Zingas/Kolesnik Fan Thread - They Have “It”

[tangerine dream]

It didn’t sound like they were packing for both 4CC and the Olympics from their TikTok videos, but I could have interpreted wrong.

That's interesting. If they are going back to Michigan then maybe they have already been told they won't be skating in the team event, although the individual dance event only starts three days later so I would still imagine they want to get to Milan as soon as possible.

 

[Tinycities]

It didn’t sound like they were packing for both 4CC and the Olympics from their TikTok videos, but I could have interpreted wrong.

Yeah I got the same vibe. She mentioned she had ordered more stuff to prepare and wanted to unbox and was going to post it, and I think that implied after 4CC as it hadn’t arrived yet.

That's interesting. If they are going back to Michigan then maybe they have already been told they won't be skating in the team event, although the individual dance event only starts three days later so I would still imagine they want to get to Milan as soon as possible.

They posted on Jan 13 that they would be in Milan 16 days later, that’s Jan 29th.

 

[tangerine dream]

They posted on Jan 13 that they would be in Milan 16 days later, that’s Jan 29th.

If they're not getting there until the 29th then they're either going back to Michigan for 1-2 days or they've arranged to train at a rink in Beijing for a few days before leaving for Milan.

 

[ice coverage]

Interview with Emi and Vadym from WXYZ, the ABC affiliate in Detroit, begins at approx. 45-second mark:

An ice dancing pair who trains in Novi is among those athletes heading to Milan for this year's Winter Olympic games. ...​

https://youtu.be/g0ofk4YjP8k?si=NMBRfl6wT6RzMFLH&t=45 (Jan 21)​

Companion print piece includes the recent GoFundMe link:

Michigan ice dancers Vadym Kolesnik and Emilea Zingas qualify for 2026 Milan Olympics

Figure skaters Vadym Kolesnik and Emilea Zingas have spent countless hours at a Novi ice rink dreaming about the Olympics. Now the ice dancing duo is well on their way.

www.wxyz.com

ETA:​

Zingas excerpt from ISU Quick Quotes after Four Continents RD:
"It's a quick turnaround from Nationals. We only had a few days home and then we came here, then we'll have a few days home again and go to Milan. ..."​

On Mon Jan 26, @skatewithsuburbanice/Novi Ice Arena is having a celebration send-off for Emi/Vadym with autographs and photo op:​

Suburban Ice on Instagram: "You’re invited to a celebration send-off for Emilea Zingas & Vadym Kolesnik this Monday at Novi Ice Arena at 5 p.m."

45 likes, 2 comments - skatewithsuburbanice on January 22, 2026: "You’re invited to a celebration send-off for Emilea Zingas & Vadym Kolesnik this Monday at Novi Ice Arena at 5 p.m.".

www.instagram.com

 

[deegee]

woahhh... that's a lot of back and forth! hope they're getting all the rest they require!

 

[Sylvia]

CGTN Sports Scene is China’s only English Sports TV show:

https://twitter.com/x/status/2014329911700570471

 

[Tinycities]

They just shared that they’re doing a send off event on Monday at Novi Ice Arena. Sounds fun!

that answers my gala question.

 

[PRlady]

Free dance is over by mid-afternoon Beijing time tomorrow. With good connections they could be back in Michigan by Saturday evening. The jet lag would kill me but they’re made of stronger stuff.

 

[AYS]

One little tidbit about them that sheds light on their resilience with the back and forthing - they said in one of these little interview snippets I saw that they are both capable of sleeping anytime/anywhere. I think Emilea said something like if she has at least 30 minutes, she can go to sleep no problem. That's a valuable skill for a jet-setting athlete.

I can't relate at all. I've literally taken sleep aids on long flights and failed to fall asleep.

 

[kwanette]

One little tidbit about them that sheds light on their resilience with the back and forthing - they said in one of these little interview snippets I saw that they are both capable of sleeping anytime/anywhere. I think Emilea said something like if she has at least 30 minutes, she can go to sleep no problem. That's a valuable skill for a jet-setting athlete.

I can't relate at all. I've literally taken sleep aids on long flights and failed to fall asleep.

Vadym likes to sleep 10 hrs..Like me he has a "fear of flying'..Not Emi!

 

[CassAgain]

One little tidbit about them that sheds light on their resilience with the back and forthing - they said in one of these little interview snippets I saw that they are both capable of sleeping anytime/anywhere. I think Emilea said something like if she has at least 30 minutes, she can go to sleep no problem. That's a valuable skill for a jet-setting athlete.

I can't relate at all. I've literally taken sleep aids on long flights and failed to fall asleep.

That's an elite athlete super power.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

I was glad to hear Emi say that they’re not venturing out of the hotel in Beijing except to compete so that they’re not around too many people. I saw they masked up for a good part of the trip to China, and I want them to keep masking everywhere! I hope USFS is speeding this message to all their athletes. Show them the video of Noah Lyles at Paris 2024 as a cautionary tale.

 

[Tinycities]

I was glad to hear Emi say that they’re not venturing out of the hotel in Beijing except to compete so that they’re not around too many people. I saw they masked up for a good part of the trip to China, and I want them to keep masking everywhere! I hope USFS is speeding this message to all their athletes. Show them the video of Noah Lyles at Paris 2024 as a cautionary tale.

