Team USA Takes Over Tallinn

As the 2025-26 figure skating season heats up, all eyes turn to Tallinn, Estonia, where the Tondiraba Ice Hall will host the Tallinn Trophy from November 25 to 30. This prestigious event marks the 10th stop in the International Skating Union (ISU)’s Challenger Series—a vital circuit for elite skaters to rack up World Standings points, fine-tune programs, and gear up for the Grand Prix and ISU Championships. With no exhibitions planned and a packed schedule of senior and junior categories, the competition promises high-flying jumps, intricate spins, and rhythmic dances under the Northern European lights.

For U.S. fans, it’s especially exciting: Eleven members of the U.S. National Team are making the transatlantic trek, representing the stars-and-stripes in women’s singles, men’s singles, and ice dance. This strong contingent underscores America’s depth in the sport, especially after a dominant showing at the 2025 U.S. Championships and Four Continents.

Whether you’re a die-hard follower or a casual viewer dipping your toes into the ice, here’s your complete guide to the Tallinn Trophy—what to watch, who to root for, and how to tune in.

The Basics: What Is the Tallinn Trophy?
The Tallinn Trophy has been a staple on the international calendar since 2002, evolving from a regional Estonian showcase into a full-fledged ISU Challenger Series event. It returned to the series in 2024 after a COVID-disrupted hiatus and now anchors the 2025-26 lineup as the penultimate stop (only the Golden Spin of Zagreb follows in early December). Open to senior and junior skaters from ISU member nations, it limits entries to three per country per category to keep the fields competitive yet manageable.

This year’s edition features men’s and women’s singles, ice dance, and junior equivalents—no pairs skating this time around. Skaters earn points toward the Challenger Series rankings, which influence seeding for bigger events, plus prize money and minimum technical scores for Worlds qualification. The venue, Tondiraba Ice Hall, is a modern 7,500-seat arena known for its crisp ice and enthusiastic local crowds, blending Estonian skating heritage with global talent.

The Schedule: Mark Your Calendar
The action kicks off Tuesday with junior events and builds to a senior climax over the weekend. Here’s the breakdown:

Wednesday
Junior Men Short Program

Thursday
Junior Women Short → Junior Men Free → Men Short → Women Short

Friday
Junior Women Free → Men Free → Women Free

Saturday
Junior Rhythm Dance → Senior Rhythm Dance

Sunday
Junior Free Dance → Senior Free Dance

With segments spread out, it’s skater-friendly—plenty of recovery time between runs. Expect edge-of-your-seat moments in the free skates, where technical fireworks like quad jumps and intricate footwork sequences can make or break medals.

Spotlight on Team USA: The Eleven to Watch
U.S. Figure Skating is sending a powerhouse lineup, blending seasoned pros with rising stars hungry for Challenger points. Here’s a closer look at each, including their season so far and what to expect in Tallinn:

Women’s Singles
The ladies’ field is stacked with technical prowess and artistic flair, as Team USA chases podiums to boost Worlds seeding.

Starr Andrews (Age 24, Skating out of Los Angeles FSC): A trailblazer known for her powerful jumps and Whitney Houston-inspired programs, Andrews enters her final senior singles season before transitioning to pairs in 2026-27. She’s already notched seventh at the 2025 CS Nepela Memorial and 12th at the 2025 CS Trialeti Trophy, showing clean triples and improved consistency. Her short program to “Fever” (Beyoncé cover) packs a punch—watch for her triple Lutz-triple toe combo. Tallinn could be her swan song in singles; expect emotional, high-energy skates.

Alina Bonillo (Age 19, Skating out of FSC of Texas): The young gun with international experience, Bonillo brings explosive athleticism honed from junior worlds. Limited senior results this season, but her training under top coaches suggests she’s primed for a breakout. Look for dynamic spins and a free skate that showcases her speed— a potential dark horse for the podium.

Sarah Everhardt (Age 19, Skating out of Detroit FSC): Fresh off a stellar 2024-25, where she snagged bronze at Four Continents and U.S. Nationals pewter, Everhardt is a consistency machine. She dominated the 2024 CS Cranberry Cup (gold) and took silver at Lombardia Trophy. Her “Reel Around the Sun” short program is a crowd-pleaser with precise edges and musicality. After a strong Grand Prix debut (fifth at France, fourth at Finlandia), Tallinn is her chance to medal and solidify her senior elite status.

Men’s Singles
The men bring quad threats and dramatic storytelling, aiming to climb the World Standings.

Liam Kapeikis (Age 21, Skating out of Puget Sound FSC): A technical wizard with a hockey background, Kapeikis opened 2025-26 with eighth at Cranberry Cup and a career-best sixth at Nebelhorn Trophy (227.45 points, including a quad Salchow). Under coaches Keegan and Eileen Murphy, he’s refined his quad program. His short to “Unchained Melody” (from Ghost) blends power and emotion—expect a fight for the top six, with his free skate to DragonHeart soundtrack delivering epic builds.

Maxim Naumov (Age 23, Skating out of Skating Club of Boston): Naumov’s journey is one of resilience; after the tragic loss of his parents in a 2025 plane crash, he returned stronger, earning pewter at U.S. Nationals and ninth at Lombardia. Now coached by Vladimir Petrenko and choreographed by Benoît Richaud, his Chopin nocturne short is poetic, while the free to The Irrepressibles adds raw intensity. Tallinn marks a key step in his comeback—root for quads and heartfelt artistry that could land him on the podium.

Ice Dance
U.S. ice dance shines with innovative rhythms and passionate frees, targeting Grand Prix Final berths.

Amy Cui / Jonathan Rogers (Ages 21 / 24, Skating out of Ice Dance Institute): This dynamic duo exploded onto the scene with a 2025 U.S. bronze and strong Challenger showings. Their rhythm dance to C+C Music Factory’s “Gonna Make You Sweat” is a high-energy party, packed with lifts and twizzles. The free to The White Crow (Ilan Eshkeri) showcases lyrical lines. After solid sectionals, they’re chasing a top-five finish to build momentum.

Eva Pate / Logan Bye (Ages 24 / 25, Skating out of Detroit FSC): 2025 U.S. silver medalists and Four Continents veterans, Pate/Bye blend rock edge with theatrical flair. Their rhythm to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” and AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” is fierce and footwork-heavy, while the Lion King free (Hans Zimmer) roars with narrative depth. Consistent Challenger performers, they’re medal contenders—watch for seamless transitions and innovative lifts.

Why It Matters: Beyond the Medals
The Challenger Series isn’t just prep—it’s a proving ground. Points here feed into the ISU World Standings, influencing assignments for the Grand Prix (already underway) and the 2026 Olympics in Milano-Cortina. For juniors, it’s a launchpad to senior stardom. With U.S. athletes competing at all 11 stops this season, Tallinn underscores America’s global push post-2025 Worlds success.

As the final chill of autumn gives way to winter’s grip, the Tallinn Trophy reminds us why we love figure skating: the blend of athletic daring and artistic soul, performed under one roof by dreamers from around the world. Tune in, cheer loud, and let’s see Team USA sparkle on Estonian ice.

Source: article on usfigureskating.org, published November 24, 2025.

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By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer