The figure skating events at the Winter Olympics 2026 have delivered everything fans hoped for — emotion, athletic brilliance, historic shocks, and new leaders emerging in the most competitive field in years. From Germany’s breakthrough in pairs to Ilia Malinin’s unexpected collapse in men’s singles, the ice in Milan has already witnessed unforgettable storylines.
Across pairs, singles, and upcoming women’s competition, the atmosphere at Milano Ice Skating Arena has remained electric. With more events ahead, the skating world is seeing champions rise, favourites stumble, and new stars capture global attention.
Pairs Short Program: Germany Takes Command
Hase/Volodin Lead With a Personal-Best Performance: Germany’s Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin stunned the arena with a commanding 80.01 — a personal best that lifted them to the top of the standings. Skating to a powerful tango, the duo recovered quickly after a small early wobble and executed one of the cleanest programs of the night.
The pair, who joined forces in 2022, now stands as strong contenders for Olympic gold.
Top 5 After the Pairs Short Program
| Rank | Pair | Nation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minerva Fabienne Hase / Nikita Volodin | Germany | 80.01 |
| 2 | Anastasiia Metelkina / Luka Berulava | Georgia | 75.46 |
| 3 | Lia Pereira / Trennt Michaud | Canada | 74.60 |
| 4 | Maria Pavlova / Alexei Sviatchenko | Hungary | 73.87 |
| 5 | Riku Miura / Ryuichi Kihara | Japan | 73.11 |
Surprises & Setbacks
- Japan’s Miura/Kihara, two-time world champions and favourites, slipped to 5th after hesitation in a lift.
- China’s Sui Wenjing and Han Cong, Olympic champions returning from retirement, finished 6th, losing points after a jump error.
- Canada’s Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps faced heartbreak, dropping to 14th after a fall. At 42, Stellato-Dudek continues to inspire as the oldest competitor since 1928.
Team USA’s Strong Showing
Two U.S. pairs delivered season-best performances:
| U.S. Pair | Rank | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Ellie Kam / Danny O’Shea | 7th | 71.87 |
| Emily Chan / Spencer Akira Howe | 9th | 71.06 |
Kam & O’Shea, fresh from helping Team USA win gold in the team event, skated a clean program that lifted them into the Top 10.
Men’s Singles Shock: Ilia Malinin Misses the Podium
A Stunning Fall for the “Quad God”– Ilia Malinin — the most technically advanced skater in the world — finished eighth in one of the most shocking results in Olympic figure skating history.
His free skate saw:
- a fall on his quad Lutz,
- a quad Salchow reduced to a double,
- and a popped quad Axel, the jump only he can perform.
Inside the arena, gasps turned to silence as the favourite unraveled under the Olympic spotlight.
Winner: Mikhail Shaidorov Makes History for Kazakhstan
Mikhail Shaidorov delivered a heroic, clean program to win Kazakhstan’s first men’s figure skating gold, a moment of deep emotional significance for a country still grieving the tragic loss of skating icon Denis Ten.
Women’s Figure Skating Preview: Japan vs USA Showdown
Kaori Sakamoto Chases Her First Olympic Title
Three-time world champion and 2022 Olympic bronze medallist Sakamoto Kaori enters Milan as one of the strongest contenders. Fresh off winning both segments in the team event, she appears in peak form.
Alysa Liu Leads America’s Charge
Alysa Liu arrives as the 2025 world champion and Grand Prix Final winner, making her Sakamoto’s biggest challenger.
Other Major Contenders
- Mone Chiba (Japan) – reigning world bronze medallist
- Isabeau Levito (USA) – 2024 world silver medallist
- Amber Glenn (USA) – artistic, powerful, but known for inconsistency
- Nakai Ami (Japan) – breakout star of the 2025–26 season
- Adeliia Petrosian (AIN) – the only skater expected to attempt a quad jump
Women’s Event Schedule
| Event | Date | Time (CET) |
|---|---|---|
| Short Program | 17 February | 18:45 |
| Free Skate | 19 February | 19:00 |
Standout Stories from the Ice
Deanna Stellato-Dudek’s Remarkable Journey
Her Olympic debut at age 42 has captured global admiration.
Despite a fall in the short program, her perseverance after a concussion and a 16-year retirement break stands as one of the Games’ most inspiring comeback stories.
Maxim Naumov’s Emotional Performance
American skater Maxim Naumov delivered a heartfelt performance dedicated to his late parents, earning one of the night’s loudest ovations.
Although not in medal contention, his routine moved the arena to tears.
Speed Skating Influence on the Arena Atmosphere
Crowds have remained energetic throughout the skating events, with stars like Simone Biles and actors such as Jeff Goldblum spotted cheering from the stands.
How the Scoring System Works
- Short Program: Required technical elements + artistic components
- Free Skate: Longer performance with more creative freedom
- Judging Panel:
- 2 technical specialists
- 1 technical controller
- 9 judges scoring execution, artistry, interpretation
- Total Score: Short Program + Free Skate
Read more – 2026 Winter Olympics Men’s Figure Skating Results: Shaidorov Wins Gold
Figure skating at the Winter Olympics 2026 has already proven to be one of the most dramatic and emotion-filled chapters of the Games. New leaders have emerged, long-time favourites have stumbled, and inspiring stories have unfolded both on and off the ice.
With the pairs medals set to be decided next and the women’s competition ready to deliver a fierce Japan–USA battle, the excitement is far from over.
As skaters return for their final performances, Milan now stands on the edge of witnessing more history, more surprises, and moments that will define this Olympic generation.
