Walley & Flip: A Figure Skating Podcast

ISU Rule Changes & Off-Season Surprises 20.04.2026 35мин

Walley and Flip are back for one last time this season to break down the very real identity shift coming to figure skating as the ISU rolls out major rule changes for the 2026–2027 season.From reducing jump content and limiting combinations to introducing more choreographic elements across disciplines, the sport may be heading toward a very different balance of athleticism vs. artistry.Are ultra-C jumpers about to lose their edge?Does this open the door for PCS skaters?And is the ISU quietly laying the groundwork for an even bigger overhaul (eg. tech vs. artistic program split rumors)?Also, Marin Honda and Shoma Uno teaming up in Montreal as a potential ice dance team?? We discuss whether this is a real competitive prospect, a soft launch into post-singles careers, or just the most intriguing “what if” of the season.We also react to some surprise announcements and potential retirements!

2026 World Figure Skating Championship Reaction 29.03.2026 42мин

Walley and Flip are back with their full World Championships reaction and there is a lot to unpack. In ice dance, we dive straight into “arm gate,” Lilah and Lewis’s shocking slide off the podium, and the very real rise of Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik. Plus, did Piper and Paul flop or fly with the return of Wuthering Heights?Across the women’s and men’s events, it was a mix of glory and heartbreak that absolutely delivered. We break down the redemption arcs from Kaori Sakamoto, Yuma Kagiyama, and Mone Chiba, and more!And in true Walley and Flip fashion, we go a little off-script… sharing some chaotic and nostalgic stories from our own skater days.

Macarthur Parked on the Podium (Olympic Women and Pairs Reaction) 01.03.2026 36мин

Alysa Liu did NOT leave her skates out in the rain- and the women overall absolutely brought it. It was the clean skate party of our dreams and the energy felt truly Olympic from start to finish. So many athletes rose to the moment with clutch performances, huge elements, and programs that delivered under pressure. Overall, the judging felt relatively consistent and fair… but there were a couple of placements we simply did not think were warranted. Yes, we name names.In pairs, the quality stayed sky high. Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara threw down a world record performance and cemented their status at the top with a lights out skate on the biggest stage. The event as a whole was packed with strong, mostly clean programs, but there were also some real disappointments and missed opportunities that shook up the final standings.

The Great Olympic Figure Skating Men's Meltdown 16.02.2026 35мин

We are back to unpack the absolute emotional rollercoaster that was the Olympic men’s and ice dance final and honestly we are still recovering. No amount of lit candles or Etsy witches could have saved the men's event. We were left in total shambles. And then out of the madness rose Mikhail Shaidorov, who absolutely crushed the rest of the field and delivered when it mattered most. We break down how he separated himself, who cracked under pressure, and what this result means long term.Over in ice dance, the tension did not stay on the ice. We get into the controversy swirling around Madison Chock and Evan Bates versus Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron and the scandal that had everyone talking. What actually happened, what felt political, what felt fair.

Olympic Figure Skating Team Event Recap 10.02.2026 29мин

Join us as we react to the Olympic figure skating team event an absolute nailbiter from start to finish. We each share our three roses and three thorns from the competition who delivered when it mattered most and what results left us with more questions than answers. Then we dig into what implication this team event may have on the individual competitions. What performances change the outlook for the individual events? Who gained confidence, who might be rattled, and where do the medal races feel wide open now?

Olympic Figure Skating Team Event Preview 02.02.2026 39мин

Join us for our olympic figure skating team event preview! Who are the five countries most likely to make the final and where could things take a turn? We look at the real contenders and the pressure points as the US and Japan expect to go head to head for gold while Italy and Georgia are likely to battle it out for bronze. But as we should all know, expect the unexpected.We dig into the strengths and weaknesses of each team across disciplines, what strategies/approached could change the outcome, and what the team event could mean for momentum confidence and fatigue heading into the individual events. Is the team event a springboard or a trap?

