Gabriela Juarez-Rivas: the Rising Star poised for Olympic Glory
Gabriela Juarez-Rivas is quickly becoming a name to watch in the world of figure skating. This young American skater has demonstrated remarkable progress, consistently delivering strong performances and positioning herself as a serious contender for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. Let’s delve into her journey, training, and what makes her a skater with immense potential.
A Breakthrough Performance on the World Stage
Juarez-Rivas made her senior World Championship debut in Boston in 2025, promptly making an impact. Despite a challenging free skate, she finished sixth overall – a remarkable achievement for a first-time competitor.
This experiance proved invaluable. “It wasn’t the competition I imagined,” she reflected, “but it was a huge learning experience.” She recognized the need to refine her mental game, acknowledging that overconfidence after a strong short program hindered her free skate. The energy of a 20,000-person crowd is something she’s actively learning to harness.
(Image: Gabriela Juarez-Rivas “Black Swan” short program at the 2025 world Championships.)
Training with the Best: An Elite Environment
Juarez-Rivas benefits from a world-class coaching team in San Jose, California. She trains under the guidance of Laura Lipetsky, Rafael Arutyunyan, Tatiana Malinina, and Roman Skorniakov.
Crucially, she shares the ice with established stars like World silver medalist Isabeau Levito and two-time World champion Ilia Malinin. This environment fosters constant improvement. “Training with skaters like Isabeau and Ilia really raises the standard every day,” Juarez-Rivas explains. “You see how seriously they approach their work, and it pushes you to be more focused.” Beyond competition, they’ve built a strong support system.”They’re also my best friends on and off the ice, and we’re really there for each othre.”
Artistic Expression Through Programs
For the 2025-26 season, Juarez-Rivas is captivating audiences with her program choices. Her short program is set to music from The Phantom of the Opera, while her free skate embodies the passion of Carmen.Both are choreographed by the renowned Nikolai Morozov.
She thrives on the artistic side of skating. “I really like being able to tell a story through my programs,” she says. Finding the balance between technical precision and emotional expression is a challenge she embraces.
(Image: Gabriela Juarez-Rivas “Carmen” free skate at the 2025 Nebelhorn Trophy.)
A Stellar Start to the Olympic Season
The 2025-26 season has begun with a bang for Juarez-Rivas. She secured a gold medal at the CS Nebelhorn Trophy, achieving a personal best score and surpassing fellow american skaters Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito.
This momentum continued with a victory at the Rostelecom Cup and a bronze medal at the Finlandia Trophy. These results earned her a coveted spot in the Grand Prix Final in December. As an inevitable result, she’s firmly established herself as a leading Olympic hopeful for Team USA.
The Path to Milano-Cortina: Consistency and Trust
Juarez-Rivas understands that consistent performance is key to success. “It’s not about one competition,” she emphasizes. ”It’s about being able to show up and deliver over and over again.”
She’s focused on a steady, purposeful approach. “I want to keep building and not skip steps,” she adds. While ambitious, her priority is the process. “Of course I have goals, but for me it’s more about doing the work and trusting that the results will come when I’m ready.”
Key takeaways:
* Rapid Ascent: Juarez-Rivas has quickly risen through the ranks of figure skating.
* Elite training: She benefits from a top-tier coaching team and trains alongside world champions.
* Artistic Flair: Her program choices and choreography demonstrate a strong artistic sensibility.
* Consistent Performance: She’s prioritizing consistency as she prepares for the Olympics.
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