Meet Crew USA’s 2026 Olympic determine skaters : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2000x924+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F23%2Fc9%2Fc652377149dea9f0af90ece42db3%2F011126-bm-skate-combo.jpeg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2000x924+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F23%2Fc9%2Fc652377149dea9f0af90ece42db3%2F011126-bm-skate-combo.jpeg" class="img" alt="Side by side photos of Amber Glenn, Evan Bates and Madison Chock and Ilia Malinin at national championships in St. Louis, Mo. " fetchpriority="high"/> Amber Glenn, Evan Bates, Madison Chock and Ilia Malinin — pictured at nationwide championships in St. Louis, Mo., in January — are among the many 16 determine skaters representing the U.S. on the 2026 Olympics. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio U.S. determine skating is poised for a powerful exhibiting on the Winter Olympics, sending what some within the sport are calling its most dominant group in years. And that is saying one thing, given the U.S. introduced residence gold in each the group and males's occasions from the Beijing Video games in 2022.

"I can not consider the expertise and the depth of the U.S. area, however the best way that we stack up towards the world is what makes me actually excited for the Olympics," Ashley Wagner, three-time nationwide champion and 2014 Olympic medalist, informed NPR.

She's significantly excited in regards to the ladies's area, which has its first shot at a U.S. gold medal since 2002: "That is the primary time in, I'd say, about 4 Olympic cycles that we've got three ladies who might realistically find yourself on the Olympic podium."

The 16 skaters representing the U.S. are a mixture of seasoned veterans and rising stars, together with reigning world champions Ilia Malinin, Alysa Liu and the ice dance duo of Madison Chock and Evan Bates. On the roster are three males, three ladies, three ice dance duos and two units of pairs, who will face a packed schedule in Milan, beginning with a multi-day group occasion on Feb. 6.

The group was introduced in mid-January, on the fruits of the U.S. Determine Skating Championships in St. Louis.

"We're not simply getting in simply with a pair athletes right here or there that hopefully can have some efficiency influence, however I consider we've got a group that throughout the board will likely be remembered for years to come back," Justin Dillon, U.S. Determine Skating's senior director of athlete excessive efficiency, stated on the finish of the nationals.

Listed below are the names — and backstories — to know.

Males's | Ladies's | Pairs | Ice Dance

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fef%2F41daaf1b467a862e2d8a08309e4c%2F011126-bm-skate-40.JPG" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fef%2F41daaf1b467a862e2d8a08309e4c%2F011126-bm-skate-40.JPG" class="img" alt="The 2026 U.S. Olympic figure skating team celebrates on the ice after being announced in St. Louis on Jan. 11." loading="lazy"/> The 2026 U.S. Olympic determine skating group celebrates on the ice after being introduced in St. Louis on Jan. 11. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio Males's singles: Ilia Malinin, Andrew Torgashev, Maxim Naumov Reigning four-time U.S. champion Ilia Malinin — who hasn't misplaced a single competitors since 2023 — is broadly thought-about Crew USA's greatest hope for males's determine skating gold, as one of many sport's most revolutionary athletes.

A part of it could be hereditary: The 21-year-old Virginia native is coached by his mother and father, who represented Uzbekistan in a number of Olympics. However he is put his personal spin on the game: Malinin is named the "Quad God" due to his penchant for gravity-defying quadruple jumps.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F57%2Ff1%2F9d15b7a34e7a9cf9385507762025%2F011026-bm-skate-50.JPG" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F57%2Ff1%2F9d15b7a34e7a9cf9385507762025%2F011026-bm-skate-50.JPG" class="img" alt="Ilia Malinin does a backflip in the men’s free skate at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January. " loading="lazy"/> Ilia Malinin does a backflip within the males's free skate on the U.S. Determine Skating Championships in January. The transfer is authorized once more as of 2024. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio He turned the primary, and solely, skater to efficiently land a quadruple Axel (that is 4 and half rotations!) in worldwide competitors in 2022. He is continued to smash information, together with by turning into the primary individual to land seven clear quadruple jumps in a single free skate on the 2025 ISU Grand Prix Remaining in December.