Dear ISU, we have notes (Four Continents "recap") 25.01.2026 29мин

We’re back with a short and sweet episode full of our always valued and definitely respected opinions and recommendations for the ISU and the skating world at large LOL. We dig into the offer up our own amendments not just for the ISU but also for skaters program technical content because why stop there. We also get into the bigger question of how Europeans and Four Continents can become more relevant and exciting events. Should the top skaters be competing here and what can be done to actually incentivize them to show up and get fans in the seats?From there we recap Four Continents, starting with the women. We talk Jia Shin’s stock heading into the Olympic season, Gabby’s comeback, and where we see the Japanese women landing for the rest of the year. Ice dance somehow turns into a repeat of US Nationals which might honestly be a preview of what we are heading toward in the next quad. Kao and Jun come out swinging and make their Olympic intentions very clear. And for once, pairs actually gives us a lot to talk about.

2026 European Championships Recap 19.01.2026 33мин

What can we say? sometimes you have to flop to fly...Are the tables actually turning in ice dance or are we just desperate for an unpredictable podium at the olympics? We recap the European Figure Skating Championships starting on home ice with Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson and ask is their stock starting to slip. Meanwhile Guignard and Fabbri continue to quietly build momentum. Has their stock gone up enough that an Olympic medal is now a realistic conversation rather than wishful thinking?In the women’s event we look at the injured European contenders and their fight back to full strength. What is their realistic runway through the rest of the season and who can actually peak in time rather than just survive. Over in the men’s event we unpack one of the most shocking podiums of the championship. Reshtenk-who?In pairs we are feeling extremely vindicated. Metelkina and Berulava continue to validate our early season prediction and we ask whether Europeans just made their Olympic case even stronger.Only after the skating do we zoom out to the bigger picture. We discuss the ISU proposed changes what is realistic what feels performative and where the federation continues to miss the mark. And yes we get into the saga of Gabi Papadakis being fired from NBC. Cease and desist? Or twizzles amiss?

2026 US Figure Skating Nationals Recap 12.01.2026 46мин

After a long week of US Nationals, we are breaking it all down - right here, right now.The whiplash going from Jason Brown's catastrophic competition to Max Naumov delivering in a pressure packed run to skate himself firmly into the Olympic conversation. Andrew Torgashev somehow managed to vindicate himself after his December trash talking episode raising eyebrows and questions in equal measure. And with Tomoki Hiwatashi left off both the World Championship and Olympic teams we ask the big question did USFS get the Olympic selection right? We break it down, people!On the women’s side the Big 3 Amber Glenn Isabeau Levito and Alysa Liu lived up to hype- but let's not forget about Bradie Tennell and Sarah Everhardt's star performances! Who of the up and coming US Women do we think could be in the conversation this next quad?Ice dance may have been predictable on paper but it delivered its moments- which was the standout moment for us that stole the spotlight? Over in pairs it was a disappointing competition overall but two teams still had to be chosen and we discuss what that says about the state of US pairs heading into the Games.We also unpack Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir’s many commentary antics and low blows as well as a brief canadian nationals recap!

Family Ties and Nationals Recaps/Previews 04.01.2026 35мин

Nationals season is in full swing, and Walley & Flip are breaking it all down. This week, we recap highlights from several nationals already in the books and look ahead to the upcoming Canadian and U.S. Nationals.Flip crunches the numbers to show just how tight the race is among U.S. men for that all-important third Olympic spot, while we also dig into the Shibutani siblings’ realistic (or not so realistic) path back onto the Olympic team, plus discuss other news surrounding them that’s dropped over the past week.We also touch on standout moments from Japanese Nationals, break down the men’s race for Italy’s second Olympic spot following nationals, and the implications of Nikolaj Memola’s withdrawal.

