Olyphil
@olyphil.bsky.social
Philip Hersh. Former Olympic specialist of Chicago Tribune. Still freelancing. Covered 20 Olympics. www.globetrottingbyphiliphersh.com
UPDATE: U.S. ice dancers Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik qualified for the Grand Prix Final Dec. 4-7 in Nagano, Japan with 3d place Saturday at Finlandia Trophy. Here's my story from 2 days ago on their unlikely journey to this point.
www.nbcolympics.com/news/us-ice-...
www.nbcolympics.com/news/us-ice-...
U.S. ice dancers Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik are 'here to stay'
“It would be amazing to be on the Olympic team, but we want to remind everyone we are here to stay."
www.nbcolympics.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:46 PM
UPDATE: U.S. ice dancers Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik qualified for the Grand Prix Final Dec. 4-7 in Nagano, Japan with 3d place Saturday at Finlandia Trophy. Here's my story from 2 days ago on their unlikely journey to this point.
www.nbcolympics.com/news/us-ice-...
www.nbcolympics.com/news/us-ice-...
“I actually had no idea how difficult switching to ice dance would be,” said Zingas, a singles skater until 2022.
U.S. ice dancers Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik are 'here to stay'
“It would be amazing to be on the Olympic team, but we want to remind everyone we are here to stay."
www.nbcolympics.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:23 PM
“I actually had no idea how difficult switching to ice dance would be,” said Zingas, a singles skater until 2022.
“Figure skating at this level, it’s kind of the fast life,” Liu said. “You’re at this media thing, you’re at that media thing. Sometimes it gets overwhelming, because you’re talking a lot about yourself, and it’s not normal to talk about yourself this much.”
My story on her first Grand Prix win
My story on her first Grand Prix win
Alysa Liu's long and winding road leads to gold in Lake Placid
Alysa Liu reflects on a whirlwind start to her Olympic season following her victory at the Saatva Skate America Grand Prix event.
www.nbcolympics.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:03 AM
“Figure skating at this level, it’s kind of the fast life,” Liu said. “You’re at this media thing, you’re at that media thing. Sometimes it gets overwhelming, because you’re talking a lot about yourself, and it’s not normal to talk about yourself this much.”
My story on her first Grand Prix win
My story on her first Grand Prix win
“Of course, there are times when I’m upset, but they usually have nothing to do with skating,” Liu said. “Life is great. I don’t have much to complain about.”
My story for NBC Sports
My story for NBC Sports
Skating rink now a happy place for Alysa Liu
Alysa Liu is finding more joy than ever in her figure skating as she aims for a spot in the Grand Prix Final.
www.nbcolympics.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:01 AM
“Of course, there are times when I’m upset, but they usually have nothing to do with skating,” Liu said. “Life is great. I don’t have much to complain about.”
My story for NBC Sports
My story for NBC Sports
My story from Skate America
Skating rink now a happy place for Alysa Liu
Alysa Liu is finding more joy than ever in her figure skating as she aims for a spot in the Grand Prix Final.
www.nbcolympics.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:46 AM
My story from Skate America
3-time world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates won't give in to a sense of been there, done that as they look toward fourth Olympics together. “It can be really challenging, especially having a long career." My story for
@NBCSports
@NBCSports
Madison Chock and Evan Bates find appreciation in swan song Olympic season
For what may be their final season, Madison Chock and Evan Bates head into the 2025 ISU Grand Prix Saatva Skate America as favorites for gold.
www.nbcolympics.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:06 PM
3-time world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates won't give in to a sense of been there, done that as they look toward fourth Olympics together. “It can be really challenging, especially having a long career." My story for
@NBCSports
@NBCSports
Reposted by Olyphil
For Ilia Malinin, topping the world may become easier than topping himself. My look at his Skate Canada performance.
www.globetrottingbyphiliphersh.com/home/2025/11...
www.globetrottingbyphiliphersh.com/home/2025/11...
Oh my quadg0d: Ilia Malinin crushes the Skate Canada field - and even tops himself — Globetrotting by Philip Hersh
There comes a point in the careers of some extraordinary athletes when they are competing against only themselves and the record books. And, ipso facto , given that the athlete has to be extra...
www.globetrottingbyphiliphersh.com
November 2, 2025 at 11:06 PM
For Ilia Malinin, topping the world may become easier than topping himself. My look at his Skate Canada performance.
www.globetrottingbyphiliphersh.com/home/2025/11...
www.globetrottingbyphiliphersh.com/home/2025/11...
