Milan, Italy – marks the opening of the figure skating competition at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, with the team event taking center stage. The Forum di Milano will host the event, which continues through , as nations vie for the first medal of the Games in this discipline.
The team event, a relatively recent addition to the Olympic program – debuting in 2014 – combines the four traditional figure skating disciplines: men’s singles, women’s singles, pairs and ice dance. Teams accumulate points based on the placement of their skaters and teams in each segment, with the nation boasting the highest cumulative score claiming the gold.
The United States enters the competition as a strong contender, building on their success at the 2022 Winter Olympics. However, the shadow of past controversy looms. At the Beijing Games, the Russian Olympic Committee initially finished first, but a subsequent positive drug test from Kamila Valieva led to a postponement of the medal ceremony and ongoing uncertainty surrounding the results. The U.S. Team originally finished second, with Japan rounding out the podium in third.
Japan is widely expected to present a formidable challenge to the American team. Kaori Sakamoto and Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara were observed in training sessions at the Olympic venue on , preparing for their respective events. The Japanese team finished second at both the 2022 Beijing Olympics and the 2023 ISU World Team Trophy, demonstrating consistent high-level performance.
Beyond the U.S. And Japan, several other nations are considered potential medal threats. Italy, competing on home ice, will undoubtedly be fueled by national pride and the energy of the local crowd. Georgia and Canada are also expected to be in contention, bringing strong teams across all four disciplines.
The team event format places a unique emphasis on well-roundedness. Unlike individual events where a nation can rely on a single star, success in the team competition requires depth and consistency across all disciplines. A strong showing in one event can be offset by a weaker performance in another, making strategic team selection crucial.
The American team’s composition and strategy will be closely scrutinized. While specific athlete selections weren’t detailed in available information, the “Making Team USA” performance on in St. Louis offered a glimpse of potential contenders, including Madison Chock and Evan Bates, and Alysa Liu. The ability to seamlessly integrate these athletes and maximize their collective potential will be key to their success.
Ice dance pairs, such as Chock and Bates, will emphasize rhythm and synchronization, while singles and pairs skaters will be judged on the technical difficulty and execution of jumps, spins, and lifts. Pairs skating, a staple of the Olympic program since 1908, will highlight the strength and coordination required for complex lifts and throw jumps.
The stakes are high as nations aim to set the tone for the remainder of the figure skating competition. The team event not only awards the first figure skating medal of the Games but also provides valuable insight into the form and competitive landscape heading into the individual events. The event’s outcome could significantly impact team morale and confidence as the Games progress.
The competition at the Forum di Milano promises to be a captivating display of athleticism, artistry, and national pride. With a diverse field of contenders and a unique team-based format, the figure skating team event is poised to deliver a thrilling start to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
