Team USA Takes Early Lead in Figure Skating Team Event at 2026 Winter Olympics
The United States has launched a powerful defense of its figure skating team gold medal, seizing the top position on the opening day of the team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Reigning world champion Alysa Liu delivered a captivating and emotionally charged women's short program, propelling Team USA to the summit of the standings with a total of 25 points. Japan trails closely in second place with 23 points, while the host nation Italy holds third with 22 points, setting the stage for a thrilling competition ahead.
Alysa Liu's Impressive Performance Secures Crucial Points
Performing second-to-last in the segment, Alysa Liu earned a total score of 74.90 with her routine. This placed her second overall in the women's short program, narrowly behind Japan's Kaori Sakamoto, who posted an impressive score of 78.88. Liu's performance was instrumental in securing nine vital points for the American team, ensuring they maintained their lead after the initial segments of the competition.
A Deeply Personal and Poignant Routine on the Ice
Skating to the heartfelt melody of "Promise," Alysa Liu poured profound emotion into every moment of her performance. She opened with a confident triple flip and double Axel, followed by her signature triple Lutz-triple loop combination, though the loop received a quarter under-rotation call from the judges. Despite minor technical issues, including an under-rotation on the combo and a small edge mistake on a triple flip, Liu recovered beautifully with flawless Level 4 spins and intricate footwork.
Her technical element score (TES) stood at 39.52, complemented by a strong program components score of 35.38. The routine felt intensely personal to the 20-year-old skater, who shared her thoughts after the performance.
"I always do this with 'Promise,'" Liu said. "This program does something to me. I guess it's a super personal program, and I love being in the feels, so I was really trying to dive deep into it, especially while I was still out there on the ice. You know, we're not out there for very long, so I try to savor every moment."
Her teammates, including Ilia Malinin, Amber Glenn, Ellie Kam, Danny O'Shea, and Andrew Torgashev, watched ringside, wrapped in American flags. When Liu nailed her back-to-back triple Lutz and triple loop, Glenn reacted with visible relief and pride, throwing her head back and clutching her chest. The crowd erupted in cheers at the conclusion of the performance, with teammates waving flags enthusiastically in support.
Strong Starts Set the Tone for Team USA
The day began with the rhythm dance, where Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who have been undefeated this season, set a season-best score of 91.06 with their dynamic Lenny Kravitz medley. Their performance topped the leaderboard and added strong points to the American tally.
"We definitely skated great, and very happy," Bates said. "As you saw at the finish, I think we both felt just the excitement of getting these Olympics underway."
In the pairs short program, Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea started solidly but suffered a fall on a throw triple loop, incurring a one-point deduction that resulted in a score of 66.59 and fifth place in that segment.
Looking Ahead for Team USA in the Competition
With the Olympics opening ceremony scheduled for Friday and individual events on the horizon, Alysa Liu will return to the ice on February 17 for the women's individual short program. Team USA aims to extend its medal streak in the figure skating team event, which began in 2014, and successfully defend the gold medal it won in 2022. The strong start on Day 1 has positioned the Americans favorably as they pursue another podium finish in this prestigious event.