2025 Grand Prix Final Recap 09.12.2025 40мин

This week on Walley and Flip we break down a Grand Prix Final that delivered from start to finish. We open with Pairs, which featured one of the greatest competitions of the quad. Every team pushed the standard and we look ahead to how they may stack up once the season reaches its final boss stage in Milan. We also ask the central question of the moment: can Miura and Kihara be beaten, and what would it take.In Ice Dance we cover the battles between Chock and Bates, Fournier Beaudry and Sorensen, Gilles and Poirier, and Fear and Gibson. Were the results what we expected, and what trends might continue into the second half of the season. We also consider whether Guillaume and Laurence can close the gap on Chock and Bates and what factors may determine that race.In Men we look at the surprise strength of Shun Sato and Daniel Grassl, the rise of Yuma Kagiyama, and the extraordinary technical level from Ilia Malinin.And over in women, would you have ever thought the reigning world champion winning the Grand Prix Final would feel like a SURRPISE? The field remains as deep as ever and we can't wait to watch these women shine their light around the world in milan!

A Torgasboard of Comp Recaps 03.12.2025 32мин

Walley and flip are back with a last-minute episode to recap all of the small but mighty (and impactful!) competitions from this past weekend.Between the comeback kids (Gabby Daleman and Keegan Messing) competing at Skate Canada challenge, to the always-tense Korean ranking competition, to one of the final Challenger events of the season at Tallinn Trophy, there was no shortage of drama or discussion!Also, how could we not discuss Andrew Torgashev's middle-of-the-night meltdown tweeting spree. Flip offers him some much-needed publicist advice before he continues his season!We also very informally preview the grand prix final this weekend in Nagoya. Japan! The last great showdown before the Olympics!

2025 Finlandia Trophy Recap 25.11.2025 43мин

We are back after our hiatus from Skate America! This week we’re talking all things Finlandia Trophy, starting with the ice dance drama: technical calls that made zero sense, teams that looked targeted, others lifted onto a pedestal for… what reason exactly? And in the end, did any of it actually change the standings? (Short answer: no, because Guillaume and Laurence made it crystal clear they’re the top team.)Over in women, we’ve got our angelic trio- Mone Chiba, Amber Glenn, and Rino Matsuike- with Rino officially kicking off the holiday season thanks to a clean Nutcracker free skate.Men’s was shockingly quite predictable, with some of your usual sloppy programs keeping things interesting and us scratching our heads on how high some of the scores were...And we look ahead: what can we expect from Yuma Kagiyama and Adam Siao Him Fa at the Grand Prix Final and heading into the back half of the season? Do they have the momentum for an Olympic podium run?Over in pairs, it's a little less exciting- but how far has Hase/Volodin's stock fallen? Can they rise again before the olympics?

2025 NHK Trophy Recap 11.11.2025 47мин

Join us for our fourth stop on the grand prix road trip as we recap the NHK trophy!In ice dance, the Shibutanis took us out for a night in Japan, and Flip might still be on the dance floor at the club. Meanwhile, Guignard and Fabbri faced off with Fear and Gibson in what might be their last meeting before Europeans, but can Guignard and Fabbri overtake Fear and Gibson as the season heats up?Over in men’s, it was the most predictable podium on paper, but who saw Shun Sato and Yuma Kagiyama ending up this close? The pairs event brought another nail-biter between Conti and Macii and Pavlova and Sviatchenko, while the women’s field delivered one of the strongest showdowns of the season, with Kaori, Loena, and Sofia rockin the podium. Will Loena and Sofia skate their way into the Grand Prix Final?Listen to find out our thoughts and delusional takes!

2025 Skate Canada Recap 03.11.2025 51мин

We're saska-tuning out the judges moving forward for the rest of the season, but please, come join us as we recap this weekend's happenings at Skate Canada!In the women’s field, Canada’s Olympic race is heating up: Maddie Schizas vs. Sara Maude Dupuis- who’s got the edge? And is Gabby Daleman still in the mix? Meanwhile, the Sarah Everhardt betrayal stuns everyone- can she bounce back stronger at NHK? The podium was as expected but still delightful: Mone Chiba, Isabeau Levito, and Ami Nakai took the top three spots.The men’s event? Everyone brought it, yes, even last place Aleksa Rakic, who rocked the house along with the other canadian men. Ilia Malinin delivered one of the calmest, most commanding skates of his career, and Kevin Aymoz screamed at the judges, thank you, Kevin.In pairs, Deanna Stellato Dudek and Max Deschamps silenced any doubters (how dare you ever doubt them) with a powerhouse performance that firmly cements their podium potential.As for dance, let’s just say the vibes were off. Where is this season going? Not the ending we were hoping for, but the conversation’s just getting started.

