Figure skating opens at Milano Cortina 2026, Team USA takes early team event lead

Team USA stormed onto the ice with a dominant day one performance at Milano Cortina 2026. The American figure skating team has seized the early lead in the Olympic team event held earlier today. With world champions delivering stunning performances, the reigning gold medalists are poised to defend their title at Italy’s first Winter Olympics.

Champions Chock and Bates Set World-Best Pace

Madison Chock and Evan Bates, the three-time world ice dance champions, ignited the ice with a breathtaking rhythm dance performance. Gliding to Lenny Kravitz hits, the pair earned a season-high 91.06 points for first place. Their flawless routine displayed the unison perfected over their 15-year partnership. The 2022 Olympic gold medalists earned consecutive +4 and +5 grades of execution on three middle elements. Bates said after their stunning performance, “As we finished, I think we both felt the excitement in getting the Olympics on the way.”

Competing in their fourth Olympics, the dynamic duo gave Team USA a crucial 10-point contribution. Chock emphasized the importance of supporting younger teammates making their Olympic debuts. “We’re here to support the younger athletes whenever they need it,” she stated. Their commanding performance set the tone for the entire American contingent at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.

Liu Shines in Women’s Short Program, Earns Second Place

Alysa Liu, the reigning World champion, delivered a confident and joyful short program performance. Skating to Laufey’s “Promise”, she executed the event’s most difficult combination, a triple Lutz-triple loop. The routine scored 74.90 points, placing Liu in second place and earning nine points for Team USA. She opened with a triple flip and double Axel, showcasing technical excellence. Liu credited her exceptional spins and the crowd’s energy for her composed performance. “I loved the crowd, and I love having my teammates right there rinkside to cheer me on,” Liu reflected after competing.

The Grand Prix Final champion executed Level 4 spins and steps with effortless grace, landing just under one point from her international personal best. Her performance demonstrated the confidence that has made her a favorite heading into individual competition later this week. Team USA’s depth shined as Liu maintained the American momentum with her consistent, technical excellence on the world’s biggest ice skating stage.

Team USA Standings and Competition Format

Position	Country	Points
1	United States	25
2	Japan	23
3	Italy	22
4	Georgia	20
5	Canada	19

The team event runs through February 8, featuring four disciplines across three days: ice dance, pair skating, women’s singles, and men’s singles. Each country earns points based on placements, with lower scores winning. Team USA currently leads with 25 points, a commanding two-point advantage over Japan’s 23. The competition includes Ilia Malinin in tomorrow’s men’s short program, bringing another world-class performer into the fold.

Raising Skating’s Profile and Defending Olympic Gold

“I’m so happy for our sport, the federation and U.S. Figure Skating. You know the history of our sport for the last 30 years and one of the goals of this generation is to bring skating back to the forefront of pop culture, and I think we have the stars to do that.”

— Evan Bates, Ice Dance Champion

Team USA has dominated Olympic team event history, medaling in every competition since the event’s debut in 2014. The Americans claimed bronze in both 2014 and 2018, then captured gold in 2022. Today’s performance signals another strong title defense at Milano Cortina 2026. Bates highlighted the cultural moment surrounding figure skating, mentioning the “Blade Angels” and the “Quad God.” He expressed enthusiasm about restoring skating’s mainstream appeal after decades of declining visibility.

The Forum di Milano buzzes with energy as competitors continue through Saturday and Sunday. With Ilia Malinin still to compete and defending their title, Team USA appears locked in for another medal run and possibly another gold at these historic Winter Olympics.

Can Team USA extend their perfect Olympic team event medal streak?

The path forward depends on performances from Malinin and remaining skaters across all four disciplines. Team USA enters the final two days with momentum and world champions delivering at peak form. Closest competitors Japan and Italy will challenge relentlessly, but the American depth appears formidable. Will the dominant day one performance hold through Sunday’s conclusion, or will international rivals mount a comeback?

Olympic history favors veterans like Chock, Bates, Liu, and debutants Malinin and Kam and O’Shea rising to the occasion. Team USA‘s perfect medal streak since 2014 rests on their shoulders these next two days. Whether they secure gold, silver, or bronze, Figure Skating Olympics 2026 has already delivered championship-caliber performances and unforgettable moments.

Sources

• U.S. Figure Skating – Official day one results and athlete quotes from team event
• Olympics.com – Team standings, February 6 highlights, and competition schedules
• NBC Olympics – Live results and team event scoring updates