The second stop for the 2026 Artistic World Cup wrapped its arms around the globe as more than 600 athletes from 34 countries gathered in picturesque Garmisch, Germany at Olympia-Eissport-Zentrum.
The fearless Tots, Espoir, and Minis opened the ten days of competition in spectacular fashion. With more than 200 skaters participating in these events, the future of artistic skating holds tremendous promise.
The intensity was through the roof as Cadet, Youth, Junior, and Senior athletes took the floor. Skaters battled not only for podium finishes and valuable World Skate ranking points, but also for the ultimate prize — an invitation to the World Cup Final. The pressure was undeniable, yet so were the passion, resilience, and sportsmanship on display throughout the competition.
From start to finish, the ten days of competition were packed with highlights, including:
Senior Ladies Solo showcased both the intensity of the sport and the resilience required at the highest level. After an uncharacteristic fall in the Style Dance dropped her to eighth, three-time World Champion Roberta Sasso of Italy delivered a stirring comeback in the Free Dance to claim the silver medal, reaffirming why her name is etched in skating history. Gold went to Natalia Baldizzone of Spain, whose passionate performance to Maria de Buenos Aires captivated the audience and earned a winning score of 143.48 through her signature expressive artistry and control, while in a remarkable Senior World Cup debut, Quinty Van Lare of the Netherlands secured the bronze medal with 138.04, firmly announcing her arrival at the Senior level.
Between the two World Cups this year, it is clear that the Senior Mens Solo Dance is shaping up to be an epic battle heading into the Final this June. In Garmisch, Italy’s exquisite Gherardo Altieri captured the gold medal, skating to the music of Frankenstein, and earned a score of 148.47 points. Close behind was fellow Italian Yuri Allegranti with 146.01 points, securing his second silver medal of the World Cup circuit. Argentina’s Facundo Nieva wowed both the crowd and the judges to take the bronze medal with 139.91 points.
Italy also continues to redefine excellence in Pairs competition, sweeping both the Junior and Senior events in dominant fashion. Reigning Senior World Champions Tommaso Cortini & Micol Mills once again soared to gold, reinforcing their status as the team to beat this season. And in Junior Pairs, the battle was nothing short of extraordinary, with the difference between gold and silver coming down to a 0.06 points, a reminder of just how deep and fiercely competitive the sport is. Leonardo Malloggi & Maelle Milzi won their second gold medal of the World Cup circuit with their thrilling victory.
If total synchrony on skates had a definition, it would be three-time Senior Couples Dance World Champions and current number one team in the World Skate Rankings, Gherardo Altieri and Roberta Sasso of Italy. Scoring 162.15 points and capturing the gold medal with their stunning free dance to The White Crow, they continue to elevate not only themselves, but the entire sport. Equally impressive were Raoul Allegranti and Caterina Artoni, who claimed the silver medal with 149.16 points, placing another Italian flag on the podium. Portugal’s Vitor Castro and Ema Sousa earned 143.46 points to secure the bronze medal.
Portuguese sensation and World Skate Rankings No. 1 Madalena Costa continued her golden run, taking the top podium spot in Senior Ladies Free Skating. Scoring an impressive 255.06 points, Costa combined soaring component scores with her trademark world-class technical content for another standout victory. The Netherlands also had plenty to celebrate as Quinty Van Lare captured her second medal of the Garmisch World Cup. Skating with confidence and joy in her senior debut, Van Lare delivered another strong performance to earn the silver medal Spain rounded out the podium with Sira Bella Gallardo, whose energetic long program secured the bronze medal.
Senior Mens Free Skating brought the ten unforgettable days of competition to a roaring finish. The 2025 Junior Mens World Champion Guillermo Gomez announced his arrival on the Senior stage in breathtaking fashion. Delivering a spectacular performance packed with power, artistry, and confidence beyond his years, Gomez soared to an incredible 271.17 to lead an unforgettable Spanish sweep of the event. Right behind him was fellow Senior debutant Unai Cereijo, who electrified the crowd with a beautifully powerful free skate, earning a massive 249.99 and cementing Spain’s dominance. Completing the podium sweep was Aranu Pérez Montero, whose emotional and commanding performance secured bronze with 234.18.
