Recap: 2026 U.S. Ice Dance Final (Senior)
by Anne Calder
The 2026 Pacific Coast Sectional Singles & U.S. Ice Dance Final was held at the America First Center November 02-05, 2025 in Henderson, Nevada. Twelve Juvenile, eleven Intermediate, twelve Novice, thirteen Junior and nine Senior teams competed.
Fifteen Senior teams will compete January 7-11 at the 2026 U.S. National Championships in St. Louis, MO. Ten teams have received byes. The remaining five will be chosen from the nine teams who competed at the Final.
The 2025-2026 Senior Rhythm Dance includes the music dance styles and feeling of the 1990’s.
Any music is possible as long as it was released, either originally or as a cover version in the 1990’s and fulfills the Rhythm/Theme as well as the required characteristics. Remixes and/or remastered music, including cover versions is permitted. Music created via AI in the style of the 1990’s is permitted.
PLACEMENT & MEDALS
The awarding of a pewter medal for fourth place began at U.S. figure skating championships in 1988. It is not given at international events.
The Senior Rhythm Dance highest scoring teams: Elliana Peal & Ethan Peal (72.57), Amy Cui & Jonathan Rogers (72.14), Vanessa Pham & Anton Spiridonov (67.99), Raffaella Koncius & Alexey Shchepetov (67.92)
The Senior Ice Dance Final podium: (gold) Amy Cui & Jonathan Rogers (180.77), (silver) Elliana Peal & Ethan Peal (174.55), Vanessa Pham & Anton Spiridonov (174.01), Raffaella Koncius & Alexey Shchepetov (172.78)
2025-2026 MUSIC
Amy Cui & Jonathan Rogers
RD: “Here We Go Let’s Rock & Roll” by C&C Music Factory and ”This is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan
FD: “The White Crow” by Ilan Eshken; “Mercy” by Max Richter and Mari Samuelson; “Unconditioned” by Ezio Bosso
Klara Kowar & Thomas Schwappach
RD: “Strike It Up” by Black Box and ”No Diggity” by Blackstreet and ”Jock Jams (Megamix)”
FD: “Love is Strange” by Mickey & Sylvia; “You Don’t Own Me” by Lesley Gore; “Hungry Eyes” by Eric Carmen from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack
Vanessa Pham & Anton Spiridonov
RD: “Come As You Are” by Nirvana; “Come As You Are (Remix) by Killavic Beats; ”Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana; “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Cooper, Nito-Onna & CPX
FD: “Sam’s Murder” and “With You” by cast of Ghost – the Musical; “Out of a Dream” by Laroz; “Life Turns on a Dream” and “Unchained Melody” (Dance) The Love Inside – cast of Ghost – the Musical
Caroline Mullin & Brendan Mullin
RD: “2 Legit 2 Quit” and ”U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer
FD: Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saens
Raffaella Koncius & Alexey Shchepetov:
RD: “Maria” and “Cup of Life” by Ricky Martin
FD: “Umbrellas of Cherbourg” by Michel Legrand
Isabella Flores & Linus Colmor Jepsen
RD: “Intergalactic” by Beastie Boys and “Firestarter” by The Prodigy
FD: “Movies” by Weyes Blood
Elliana Peal & Ethan Peal
RD: “Here Comes Hammer” and ”2 Legit 2 Quit” by MC Hammer
FD: “Steppin’ Out” and “Mr. Blue Sky” by Electric Light Orchestra
COMPETITOR COMMENTS
Caroline Mullen & Brendan Mullen
BM: Our skate today was better than the Rhythm Dance. Yesterday there was a lot of adrenaline, and we were very excited. The adrenaline takes over with more energy. Today we were doing our job – just one thing at a time – just one element at a time. I think it went a whole lot better.
Vanessa Pham & Anton Spiridonov
VP: I feel we’ve put in a lot of work, and it’s paying off and showing.
AS: It felt like two steps in the right direction. Obviously we’re aiming higher, but we’re really pleased with this step forward.
Isabella Flores & Linus Colmor Jepsen
IF: I don’t think either program reflected what we’ve been practicing.
LJ: We could have done better. We know that. We’ve had some really solid practices recently. We made lots of changes to our programs. I’m not especially happy with the performance. Overall we’ve made improvements.
IF: We haven’t competed since August at Lake Placid, so we’re getting back in competition mode.
Michela Melillo & Karl Schapfel
MM: We did what we could. It’s been a chaotic year. So much has been happening.
KS: We tried to bring out the energy in the Choreo Step Sequence because it comes right at the judges.
Coach Svetlana: We had a long summer break, so we tried to do as much as we can.
Raffaella Koncius & Alexey Shchepetov
RK: We’ve spent lots of time working on Rhythm Dance sections.
AS: We made some changes. I thought it was better, and the score improved.
The Free Dance music is “Umbrellas of Cherbourg” by Michel Legrand.
AS: The Free Dance is in our wheelhouse. We’re very comfortable.
Klara Kowar & Thomas Schwappach
TS: The last few months we had to cut back on everything. We figured out a way to make it work to skate today.
KK: Thomas had surgery where they cleaned up his knee and removed [healthy] cartilage. It’s running in the lab now. The next surgery, they will put the new cartilage back in his knee.
TS: It will help tremendously down the line for sure, but it involves a very long recovery, so his may be it for me. I will continue to teach and coach in the sport I love so much.
Marin Hessel & Daniel Klaber
Daniel has been coaching / partnering with Marin for two years in Cleveland.
DK: I’m trying to get her ready to be successful in ice dance.