The Summer Slow Down

It's time to cultivate my other hobbies again, if I can remember what they are?

As part of writing this newsletter, I take screenshots throughout the week of figure skating news I want to mention. Then, I spend Sunday morning clicking though my screenshots to remind myself of the week that was, and that’s how this newsletter comes together.

Friends, I have no screenshots from this week. This is not to say that absolutely nothing happened; there was just nothing that made me sit up and pay attention. This either means there’s actually not much happening or that I’m getting figure skating fatigue and need to miss it a little bit.

Well, okay, there are a couple of small things to share.

• Some people took a blurry screenshot of an Olivia Smart video, and they think they see Hannah Lim and Zak Lagha together in the background. I just saw two ambiguous brunettes, but I tend to agree this is a likely pairing, so sure.. this could be them.

• Rumors intensified that Marjorie Lajoie will skate with Jean-Luc Baker. This is still coming from all anonymous sources who claim it’s definite behind the safety of fake internet accounts, so sho knows. There’s not even grainy background footage to parse, and I am still not convinced. I wouldn’t mind seeing him back on the ice, with Kaitlin Hawayek’s full support, but it just seems more likely that he could be skating with Marjo to help her stay in form while she searches for an appropriate partner. Would love to be wrong about this and get a surprise JLB comeback story.

• Gabby Daleman announced she’s definitely in for one more final season, but then she ended her Instagram post with #forsinglesanyways. Maybe she will be Deanna Stellato’s mystery Pairs partner. (Actually, I love the idea of Gabby carrying on as a Pairs girl. She has the attitude for it.)

• Jackie Wong’s hair is full of secrets, and he totally knows about more retirements/break-ups/new partners/coaching swaps/etc, but all he’s saying right now is this, so enjoy speculating about who still has surprises up their sleeves this summer:

  

  Jackie Wong@rockerskating

  With Grand Prix assignments imminent during the month of June, I’d imagine we will be getting more off-season announcements over the next couple of weeks

  6:17 PM · May 30, 2026 · 19.4K Views

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  33 Reposts · 322 Likes

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And that’s really all I’ve got, so we’re officially entering The Slow Season, for both skating news and this newsletter.

I’ll still be here sporadically throughout the summer, popping up to comment on the Grand Prix assignments and any other juicy goodies that bubble to the surface. I’m also working on some non-skating content, which might be a gamble because I don’t think most of you are here for that. But then some of you who know me in real life are thrilled to hear it, eager for me to get back to writing about awkward middle school dances or declaring war on rodents. It’s like when Mariah Bell did a Britney Spears short program to try out a new style, and some people loved it and some people hated it. Sometimes you have to set aside the classical music and try something a little different for a season. Don’t worry, I’ll metaphorically go back to Celine Dion ballads and stirring instrumentals in September.

For now, think of this newsletter like the ice cream man. You never know when he might drive by, bringing an unexpected treat to your neighborhood on a hot day. I’ll be back to regular, weekly posting about figure skating in the fall.

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Three Non-Figure Skating Things: Three Things I Liked This Week

• This disco ball puzzle. The shiny pieces make it a little more challenging… but not so challenging that you give up in frustration. Very satisfying.

• Cherry Spindrift. I’m “I get excited about new Spindrift flavors” years old. This one is tart and fresh, and I’m a sucker for pretty much anything cherry flavored. I also found Blueberry Lemon this week, and I’m looking forward to trying it next! I have a feeling these flavors are related to the big Independence Day anniversary this year, so they’re probably temporary. I’ll take it while I can.

• Apple TV. As part of a budgeting strategy, I rotate through streaming services, and I’m in an Apple phase right now. I just caught up on Margo’s Got Money Troubles (LOVED IT) and Shrinking (LOVED IT but was UNCOMFORTABLE with terrible therapeutic boundaries!!), and now I’m rewatching the first Ted Lasso season, which really did nail it when we needed optimism in 2020. Up next: Widow’s Bay, which I’ve seen described as comedy, thriller, AND horror, so wish me luck, I guess.

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What’s Next: As noted above, it will be a fun surprise for all of us!