Quick Read
- Ilia Malinin, 21, made his Olympic debut for Team USA in the men’s short program on Feb 7, placing second in his segment.
- Team USA’s figure skating squad leads the team event with 44 points going into the final free skates on Feb 8.
- Ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates delivered a world-best rhythm dance, contributing significantly to the U.S. lead.
- The first figure skating medals of the 2026 Winter Olympics will be awarded on Sunday, Feb 8, following the pairs, women’s, and men’s free skates.
- Other notable medal winners include Italy’s Francesca Lollobrigida (speed skating) and Japan’s Kira Kimura (snowboard big air).
MILAN (Azat TV) – The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are in full swing, with Team USA’s figure skating contingent making a strong bid for gold in the highly anticipated team event. Following a thrilling debut by American teen sensation Ilia Malinin on Saturday, February 7, the United States leads the competition heading into Sunday, February 8, where the first figure skating medals of these Games are set to be awarded after the final free skate programs.
Known as the ‘Quad God’ for his mastery of quadruple jumps, 21-year-old Ilia Malinin made his Olympic debut to a roaring crowd on Saturday. Performing in the men’s short program for the team event, Malinin delivered a captivating routine, leaving the ice to a shower of plush toys, a traditional sign of appreciation in figure skating. Though he placed second in his segment, behind Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, his performance was a highlight of the opening days and solidified Team USA’s strong position, according to CNN Sports.
Team USA’s Dominance in Figure Skating
Team USA has demonstrated impressive depth and skill across the figure skating disciplines. The American squad advanced to Sunday’s free skates with a leading 44 points, ahead of strong contenders like Japan (39 points), Italy (37), Canada (35), and Georgia (32), as reported by The Athletic. The team event, which sees countries compete across men’s, women’s, pairs, and ice dance categories, promises a thrilling conclusion.
Key performances contributing to the U.S. lead include ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who delivered a world-best 91.06 in the rhythm dance on Friday and followed up with an impressive 133.23 points in the free dance on Saturday. Additionally, Alysa Liu placed second in the women’s short program on Friday, scoring 74.90 points, just behind Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto.
The Road to Figure Skating Gold on Sunday
Sunday, February 8, marks the decisive day for the figure skating team event medals. The competition will culminate with three crucial free skate programs at the Milano Ice Skating Arena in Assago, Italy. The schedule, all times Eastern Time, includes:
- Pairs free skate: 1:15 p.m.
- Women’s free skate: 2:45 p.m.
- Men’s free skate: 3:55 p.m.
Each of these events carries significant weight, with the men’s free skate, featuring Malinin, having the potential for the widest swing in points due to the high-risk, high-reward nature of quadruple jumps. Team USA has a history of success in this event, having earned bronze medals in 2014 and 2018, and a gold in 2022, setting a precedent for their current strong showing.
Broader Context of the Milan Cortina Games
Beyond the figure skating rink, the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are making headlines for their expansive, dual-host format, marking the most spread-out Games in history. The opening days have already seen records broken and medals awarded across various sports. Italy’s Francesca Lollobrigida secured a gold medal and an Olympic record in the women’s 3000m speedskating race, delighting the home crowd. Switzerland claimed the Games’ first gold medal through skier Franjo von Allmen, while Japan’s Kira Kimura earned gold in the men’s snowboard big air competition, according to CNN.
The Games have also faced some challenges, including protests by environmental and social justice groups in Milan, with some clashes reported between activists and police. Officials are also investigating an apparent rail sabotage incident, reminiscent of disruptions at the 2024 Paris Games. Despite these external events, the focus remains on the athletic achievements unfolding across the Italian Alps.
The early dominance of Team USA in figure skating, particularly with the high-profile debut of Ilia Malinin, underscores the growing international appeal and competitive intensity of the sport, setting a high bar for the remainder of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.