Best Performances from the World Figure Skating Gala

Originally posted on HerCampus The World Figure Skating Championships took place at TD Garden on Mar. 26 - Mar. 30. After all the competitions end, and the medals are handed out, the winning skaters and other competitors perform a number of their choice at a gala. This year, the gala was themed around the seasons, with interludes performed by young skaters from the Skating Club of Boston. Some skaters use this event to showcase their artistry and skills, while others use it to have fun and engage with the crowd. Although all the performances were truly spectacular, I’ve selected my personal top five. Some are fun, some are more serious, but I left the gala thinking about all of them. Before I start, I’d like to give shoutouts to Amber Glenn and Niina Petrokina for their skates (“Hot to Go” and “Cell Block Tango”, respectively) - they nearly made this list, and both were incredibly fun.

5. Jason Brown, “Reel Around the Sun” (Riverdance)

Jason Brown knew what the Boston audience wanted. He had performed this piece as his free skate at the 2014 World Championships in Boston, and 11 years later, he brought it back. Brown is just a joy to watch on ice, and despite not having the technical jump content of other skaters, he has always held his own in competition due to his incredible skating skills. Those are on clear display with this piece. He had the entire audience screaming from the get-go, and the crowd clapping along. His flexibility, in addition, is always impressive — the full split jumps and the leg-holds are just immaculate. As with everything he does, Brown both had fun and gave a great performance.

4. Kaori Sakamoto, “Poison”

Kaori Sakamoto is a force to be reckoned with. She is incredibly quick, and even sitting as high up in the rafters as I was, her pure speed was much clearer in person. She is a captivating skater, and her footwork is exceptionally smooth. The recordings truly don’t do her or her routines justice. Even if this wasn’t my favorite routine she’s ever skated, she remains confident on her jumps and steps, flowing right through the piece. It’s powerful and gorgeous, all at once.

3. Sara Conti / Niccolò Macii, “Perfection” & “Run the World (Girls)”

As someone who did not come into the gala knowing which routines would be performed, this one was the biggest shock. Macii came out in a black tutu and a tiara, while Conti came out in a muscle suit and a huge fake beard. They really leaned into the role-swap at the beginning of their routine, with Conti lifting Macii instead of the other way around, and Macii being thrown for a solo jump. Even more surprising was when Macii ripped off the tutu and tiara to reveal black shorts and a black bra. The music shifted to Beyoncé’s “Run the World (Girls),” and Conti, still in full strong man attire, was now being lifted and spun around on Macii’s head. This one was incredible to be in the audience for, and never once did I know what was coming next.

2. Mikhail Shaidorov, “Kung Fu Panda”

It’s hard not to be memorable when you come out wearing a full panda suit. I’m not sure how Shaidorov fit the panda head he was wearing into his luggage, but I’m glad he did. This piece was a blast from start to finish, set to tunes from “Kung Fu Panda.” Everything from the costume to the choreography to the joy and wonder on Shaidorov’s face made him an absolute delight to watch. Even with a panda belly that should have restricted his skating skills, he still managed to jump a double and complete turn sequences. A huge shoutout goes to Georgian pairs skater Luka Berulava for his part in this piece. He played the competitor for the Kung Fu Panda to beat, and created a hilarious moment when he lifted Shaidorov into the air. After his breakout performance this year, and his silver medal in the men’s event, I’m truly looking forward to seeing what more Shaidorov can do (and what other costumes he’ll show up with) at the Olympics.

1. Ilia Malinin, “To Build a Home”

According to some figure skating fans, Malinin is all jumps with no skating skill or performance. Those fans must have gone quiet during his number. Malinin was skating in memory of the skaters lost on American Airlines Flight 5342. His emotion was palpable, felt in every move he made. This performance was six minutes long. Six minutes. That’s longer than any competition piece, and I was invested through it all. There were plenty of tears in the arena by the end of this program. His jumps in the program were incredible, but they were sparse. The main content was his skating alone, and it was heartbreakingly good. Malinin looks poised to get his gold medal at the 2026 Olympics, and if he can maintain this level of performance and connection in all his routines next year, he will run away with it. 

Even though these routines stood out to me for different reasons, all the skaters in the gala were remarkable, from the young skaters representing the seasons to the skaters who have been to the World Championships to Paul Poirier, who has competed 12 times. The talent in the current field is incredible, and the Olympics looks poised to be unforgettable.