by Anne Calder | Images by Daphne Backman
The primary Lake Placid Ice Dance Championships was held in 1933 and is the world’s longest-running ice dance competitors. The occasion is at present a part of the U.S. Determine Skating Nationwide Qualifying Sequence (NQS). The Lake Placid Ice Dance Worldwide was added to the ISU calendar in 2015.
The occasion has been coated by ice-dance.com since 2003 when its co-founder, Daphne Backman attended the primary of her twenty-two Lake Placid Championships. That features 2021 that was held on the Skating Membership of Boston.
“My first journey to Lake Placid was in 2003. A pal of mine had attended the 12 months earlier than and had despatched me a video. She beneficial that I be part of her the subsequent 12 months as a result of the main target was 100% ice dance.
“I stored going as a result of it was a summer time occasion that showcased packages early within the season and since the main target was solely on ice dance. On the time it was the one occasion that was centered simply on ice dance. I additionally liked the Lake Placid ambiance and neighborhood.”
In 2025, the web site interviewed a number of ice dance groups who had been making their debuts as new {couples}, ones who had moved as much as a brand new stage and people who have been attending for a lot of seasons.
Anna Waugh (13) & Matt Jacoby (16) prepare on the Ice Works in Philadelphia with Slava Uchitel briefly whereas their residence base in Ardmore – Philadelphia Skating Membership & Humane Society – is below restore. Each have been skating for eleven years. Whereas Waugh has achieved ice dance for six, Jacoby has been ice dancing for 3 and a half.
The novice duo was proud of their free dance skate to “Jack is Again” (Unique Combine) by Dave Floyd and “Shake a Tall Feather” (with the Blues Brothers) by Ray Charles.
“The partnership is simply seven weeks outdated,” Jacoby famous. “We’ve already made quite a lot of progress, and we now have quite a lot of issues to work on.”
Waugh added that included creating stamina, repetition of bits and items and the judges critiques.
Waugh likes ice dance as a result of there aren’t any jumps. Every little thing else is okay. Jacoby likes the give attention to skating expertise and expression. That approach you’ll be able to give attention to performing, quite than doing a sequence of parts.
The workforce prefers up-beat and comfortable music. Waugh prefers it to have an up and down beat type of like The Starvation Video games. Jacoby beforehand used some jazzy music that’s extra upbeat. When you get into the sluggish model with lengthy extensions, then you definately velocity up on the finish. He likes that normal construction.
If given a personal lesson by ice dancers, Waugh and Jacoby selected totally different names.
Waugh selected Madison Hubbell and Scott Moir, whereas Jacoby actually likes Christina Carreira & Anthony Ponomarenko. “Their skating has simply been stunning. It will be superior. I’d additionally wish to have a lesson from Ian Somerville and Logan Bye.”
The teammates each love Lake Placid. “I’ve been right here earlier than. It’s an incredible competitors. There’s nice folks round,” mentioned Waugh. “I’m simply comfortable to be in Lake Placid,” added Jacoby. “That is my favourite competitors. Afterwards, I’m wanting ahead to going to the ice cream store with the opposite groups. It’s lastly after the competitors, so it’s going to be enjoyable.”
Natalie Leitan & Nathan Leitan prepare in Rockville, Maryland with Dmytri Ilin. The twosome started skating collectively in 2022. Nathan skated with a earlier companion for 2 years – 2018-2020; Natalie has solely skated with Nathan.
The duo shared their favourite program from the present season.
“I like our opening free dance tune. It’s one thing new that we’ve by no means achieved earlier than,” Natalie mentioned. “It’s “Ease on Down the Street” (reprise) (The WIZ) by Nichelle Lewis, Avery Wilson, Kyle Freeman & Phil.
“My favourite program is our Quickstep sample. It’s “4 Minutes” by Madonna and Justin Timberlake. Everybody’s favourite,” added Nathan added.
The siblings each attend public college. Natalie will enter eighth grade; Nathan who can be an eleventh grader is already wanting towards faculty to maybe research engineering, which incorporates physics.
“Skating is so much about physics,” Nathan asserted. “Coach Dima is at all times speaking about physics.”
The workforce earned a fourth place end and stood on the Lake Placid Championship podium for the second time. In 2023 as an Intermediate workforce, the sister and brother additionally positioned fourth for his or her first Lake Placid medal.
Their subsequent competitors is Skate Detroit, August 20-23 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
“Nevertheless, after Lake Placid, our household goes to the seaside in Maryland,” Nathan mentioned with a smile whereas twisting the pewter medal round his neck.
Anaelle Kouevi & Yann Homawoo are second 12 months junior opponents. The duo who’s coached by Elena Novak, Alexei Kiliakov and Pierre Souquet-Basiege in Leesburg, Virginia, turned a workforce in 2018.
“The truth that we’re cousins is one issue, however we had been coaching on the identical Academy, so we determined to turn out to be a workforce,” mentioned Homawoo. “We’ve been skating collectively ever since.”
