Key Takeaways
- The United States has formalized its 2026 figure skating team for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, comprising 16 skaters with a mix of star power and technical mastery.
- The team includes three women’s individual competitors, three men’s individual competitors, two pairs, and three ice dance teams, all of whom have been judged on their performance from the start of 2025 through the U.S. championships.
- The United States is looking to medal in multiple events, particularly in the women’s competition, where they have not won a medal since 2006.
- The team includes experienced skaters such as Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito, as well as newcomers like Ilia Malinin, who is heading to his first Olympics.
Introduction to the 2026 Figure Skating Team
The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics are just around the corner, and the United States has finalized its 2026 figure skating team. The team is comprised of 16 skaters, including three women’s individual competitors, three men’s individual competitors, two pairs, and three ice dance teams. The skaters have been judged on the totality of their performance from the start of 2025 through this week’s U.S. championships. With a mix of star power and technical mastery, the 2026 team stands an excellent chance of medaling across multiple events.
Women’s Individual Competitors
The women’s individual competitors for the United States include Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito. Amber Glenn, at 26, is the elder stateswoman of America’s Big Three and confirmed her spot on the team with an absolutely magnificent performance at the U.S. championships. Alysa Liu, a member of the 2022 Olympic team in Beijing, took two years off from skating but returned as dominant as ever and will be one of the most famous faces on all of Team USA in Milan. Isabeau Levito, the quietest member of the Big Three, claimed the bronze medal in the women’s individual division of this week’s U.S. championships and is equally qualified and ready to meet the challenge of Milan.
Men’s Individual Competitors
The men’s individual competitors for the United States include Ilia Malinin, Andrew Torgashev, and Maxim Baumov. Ilia Malinin, one of the finest skaters in the world today, heads to Milan with an excellent chance to medal. Andrew Torgashev had a strong performance in the free skate segment of this week’s championships, vaulting him from fifth place to second and securing a spot on the Olympic roster. Maxim Baumov, who lost both parents in a tragic plane crash last January, rallied to post a third-place finish at this week’s championships and will be heading to Milan for his first Olympics.
Pairs Competitors
The pairs competitors for the United States include Ellie Kam / Danny O’Shea and Emily Chan / Spencer Howe. Ellie Kam / Danny O’Shea finished in the runner-up spot at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships this week, while Emily Chan / Spencer Howe rode a massive comeback in the free skate to surge from 8th to 3rd and secure a spot on the Olympic team. Notably, Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, who won the pairs championship this week, were not named to the team due to Efimova’s ongoing citizenship battle, which prevents her from competing under International Olympic Committee rules.
Ice Dance Competitors
The ice dance competitors for the United States include Madison Chock / Evan Bates, Emilea Zingas / Vadym Kolesnik, and Christina Carreira / Anthony Ponomarenko. Madison Chock / Evan Bates are on their fourth Olympic team and have won seven national championships in a row, making them one of the most successful ice dance teams in history. Emilea Zingas / Vadym Kolesnik are heading to their first Olympics together, having had a spectacular season, including a silver medal at this week’s championships. Christina Carreira / Anthony Ponomarenko, the bronze medalists at the championships this week, round out the Team USA ice dance contingent.
Conclusion and Outlook
The United States figure skating team is looking strong heading into the Milan-Cortina Olympics, with a mix of experienced skaters and newcomers. With the team events starting on February 6 and the first medals being awarded on February 8, the United States is poised to make a significant impact in the figure skating competition. With their technical mastery and star power, the 2026 team has an excellent chance of medaling across multiple events, particularly in the women’s competition, where they have not won a medal since 2006.