This will likely be Malinin's first Olympics, as he narrowly missed making the group for Beijing 2022 in the beginning of his senior profession. However he is already stated it will not be his final.

"There are three Olympic cycles that I need to skate," he informed reporters lately, which might carry him to Salt Lake Metropolis in 2034. "I do not know the way a lot my physique will deal with it after all of the jumps I have been doing thus far, however that is the purpose for me."

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fce%2F11%2F0d97a3ee42c8aa8b6452e200a376%2F011126-bm-skate-2.JPG" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fce%2F11%2F0d97a3ee42c8aa8b6452e200a376%2F011126-bm-skate-2.JPG" class="img" alt="Andrew Torgashev won silver at nationals for the second year in a row. " loading="lazy"/> Andrew Torgashev received silver at nationals for the second yr in a row. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio Malinin will likely be joined by Andrew Torgashev, 24, who clinched his second consecutive silver at nationals with an electrifying free skate that introduced the sold-out crowd to its toes — overcoming a rocky begin to the season to earn a spot at his first Olympics.

The Florida native can also be the son of former Soviet skating champions, in pairs and ice dance respectively. He is recognized for his highly effective jumps, artistic choreography and love of pizza, as soon as subsisting off of it for 54 days in a row.

Rounding out the lads's group is 24-year-old Maxim Naumov. His mother and father and coaches, Olympic pair skaters Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, had been among the many 67 passengers — together with 28 members of the determine skating group — who died within the D.C.-area aircraft crash in January 2025.

Naumov has continued coaching in pursuit of what he is described as his lifelong Olympic dream, by way of his grief and together with his mother and father in thoughts.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F03%2Fbe%2F9b779e7b4378bc65e5a63033affa%2F010826-bm-skate-47.JPG" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F03%2Fbe%2F9b779e7b4378bc65e5a63033affa%2F010826-bm-skate-47.JPG" class="img" alt="Maxim Naumov holds a photo of his parents while he waits for his scores after competing at nationals in St. Louis in January. " loading="lazy"/> Maxim Naumov holds a photograph of his mother and father whereas he waits for his scores after competing within the males's brief program competitors in the course of the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships in St. Louis on Jan. 8. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio "It is all about being resilient. That is the sensation and the mentality that I've come into this complete season," he stated after his brief program at nationals, as he held up a photograph of the three of them on the ice when he was a toddler. "What if, regardless of every little thing that occurred to me, I can nonetheless go on the market and do it?"

He went on to win bronze in St. Louis, after ending fourth the final three years. As he placed on his Olympic jacket, he shared what the second meant to him and his household: "We did it. We completely did it."

Ladies's singles: Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, Isabeau Levito Amber Glenn is a first-time Olympian at age 26, calling her decade-plus profession "a gradual rise that I am very happy with." The reigning three-time U.S. nationwide champion is the primary U.S. girl since Michelle Kwan to win that title three years in a row.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F16%2F7d%2F0725743248dc9fbb702c11eb1a4d%2F010726-bm-skating-63.JPG" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F16%2F7d%2F0725743248dc9fbb702c11eb1a4d%2F010726-bm-skating-63.JPG" class="img" alt="Amber Glenn embraces her coach Damon Allen after her short program scored a record 83.05 at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships." loading="lazy"/> Amber Glenn embraces her coach Damon Allen after her brief program scored a document 83.05 on the U.S. Determine Skating Championships. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio Glenn is understood for her athleticism, as one of many solely American ladies who persistently lands an Axel in worldwide competitors. The Texas native has additionally received over followers for her willpower and resilience, talking frankly about her psychological well being struggles, experiences as an brazenly queer skater and hopes of constructing the game extra inclusive.

"Seeing a few of these struggles … may also help [young people] acknowledge, 'Hey, I've the identical factor. I really feel the identical method typically and that is okay. Amber has struggled with it, however she obtained assist, she spoke out to an grownup and is ready to do what she's doing at this degree and I need to try this too,'" she stated in December.