The transfer up a stage to Juniors final season concerned a brand new type of sample dance. It was a bizarre, however not too arduous adjustment that Kouevi uniquely described. “The actual fact is that we principally simply obtained to do a free dance with a sample that makes use of all our expertise.”
The duo thinks Lake Placid could be very particular.
“It’s a extremely cool rink,” Kouevi mentioned. “It appears very grand, not like quite a lot of rinks we’ve been to. There’s quite a lot of tradition round. It’s acquainted to us which makes it even higher.”
“It’s a really historic place with all of the issues that went on in 1992 and 1980,” Homawood added. “It was very nostalgic for us to return again for our seventh season.
Kouevi & Homawoo mentioned their 4 Seasons Free Dance.
“It’s a much less ethereal interpretation and extra of a contemporary one of many dance, with extra grounded choreography to indicate our energy and the best way we skate,” mentioned Homawoo.
“We determined with our coach to carry a extra trendy strategy to it, as a substitute of the classical vibe different folks have achieved previously. We predict that can showcase our personal private expertise and in addition signify a narrative we wish to inform,” added Kouevi.
Earlier within the day of our interview, the cousins acquired a particular announcement from USFS, which they shared with IDC.
“We’re going to be representing the US of America on the Junior Grand Prix in Ankara, Turkey.”
“I’ve by no means been to Turkey earlier than, not to mention for skating,” Kouevi mentioned. “I’ve by no means been to a different nation for skating. I’m excited to do my greatest there, and see every part that goes on over there. I’m simply actually excited. Clearly there’s a bit of little bit of nerves, however largely it comes from the joy.”
“I’m excited to be on the Worldwide stage and present what I can do to all the world and show to the U.S. that we’re a superb workforce, and we’re stable,” Homawoo added. “That’s why they selected us for this chance. I wish to give attention to my coaching to have the ability to obtain what I wish to do.”
Anaelle and Yann can be joined in Turkey by Leesburg, Virginia coaching mates Annalise Stapert & Maxim Korotcov.
Marian Carhart (12) & Denis Bledsoe (17) prepare with Marina Zoueva and Coach Ilia Tkachenko. The Estero, Florida based mostly ice dancers are the 2025 U.S. Novice Nationwide Champions after profitable the occasion in Wichita, KS. The workforce made its Lake Placid junior debut throughout the July 2025 occasion.
The athletes shared their ideas on the transfer to the brand new stage.
“Nicely, it’s extra fascinating than novice,” Bledsoe mentioned. “The packages, the weather, the occasions are extra fascinating. I actually loved these packages [below] that we made this season.”
Their rhythm dance is ready to Aqua’s “My Oh My” and “Barbie Lady” and their free dance is “And the Waltz Goes On” by André Rieu & Johann Strauss Orchestra.
Carhart’s factors about shifting to juniors had been a bit extra social.
“I assumed it was very thrilling to compete in Juniors with all the massive youngsters. It was a giant adjustment and a completely totally different expertise than Novice. I’m so glad we’re right here, and I look as much as all of the older ladies. They’re all so superb. I’m so comfortable we’re in Junior. I’m proud of our program. I feel we did a fantastic job.”
Carhart acknowledged her greatest changes. “Most likely making the packages was arduous as a result of it had new parts. Every little thing was arduous to regulate to them and get them clear, particularly the Rhythm Dance as a result of it was our first time ever. That was fairly arduous to grasp, however we now have quite a lot of enjoyable doing it, so it was all price it.
The workforce subsequent competes at Skate Detroit in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Again in Florida, each are individually residence schooled, Carhart’s favourite topic is Math. Bledsoe loves Historical past.
Aneta Vaclavikova (14) & William Lissauer (18) are a brand new Junior ice dance workforce that trains in Newington, Connecticut with Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov. Vaclavikova is from Slovakia and started skating at age 4 and ice dance at eleven. 9 years in the past in 2016, Lissauer competed at Lake Placid as a pre-juvenile.
Vaclavikova and Lissauer had a spectacular 2025 Lake Placid Championships debut – skating effectively and ending up on the rostrum.
“It’s very nice. We haven’t been collectively that lengthy. This season is a studying one for us,” Lissauer defined. “It feels good to place out these packages and get on the rostrum. The previous couple of weeks there’s been some hardships with the coaching, however we had been capable of overcome it and skate fairly strongly right here.
“I’m actually comfortable that we ended like this on the rostrum. All of it went rather well, and I’m actually comfortable to be right here,” Vaclavikova added.
The duo shared their feelings about once they stepped on the ice and regarded round to see folks clapping.
“I used to be so comfortable. I like performing. It was like so superb,” Vaclavikova mentioned. “It’s very heartwarming having all these folks cheering for us. We did what we got here right here to do, and we’re fairly comfortable.” added Lissauer.
The duo mentioned their season plans. “We’re going to return to coaching, make a few changes to the packages and hopefully come again stronger,” Lissauer mentioned.
