Key Takeaways
- The United States Figure Skating team has been announced for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, with a strong lineup of men’s and women’s singles, ice dance, and pairs teams.
- Ilia Malinin, the "Quad God," is a favorite to win gold in men’s singles, while Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito make up a strong women’s team.
- Madison Chock and Evan Bates are expected to top the podium in ice dance, while the pairs teams face an uphill battle for medals.
- The U.S. women’s team is looking to get back on the podium after a 20-year drought, with the last American female medalist being Sasha Cohen in 2006.
- The Olympics are set to take place in Milan-Cortina, with the U.S. team looking to make a strong showing in figure skating.
Introduction to the US Figure Skating Team
The United States Figure Skating team has been announced for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, and the signs are looking great for a strong performance. The team was announced at NBC’s event on Sunday, January 11, following the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis, Missouri. The top skaters learned if they would be going to the Olympics or missing out on their dreams. As always in the glamorous sport, there was drama, with surprises in the men’s and pairs’ picks. However, figure skating enthusiasts cheered the strong women’s team choices, with Americans hoping the women can finally get back on the podium after 20 years.
The Men’s Singles Team
The men’s singles team is led by Ilia Malinin, the "Quad God," who is a favorite to win gold. Malinin, 21, is the four-time U.S. national champion and two-time world champion, and is undefeated in every major competition since 2023. Joining Malinin on the team are Andrew Torgashev and Maxim Naumov. Torgashev, 24, had a rocky 2025 season but came back strong at nationals, finishing second to Malinin. Naumov, 24, won the bronze at nationals and is looking to make a strong showing at the Olympics, despite the tragic loss of his parents in a plane crash in 2025. Jason Brown, a fan favorite, missed the team but was named as first alternate.
The Women’s Singles Team
The women’s singles team is led by Amber Glenn, who won the 2024, 2025, and 2026 U.S. nationals. Glenn, 26, is joined on the team by Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito. Liu, 20, is considered the favorite to win Olympic gold for the U.S. after becoming World Champion in 2025. Levito, 18, finished third at nationals but looks strong for Milan, with a Sophia Loren-themed short program and a free skate to music from Cinema Paradiso. Bradie Tennell, 27, was named as first alternate after finishing fourth at nationals.
The Pairs Team
The pairs team is led by Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea, who finished second at nationals. Kam, 21, and O’Shea, 34, are joined on the team by Emily Chan and Spencer Howe, who finished fourth at nationals but earned their spot with a strong free skate and overall resume. The U.S. champs and best team this season, Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, were not named to the team due to Efimova’s citizenship issues. Audrey Shin and Balazs Nagy were named as alternates.
The Ice Dance Team
The ice dance team is led by Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who are favorites to win gold. Chock, 33, and Bates, 36, are married and have won the U.S. title a record seven times. They are joined on the team by Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, and Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko. Zingas and Kolesnik are two-time Grand Prix medalists, while Carreira and Ponomarenko won the bronze medal at the 2026 U.S. Championships. Caroline Green and Michael Parsons were named as alternates.
Conclusion
The U.S. Figure Skating team is looking strong for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, with a talented lineup of men’s and women’s singles, ice dance, and pairs teams. The team is hoping to make a strong showing and bring home medals, with Ilia Malinin and Madison Chock and Evan Bates leading the charge. The Olympics are set to take place in Milan-Cortina, and figure skating enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the competition. With a strong team and a lot of talent, the U.S. is looking to make a comeback in figure skating and bring home the gold.