Alysa Liu has carved out a comeback on the ice, reversing her teenage retirement to achieve her second Olympics at age 20.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9b%2Fbd%2Fe51d54fe452090c1e430cba13a43%2F010726-bm-skating-46.JPG" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9b%2Fbd%2Fe51d54fe452090c1e430cba13a43%2F010726-bm-skating-46.JPG" class="img" alt="Alysa Liu competes in the women's short program during the 2026 U.S Figure Skating Championships." loading="lazy"/> Alysa Liu positioned second — and debuted a brand new hair colour — at nationals. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio Liu turned the youngest skater in historical past to land a triple Axel in a global competitors in 2018, at age 12. She turned the youngest U.S. ladies's champion in historical past in 2019, and received the title once more the next yr. However after the Beijing Olympics in 2022, 16-year-old Liu abruptly introduced her retirement on social media.

Liu enrolled at UCLA, traveled — together with trekking to Everest Base Camp — and obtained her driver's license, with no plans to revisit skating. However a ski journey in 2024 reminded her what she cherished in regards to the sport, and she or he cautiously returned to the rink, this time coaching at her personal tempo and taking artistic management over issues like costumes and music.

Decreasing the strain, nonetheless, did not hold her off the rostrum. Liu received World Championships gold in March 2025, turning into the primary American girl to take action in nearly twenty years, and racked up extra worldwide titles earlier than the top of the yr. She has earned reward for her high-difficulty mixture jumps, fun-loving perspective and private fashion (together with her "smiley piercings" and striped hair).

"Quitting was undoubtedly, nonetheless to at the present time, one in all my greatest choices ever," Liu stated in October. "And coming again was additionally a very good choice."

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F50%2Fcf%2F2a83a02047419f8173b2d8abcf91%2F011126-bm-skate-26.JPG" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F50%2Fcf%2F2a83a02047419f8173b2d8abcf91%2F011126-bm-skate-26.JPG" class="img" alt="Isabeau Levito performs her “Breakfast at Tiffany's”-themed exhibition program after being named to the Olympic team." loading="lazy"/> Isabeau Levito performs her "Breakfast at Tiffany's"-themed exhibition program after being named to the Olympic group. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio Isabeau Levito is the group's youngest member at age 18, however is understood for maturity, poise and quiet confidence past her years. A few of her followers have taken to calling her "Tinkerbeau," a reference to the Disney fairy and a nod to Levito's ethereal skating fashion.

The New Jersey native has had a fast rise, because the 2023 U.S. champion and 2024 world silver medalist. She additionally has a private connection to those Winter Video games: Her mother is initially from Milan, and far of her household nonetheless lives within the metropolis.

"That is what all of us dream of," she stated after successful bronze and a spot in her first Olympics. "They've all the time supported my skating profession. Simply to have the ability to watch me in individual, in actual life, on the most important stage, is simply insane."

Pairs: Kam and O'Shea, Chan and Howe The reigning two-time nationwide pairs champions, Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, did not make the reduce for Crew USA not due to scores however due to citizenship: Efimova, who's Finnish-Russian however obtained her inexperienced card in 2024, was unable to get a U.S. passport in time, regardless of last-ditch efforts by U.S. Olympic and Determine Skating officers.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2001+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F84%2Ff0fc049c42b0aaadd42d5264d6fc%2F010726-bm-skating-30.JPG" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2001+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F84%2Ff0fc049c42b0aaadd42d5264d6fc%2F010726-bm-skating-30.JPG" class="img" alt="Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea compete at nationals in St. Louis." loading="lazy"/> Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea are representing Crew USA in pairs skating, which — in contrast to ice dance — permits overhead lifts and throws. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio The U.S. will likely be represented by bronze medalists Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea, who've been companions since 2022 — a pairing that started when O'Shea was technically retired. O'Shea, now 34, has been skating for 3 a long time with goals of reaching the Olympics.

"It has been fairly a couple of years of not making the group," O'Shea stated. "That is the fourth Olympic cycle that I have been part of, and the fourth championship occasion that qualifies for an Olympic group. And I stored believing, and we made it occur."

