Kat Cornetta

If you'd rather watch #Olympics #figureskating ⛸ WITHOUT commentary... there is an option on Peacock to choose "Venue Feed" for many events (starting today). If you don't see it initially, make sure you've scrolled all the way to the right, where you can choose from ALL the figure skating options ⛸

1980 Winter Olympics poster featuring Roni, raccoon mascot

THREAD: Let’s talk about Roni, the outstanding raccoon mascot of the 1980 Winter Olympics …

the polish figure skating team in the kiss and cry holding a plush pierogi

IMPORTANT OLYMPIC NEWS:

THE POLISH FIGURE SKATING TEAM HAS A PLUSH PIEROGI

When Stephen Gogolev was at Cranberry Cup in August, is was evident his confidence had grown over the shaky years he had previously. That short program just now showed that. That was spot on. #Olympics2026

Thank you!

After tonight's pairs short program at the US Figure Skating Championships, I received a quote from MA Senator Ed Markey's spokesperson on Alisa Efimova's citizenship quest:
“Senator Markey’s office is aware of Alisa Efimova’s case and continues to explore options to resolve her citizenship status.”

I have a story coming Tuesday in the Boston Globe about Naumov's path to the Championships and his plans for the initiative.

Donate to Building Stronger Minds for Young Athletes, organized by Maxim Naumov Hi, I’m Maxim Naumov, a U.S. figure skater, and I want to share something pers… Maxim Naumov needs your support for Building Stronger Minds for Young Athletes

On the eve of the U.S. Championships, Maxim Naumov is starting a mental wellness initiative. "My own journey — through competition, expectation, and loss — showed me how powerful support, language, and understanding can be."

Here is the GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/building-s...

For pairs skaters Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, the path to the Olympics is blocked by citizenship issue - The Boston Globe Although Efimova has competed for the United States in international events, the qualification rules for the Olympics are different.

Efimova and Mitrofanov are reigning U.S. Champions in pairs skating, but currently can't make U.S. Olympic Team because Efimova is not yet a U.S. citizen.

My story on the Norwood pair's quest for citizenship and a second national title in the Boston Globe:

www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/02/s...

Just spoke to reigning U.S. pairs skating champions Efimova and Mitrofanov for an upcoming Boston Globe story.

No update on Efimova’s citizenship yet, which she needs for Olympic team consideration. “It’s not a no, and it’s not a yes,” she said.

Alysa Liu says she’s keeping Promise for the rest of the season. She still plans to do the Lady Gaga program this season but she is waiting on the final music cut but the choreography is done. She will be doing MacArthur Park again at Skate America. ⛸️

When asked what his job is like with the Olympics just under 100 days away, USA Hockey's Pat Kelleher said, "I feel like I'm in a logistics department."

Matt Farrell mentioned US Figure Skating is behind other national governing bodies in terms of philanthropy, so one of his key moves right now is the establishment of a philanthropy department.

US Figure Skating CEO Matt Farrell spoke about beginning his position with the US winning 3 golds at Worlds. "My job right now is what do you do with the attention...What do you do with the spotlight."

Listening into Aggregate Sports’ “Inside Edge: A Power Summit of Winter Olympic National Governing Body CEOs” webinar, which features USA Hockey and US Figure Skating. I’ll share any interesting takeaways.

Mrazkova and Mrazek's AI-Generated Rhythm Dance is Plagiarized 100% Verbatim | Figure Skating for Baseball Nerds Get more from Figure Skating for Baseball Nerds on Patreon

⛸️ This weekend at #SCI25, we heard what it sounds like when skaters -- with official permission -- use music generated by A.I. In short: not great. There's a good story here: www.patreon.com/posts/mrazko...

"We really want to continue to support them so that they have the opportunity to earn medals. If they are able to achieve that citizenship, then all of that data (to help in Olympic team selection) already exists." - Justin Dillion, U.S. Figure Skating High Performance Director

Back in skating coverage: Asked U.S. Figure Skating High Performance Director Justin Dillon about if/how planning is impacted by both Christina Carreira & Alisa Efimova's citizenship questions.

The short answer: it's not. Both teams are still amassing "data points" towards Olympic team selection.

You know, I have a list of songs I wish ice dancers would skate to, but near the top is totally a Canadian ice dance team doing an epic Gordon Lightfoot free dance. The possibilities! I know Kurt Browning has skated to his music, but think about it! It would be epic.

Ipswich High Theater Company presents 'Godspell' this weekend Ipswich High Theater Company presents 'Godspell' this weekend. Discover how they make this unique production their own.

I wrote about something not sports-related for the Ipswich Local News this week. GASP! Me, a theatre writer? I did my best.

The Ipswich High Theatre Company puts its own spin on Godspell:

thelocalnews.news/2025/10/20/i...

Tigers football falls, but 'Mini Gromko' and Greenleaf rise Discover how Tigers football is proving young talent can shine even in tough times with players like Sawyer Gromko.

My football recap for the Ipswich Local News was cut for space this week, but it's online here:

thelocalnews.news/2025/10/14/t...

Women’s college hockey preview: Boston University reloads in defense of Hockey East championship - The Boston Globe The Terriers have added Michelle Pasiechnyk, the 2023-24 NCAA goaltender of the year.

My annual @bostonglobe.com women's college hockey preview is live!
BU gets a surprise recruit in goal, Northeastern has a Stryker, and BC relies on Taber.
Read here: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/24/s...

Credit union support changes the game for Michigan women's club hockey CFCU steps up to provide four years of significant funding to one of the nation's best club programs to assist in their quest to become a varsity program.

Captain's Practices has returned!

My women's college hockey newsletter relaunches with news about a new funding source for Michigan women's hockey
that will help with the next four seasons.

Read here: open.substack.com/pub/womensco...

I don't understand...nothing at SOI screamed, "Let's return to competition!" At least to not to me? Maybe it's just me.

Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov skated their short program to “Cloak and Dagger” at Thursday night’s Summer Sizzler.
It is only a two week old program, as their previous new short program got not great feedback from officials.

At the Summer Sizzler, Maxim Naumov skated his new short program to Nocturne No. 20 by Frédéric Chopin choreographed by Benoit Richaud. It is one of the best programs Naumov has ever had. It was phenomenally skated. For me, the best program of the night.

Jimmy Ma did his Firebird short program at the Summer Sizzler. Omitted the combo but did solo jumps clean. Electric footwork and huge crowd reaction.

Emily Chan and Spencer Howe performed their short program at the US Figure Skating Summer Sizzler at The Skating Club of Boston. Lyrical style, lots of promise. Looking for a good full season after a few seasons of injury issues.

Maxim Naumov skates with some of his late parents’ Tomorrow Champions students to open the US Figure Skating Summer Sizzler.

Here for the Summer Sizzler at The Skating Club of Boston where US Figure Skating’s skaters will show some of their Olympic season programs for the first time.