Anastasiia Gubanova Delivers Emotional Olympic Free Skate

MILAN (Azat TV) – Anastasiia Gubanova, the celebrated Georgian figure skater and 2023 European Champion, delivered a profoundly emotional performance in the women’s free skate at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Thursday, February 19. Her powerful routine, set to music from “Ghost: The Musical,” culminated in tears as she completed her final pose, marking a significant moment in her Olympic debut and securing a strong fourth-place standing in the highly competitive field.

Gubanova, known for her groundbreaking achievements including being the first Georgian skater to win the European Championships, entered the free skate in a prime position after a strong showing in the short program. Her performance in Milan Cortina was a testament to her journey, marked by two European silver medals and two ISU Grand Prix bronze medals in previous seasons.

Gubanova’s Emotional Milan Cortina Performance

As the first skater in the final group, Anastasiia Gubanova took to the ice at the Milano Ice Skating Arena with immense pressure. Her free skate, while described as perhaps ‘a bit more tentative’ than her earlier team event performance, was undeniably heartfelt. She earned a season’s best score of 138.22 points for her free skate, contributing to an overall total of 209.99 points. This score placed her in fourth position at the conclusion of her performance, a testament to her skill and resilience among the world’s elite skaters.

The emotional culmination of her program, with tears flowing as she embraced her final pose, resonated deeply with spectators and judges alike. It underscored the immense personal investment and pressure associated with competing at the Olympic level, particularly for an athlete who has significantly elevated her nation’s profile in the sport.

A Prominent Olympic Debut for Georgia

Gubanova’s presence at the Milan Cortina Games was highly anticipated, representing Georgia on the sport’s biggest stage. Earlier in the Olympics, she made a valiant effort in the team event, contributing to Georgia’s respectable fourth-place overall finish. While a team medal ultimately eluded them, Gubanova’s individual performances, especially her strong short program, highlighted her crucial role in Georgia’s burgeoning success in figure skating.

Her Olympic journey in Milan Cortina placed her among a stellar lineup of international talent, including American skaters Alysa Liu and Amber Glenn, Japan’s Mone Chiba, and Individual Neutral Athlete Adeliya Petrosian. Competing against such high-caliber athletes, Gubanova’s fourth-place standing in the free skate demonstrated her ability to contend at the very top.

Anastasiia Gubanova’s Impact on Georgian Skating

Anastasiia Gubanova’s career has been instrumental in raising Georgia’s profile in international figure skating. Her historic European Championship title in 2023 marked a watershed moment, showcasing the potential of Georgian athletes on the global stage. Her consistent presence on the podium at major events, including multiple European and Grand Prix medals, has inspired a new generation of skaters in her home country.

Her Olympic debut in Milan Cortina, characterized by a technically strong and emotionally resonant free skate, serves as a powerful affirmation of Georgia’s growing presence in elite winter sports. Despite the immense pressure, Gubanova delivered a performance that, while not securing a medal in this instance, undoubtedly cemented her legacy as a trailblazer for Georgian figure skating.

Gubanova’s emotional and high-scoring performance at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics underscores her pivotal role in establishing Georgia as a competitive force in international figure skating, elevating the nation’s visibility in a sport historically dominated by larger countries.