The Image Present : NPR

[ad_1] <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%2F09%2Fdf%2F8436c5b040f1a8e9836fe55862cb%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%2F09%2Fdf%2F8436c5b040f1a8e9836fe55862cb%2F010726-bm-skating-30.jpg" class="img" alt="Ellie Kam, of Thunderbirds FSC, and Danny O'Shea, of SC of New York, compete in the pairs short program during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Enterprise Center on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood. The pair would go on to win the silver medal in the final." fetchpriority="high"/> Ellie Kam, of Thunderbirds FSC, and Danny O'Shea, of SC of New York, compete within the pairs brief program through the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships on the Enterprise Middle on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in St. Louis' Downtown West neighborhood. The pair would go on to win the silver medal within the closing. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio I will admit it: this previous week was my first actual foray into aggressive determine skating.

Solely later did it daybreak on me — a lot to my remorse — that I might been blissfully unaware I used to be rubbing elbows with figure-skating luminaries like Olympian-turned-commentator Adam Rippon and Cordero Zuckerman, higher recognized to followers as Denali Foxx of RuPaul's Drag Race, whose breakout persona fuses drag and determine skating.

As with all project that drops me into an unfamiliar world — together with a wholly unrelated cease at a nationwide pigeon present this weekend — I strategy my project with a deep sense of curiosity. Once I meet somebody new, I are likely to pepper them with the identical questions: What ought to a newcomer know? How lengthy have you ever been doing this? What do you like most about it?

The skaters, employees, volunteers and followers have been beneficiant in indulging me. What I discovered was a neighborhood that's fiercely aggressive — and deeply loving.

I watched Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito crack jokes about preserving each other on their toes. I spoke with younger St. Louis-area skaters who volunteered to haul away tons of of kilos of stuffed animals tossed onto the ice after routines. I noticed your entire figure-skating world rally behind Maxim Naumov, who competed — and medaled — at his first nationals since his mother and father have been killed final yr when an American Airways regional jet collided with a U.S. Military Blackhawk helicopter over the Potomac River.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2002+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F67%2F9a%2Fb52947264cc385679efe0c5b0834%2F010726-bm-skating-60.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2002+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F67%2F9a%2Fb52947264cc385679efe0c5b0834%2F010726-bm-skating-60.jpg" class="img" alt="Amber Glenn, of Dallas FSC, competes in the women's short program during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Enterprise Center on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood. Glenn nabbed the event’s top score on Wednesday night." loading="lazy"/> Amber Glenn, of Dallas FSC, competes within the girls's brief program through the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships on the Enterprise Middle in St. Louis on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. Glenn nabbed the occasion's prime rating that night time and went on to win the gold medal. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio <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%2Fe4%2Fca%2Fe0f512d8402da7acea9e8ef1415c%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%2Fe4%2Fca%2Fe0f512d8402da7acea9e8ef1415c%2F010826-bm-skate-47.jpg" class="img" alt="Maxim Naumov holds a photo of his parents while he waits for his scores after competing in the men’s short program competition during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Enterprise Center on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood." loading="lazy"/> Maxim Naumov (proper) holds a photograph of his mother and father whereas he waits for his scores after competing within the males's brief program competitors through the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships on the Enterprise Middle on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in St. Louis. It was his first nationals since his mother and father have been killed final yr when an American Airways regional jet collided with a U.S. Military Blackhawk helicopter over the Potomac River. Maxim would go on to win the bronze medal within the males's finals. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio <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%2Ff5%2F4f%2F5f0128b64a5182aa4944da956239%2F010726-bm-skating-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%2Ff5%2F4f%2F5f0128b64a5182aa4944da956239%2F010726-bm-skating-47.jpg" class="img" alt="Alysa Liu, of St. Moritz ISC, competes in the women's short program during the 2026 U.Sr Figure Skating Championships at the Enterprise Center on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood." loading="lazy"/> Alysa Liu, of St. Moritz ISC, competes within the girls's brief program through the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships on the Enterprise Middle on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in St. Louis. Liu would go on to win the silver medal within the closing. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio <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%2Fd2%2F17%2Faeb7e3c44f239bd3f3e387aca477%2F011026-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%2Fd2%2F17%2Faeb7e3c44f239bd3f3e387aca477%2F011026-bm-skate-26.jpg" class="img" alt="Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko compete in the ice dance free skate during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Enterprise Center on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood." loading="lazy"/> Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko compete within the ice dance free skate through the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships on the Enterprise Middle on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in St. Louis. The pair would go on to win the bronze medal within the closing. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio Regardless of being an enormous hockey fan, once I lace up skates I look extra like a new child giraffe making an attempt its first steps. These athletes function on a wholly completely different stage.

