The 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating team event has gotten started. The United States kicked off its defense of the 2022 team figure skating gold with a strong performance on Day 1 of the event at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Team USA holds the lead with 25 points after the rhythm dance, pairs short program, and women’s short program, heading into the Opening Ceremony later today.
The team event pits 10 nations against each other in a qualifying round across short programs/rhythm dances for ice dance, pairs, women, and men. The top five teams advance to the final round (free skates and free dance) on Sunday, February 8, where medals are awarded.
2026 Winter Olympics Figure Skating Day 1 Highlights and Key Performances
Day 1 of the 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating event featured three segments: Ice Dance Rhythm Dance, Pairs Short Program, and Women’s Short Program.
- Ice Dance Rhythm Dance (opening segment):
Three-time world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates (USA) delivered a high-energy, near-flawless routine to a Lenny Kravitz medley, earning a season-high and world-best score of 91.06 points (52.77 technical, 38.29 components). They secured the maximum 10 points for Team USA, setting an early commanding tone and topping the segment ahead of France (89.98) and Great Britain (86.85). - Pairs Short Program:
Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea (USA) finished fifth despite an early challenge, contributing 6 points to the team total. Japan’s Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara led this segment with the highest score. - Women’s Short Program (closing the day):
Reigning world champion Alysa Liu (USA) performed confidently to Laufey’s “Promise,” landing a triple Lutz-triple loop combo (with a minor under-rotation noted) and strong Level 4 spins/steps. She scored 74.90 points (39.52 technical, 35.38 components) for second place, adding 9 points for Team USA. Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto topped the segment with 78.88.
Team USA’s breakdown: 10 (ice dance) + 6 (pairs) + 9 (women) = 25 points.
Current Team Standings (After Day 1 / 3 of 8 Segments)
- United States – 25 points
- Japan – 23 points
- Italy – 22 points
- Georgia – 20 points
- Canada – 19 points
- France – 17 points
(Other teams: Korea ~11, Great Britain ~11, China ~10, Poland ~6)
The top five (USA, Japan, Italy, Georgia, Canada) are well-positioned for advancement, but tomorrow’s segments could shift the leaderboard.
What’s Next: Schedule and Key Storylines
The team event continues tomorrow (February 7):
- Men’s Short Program – Starts at 19:45 local time (1:45 p.m. ET / 10:45 a.m. PT). Ilia Malinin (USA), a multiple world champion known for his quad jumps, is expected to deliver big points and help extend the lead.
- Ice Dance Free Dance – Follows at 22:05 local.
On Sunday, February 8:
- Pairs Free Skate, Women’s Free Skate, and Men’s Free Skate – Medals decided after these final segments.
As defending champions from Beijing 2022, the U.S. team shows depth and momentum, with Chock/Bates’ dominance and Liu’s consistency standing out. Japan (bolstered by Sakamoto and strong pairs) lurks just two points behind as the primary threat, while host nation Italy benefits from crowd support.
For live tracking, head to our 2026 Winter Olympics Live Updates & Results Tracker page. Check our printable figure skating schedule for the full lineup.
Resources
- Related SportsBrackets.net Articles:
- 2026 Winter Olympics Live Updates & Results Tracker
- 2026 Winter Olympics Schedule: Full Day-by-Day Calendar & Printable PDF
- 2026 Winter Olympics TV Schedule & How to Watch Guide
- Olympics Hub: Schedules, Printables, Brackets & Guides
- Printable 2026 Olympic Hockey Schedule & Bracket
- Parlay Builder Tool for the Olympics and Super Bowl
