Exciting Moments Unfold at the 2026 ISU World Figure Skating Championships
As the Winter Olympics fade into memory, figure skating enthusiasts have found another thrilling spectacle in the ongoing ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Prague. With the competition commencing on Wednesday and concluding on Saturday, fans are treated to four days of captivating performances across women’s, men’s, pairs, and ice dance disciplines.
The championships mark the final major event of the 2025-2026 figure skating season, presenting athletes with a last chance to clinch a title or seek redemption after the Olympics. Notably, some Olympians, such as Alysa Liu and the reigning ice dance world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates, have opted out, while others aim for the podium.
Spotlight on American Stars
Amber Glenn, showcasing her “Like a Prayer” routine, is in third place after the women’s short program. Successfully landing a critical triple jump, she eyes a medal in Friday’s women’s free skate. Glenn expressed relief to U.S. Figure Skating, saying, “It’s great being able to go into the free skate not feeling like I’m clawing my way up through the ranks for once.” Meanwhile, Ilia Malinin leads the men’s competition with an international personal best score, aiming for a third consecutive world title.
Isabeau Levito and Sarah Everhardt represent the U.S. in women’s singles, with Levito in close contention for a medal after her short program. In the men’s category, Andrew Torgashev and newcomer Jacob Sanchez are set to compete, with both delivering standout performances in the short program.
International Competitors to Watch
Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto, aiming to end her career on a high note, leads the women’s competition after an emotional short program. Fellow Japanese skater Mone Chiba follows closely in second place. In the men’s division, France’s Adam Siao Him Fa holds the second spot, while Estonia’s Aleksandr Selevko rounds out the top three.
Ice Dance and Pairs Highlights
Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron of France, fresh from Olympic success, are leading the ice dance competition in their first world championships as a duo. Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, along with Great Britain’s Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson, are also in the spotlight, aiming to add to their medal collections.
In pairs, Germany’s Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin have already claimed the title, with Georgia’s Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava, and Canada’s Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud completing the podium.
How and When to Watch
The championships are being streamed live on Peacock in the U.S., with NBC and USA Network also broadcasting the events. For a detailed TV schedule, click here.
The remaining schedule is as follows (Eastern Time):
- Friday, March 27: Rhythm Dance & Women’s Free Skating (6:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m.)
- Saturday, March 28: Men’s Free Skating & Free Dance (7:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m.)
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
