Lorenzo Elano: Rising Star of American Figure Skating

A Breakthrough Season

Lorenzo Elano’s 2024–25 season was a triumph, marked by consistent success. He earned medals at every domestic competition he entered, culminating in a gold medal at the 2025 U.S. Championships in Wichita, Kansas, on January 22. Scoring 202.65 points, he landed six triple jumps, four in combination, despite an early fall in his free skate to Philip Glass’s “Mad Rush” and “The Hours.” His short program, set to “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” from Les Misérables, earned the highest program components score of 35.19, showcasing his artistry.

Elano also shone internationally, securing two medals at events in Nice, France, and Tilburg, Netherlands. His performance at the 2025 Challenge Cup in Tilburg included his first competitive triple Axel attempt, a bold step toward mastering this difficult jump. Reflecting on his U.S. Championships win, Elano said, “It wasn’t my best performance… but I’m happy with the outcome. I’m most pleased that I kept going.” His resilience and focus under pressure highlight his growth from placing 17th in 2023 and sixth in 2024 at the junior nationals.

Artistry Rooted in Ballet and Mindfulness

Elano’s skating is defined by its elegance, with strong edge quality, fluid transitions, and captivating spins. His five years of ballet training as a young skater honed his movement quality, which he credits for his expressive style. “Ballet helped with my movement quality,” he shared, noting that his choreographer, Tommy Steenberg, emphasizes body awareness in his routines. Steenberg’s choice of “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” for Elano’s short program was initially seen as mature, but Elano grew to connect deeply with its emotional weight, especially after the tragic loss of skating community members in the January 29, 2025, American Airlines Flight 5342 crash.

Steenberg praised Elano’s authenticity, saying, “There is something incredibly genuine in his delivery of movement and his connection to the audience.” This connection resonated at nationals, where Elano bonded with fellow skater Franco Aparicio, a victim of the crash, who admired his short program. Elano’s decision to keep the program for the 2025–26 season reflects its personal significance. For his new free skate, Elano and Steenberg selected three pieces by composer Abel Korzeniowski, aiming to showcase “innovative patterns, angles, and new transitions” with a mysterious, ethereal vibe.

A Supportive Foundation

Elano’s success is bolstered by a tight-knit support system. His parents and grandmother, regular fixtures at his competitions, cheer him on with enthusiasm. “They’re very supportive and less reserved,” Elano said, noting their presence feels normal and grounding. His coaches, Allen and Myers, instilled confidence during the nerve-wracking moments before his championship free skate, urging him to “focus and trust my training.” The moment he learned he’d won, hearing his coaches call his name in the locker room, was surreal: “It really hasn’t hit me yet.”

As a Filipino-American, Elano’s cultural roots enrich his life off the ice. With most of his extended family in the Philippines, he enjoys traditional Filipino dishes like chicken adobo with white rice and tocino, a sweet cured pork dish. These meals, shared with family, keep him connected to his heritage. His Chicago upbringing and training at Skokie Valley Skating Club ground him in a community that has nurtured his rise.

Life Beyond the Rink

A junior at Acellus Academy, Elano balances skating with school, excelling in biology and psychology. In his limited free time, he enjoys dancing—favoring hip hop, modern, and contemporary styles—and listening to pop, R&B, or hip hop and rap before competitions to get energized. “When I’m at home, I usually do schoolwork or watch YouTube,” he said, often tuning into vlogs or skating videos. As an only child, he cherishes time with friends and family, leaving little room for hobbies like gaming.

Elano draws inspiration from U.S. figure skating star Jason Brown, admiring his focus on artistry and skating for personal fulfillment. “You can tell he does this for himself, and no one else,” Elano said. His teammate Alexa Gasparotto, who recently landed a triple Axel, also motivates him to push his technical boundaries.

Looking Ahead

Elano’s goals for the 2025–26 season are ambitious. He’s working to perfect his triple Axel, which he attempted at the Challenge Cup, and is training quad Salchow and quad toe jumps. Moving to senior-level domestic competitions, he aims to qualify for the 2026 U.S. Championships, a challenging but exciting prospect. Named an alternate for the 2025 World Junior Championships in Boston, Elano is poised for further international exposure.

Despite his junior championship title, Elano feels no pressure, only excitement. “I feel excited to debut this upcoming season,” he said, backed by his coaches, family, and a growing fanbase. Social media posts from fans on platforms like Reddit praise his musicality and spins, with one noting, “I love how he uses his entire body to move… Even the details of his fingertips during spins are chef’s kiss.”

A Bright Future

Lorenzo Elano’s journey is one of passion, perseverance, and cultural pride. From his Chicago roots to his gold-medal moment in Wichita, he’s proving that artistry and ambition can shine on the ice. With a tragic loss shaping his perspective and a supportive team guiding him, Elano is carving a unique path in figure skating. As he prepares for senior competitions and technical milestones, this 17-year-old is a rising star to cheer for, bringing grace, grit, and heart to every performance.

By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer

May 21, 2026

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