Team figure skating finals today: USA’s Malinin, Amber Glenn chase gold at 2026 Olympics

Team figure skating gold awaits Team USA today with Ilia Malinin and Amber Glenn set to compete for the first figure skating medal of the 2026 Milan Olympics. The Americans lead with 44 points, but Japan is on the heels with 39 points, keeping the gold medal within reach.

Malinin Bounces Back After Short Program Surprise

The two-time world champion stunned observers on Saturday. Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama won the men’s short program, leaving Malinin in second place by 10 points. Yet the quad god made history by landing a backflip on ice, a feat unseen for 50 years at the Olympics. If he locks in during today’s free skate, he can make up ground and deliver gold.

Malinin’s 2026 Olympic debut surprised many who expected him to dominate from the start. His short program had flaws, but the reigning world champion has time to prove why he earned the “quad god” nickname. The free skate format allows him to showcase his signature quadruple jumps and technical arsenal.

Amber Glenn Making Historic Olympic Debut

Amber Glenn, the 26-year-old national champion from Plano, Texas, is making her first Olympic appearance today. She becomes the oldest U.S. women’s singles skater to compete at the Games in 98 years. As a three-time U.S. national champion and 2024 Grand Prix Final winner, Glenn stands as a formidable force on ice.

Glenn’s journey epitomizes resilience. The first openly queer woman to represent the United States in Olympic singles figure skating, she won the hearts of millions with her courage and artistry. In today’s women’s free skate, she advances Team USA’s medal hopes with world-class technical execution.

Team Event Format and Scoring Breakdown

Category	What Happens Today
Men’s Free Skate	Ilia Malinin performs (defending from short program)
Women’s Free Skate	Amber Glenn competes in Olympic debut
Pair Free Skate	Madison Chock and Evan Bates chase gold
Event Schedule	Men’s free, women’s free, pairs final

The team event awards points to all 10 competing nations based on placement. Points accumulate across all disciplines, with today’s three events being the finale. The free skate formats allow each athlete to perform longer, more complex programs than the short program. Judges score both technical elements and program components, rewarding difficulty and artistry in equal measure.

Japan and Italy Threaten USA’s Gold Medal Path

Japan enters today just 5 points behind, creating intense pressure on Team USA’s skaters. Kaori Sakamoto and other Japanese champions proved formidable competitors in early rounds. A strong free skate performance from Japan’s athletes could shift the medal standings dramatically.

Italy’s team, sitting in third with 37 points, cannot be overlooked either. The home crowd provides momentum that could lift Italian skaters to higher scores. Team USA must execute flawlessly to hold their lead. Chock and Bates secured the highest pair score so far, but everyone performs fresher routines today. The outcome remains far from certain heading into the final hours.

“It’s such an honor to represent Team USA.”

— Ilia Malinin, Olympic Figure Skater

Can the Americans Win a Second Consecutive Team Gold?

Team USA’s dominance in figure skating earned them gold at the 2022 Beijing Olympics with a decisive victory. Defending that title requires consistency from multiple athletes across disciplines. Malinin, Glenn, and Chock-Bates must all deliver strong performances. Any stumble could allow Japan to seize the gold.

The finals conclude later today, with medal ceremonies expected by evening. For Malinin, this is his first Olympic experience, carrying the weight of expectations from a nation that hasn’t won figure skating team gold since Beijing. For Glenn, today represents a lifetime achievement and a platform for representation. For Chock and Bates, it’s another opportunity to prove their pair mastery at sport’s highest level. Will Team USA cross the finish line with gold again, or will another nation claim this year’s title?

Sources

• USA Today – Live updates and team standings for figure skating team event finals
• NBC Olympics – Team event results, player analysis, and Olympic coverage
• The Guardian – Live reporting from Milan on Malinin, Glenn, and Team USA’s medal push