Overview

• The Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf runs September 25–27 and marks the first international test of the season, with Hase/Volodin facing a strong field that includes world champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara.
• Hase/Volodin unveil a new short program built on an original tango composed by Frédéric Ruiz to create a distinctive identity and avoid music-rights issues.
• The pair also premieres a new free skate by choreographer Benoît Richaud, with additional artistic refinement under ballet master Sidnei Brandão and input from choreographer Paul Boll.
• Following his language exam and citizenship, Nikita Volodin continues German lessons twice weekly, and the duo enters the season as Germany’s leading Olympic medal hope in pairs.
• Germany plans a small Olympic delegation of two pairs and one ice dance team after failing to secure singles quotas, as fellow pair Annika Hocke and Robert Kunkel return from a training-hand injury pause.