WASHINGTON, D.C. — The figure skating team event at the Milano‑Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opened with heightened uncertainty as nations took the ice in a field missing one of the sport’s traditional power centers.
With Russian athletes still absent from Olympic competition, early projections have shifted toward a wider group of medal contenders. Analysts say the change has made the team event — contested across men’s and women’s singles, pairs, and ice dance — more volatile than in recent Games, where established favorites often set the pace from the start.
Teams accumulate points through placements in short programs and rhythm dances before the event concludes with free skates and free dances, a format that rewards depth and consistency across multiple disciplines. A single stumble can quickly swing the leaderboard, particularly in the opening segments when margins are tight.
The United States and Japan entered the event widely viewed as leading contenders, bolstered by top-ranked skaters and recent international results. Host nation Italy, competing with home-ice momentum and strong local support, is also seeking to capitalize on the opportunity to contend for a podium finish in front of partisan crowds.
The competition runs February 6 through February 8, with early performances signaling a closer race than many fans have come to expect. Beyond the medals, the team event is being watched as a measure of how quickly national programs can rise when the usual hierarchy is disrupted.
The Washington Herald
editorial@thewashingtonherald.com
Washington, D.C.
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