anastasiia gubanova posts season-best performance, signals momentum for Olympic cycle

Feb. 17, 2026 (ET) — Anastasiia Gubanova turned heads this week with a season-best showing at an international figure skating event, a performance that her camp says underscores renewed focus as she prepares for the key competitions of the Olympic cycle.

Strong skating and technical improvements

Gubanova's free skate combined cleaner jump execution with sharper transitions than earlier in the season. Judges awarded her a higher technical score than in previous outings, reflecting success on several combination jumps and improved levels on spins and footwork. The program's component marks trended upward as well, with assessors noting stronger musicality and choreography that better showcased her skating skills.

Skaters and coaches who watched the event described Gubanova's routine as more confident and composed, a contrast with a handful of unsteady results from prior competitions. Her coach team has been focusing on jump consistency and artistic polish in recent months, and the tweaks appeared to pay off in the arena. The performance gave her a clear season-best total and moved her up the list of contenders in the international challenger field.

What this means for the season and Olympic preparation

The timing of Gubanova's improved outing is significant. With major international assignments and national selection windows coming up, a season-best score at this stage positions her favorably for selection committees and makes a stronger case for higher-profile invitations. The performance also serves as a morale boost ahead of the spring segment of the calendar, when skaters aim to cement their reputations and collect ranking points.

Beyond results, Gubanova's work this season has included a change in training emphasis and adjustments to her support team. That recalibration appears designed to peak her condition for the run-up to next winter's marquee events. Observers note that building consistency now — both in training and under competition pressure — will be critical if she hopes to make a deeper impression in continental championships and qualification events.

While a single competition does not define a season, the combination of cleaner elements and higher program component marks makes a statement: Gubanova is trending upward at a moment when momentum matters most. Her team has signaled they will use the remainder of the season to refine the details, prioritizing jump security and endurance to sustain her programs through the long competition schedule ahead.

Outlook and next steps

Gubanova plans to keep a busy slate of competitions to maintain the competitive rhythm that produced this season-best. Expect her to target a mix of challenger events and selective international assignments that can both test her improvements and build ranking points. National selection windows remain a critical focus, and strong, consistent performances in the weeks ahead will be essential for Olympic-cycle ambitions.

For now, the message from Gubanova and those close to her campaign is cautiously optimistic: the technical upgrades and refreshed presentation seen in her most recent outing offer a tangible foundation to build on. If she can translate that momentum into repeated clean programs, she could be a notable presence during the season's decisive competitions.

This update will be monitored as Gubanova continues her competitive schedule; upcoming events will reveal whether this season-best can be the start of a longer upward trajectory.