help her with that and her other jumps.

There are plenty of skaters who work intermittently with other coaches and choreographers, and now that Isabeau is older, I hope she will feel comfortable doing that. At a minimum, it would be great if she worked intermittently with Benoit like plenty of other skaters do.

 

[Allskate]

While Benoit and others were posting photos of Isabeau with Benoit and Stephen, Isabeau herself has posted clips of herself that appear to be in Ontario. I'm guessing that this was from last week. She doesn't post often, but when she does, it tends to be delayed.

Instagram

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[Flip Jump]

While Benoit and others were posting photos of Isabeau with Benoit and Stephen, Isabeau herself has posted clips of herself that appear to be in Ontario. I'm guessing that this was from last week. She doesn't post often, but when she does, it tends to be delayed.

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I spy Carolina and I believe Lori Nichol in the first IG story from today. I am so intrigued and excited!

 

[Allskate]

I spy Carolina and I believe Lori Nichol in the first IG story from today. I am so intrigued and excited!

I think you're right that it is Carolina and maybe Lori outside in that first photo. There was a coaches conference there last week and Carolina worked with Skate Ontario while she was there. Maybe Carolina found time to choreograph for Isabeau. And maybe Isabeau could spend some time in Italy with Carolina.

If nothing else, it's interesting speculation for the off-season.

While I think it would be good for Isabeau to get exposure to various choreographers, I'm more interested in Isabeau getting new help with jumps.

 

[Jammers]

Isabeau is working with Benoit. I had been wondering if this might happen - and I know these photos will set tongues wagging for reasons other than skating.

I'm sure this is just for a few weeks during Benoit's summer camp, but I think it's great that she is working with someone new. I think her coach/choreographers do a good job with her choreography, but she's been working with them forever and it's beneficial to work with a variety of choreographers.

She still wasn't jumping last week, but she was playing around with choreo and ice dance, so hopefully this will be productive.

B E N O I T R I C H A U D on Instagram: "Back in my second home, Courmayeur 🤍"

5,015 likes, 39 comments - benoitrichaud on June 10, 2026: "Back in my second home, Courmayeur 🤍".

www.instagram.com

Did i miss something is Isabeau injured?

 

[Wyliefan]

Did i miss something is Isabeau injured?

Scroll up to the second post from the top on this page.

 

[Jammers]

Scroll up to the second post from the top on this page.

Thank you.

 

[Karen-W]

GP Assignments are out! Of note, Bradie Tennell isn't listed (soft retirement launch?).

https://isudam.blob.core.windows.net/isudamcontainer/GP-Women-Rev-1781605326-8563.pdf

Alysa Liu - Skate America & Finlandia Trophy
Amber Glenn - Skate America & NHK Trophy
Isabeau Levito - Skate Canada & Finlandia Trophy
Sarah Everhardt - Grand Prix de France & NHK Trophy
Alina Bonillo - Cup of China
Sophie Joline von Felten - Cup of China

Skate America - 1 TBD spot

 

[PRlady]

Elyce finished too low last year, I guess. We really don’t have that deep a bench in Women after the top four.

 

[natsulian]

GP Assignments are out! Of note, Bradie Tennell isn't listed (soft retirement launch?).

https://isudam.blob.core.windows.net/isudamcontainer/GP-Women-Rev-1781605326-8563.pdf

Alysa Liu - Skate America & Finlandia Trophy
Amber Glenn - Skate America & NHK Trophy
Isabeau Levito - Skate Canada & Finlandia Trophy
Sarah Everhardt - Grand Prix de France & NHK Trophy
Alina Bonillo - Cup of China
Sophie Joline von Felten - Cup of China

Skate America - 1 TBD spot

I'm shocked Elyce did not receive at least one assignment. She's ranked in the top 24 of the World Standings from the last season. Anywho, I hope she is not retiring.

 

[Karen-W]

I'm shocked Elyce did not receive at least one assignment. She's ranked in the top 24 of the World Standings from the last season. Anywho, I hope she is not retiring.

She is too far down the SB Top 75 list to have received an assignment.

 

[natsulian]

She is too far down the SB Top 75 list to have received an assignment.

I fear I am out of touch with the way the Grand Prix selection works, thanks for the heads up. I'm still working based off of Season's Standings and not season's bests. Also, Alysa will not be debuting on the Grand Prix until November which gives her nearly 5 months to work on her new programs. I wonder if she asked to be put in the later Grand Prix events even though she's not seeded. Alysa is the golden girl of the ISU and USFS, I would not be surprised if her requests were answered.

 

[Wyliefan]

So that's how Alina got one, I guess -- she's behind Elyce in world standings but above her in season's best. She must be thrilled to have her first GP!

 

[natsulian]

So that's how Alina got one, I guess -- she's behind Elyce in world standings but above her in season's best. She must be thrilled to have her first GP!

Alina did really well last season internationally. She was assigned to three international events and secured two gold medals at two Senior B's and one bronze at her Challenger event with a score of 183.59. Based on her social media, it seems like she's coming back from an injury, so I'm wishing her the best.

 

[Allskate]

Also, Alysa will not be debuting on the Grand Prix until November which gives her nearly 5 months to work on her new programs. I wonder if she asked to be put in the later Grand Prix events even though she's not seeded. Alysa is the golden girl of the ISU and USFS, I would not be surprised if her requests were answered.

That's my guess. The rules discourage putting a skater in back to back competitions on different continents. I don't think they would do that to the Olympic champion unless she asked for it.

I'm hoping that this scheduling will increase her chances of competing in the GP this season. It will give her time to take advantage of opportunities before competing.

 

[RoseRed]

I'm shocked Elyce did not receive at least one assignment. She's ranked in the top 24 of the World Standings from the last season. Anywho, I hope she is not retiring.