I was very happy to see they were masked on the plane/airport in their travel TikTok! Agree with you, hopefully the entire Olympic team is doing the same.

I’m probably one of the last hold outs but I mask on every flight. It’s really helped avoid travel illness.

 

[Wyliefan]

Christina and Anthony mentioned masking also. I hope all the athletes are doing it.

 

[skatfan]

Show them the video of Noah Lyles at Paris 2024 as a cautionary tale.

Vincent Zhao is a closer lesson to figure skaters.

 

[Sylvia]

CGTN Sports Scene is China’s only English Sports TV show:

Same presser clip is on CGTN's YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKprKcEYg6M

Z/K, Green/Parsons & the Browns talked about their RD music in the presser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL8ooDmvpA8
Brief clip of the Team USA ice dancers showing off their RD small medals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvF6t7PEF-I
(will cross-post both of these links in the U.S. Ice Dance news thread)

Zingas'/Kolesnik RD run through (1:48) before the competition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpxf2bc6G8w

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Vincent Zhao is a closer lesson to figure skaters.

Vincent's situation was different, though, since he didn't have any symptoms and the rules of competition were different in 2022. Z/K wouldn't be banned from competing if they got sick, but any sickness would hurt their readiness like Lyles' bout with COVID did.

 

[teraytan]

Congratulations to Emi and Vadym for winning gold (their first ever international gold). Personal Best score of 202.86 Very much deserved!

Not only does that give them extra world standing points, the 30k prize money will no doubt also help them fund their training and bring Vadym's family to Milan.

US podium sweep! Pretty amazing!

 

[teraytan]

Their happiness is contagious! Cannot help but smile for this team.

 

[AYS]

Whee!

Wishing them safe and restful travels to the next stop of their grand adventure.

 

[Sylvia]

Today's GFM update by Vadym: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-vadyms-olympic-dream-and-family-reunion

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated and supported me. I am beyond grateful. Because of your incredible generosity, I can now confirm that at least two of my family members are coming from Ukraine to support me at the Olympic Games. This would not have been possible without the outpouring of love and kindness from all of you. Being able to share such an important moment of my life with my family means more to me than I can express, and knowing I have this amazing support system gives me so much strength every day. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in me and helping make this dream come true.

 

[kwanette]

Today's GFM update by Vadym: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-vadyms-olympic-dream-and-family-reunion

I was just coming on to post this! I got the email..I am so happy!

 

[ice coverage]

Today's GFM update by Vadym: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-vadyms-olympic-dream-and-family-reunion

This fantastic news is leaving me almost speechless.
I am beyond excited for Four Continents champion Vadym and his family!

Not sure, but FWIW, I still think it's possible(?) that Emi/Vadym will skate in the gala?
In their "Winner Interview" from ISU, Emi said that they leave for Milan on Thursday (Jan 29) and referred to three days at home.

https://youtu.be/4MtmGrxmkSg?si=_JguYRA4qsJUYoOk&t=47​

Plus per transcript of post-FD press conference, they apparently were asked about plans for their day off. Emi: "As for exploring Beijing, we're not sure what we're going to do. We're trying to rest as much as we can because we have a lot to prepare for, but hopefully we'll get to see some of the city." Vadym: "(on their day off) Maybe we'll go to the silk market, Igor (Shpilband, coach) has recommended that, we'll see." (I don't know whether their answers were just out of politeness.)

 

[aprilediv]

So does that mean they're staying in Beijing for the gala? Then flying home straight to a meet and greet at Novi? Wow, they're something else! I hope they get enough rest.

 

[rachakin]

So does that mean they're staying in Beijing for the gala? Then flying home straight to a meet and greet at Novi? Wow, they're something else! I hope they get enough rest.

They are energizer bunnies!!!

 

[Icetalavista]

Their happiness is contagious! Cannot help but smile for this team.

Big Dogs! Heck yeah!

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Emi just posted on TikTok with their schedule for this week:

Small medal ceremony today
Leaving Beijing right after the ceremony. Connecting in Korea on their way home to Detroit.
Training Monday and media summit and meet and greet Monday evening
Training Tuesday-Wednesday
Training Thursday morning then flying to Milan (connecting in Atlanta)
Arriving in Milan Friday morning and checking into airport hotel
Team USA processing on Friday where they’ll get all their Olympic gear!

 

[~tapdancer~]

Emi just posted on TikTok with their schedule for this week:

Small medal ceremony today
Leaving Beijing right after the ceremony. Connecting in Korea on their way home to Detroit.
Training Monday and media summit and meet and greet Monday evening
Training Tuesday-Wednesday
Training Thursday morning then flying to Milan (connecting in Atlanta)
Arriving in Milan Friday morning and checking into airport hotel
Team USA processing on Friday where they’ll get all their Olympic gear!

Thanks! I can always count on you to find the low-down! I have TikTok but I don't use it much and I forget about it!

 

[kwanette]

Emi and Vadym made it back to Detroit per Vadym's Insta story

 

[cheryllib]

Today's GFM update by Vadym: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-vadyms-olympic-dream-and-family-reunion

So glad he's able to fly a few family members to Milan. The GFM also just reached 20k in donations! That and the 4cc prize money go a long way for skaters.