Solo Dance
Junior Ladies Solo Dance
Albina Kachur (POR) 142.17
Mariaclaudia Parziale (ITA) 140.07
Jimena Cervera (ESP) 137.90
Junior Mens Solo Dance
Luca Buonincontro (ITA) 145.59
Fidel Bopa (ESP) 130.59
Alessandro Grossi (ITA) 127.52
Senior Ladies Solo Dance
Natalia Baldizzone (ESP) 143.48
Roberta Sasso (ITA) 140.11
Quinty Van Lare (NED) 138.04
Senior Mens Solo Dance
Gherardo Altieri (ITA) 148.47
Yuri Allegranti (ITA) 146.01
Facundo Nieva (ARG) 139.91
Couples Dance
Junior Couples Dance
Grossi & Bruzzi (ITA) 140.95
Buonincontro & Ambrosino (ITA) 133.45
Di Nunzio & Parziale (ITA) 126.72
Senior Couples Dance
Altieri & Sasso (ITA) 162.15
Allegranti & Artoni (ITA) 149.16
Castro & Sousa (ITA) 143.46
Pairs
Junior Pairs
Malloggi & Milzi (ITA) 136.42
Nale & Nale (ITA) 136.38
Cortini & Riccardo (ITA) 132.80
Senior Pairs
Cortini & Mills (ITA) 198.61
Inglese & Polli (ITA) 180.67
Bozzini & Di Bella (ITA) 164.20
Free Skating
Junior Ladies Free Skating
Costanza Biondi (ITA) 175.89
Victoria Baldo (ITA) 174.22
Rita Azinheira (POR) 169.19
Junior Mens Free Skating
Alessandro Costagliola (ITA) 242.38
Mattia Danesi (ITA) 208.49
Mateus Vargas (ESP) 196.18
Senior Ladies Free Skating
Madalena Costa (POR) 255.06
Quinty Van Lare (NED) 162.72
Sira Bella Gallardo (ESP) 160.54
Senior Mens Free Skating
Guillermo Gomez (ESP) 271.17
Unai Cereijo Garcia (ESP) 249.99
Arnau Pérez Montero (ESP) 234.18
“Being in Germany and witnessing the continued growth of skating across our sport has been a pleasure. This progress reflects not only the talent of the athletes, but also the dedication of coaches, officials, and organizers. Artistic skating continues to advance technically each year, while the presentation and image of the sport reach new heights internationally. We are also excited for the World Cup Final in Cesena, Italy and look forward to another incredible event,” said Nicola Genchi, chairman of the World Skate Artistic Commission.
Artistic skating is reaching new heights worldwide. With more than 100,000 unique viewers from more than 50 countries tuning in to worldskate.tv and social media coverage surpassing 10 million views, fans everywhere are experiencing the excitement on and off the floor. The growth, passion, and global engagement continue to prove that artistic skating is truly the best sport in the world.
That’s a wrap on Germany! Congratulations to all the skaters for their willingness to share not only the battle of the sport, but also their heart and passion along the way.
Now the anticipation shifts to Cesena, Italy, this June, where the world’s best skaters will compete for the ultimate title: 2026 Artistic World Cup Champion.
The road to qualification between Buenos Aires and Garmisch has been intense, emotional, and filled with incredible stories. Up to eight men and eight women from the Cadet, Youth, Junior, and Senior Free Skating and Solo Dance categories, along with Pairs and Couple Dance teams, have earned their place in the Final.
Qualification begins with the highest-ranked skater from each nation being considered first — but the journey is not over yet.
One final invitation still remains.
The Last Chance Competition (27-30 May), held just before the Final, will give skaters one more opportunity to fight for the last coveted spot in Cesena. Through grit, determination, and pure willpower, only the first-place finishers will secure their chance to compete on the world stage.
See you in Cesena for the 2026 Artistic World Cup Final from 30 May to 7 June!