I fear I am out of touch with the way the Grand Prix selection works, thanks for the heads up. I'm still working based off of Season's Standings and not season's bests. Also, Alysa will not be debuting on the Grand Prix until November which gives her nearly 5 months to work on her new programs. I wonder if she asked to be put in the later Grand Prix events even though she's not seeded. Alysa is the golden girl of the ISU and USFS, I would not be surprised if her requests were answered.

So, World Standing (WS) does count for GP assignments, along with Season Bests (SB), but Elyce is only 31st in WS, not top 24.

Skaters in the top 24 in either WS and SB are guaranteed 1 spot. Once all the guaranteed spots and host picks are given out, they seem to go down the SB list (more or less) until the rest of the spots are filled. The Alternate list also goes by SB. So SB matters more overall, and WS counts if you're top 24, but doesn't matter if you're 25th or below.

 

[natsulian]

So, World Standing (WS) does count for GP assignments, along with Season Bests (SB), but Elyce is only 31st in WS, not top 24.

Skaters in the top 24 in either WS and SB are guaranteed 1 spot. Once all the guaranteed spots and host picks are given out, they seem to go down the SB list (more or less) until the rest of the spots are filled. The Alternate list also goes by SB. So SB matters more overall, and WS counts if you're top 24, but doesn't matter if you're 25th or below.

Ahhh thank you. Is it still the same rules as seasons past in which skaters who did not receive an assignment or only received one can receive one/another one based on their season's best for that season? For instance, Elyce's score of 213 in an early Challenger Series competition meant she was at the top of the selection rank for a Grand Prix assignment depending on withdrawals?

 

[kwanfan1818]

Medalling in a first GP Assignment from the Alternate list or winning their single selected event also puts a skater/team at the top of the Alternate list without regard to SB.


"If a skater invited from the Alternate list for a first GP Event, medals in that Grand Prix event, the skater
will be the first alternate for a second event."

"Finally, any skater/couple, who is chosen for only one event, and then subsequently wins that one
event, will be moved to the top of the Alternate List for possible selection for a second event."

I don't understand this "Skaters/Couples will be sorted by GP Points and the Host Countries must select the Skaters/Couples
based on the order of the Alternate list..." GP Points? Everything else seems to be ranked by SB points, except for the two conditions above.

 

[RoseRed]

Ahhh thank you. Is it still the same rules as seasons past in which skaters who did not receive an assignment or only received one can receive one/another one based on their season's best for that season? For instance, Elyce's score of 213 in an early Challenger Series competition meant she was at the top of the selection rank for a Grand Prix assignment depending on withdrawals?

Basically the same, but I believe in the last couple years all the CS medalists could improve their place on the alternate list*, and now it's only the winners

*I'm not sure if that's what the rules said, but that's what I remember was happening on the ISU Alternate document.

 

[Karen-W]

Medalling in a first GP Assignment from the Alternate list or winning their single selected event also puts a skater/team at the top of the Alternate list without regard to SB.


"If a skater invited from the Alternate list for a first GP Event, medals in that Grand Prix event, the skater
will be the first alternate for a second event."

"Finally, any skater/couple, who is chosen for only one event, and then subsequently wins that one
event, will be moved to the top of the Alternate List for possible selection for a second event."

I don't understand this "Skaters/Couples will be sorted by GP Points and the Host Countries must select the Skaters/Couples
based on the order of the Alternate list..." GP Points? Everything else seems to be ranked by SB points, except for the two conditions above.

I noticed that discrepancy also when I was reviewing the updated Selection Doc and... I guess we'll find out after Cranberry or, more likely, the first couple of Challengers with Pairs (Kinoshita Group Cup and John Nicks IPC).

 

[Karen-W]

Basically the same, but I believe in the last couple years all the CS medalists could improve their place on the alternate list*, and now it's only the winners

*I'm not sure if that's what the rules said, but that's what I remember was happening on the ISU Alternate document.

It was always only the winners for Singles & Dance; but Pairs was basically any team that competed at a Challenger who posted a qualifying minimum score to be included on the Alternates List.

 

[natsulian]

Medalling in a first GP Assignment from the Alternate list or winning their single selected event also puts a skater/team at the top of the Alternate list without regard to SB.


"If a skater invited from the Alternate list for a first GP Event, medals in that Grand Prix event, the skater
will be the first alternate for a second event."

"Finally, any skater/couple, who is chosen for only one event, and then subsequently wins that one
event, will be moved to the top of the Alternate List for possible selection for a second event."

I don't understand this "Skaters/Couples will be sorted by GP Points and the Host Countries must select the Skaters/Couples
based on the order of the Alternate list..." GP Points? Everything else seems to be ranked by SB points, except for the two conditions above.

Thank you for doing all the hard work! I'm really excited for the Grand Prix season! I'm conditioning my expectations for our American women though since they tend to peak later in the season and the quad. We just came back from one of the most impressive quads for the American women in decades, so I'm just hoping our Olympians enjoy their post-Olympic season and that the other women are able to start their campaigns.

 

[RoseRed]

It was always only the winners for Singles & Dance; but Pairs was basically any team that competed at a Challenger who posted a qualifying minimum score to be included on the Alternates List.

Yeah, that sounds right for what the rule was, but I remember them at some point updating the scores for other medalists if they were already on the list, or something like that. I might be misremembering, but it's also not like they always followed their own written rules, and I also remember there being mistakes on the published alternate list several times.

 

[Karen-W]

Yeah, that sounds right for what the rule was, but I remember them at some point updating the scores for other medalists if they were already on the list, or something like that. I might be misremembering, but it's also not like they always followed their own written rules, and I also remember there being mistakes on the published alternate list several times.

They did, but it wasn't explicitly written in the old doc the way the Pairs part was.