Kaori Sakamoto, a three-time World champion, and other photostories

Switzerland’s Livia Kaiser making the most of her Worlds debut; there you have her skating her short program to “The World to Come”

These were the first Worlds for Italy’s Sarina Joos as well

The spark that Olga Mikutina has, that Olga Mikutina is

Blue is the warmest colour: Lorine Schild skating to “Ojos de Serpiente”, an intricate program choreographed by Gabriella Papadakis

In spite of the mistakes at the beginning, Julia Sauter sold that short program really well, and the audience followed her every step of the way. And we’re going to have that song on repeat, “Oh My God” by Adele, for a while – it has that effect on us.

Coming back to this tango short program was a brilliant idea for Young You – she wears it like a second skin. She’s seductive, flirtatious, joyful – she’s happy to be where she belongs. And she belongs to the best skaters in the world.

Apart from that triple Loop, Amber Glenn has been phenomenal in her short program at Worlds

Barbara Pravi sings “Voilà”, and Kimmy Repond flies…

Such a great choice of music (“Run”) for Niina Petrokina – whoever chose it (hello, Mark Pillay) knows her well. Freedom, no need for heroes – we love this for Niina. A type of music that suits her to the gloves.

Haein Lee restoring the siren short program in time for Montreal Worlds, a siren who knows herself, her worth, her power. A siren luring us – in the end, she has us all under her spell, judges included. Brilliant performance at Worlds.

Isabeau Levito, as if she were a feather in the air. And although we miss her alluring snake short program, it was such a smart choice to skate to Nella Fantasia instead, a type of music that embraces her beautifully.

We told you before, Loena Hendrickx thrives on the big stage – and the crowd loves her, we love her.

Kaori Sakamoto giving it all, embracing us all in this beautiful, lyrical short program that has been her faithful companion all season long. Her love for the dearest ones, the smallest members of her family, her love to skating and us all – you can sense it, you can almost feel it in this performance. Not perfect, but perfect.

Madeline Schizas in her free skate at Worlds

Some people tell who they are through words, some paint, some draw, some dance – Mone Chiba skates. And she does that in the most marvelous way – her skating is beautiful, exquisite, it makes you feel things.

France’s Lorine Schild in yet another program choreographed by Gabriella Papadakis

We loved this long program for Ekaterina Kurakova all season long – and she skated her heart out in Montreal

Josefin Taljegard and Elvis’ trademark move – we’re sold

Olga Mikutina’s best version? We’ve just seen it at Worlds in Montreal.

By the middle of her program, Kimmy Repond could barely contain her enthusiasm – she had done it all, and done it brilliantly. And a full circle was closed with this performance, the long program got the response it deserved at the place it was created, in Canada. So well done, Kimmy.

Livia Kaiser riding the momentum – and skating big at her first Worlds. No doubt: Swiss women are on the rise.

In spite of some medical issues, Nina Pinzarrone fought and fought, a testament of the competitor she is.

You got this, someone from the audience shouted as an encouragement for Amber Glenn – and Amber’s triple Axel was spot on! She lost herself a bit towards the middle of the program, but she recovered well and finished the performance on a high note.

It was a lot of salvage work for Niina Petrokina in her long program at Worlds, but, remember, she had such a major injury in December and she recovered so fast. And she’s one of those skaters we are mostly excited about – her skating gives us all the feels.

Hana Yoshida has been the breakthrough star of the season, her first senior season. And this long program where she embodies a crane is so subtle, so nuanced, so wonderfully put together. Cause that’s the thing about Hana: through her musical choices she feels such an innovator. And that crane, red beak and all, could very well be a metaphor for the Japanese flag.

There’s some dramatic story telling in Chaeyeon Kim’s long program this season – and she is such a peculiar presence in the world of skating right now. Hypnotic skating, that’s the word – you just can’t take your eyes off Chaeyeon.

Young You, back where she rightfully belongs: in the last group of skaters at Worlds. And though not everything worked in her free skate as she’d imagined it, she is clearly on the right track. And it’s heartwarming to have her talent on display again.

Heartwarming scenes in Montreal: Kaori Sakamoto gets ready to take the ice as patted on the back by coach Sonoko Nakano, a gesture that has become their beautiful trademark

Stand up for Kaori Sakamoto because she’s been imperial in her free skate at Worlds, in a historical attempt to win her third World title. And what a perfect season Kaori Sakamoto had – and what a way, worthy of the champion she is, to end the season. Breathtakingly beautiful, wild, free, just like the wind she embodies. And, yes, this is an ode to Kaori Sakamoto.

An embrace that is worth a thousand words. An embrace that you feel.

Kaori making funny faces in the Kiss and Cry – that’s who she is, and we love her for who she is. (A three-time World champion, among other things).

Fierce, competitive Isabeau Levito is back – she hasn’t lost this feature of hers, that works so well with the preciousness, intricacy, seeming fragility of her skating. A style of skating that comes in waves, in arabesques – Isabeau is just so enthralling to watch. And we are thrilled she found her way back from doubting herself and her qualities.

The pressure of being first after the short might have added additional weight on Loena Hendrickx’s shoulders – she seemed more focused and not her usual (free, fiery) self throughout her long program at Worlds. But she kept on going, kept on dancing – cause that’s who she is and, no doubt, she is built for this.

Haein Lee’s skating is big, is addictive – she made us believe she was the real Esmeralda