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F8b%2Ffa%2F218540c04bd7aacceb38ed73adbd%2F010726-bm-skating-25.JPG" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F8b%2Ffa%2F218540c04bd7aacceb38ed73adbd%2F010726-bm-skating-25.JPG" class="img" alt="Emily Chan and Spencer Howe left nationals with a fourth-place pewter medal and a spot on the Olympic team." loading="lazy"/> Emily Chan and Spencer Howe left nationals with a fourth-place pewter medal and a spot on the Olympic group. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio They are going to be joined by Spencer Howe and Emily Chan, who rebounded from eighth-place after their brief program to a fourth-place end at nationals. The pair, companions since 2019, prepare on the Skating Membership of Boston, which misplaced six of its group members within the D.C. plane collision.

Howe enlisted within the U.S. Military in late 2024, and now holds the rank of personal second class. He's a member of the Military's World Class Athlete Program, which permits elite athletes to serve whereas representing their nation at worldwide competitions.

Ice dance: Chock and Bates, Zingas and Kolesnik, Carreira and Ponomarenko <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fea%2Fe4%2Fd1d01ca8453491a88c05a61d8cb8%2F011026-bm-skate-33.JPG" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fea%2Fe4%2Fd1d01ca8453491a88c05a61d8cb8%2F011026-bm-skate-33.JPG" class="img" alt="Madison Chock and Evan Bates won their seventh consecutive national title in January, surpassing a record set by Meryl Davis and Charlie White." loading="lazy"/> Madison Chock and Evan Bates received their seventh consecutive nationwide title in January, surpassing a document set by Meryl Davis and Charlie White. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio Madison Chock and Evan Bates are one of the vital recognizable duos in U.S. ice dance right this moment, as three-time Olympians and three-time reigning world champions who simply received their document seventh nationwide title. They started their skating partnership in 2011, began relationship six years later and married in 2024.

"I feel our chemistry actually comes by way of once we carry out as a result of we've got a shared ardour," Chock stated in December. "We love what we do, however we additionally actually love one another, and we're capable of take this ardour and use it to foster our connection as a pair. And I feel from that we have grown loads by way of our sport, and that is been such a terrific instructor for us."

Chock and Bates are recognized for telling tales on the ice by way of artistic choreography and costumes, usually designed by Chock herself (see: "snake charmer," "astronaut meets alien"). Their free dance this season is a flamenco-inspired program that includes Chock as a matador and Bates as a bull.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F09%2Fe2%2F718ee78e4b16ad522c62b73d5d93%2F010826-bm-skate-23.JPG" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F09%2Fe2%2F718ee78e4b16ad522c62b73d5d93%2F010826-bm-skate-23.JPG" class="img" alt="Ice dancers Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, pictured at nationals in St. Louis." loading="lazy"/> Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, pictured at nationals in St. Louis, are among the many three ice dance pairs representing Crew USA. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio They're joined by Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik. They've loved a comparatively fast ascent since pairing up in 2022, taking fourth place at nationals final yr and silver this yr.

Zingas beforehand competed as a singles skater representing Cyprus, the birthplace of her paternal grandparents. Kolesnik is a local of Kharkiv, Ukraine, however moved to Detroit at age 15 to coach. He acquired U.S. citizenship in August, after 9 years within the nation.

Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, who've been companions since 2014, additionally needed to navigate the look ahead to a U.S. passport.

Carreira is initially from Montreal, although moved to Michigan when she was 13. Carreira and Ponomarenko switched to a coaching college in Ontario in 2021, however she wanted to reside within the U.S. as a requirement for citizenship. So she spent the final 4 years driving a minimum of an hour throughout the border every approach to the rink. She obtained her citizenship in November 2025.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbb%2F30%2Fad120d424b4bb8b67af681082f54%2F011026-bm-skate-26-1.JPG" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbb%2F30%2Fad120d424b4bb8b67af681082f54%2F011026-bm-skate-26-1.JPG" class="img" alt="Ice dancers Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko compete in free skate at nationals." loading="lazy"/> Ice dancers Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko compete in free skate at nationals, the place they positioned third. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio "I am certain the border brokers miss me," Carreira stated with amusing. "Loads of them once we would pull up they informed us that they watched our final competitions they usually had been asking us the place we're going subsequent. They had been hoping we might do nicely right here."

Ponomarenko, who's initially from California, can also be the son of Soviet Olympic skaters. His mother and father, Marina Klimova and Sergei Ponomarenko, are the one ice dancers to have received Olympic medals of each colour.