Her choice of music is no accident: Bradie Tennell is on a personal mission in trying to make a second Olympic team.
For Bradie Tennell, setbacks propel comeback as she aims for 2026 Olympics
Two-time U.S. figure skating champion Bradie Tennell makes her Grand Prix debut this weekend in Canada as she looks to make her second Olympic team this season.
www.nbcsports.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Her choice of music is no accident: Bradie Tennell is on a personal mission in trying to make a second Olympic team.
Nicole Bobek told me to fasten my seatbelt before reading her new memoir. It was a bumpy ride, indeed.
In memoir, skating champion Nicole Bobek confronts her past head-on, frightening details and all — Globetrotting by Philip Hersh
It's wild how fast life can flip. On minute, you’re center ice with the world at your feet. . .The next you're barefoot in a Florida jail cell shaking so hard you can't even hold the phone stead...
www.globetrottingbyphiliphersh.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Nicole Bobek told me to fasten my seatbelt before reading her new memoir. It was a bumpy ride, indeed.
Alysa Liu, guest at Laufey concert last night, told the singer she was returning to her 24-25 short program to the Laufey song, “Promise.” Liu recently dropped her short to another song, by Laufey and D4vd, amid an investigation into death of teenage girl whose remains were found in D4vd vehicle.
October 1, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Alysa Liu, guest at Laufey concert last night, told the singer she was returning to her 24-25 short program to the Laufey song, “Promise.” Liu recently dropped her short to another song, by Laufey and D4vd, amid an investigation into death of teenage girl whose remains were found in D4vd vehicle.
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again: that applies to Amber Glenn and 3 axel. She got negative GOEs on her first 13 attempts at 3A. In her last 20, Glenn got positive GOEs on 14, including most recent three, two at this weekend's Nebelhorn Trophy. Wow. (Click on link to see them.)
x.com
September 27, 2025 at 6:42 PM
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again: that applies to Amber Glenn and 3 axel. She got negative GOEs on her first 13 attempts at 3A. In her last 20, Glenn got positive GOEs on 14, including most recent three, two at this weekend's Nebelhorn Trophy. Wow. (Click on link to see them.)
Pet peeve: why do TV commentators refer to someone winning a second straight title in an event as “defending the title?” You defend a title simply by playing in the subsequent event. If you win, it is “successfully” defending the title.
September 5, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Pet peeve: why do TV commentators refer to someone winning a second straight title in an event as “defending the title?” You defend a title simply by playing in the subsequent event. If you win, it is “successfully” defending the title.
Difficult jumps give 2-time Russian champion Adeliia Petrosian an edge over her likely 2026 Olympic rivals at the start. Other factors may diminish it. My look: www.globetrottingbyphiliphersh.com/home/2025/5/...
By the numbers, Russia's Petrosian looks golden at 2026 Olympics. Will pressure and her coach's past factor in? — Globetrotting by Philip Hersh
Figure skating has become more and more of a math exercise since the sport began using its new scoring and judging system in the 2004-05 season. If it were only a numbers game, you could securely pla...
www.globetrottingbyphiliphersh.com
May 28, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Difficult jumps give 2-time Russian champion Adeliia Petrosian an edge over her likely 2026 Olympic rivals at the start. Other factors may diminish it. My look: www.globetrottingbyphiliphersh.com/home/2025/5/...
Olympic bronze medalists in 2018, the "ShibSibs" have been away from competitive skating since then.
Maia And Alex Shibutani Announce Return to Competitive Figure Skating
mailchi.mp
May 1, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Olympic bronze medalists in 2018, the "ShibSibs" have been away from competitive skating since then.
My look back at the 2024-25 season, in which U.S. athletes shook the pall left by an airplane crash to honor with their performances those in the figure skating family who died.
A season of tragedy and triumph for U.S. figure skaters — Globetrotting by Philip Hersh
The figure skating season that ended nine days ago at the World Team Trophy in Japan was one of overwhelming tragedy and historic triumph for Team USA. The tragedy happened Jan. 27, when 28 members o...
www.globetrottingbyphiliphersh.com
April 28, 2025 at 8:06 PM
My look back at the 2024-25 season, in which U.S. athletes shook the pall left by an airplane crash to honor with their performances those in the figure skating family who died.