There have been moments that stopped me chilly: Sonja Hilmer's girls's brief program, choreographed to the sound of her blades slicing the ice; the plain persona Starr Andrews introduced to each motion in her Beyoncé-laden program; and watching Ilia Malinin — the "Quad God" — in particular person, a skater actually in a league of his personal.

However there was a job to do, so I fell again on what I do know greatest: looking for emotion, colour, mild and fleeting moments.

<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%2F85%2F43%2F578767054b5bbb393a41529e81db%2F010826-bm-skate-69.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%2F85%2F43%2F578767054b5bbb393a41529e81db%2F010826-bm-skate-69.jpg" class="img" alt="Ilia Malinin competes in the men’s short program competition during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Enterprise Center on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood. Malinin took first in the category." loading="lazy"/> Ilia Malinin competes within the males's brief program competitors through the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships on the Enterprise Middle on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in St. Louis' Downtown West neighborhood. Malinin went on to win the gold medal within the closing. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio <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%2Fd3%2F1b%2Feb44f5a94bb89c1ef0e5e7f80075%2F010726-bm-skating-42.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%2Fd3%2F1b%2Feb44f5a94bb89c1ef0e5e7f80075%2F010726-bm-skating-42.jpg" class="img" alt="Starr Andrews competes in the women's short program during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Enterprise Center on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood." loading="lazy"/> Starr Andrews competes within the girls's brief program through the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships on the Enterprise Middle on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio <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%2F22%2F16%2F37956d6b452d81d3fcbc5f072b29%2F010826-bm-skate-8.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%2F22%2F16%2F37956d6b452d81d3fcbc5f072b29%2F010826-bm-skate-8.jpg" class="img" alt="Alyse Ralph, 13, of Ann Arbor, Mich., cheers on Eva Pate and her skating coach Logan Bye as they compete in the ice dance competition during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Enterprise Center on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood." loading="lazy"/> Alyse Ralph, 13, of Ann Arbor, Mich., cheers on Eva Pate and her skating coach Logan Bye as they compete within the ice dance competitors through the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships on the Enterprise Middle on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in St. Louis. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio <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%2Fde%2F8f%2F8362d1d94948a4c0bfd775977956%2F010726-bm-skating-64.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%2Fde%2F8f%2F8362d1d94948a4c0bfd775977956%2F010726-bm-skating-64.jpg" class="img" alt="A stuffed orange sits on the ice following a women’s short program performance during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Enterprise Center on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood." loading="lazy"/> A stuffed orange sits on the ice following a girls's brief program efficiency through the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships on the Enterprise Middle on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in St. Louis. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio <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%2Fb8%2F5f%2F36d052f549b3a6b7d68579ddba29%2F011026-bm-skate-9.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%2Fb8%2F5f%2F36d052f549b3a6b7d68579ddba29%2F011026-bm-skate-9.jpg" class="img" alt="Several pounds of stuffed animals collected from figure skating fans are packed ready to be donated to local charities after the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood." loading="lazy"/> A number of kilos of stuffed animals collected from determine skating followers are packed able to be donated to native charities after the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, on the Enterprise Middle in St. Louis. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio <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%2Fe4%2F33%2Fc7b97dac48348b45dc8fb2bb174d%2F010826-bm-skate-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%2Fe4%2F33%2Fc7b97dac48348b45dc8fb2bb174d%2F010826-bm-skate-1.jpg" class="img" alt="Caroline Green and Michael Parsons compete in the ice dance competition during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Enterprise Center on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood." loading="lazy"/> Caroline Inexperienced and Michael Parsons compete within the ice dance competitors through the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships on the Enterprise Middle on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in St. Louis. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio <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%2F3a%2Fba%2F1381a97a46f683cf8439a4689084%2F010726-bm-skating-54.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%2F3a%2Fba%2F1381a97a46f683cf8439a4689084%2F010726-bm-skating-54.jpg" class="img" alt="Isabeau Levito, of SC of Southern New Jersey, waves to thousands after performing in the women’s short program during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Enterprise Center on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood." loading="lazy"/> Isabeau Levito, of SC of Southern New Jersey, waves to 1000's after performing within the girls's brief program through the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships on the Enterprise Middle on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in St. Louis. Levito would go on to win the silver medal within the girls's closing. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio Although determine skating was new to me, it paralleled one thing I do know intimately — the marching arts. I marched euphonium from center faculty by means of school and performed cymbals in my highschool's winter drumline. Like these actions, determine skating unfolds inside a confined stage, certain by precision, pageantry and jaw-dropping costumes.

