Boston gears up for an unforgettable celebration of Figure Skating Excellence

The ISU Figure Skating Awards 2025 are fast approaching, and excitement is building! With votes from fans and media representatives now counted, the nominees for Most Entertaining Program, Best Costume, Best Newcomer, Best Choreographer, and Best Coach are officially revealed (see full list below).

Next, a prestigious panel of six former Figure Skating Champions will deliberate and cast their votes to determine the winners. For the first time, the Awards will be unveiled in a glamorous red-carpet ceremony, taking place on March 30, 2025, during an exclusive Gala Evening on the final day of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Boston, USA. 

Marking the fifth edition of the ISU Figure Skating Awards, this exciting new format highlights the International Skating Union’s commitment to honoring the sport’s legends, rising stars, and the creative minds who continue to elevate Figure Skating to new heights. 

Most Entertaining Program

Figure Skaters bring stories to life on the ice through their unique and expressive programs. This year’s finalists captivate audiences with a stunning variety of styles, emotions, and artistry.

Junhwan Cha (KOR) brings the passion and emotional depth of Tango on to the ice with his Free Skating to “Balada para un loco” by Astor Piazzolla and Milva. 

Ilia Malinin (USA) interprets “Running” by NF in his very contemporary and innovative Short Program, showing the different emotions of the song.

Olivia Smart/Tim Dieck (ESP) turned heads with their captivating Free Dance to “Dune” that takes the spectators right with them into a mysterious world.

Best Costume

A Figure Skating costume is more than just attire, it is an integral part of the performance and helps the Skaters and the audience to get into the program. Figure Skating costumes are creative, original and unique with a lot of thought that goes into their creation. This year’s standout designs include:

Junhwan Cha’s (KOR) red and black costume reflects perfectly the character of his tango Free Skating Program to “Balada para un loco” by Milva and Astor Piazzolla. It was designed by Ms. Kyongsool Bae.

Ilia Malinin (USA) impresses with his sophisticated costume for his Free Skating program to “I’m Not a Vampire” by Falling In Reverse. This costume, designed by Ms. Satomi Ito is very elaborate and full of details. 

Olivia Smart/Tim Dieck’s (ESP) costumes look like they came right out of the movie “Dune” and are already as iconic as their Free Dance. Olivia Smart’s costume was designed by fellow Ice Dancer Madison Chock (USA) while Tim Dieck’s costume was created by Mathieu Caron.

Best Newcomer

This year, three exceptional young skaters earned automatic nomination without requiring a public or media vote. These rising stars made a remarkable transition from the junior level to the senior ranks. Each nominee has impressed with their talent, determination, and outstanding achievements in their debut senior or international season.

Sarah Everhadt (USA) performed consistently throughout the whole season, taking gold and silver medals in two Challenger events as well as placing fourth and fifth in her debut at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating. She capped it off with a bronze medal at her first ISU Four Continents Championships this year.

Pair Skaters Ekaterina Geynish/Dmitri Chigirev (UZB) are newcomers on the international scene and claimed the silver medal in their very first ISU Grand Prix event Skate Canada 2024. The couple went on to win the Asian Winter Games and placed 8^th at the ISU Four Continents Championships 2025.

Anna Pezzetta (ITA) drew attention with her excellent performances in her debut at the ISU European Championships 2025, coming fifth with a new personal best score.

Best Choreographer

The creative visionaries behind Figure Skating’s most captivating performances are the choreographers. They craft unique, compelling programs that inspire skaters and mesmerize audiences worldwide, bringing artistry and emotion to the ice.

Shae-Lynn Bourne (CAN), a former competitive Ice Dancer and the 2003 ISU World Champion with partner Victor Kraatz, has choreographed the programs of Ilia Malinin and Junhwan Cha this season, among others. Bourne has won the Best Choreographer Figure Skating Award in 2020 and 2023. She was also nominated in 2024.

Stéphane Lambiel (SUI) is a two-time ISU World Champion and the 2006 Olympic silver medalist. He is known for his innovative choreography that he creates for his students. This season, he crafted the programs for Deniss Vasiljevs (LAT), Lara Naki Gutmann (ITA/Short Program) and Koshiro Shimada (JPN) for example. Lambiel was nominated for Best Choreographer in 2024 as well.

Benoît Richaud (FRA) competed in Ice Dance at the international level before turning to choreography. He has created programs for Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA), Loicia Demougeot/Theo Le Mercier (FRA), Nina Pinzarrone (BEL), Bradie Tennell (USA) and Chaeyeon Kim (KOR/Short Program) this season. Richaud won the ISU Figure Skating Award for Best Choreographer in 2024.

Best Coach

Behind every skater stands a dedicated coach or team of coaches, guiding them to reach their full potential while inspiring audiences around the world.

Mie Hamada (JPN) has taught generations of successful athletes. She currently coaches at the Kansai University Skating Club in Takatsuki, Osaka in Japan. Her current students include three-time ISU World Junior Champion Mao Shimada, 2024 ISU Grand Prix Finalist Hana Yoshida, and 2024 ISU Grand Prix Final silver medalist Mone Chiba. 

Michael Huth (GER) has led many athletes to the top. He currently works in Oberstdorf, Germany. His current students include 2025 ISU European Champion Lukas Britschgi (SUI), Kimmy Repond (SUI), Lea Serna (FRA) and Anastasia Brandenburg (SUI). 

Tatiana Malinina (UZB) and her husband Roman Skorniakov (UZB) are former Olympic athletes. Malinina is the 1999 ISU Four Continents Champion and ISU Grand Prix Final Champion and the first to win any titles for Uzbekistan. They have been coaching their son Ilia Malinin from childhood and led him to the World title in 2024. They also coach Sarah Everhardt among others.

Skaters of the Year

Replacing the Most Valuable Skater award, this new category recognizes the top-performing Single Skater and Couple (Pairs or Ice Dance) of the season, determined by a points system based on results at ISU Grand Prix events, ISU Championships, and the ISU World Figure Skating Championships.

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award honors a Figure Skating legend having achieved great success and popularity and is considered as a role model for the Figure Skating World. 

The recipients of these categories will be announced on March 30, 2025. 

Stay tuned as we count down to this unique Awards Show filled with elegance, entertainment and emotions!

 For more information, visit the ISU Figure Skating Awards webpage.

About the ISU Figure Skating Awards

The ISU Figure Skating Awards is an annual celebration of the best in Figure Skating. This prestigious event honors not only the Skaters who captivate audiences worldwide through their creativity and entertainment but also the dedicated coaches, choreographers, and costume designers who bring the sport to life behind the scenes.