That’s why he whacked the ice in frustration after finishing a free skate that left him happy because it brought another gold medal but disappointed because he fell short of his goal. www.nbcsports.com/olympics/new...
Ilia Malinin won a second straight world title, but he wanted more
Ilia Malinin won a second straight world title Saturday night, but felt upset that he had left something undone.
www.nbcsports.com
March 30, 2025 at 8:20 PM
That’s why he whacked the ice in frustration after finishing a free skate that left him happy because it brought another gold medal but disappointed because he fell short of his goal. www.nbcsports.com/olympics/new...
If you’re coming in late to the Alysa Liu saga, which I have chronicled since she was 13, this story I did last October will catch you up.
www.nbcsports.com/olympics/new...
www.nbcsports.com/olympics/new...
How Alysa Liu rediscovered figure skating and came out of retirement
Alysa Liu returns to top-level figure skating competition this month after a two-year retirement.
www.nbcsports.com
March 29, 2025 at 4:46 PM
If you’re coming in late to the Alysa Liu saga, which I have chronicled since she was 13, this story I did last October will catch you up.
www.nbcsports.com/olympics/new...
www.nbcsports.com/olympics/new...
No wonder Liu kept saying, “What? What?” as she skated around after the free skate. She was having trouble grasping what she had done. My NBC OlympicTalk story.
www.nbcsports.com/olympics/new...
www.nbcsports.com/olympics/new...
Alysa Liu on top of the world, a startling position after two years away from skating
Alysa Liu become the first U.S. woman to win a world title since 2006, after having returned to international competition only last October, her first since winning a bronze medal at the 2022 World Ch...
www.nbcsports.com
March 29, 2025 at 3:19 PM
No wonder Liu kept saying, “What? What?” as she skated around after the free skate. She was having trouble grasping what she had done. My NBC OlympicTalk story.
www.nbcsports.com/olympics/new...
www.nbcsports.com/olympics/new...
And that assessment of Ilia Malinin comes from a guy who won silver medals at the 2022 Olympics and three world championships, a guy whose edge work, posture and finesse have given Yuma Kagiyama a nonpareil elegance on the ice.
Ilia Malinin looks invincible to his top rival at figure skating worlds
Ilia Malinin leads Yuma Kagiyama by a small margin going into the World Championships free skate.
www.nbcsports.com
March 28, 2025 at 1:30 PM
And that assessment of Ilia Malinin comes from a guy who won silver medals at the 2022 Olympics and three world championships, a guy whose edge work, posture and finesse have given Yuma Kagiyama a nonpareil elegance on the ice.
“I think what’s really nice (about the rivalry) is the two of us are extremely distinct in our own styles,” Madison Chock told me. “What I admire about them is they have always had their own voice, and they never strayed from that."
At figure skating worlds, a U.S.-Canada ice dance story adds a chapter
Madison Chock and Evan Bates go for a third consecutive world title, but Canadians Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier have momentum.
www.nbcsports.com
March 28, 2025 at 1:27 PM
“I think what’s really nice (about the rivalry) is the two of us are extremely distinct in our own styles,” Madison Chock told me. “What I admire about them is they have always had their own voice, and they never strayed from that."
Her unexpected return this season, on her own terms, has been so enjoyable that Liu literally turned a cartwheel on the entry walkway before taking the ice. My story. www.nbcsports.com/figure-skati...
Alysa Liu finds the joy — and the lead — at World Figure Skating Championships
Alysa Liu can become the first U.S. woman to win a world championship in 19 years.
www.nbcsports.com
March 27, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Her unexpected return this season, on her own terms, has been so enjoyable that Liu literally turned a cartwheel on the entry walkway before taking the ice. My story. www.nbcsports.com/figure-skati...
The miracle of his “Hanukkah boots” kept Jason Brown going far longer than he expected, but he finally realjzed the miracle couldn’t go on forever. My story for NBC Sports. www.nbcsports.com/olympics/new...
Jason Brown tries to reboot his Boston story at World Figure Skating Championships
Jason Brown is back from boot problems to compete at his seventh World Championships.
www.nbcsports.com
March 24, 2025 at 7:05 PM
The miracle of his “Hanukkah boots” kept Jason Brown going far longer than he expected, but he finally realjzed the miracle couldn’t go on forever. My story for NBC Sports. www.nbcsports.com/olympics/new...
