
The Picture Show
Key Points:
- The author experienced their first competitive figure skating event, discovering a passionate and supportive community that balances fierce competition with camaraderie.
- They observed notable athletes like Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn, Isabeau Levito, and Ilia Malinin, highlighting the skill and personality that define the sport.
- The author drew parallels between figure skating and marching arts, appreciating the precision, pageantry, and creativity required in both disciplines.
- Emotional moments, such as Maxim Naumov's return to competition after personal tragedy, underscored the resilience and depth within the skating community.
- The experience inspired the author to follow figure skating more closely, especially ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, noting unexpected connections like skater O











