Latvian figure skater Deniss Vasiļjevs to skip entire season amid strained ties with federation

In August 2026, 27-year-old Latvian figure skater Deniss Vasiļjevs announced an unexpected decision to skip the entire upcoming competition season. As a result, he will also forgo participation in a prestigious event in China that had been anticipated as a key fixture of the season.

While Vasiļjevs has not officially announced the end of his career, the current circumstances do not appear encouraging. Available information suggests that the skater's trust in the leadership of the Latvian Skating Association (LSA) has diminished or been lost entirely.

Conflicting accounts

The exact reasons behind the rift between the athlete and the association remain unclear, as the two sides reportedly present differing versions of events. This suggests the disagreement may stem from deeper issues that have not yet been fully disclosed to the public.

Vasiļjevs' decision to skip an entire season marks a significant step for an athlete who has represented Latvia in international competitions for years. Such a break could affect both his competitive form going forward and his standing in international rankings.

It remains unknown when, or whether, Vasiļjevs plans to return to competition, or how his relationship with the LSA leadership will develop from here.