Walley & Flip: A Figure Skating Podcast

ISU Rule Changes & Off-Season Surprises

Walley and Flip are back for one last time this season to break down the very real identity shift coming to figure skating as the ISU rolls out major rule changes for the 2026–2027 season. From reducing jump content and limiting combinations to introducing more choreographic elements across disciplines, the sport may be heading toward a very different balance of athleticism vs. artistry. * Are ultra-C jumpers about to lose their edge? * Does this open the door for PCS skaters? * And is the ISU quietly laying the groundwork for an even bigger overhaul (eg. tech vs. artistic program split rumors)? Also, Marin Honda and Shoma Uno teaming up in Montreal as a potential ice dance team?? We discuss whether this is a real competitive prospect, a soft launch into post-singles careers, or just the most intriguing “what if” of the season. We also react to some surprise announcements and potential retirements!

2026 World Figure Skating Championship Reaction

Walley and Flip are back with their full World Championships reaction and there is a lot to unpack. In ice dance, we dive straight into “arm gate,” Lilah and Lewis’s shocking slide off the podium, and the very real rise of Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik. Plus, did Piper and Paul flop or fly with the return of Wuthering Heights? Across the women’s and men’s events, it was a mix of glory and heartbreak that absolutely delivered. We break down the redemption arcs from Kaori Sakamoto, Yuma Kagiyama, and Mone Chiba, and more! And in true Walley and Flip fashion, we go a little off-script… sharing some chaotic and nostalgic stories from our own skater days.

Macarthur Parked on the Podium (Olympic Women and Pairs Reaction)

Alysa Liu did NOT leave her skates out in the rain- and the women overall absolutely brought it. It was the clean skate party of our dreams and the energy felt truly Olympic from start to finish. So many athletes rose to the moment with clutch performances, huge elements, and programs that delivered under pressure. Overall, the judging felt relatively consistent and fair… but there were a couple of placements we simply did not think were warranted. Yes, we name names. In pairs, the quality stayed sky high. Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara threw down a world record performance and cemented their status at the top with a lights out skate on the biggest stage. The event as a whole was packed with strong, mostly clean programs, but there were also some real disappointments and missed opportunities that shook up the final standings.

The Great Olympic Figure Skating Men's Meltdown

We are back to unpack the absolute emotional rollercoaster that was the Olympic men’s and ice dance final and honestly we are still recovering. No amount of lit candles or Etsy witches could have saved the men's event. We were left in total shambles. And then out of the madness rose Mikhail Shaidorov, who absolutely crushed the rest of the field and delivered when it mattered most. We break down how he separated himself, who cracked under pressure, and what this result means long term. Over in ice dance, the tension did not stay on the ice. We get into the controversy swirling around Madison Chock and Evan Bates versus Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron and the scandal that had everyone talking. What actually happened, what felt political, what felt fair.

Olympic Figure Skating Team Event Recap

Join us as we react to the Olympic figure skating team event an absolute nailbiter from start to finish. We each share our three roses and three thorns from the competition who delivered when it mattered most and what results left us with more questions than answers. Then we dig into what implication this team event may have on the individual competitions. What performances change the outlook for the individual events? Who gained confidence, who might be rattled, and where do the medal races feel wide open now?