“We are able to’t compete internationally as a result of Aneta represented SVK on the 2025 Junior World Championships in February/March, so we now have to attend a 12 months till we will go worldwide once more. This season for us is extra simply constructing our connection on the ice, shaping how we transfer collectively, simply the advantageous particulars, then subsequent 12 months, hopefully, come again fairly sturdy and doing effectively internationally.”
Vaclavikova does on-line college, whereas current highschool graduate Lissauer is taking a niche 12 months.
Vaclavikova has two older brothers, Lukas and Tadeas, who’re additionally ice skaters and prepare in Italy. Aneta was accompanied to Lake Placid by her father and small canine, Snowy.
Caroline Mullen & Brendan Mullen are the reigning U.S. Junior Nationwide bronze medalists and competed on the 2025 World Junior Championships. The siblings made their official senior debut on the Dallas Traditional in mid-July. In Lake Placid. They skated within the senior LPIDI occasion for the primary time.
Brendan spoke about their Rhythm Dance expertise. “It wasn’t our strongest efficiency, however we’re comfortable to be right here. You’ve set to work your approach up. It’s a special ballgame from Juniors – totally different fields – totally different judging – It’s all simply totally different!”
He continued discussing the final senior changes. “In addition to all of the totally different parts you will have two extra within the free dance; the rhythm dance is totally totally different. Additionally normal efficiency, for positive. In seniors, that’s an essential a part of it; in juniors it’s extra technical. In seniors, the efficiency makes or breaks them.”
Caroline agreed. “All of the skaters are actually so technically sturdy, so your efficiency is what makes you stand out. We’ve been coaching very arduous, and we’ve improved in follow. Now we now have to place it out in competitions.”
Caroline shared her ideas about their free dance to Danse Macabre. “We’re actually excited to carry out it and present what we’ve been engaged on. It’s one of the crucial characterised free dances we’ve ever achieved.”
“We love Lake Placid,” Brendan mentioned. “It’s so particular making a senior debut. Skating out to the middle ice in that function is a special atmosphere. It’s not the identical. You’re coming into the rink with an even bigger crowd, extra cheering followers. Every little thing is so extra superior.”
The workforce has spent the summer time months in Novi, Michigan coaching with Igor Shpilband and workforce.
“We find it irresistible, however we’ll be again in Virginia as soon as our faculty courses at George Mason College begin up once more.”
Eva Pate & Logan Bye selected “Enter Sandman” by Metallica and “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC for his or her 2025 rhythm dance.
Proper from the primary announcement of their names, the gang actually obtained going. The duo shared their pleasure about performing the 1990’s program.
“It was enjoyable and filled with power,” Pate mentioned. The skate was nice. The gang was clapping alongside. I used to be actually happy with our first competitors this season. It was very nice to have that help from the viewers.”
“Our first time on the market was actually enjoyable,” Bye added.
Pate & Bye previewed their Free Dance scheduled for the subsequent day.
“We’re skating to The Lion King and telling the entire story of Simba and Mufasa in 4 minutes,” Pate defined. “It’s so much to slot in. It’s a extremely enjoyable program. I find it irresistible. The music is nice.”
“It will likely be a bit of bit totally different from right now’s rhythm dance,” famous Bye. “It’s positively filled with emotion. We’ll skate our greatest and check out actually arduous and clearly see what we will do.”
The workforce shared that Anjelika Krylova choreographed their free dance and though they’ve labored along with her a bit of bit previously when she’s come to city, this was the primary time she has created a full program for them.
“We labored very effectively collectively,” Pate mentioned. “It took us about 4 days to do the entire program, so it went actually quick.”
Bye added, “It’s positively a bit of bit totally different than regular. A part of it was having Pasquale (Camerlengo) there on the rink since we solely had Angelique right here for a restricted time.”
This system has continued to progress since Krylova returned to Russia.
“She’s been capable of keep up a correspondence just a bit bit to verify every part is as she sees the imaginative and prescient,” Bye mentioned. “Quite a lot of it has been as much as Pasquale and Igor (Shpilband) ensuring that it’s refined and every part is completed and polished appropriately. We positively made some small edits to her unique choreography as we’ve wanted based mostly on how every part goes to suit collectively. Additionally, how in our coaching if one thing feels off, and we have to change it, we will.”
Pate and Bye had been positively excited to carry out this system the subsequent day.
After the free dance efficiency, Bye shared his ideas.
“I assumed the efficiency was very nice. It was nice to have the gang right here. As the primary competitors, it’s at all times a bit of nerve-wracking. Eva and I gave it our all right now. We actually left nothing on the desk. We knew there was nothing to lose, so we went on the market with each intention of displaying what we’ve obtained. I at all times attempt for a bit of extra efficiency – protecting it as much as the most effective of our means.
“I’d say it’s on par with Riverdance so far as stamina and staying with it all through. It’s perhaps barely simpler, however so far as our packages, it’s one among our favorites. It’s positively a piece in progress. We’re excited to get again to coaching.”
