by Anne Calder | Photographs 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 the moment 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 really useful 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 applications early within the season and since the main target was solely on ice dance. On the time it was the one occasion that was targeted simply on ice dance. I additionally beloved 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 degree and those that have been attending for a lot of seasons.
Anna Waugh (13) & Matt Jacoby (16) practice on the Ice Works in Philadelphia with Slava Uchitel quickly whereas their residence base in Ardmore – Philadelphia Skating Membership & Humane Society – is beneath 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 pleased with 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 previous,” Jacoby famous. “We’ve already made lots of progress, and we’ve lots 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 are not any jumps. Every thing else is ok. Jacoby likes the deal with skating abilities and expression. That means you’ll be able to deal with performing, reasonably than doing a sequence of components.
The group prefers up-beat and joyful music. Waugh prefers it to have an up and down beat sort of like The Starvation Video games. Jacoby beforehand used some jazzy music that’s extra upbeat. When you get into the sluggish type with lengthy extensions, then you definately velocity up on the finish. He likes that basic 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 might 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 awesome competitors. There’s nice individuals round,” mentioned Waugh. “I’m simply joyful to be in Lake Placid,” added Jacoby. “That is my favourite competitors. Afterwards, I’m trying 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 practice in Rockville, Maryland with Dmytri Ilin. The twosome started skating collectively in 2022. Nathan skated with a earlier accomplice for 2 years – 2018-2020; Natalie has solely skated with Nathan.
The duo shared their favourite program from the present season.
“I really like our opening free dance music. It’s one thing new that we’ve by no means achieved earlier than,” Natalie mentioned. “It’s “Ease on Down the Highway” (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 faculty. Natalie will enter eighth grade; Nathan who can be an eleventh grader is already trying towards faculty to maybe examine engineering, which incorporates physics.
“Skating is so much about physics,” Nathan asserted. “Coach Dima is all the time speaking about physics.”
The group earned a fourth place end and stood on the Lake Placid Championship podium for the second time. In 2023 as an Intermediate group, 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.
“Nonetheless, 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 group in 2018.
“The truth that we’re cousins is one issue, however we had been coaching on the similar Academy, so we determined to develop into a group,” mentioned Homawoo. “We’ve been skating collectively ever since.”
The transfer up a degree to Juniors final season concerned a brand new sort of sample dance. It was a bizarre, however not too exhausting adjustment that Kouevi uniquely described. “The very fact is that we mainly simply acquired to do a free dance with a sample that makes use of all our abilities.”
The duo thinks Lake Placid may be very particular.
“It’s a very cool rink,” Kouevi mentioned. “It seems very grand, in contrast to lots of rinks we’ve been to. There’s lots 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 come back 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 way in which we skate,” mentioned Homawoo.
“We determined with our coach to convey a extra fashionable method to it, as an alternative of the classical vibe different individuals have achieved up to now. We predict that may exhibit our personal private abilities and in addition symbolize a narrative we need 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 finest there, and see every part that goes on over there. I’m simply actually excited. Clearly there’s a bit little bit of nerves, however principally it comes from the joy.”
“I’m excited to be on the Worldwide stage and present what I can do to your entire world and show to the U.S. that we’re a very good group, and we’re strong,” Homawoo added. “That’s why they selected us for this chance. I need to deal with my coaching to have the ability to obtain what I need 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) practice 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 group made its Lake Placid junior debut in the course of the July 2025 occasion.
The athletes shared their ideas on the transfer to the brand new degree.
“Effectively, it’s extra attention-grabbing than novice,” Bledsoe mentioned. “The applications, the weather, the occasions are extra attention-grabbing. I actually loved these applications [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 children. It was an enormous 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 joyful we’re in Junior. I’m pleased with our program. I believe we did a ravishing job.”
Carhart acknowledged her largest changes. “Most likely making the applications was exhausting as a result of it had new components. Every thing was exhausting 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 exhausting to grasp, however we’ve lots of enjoyable doing it, so it was all price it.
The group 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 group that trains in Newington, Connecticut with Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov. Vaclavikova is from Slovakia and commenced 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 nicely 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 applications 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 joyful that we ended like this on the rostrum. All of it went very well, and I’m actually joyful to be right here,” Vaclavikova added.
The duo shared their feelings about once they stepped on the ice and appeared round to see individuals clapping.
“I used to be so joyful. I really like performing. It was like so superb,” Vaclavikova mentioned. “It’s very heartwarming having all these individuals cheering for us. We did what we got here right here to do, and we’re fairly joyful.” added Lissauer.
The duo mentioned their season plans. “We’re going to return to coaching, make a few changes to the applications and hopefully come again stronger,” Lissauer mentioned.
“We will’t compete internationally as a result of Aneta represented SVK on the 2025 Junior World Championships in February/March, so we’ve 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 high-quality particulars, then subsequent 12 months, hopefully, come again fairly robust and doing nicely internationally.”
Vaclavikova does on-line faculty, 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 practice 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 Basic 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 joyful to be right here. You’ve set to work your means up. It’s a unique 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 components you’ve two extra within the free dance; the rhythm dance is totally totally different. Additionally basic efficiency, for positive. In seniors, that’s an necessary 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 robust, so your efficiency is what makes you stand out. We’ve been coaching very exhausting, and we’ve improved in follow. Now we’ve 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 vital 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 unique surroundings. It’s not the identical. You’re getting into the rink with a much bigger crowd, extra cheering followers. Every thing is so extra superior.”
The group has spent the summer time months in Novi, Michigan coaching with Igor Shpilband and group.
“We like it, however we’ll be again in Virginia as soon as our faculty lessons 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 acquired going. The duo shared their pleasure about performing the 1990’s program.
“It was enjoyable and filled with vitality,” 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 assist 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 very enjoyable program. I like it. The music is nice.”
“It will likely be a bit bit totally different from right now’s rhythm dance,” famous Bye. “It’s undoubtedly filled with emotion. We’ll skate our greatest and check out actually exhausting and clearly see what we will do.”
The group shared that Anjelika Krylova choreographed their free dance and though they’ve labored along with her a bit bit up to now when she’s come to city, this was the primary time she has created a full program for them.
“We labored very nicely collectively,” Pate mentioned. “It took us about 4 days to do the entire program, so it went actually quick.”
Bye added, “It’s undoubtedly a bit 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 communicate just a bit bit to verify every part is as she sees the imaginative and prescient,” Bye mentioned. “Numerous it has been as much as Pasquale and Igor (Shpilband) ensuring that it’s refined and every part is completed and polished accurately. We undoubtedly made some small edits to her authentic 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 undoubtedly 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 all the time a bit 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 exhibiting what we’ve acquired. I all the time attempt for a bit extra efficiency – protecting it as much as the most effective of our potential.
“I’d say it’s on par with Riverdance so far as stamina and staying with it throughout. It’s possibly barely simpler, however so far as our applications, it’s certainly one of our favorites. It’s undoubtedly a piece in progress. We’re excited to get again to coaching.”