Excessive-profile sporting occasions include strict restrictions, which forces creativity. I squatted low by the ice. I hiked to the highest of the stands. I waited for shapes to emerge as skaters flew by means of their routines and bobbed my head to Madonna because the rhythmic dance competitors this yr was set to a 90's theme.

<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%2F31%2F4d%2Fee33338c4fedaf8e4dc6615de609%2F010826-bm-skate-57.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%2F31%2F4d%2Fee33338c4fedaf8e4dc6615de609%2F010826-bm-skate-57.jpg" class="img" alt="Tomoki Hiwatashi competes in the men’s short program during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Enterprise Center on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood. HIwatashi took second in the category." loading="lazy"/> Tomoki Hiwatashi competes within the males's brief program through the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships on the Enterprise Middle on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in St. Louis. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio <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%2F01%2Fdf%2F26e6b4c945b893a69a31aeff1508%2F010726-bm-skating-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%2F01%2Fdf%2F26e6b4c945b893a69a31aeff1508%2F010726-bm-skating-33.jpg" class="img" alt="Emilia Nemirovsky competes im the women's short program during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Enterprise Center on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood." loading="lazy"/> Emilia Nemirovsky competes within the girls's brief program through the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships on the Enterprise Middle on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in St. Louis. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio <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%2Fca%2F9e0e6d1448119c691b13f052361b%2F010826-bm-skate-16.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%2Fca%2F9e0e6d1448119c691b13f052361b%2F010826-bm-skate-16.jpg" class="img" alt="Emily Bratti and Ian Somerville compete in the ice dance competition during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Enterprise Center on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood." loading="lazy"/> Emily Bratti and Ian Somerville compete within the ice dance competitors through the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships on the Enterprise Middle on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in St. Louis. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio <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%2F2f%2F04%2F2be8793042b49ac52012d07d1e2f%2F010826-bm-skate-36.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%2F2f%2F04%2F2be8793042b49ac52012d07d1e2f%2F010826-bm-skate-36.jpg" class="img" alt="Kai Kovar competes in the men’s short program during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Enterprise Center on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood." loading="lazy"/> Kai Kovar competes within the males's brief program through the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships on the Enterprise Middle on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in St. Louis. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio <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%2F08%2Fc1%2Ffc9d9e5f4043a833159018785fb2%2F010826-bm-skate-35.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%2F08%2Fc1%2Ffc9d9e5f4043a833159018785fb2%2F010826-bm-skate-35.jpg" class="img" alt="Will Annis competes in the men’s short program competition during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Enterprise Center on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood." loading="lazy"/> Will Annis competes within the males's brief program competitors through the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships on the Enterprise Middle on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in St. Louis. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x1640+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2Fd4%2F0e66424b433b91a9e9dc9be7ea3a%2F010926-bm-skate-2.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x1640+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2Fd4%2F0e66424b433b91a9e9dc9be7ea3a%2F010926-bm-skate-2.jpg" class="img" alt="Bradie Tennell goes through her program in the ice dance free skate during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Enterprise Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood." loading="lazy"/> Bradie Tennell goes by means of her program within the ice dance free skate through the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships on the Enterprise Middle on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in St. Louis. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio <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%2Fac%2F3c%2F0ab69dfc4ef9b5c158c85dba5475%2F011026-bm-skate-38.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%2Fac%2F3c%2F0ab69dfc4ef9b5c158c85dba5475%2F011026-bm-skate-38.jpg" class="img" alt="Jacob Sanchez embraces fans and family after competing in the men’s free skate during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Enterprise Center on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood. Sanchez took the pewter medal in the contest." loading="lazy"/> Jacob Sanchez embraces followers and household after competing within the males's free skate through the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships on the Enterprise Middle on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in St. Louis' Downtown West neighborhood. Sanchez took the pewter medal within the contest. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio <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%2F41%2F4d%2F9b1c0a414283879d81af6318b707%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%2F41%2F4d%2F9b1c0a414283879d81af6318b707%2F011026-bm-skate-33.jpg" class="img" alt="Madison Chock and Evan Bates celebrate winning gold in ice dance at the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood." loading="lazy"/> Madison Chock and Evan Bates rejoice profitable gold in ice dance on the 2026 U.S. Determine Skating Championships on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, on the Enterprise Middle in St. Louis. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio conceal caption

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Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio This can be a humble providing from the week's festivities, however I left with a real appreciation — and love — for the game. I will undoubtedly be watching this Olympic staff take the ice in Milan on the 2026 Winter Olympics subsequent month.

And, because it seems, New York-based skater Oona Brown additionally performs snare drum in an Irish marching band — proof that generally worlds collide in surprising methods.