2025 Cup of China Recap 30.10.2025 58мин

Walley and Flip are back to unpack all the Cup of China drama. Amber Glenn looks composed and confident, maybe even on track for another undefeated start. Alysa Liu’s Lady Gaga revival has us questioning her Olympic prep timeline, and Rino Matsuike’s 65-point short with 30 in components? Judges need to find god.In ice dance, Chock and Bates debuted their zebra and bull era with mixed results, Green and Parsons’ Twizzle fall sparked concern, and Smart and Dieck delivered one of the strongest rhythm dances of the event.On the men’s side, Tomoki Hiwatashi brought star power, Shun Sato stunned, Daniel Grassl became the pope, and Mikhail Shaidorov was treated unfairly.Pairs brought the drama too- Metelkina and Berulava’s lift nearly stopped our hearts, while Sui and Han made a surprise return. It’s early-season chaos in full form, and we’re here for every questionable costume, underscored skate, and moment of brilliance.

2025 Grand Prix de France Recap 19.10.2025 46мин

This week, we're recapping Grand prix de France! Ilia Malinin takes it home in the men’s event in just an absolute shocking turn of events, Adam Siao Him Fa stages another of his signature free skate comebacks, Nika Egadze goes for a sail, and Gabriele Frangipani counts to four.The Japanese women continue to impress and exhibit complete perfection, leaving us plotting how to sneak an extra Olympic spot or two their way.Things feel completely despondent over in ice dance, rich with injustices and more disturbing shake-ups looming for the rest of the season.0:50 - 12:01 Grand prix de France Women's Recap12:02 - 16:59 Grand prix de France Pairs Recap17:00 - 27:25 Grand prix de France Men's Recap27:26 - 39:29 Grand prix de France Ice Dance Recap39:30 - 46:16 Breaking news and Cup of China preview

2025 Denis Ten Recap & Debut of "Three Beats to Glory" 06.10.2025 34мин

Walley and Flip are so back. This week, we’re recapping the Denis Ten Memorial Challenger and a handful of early domestic events. The season has only just begun, but there’s already a lot to talk about.Keegan Messing made his return at a Canadian event, but the scoring left us with some questions. With just one Olympic spot available for Canadian men, the competition is already intense. We also get into the growing conversation around Mikhail Shaidorov and Ilia Malinin’s skating skills and how that comparison is playing out.On the women’s side, we’re applauding Bradie Tennell’s switch to Young and Beautiful for her short program. We’re also wondering whether Haein Lee might be finding her way back to the form that earned her a world silver in 2023. And with Maddie Schizas competing a lot this fall, we’re asking whether this strategy will help her build momentum or end up putting her Olympic spot at risk.We also talk about Oona and Gage Brown’s new free dance (and violent ending) to The Godfather.To close out the episode, we debut a new game - "Three Beats to Glory" where we each name three pieces of music a skater or team has used, and the other has to guess who we’re thinking of.Tune in for another fun episode!---00:00 Introductions01;02 Keegan Messing at Texas Trophy02:09 Bradie Tennell at Boston Open03:05 Adam Siao Him Fa shoutout03:48 Denis Ten Memorial Men recap (Mikhail Shaidorov)05:52 jump value discourse: are difficult combinations awarded appropriately? 08:49 Ilia Malinin vs. Mikhail Shaidorov skating skills?09:39 Denis Ten Memorial (Nika Egadze and Jason Brown)13:30 Den Ten Memorial Women recap (Haein Lee, Maddie Schizas)18:39 Denis Ten Memorial Ice Dance recap (Diana Davis/Gleb Smolkin, Oona/Gage Brown)

