The U.S. Figure Skating National Team is set to kick off the Olympic season with enthusiasm and ambition as the Grand Prix season begins this week in France. Building on a historic achievement, American skaters secured three out of four disciplines at the 2025 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Boston, marking a milestone for the nation. With this momentum, anticipation is high as we delve into seven key questions that will shape the path of U.S. skaters throughout this Olympic campaign.
One major consideration is how the Olympic season will influence the dynamics of the Grand Prix campaign. This series is a crucial element of the Olympic selection process, presenting unique pressure for athletes striving to prove their worth and secure their spots for the Winter Games. Those on the fringes of qualification will be particularly focused on delivering strong performances to bolster their case for selection.
The reigning World champions—Madison Chock and Evan Bates, along with Alysa Liu and Ilia Malinin—face new pressures as they aim to solidify their standing as favorites for the podium in Milan. Chock and Bates have shown consistent excellence, while Liu steps into this season with a compelling story of resilience following her return from retirement just over a year ago.
Veterans in the sport are gearing up for what they hope to be the culmination of their hard work over the years. This season presents a significant opportunity for these experienced athletes. With Bates aiming for his fifth Olympic appearance and Chock for her fourth, their prior accomplishments will weigh heavily as they make one final push for Olympic glory. Meanwhile, Amber Glenn is keen to make her mark, aspiring to qualify for her first Olympic team after a decade of competitive dedication.
Emerging talents from the junior ranks look poised to make their impact felt this season. Jacob Sanchez, who claimed victory at the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final last year, is aiming to leverage a strong Grand Prix Series to secure an Olympic berth. Similarly, Josephine Lee enters her senior Grand Prix debut with potential, while the pairs team of Olivia Flores and Luke Wang seeks to build on their junior success.
As unpredictability lurks in the pairs discipline, new talents may emerge to surprise audiences. The American pairs field has seen fresh partnerships, such as Audrey Shin and Balazs Nagy, who aim to establish themselves after a promising performance at the U.S. Championships last season. Their collective Grand Prix outcomes will hold weight in the Olympic selection process, highlighting the event’s significance.
Several skaters are also on the rebound from previous injuries. The comeback trajectory of others, including Isabeau Levito, who finished fourth at Worlds after a hiatus, and Bradie Tennell, who recently scored one of her career-best marks, adds an exciting element to the competition. In pairs, the return of Valentina Plazas and Maximiliano Fernandez after an injury layoff may further bolster the U.S. representation.
In a noteworthy twist, siblings Maia and Alex Shibutani are making headlines with their anticipated return to competition after a long hiatus since the 2018 Olympics. Their comeback adds to the enthusiasm surrounding the season as they prepare for their first event back—the NHK Trophy in November. Observers are eager to see how they adapt to a vastly changed ice dance field.
As the Grand Prix season unfolds, the excitement surrounding the U.S. figure skating community grows, with hopes pinned on both established stars and rising talents. The combination of experience, fresh faces, and dramatic narratives sets the stage for a thrilling Olympic season ahead.