2025 Chinese Nebelhorn, Actual Nebelhorn, and Nepela Recap 30.09.2025 51мин

Walley and Flip are back to recap the final stretch of the pre-grand prix figure skating season from the Olympic Qualifier (aka Chinese Nebelhorn), to the actual Nebelhorn, and the Ondrej Nepela Memorial. With the Grand Prix series just around the corner, we’re breaking down the highs, lows, and head-scratchers from the final major Challenger events.We talk Amber Glenn’s fired-up Olympic campaign, Jia Shin’s quiet brilliance, and Isabeau Levito bringing back that sparkle. But not everyone impressed- Adelia Petrosian and Peter Gummenik fell short of sky-high Russian expectations, and we’re not holding back. The Italian men’s fight for just two Olympic spots is heating up, while the Italian women are leveling up fast.And of course, we crash out on the drama: Ice Dance travesties at the olympic qualifier, Rika Kihira switches to ice dance, USFS sabotaging their own skaters, programs that already need to be reworked, and Saki Miyake left without an NHK host spot?!00:00 Introductions02:30 Beijing Olympic Qualifier/Chinese Nebelhorn (Adelia Petrosian, Anastasia Gubanova, Loena Hendrickx, Peter Gummenik, Donovan Carrillo)15:45 Beijing Olympic Qualifier Ice Dance Judging Controversy (Wang/Liu vs. Majorov/Reitan)18:25 Rika Kihira switches to ice dance20:30 USFS (hopefully unintentionally) sabotaging Audrey Shin and Balazs Nagy23:15 Yuna Aoki over Saki Miyake for the NHK host spot25:00 Nebelhorn Recap (Amber Glenn, Jia Shin, Isabeau Levito, Stephen Gogolev, Andrew Torgashev, Lukas Britschgi, Miura/Kihara vs. Hase/Volodin, Fear/Gibson, Carreira/Ponomarenko)37:30 Ondrej Nepela Recap (Lara Naki Gutmann, Anna Pezzetta, Kevin Aymoz, Matteo Rizzo, Daniel Grassl, Nikolaj Memola, Smart/Dieck, Taschlers, Green/Parsons, Tomi Guarino Sabate)49:00 Alysa Liu Short Program change

2025 Lombardia Trophy and Olympic Qualifier Preview 15.09.2025 47мин

In this episode of Walley and Flip, we dive into the latest happenings in figure skating, starting with Flip’s dramatic Reddit cleanup and a few words on Ilia Malinin. The Lombardia Trophy takes center ice, with a packed men and women's field. The Ilia vs. Yuma rivalry heats up early in the season, while Nikolaj Memola cements himself as the Italian Stallion with crowd-pleasing charisma. Shun Sato, Kao Miura, and Adam Siao Him Fa round out a strong men's showing.Over in the women's event, Ami Nakai’s face card never declines, Lara Naki Gutmann emerges as the shark in the water with her fierce “Jaws” program, and the discussion of impending heartbreak continues for Japanese women as we harp on the limited Olympic spots, highlighting the intensity of the competition among elite talent like Rion Sumiyoshi, Rino Matsuike, and more.Pairs and Ice Dance get a quick recap, we also break down the Italian federation’s Olympic selection criteria, and preview what has felt like the mythical Beijing Qualifier event looming on the horizon.Timestamps:00:00 Ilia Malinin and Flip needs to delete her reddit04:44 Lombardia Trophy Men's Recap (Yuma Kagiyama, Nikolaj Memola, Shun Sato, Kao Miura, Maxim Naumov, Adam Siao Him Fa)13:19 Italian federation Olympic selection criteria14:59 Lombardia Trophy Pairs Recap15:46 Lombardia Trophy Women's Recap (Rion Sumiyoshi, Ami Nakai, Sarah Everhardt, Alysa Liu, Rino Matsuike, Alysa Liu, Lara Naki Gutmann)35:15 Lombardia Trophy Ice Dance Recap35:50 Bejing Olympic Qualifier Preview