The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics have officially kicked off in northern Italy, and the energy is already electric as figure skating events headline the opening days. With the world’s best athletes converging on the ice, fans are witnessing a dazzling display of talent, precision, and national pride. The competition began on February 6, 2026, launching with high-stakes qualifier events in ice dancing rhythm dance, pairs skating short program, and women's singles skating short program. As the Games progress, the spotlight remains firmly on the figure skating arena, where established champions and rising stars alike are making their mark.
In the ice dancing rhythm dance team event, the United States’ dynamic duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates delivered a stunning routine that clinched them the top spot in the qualifiers. Their performance, marked by seamless synchronization and expressive choreography, set the bar high for the rest of the field. Not far behind, France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron demonstrated their own brand of elegance and technical prowess, earning a strong second place. Rounding out the podium, Great Britain’s Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson captured third with a performance that left the crowd buzzing—an especially promising sign for Team GB, which is aiming for its best Winter Olympics showing yet.
The pairs skating qualifiers were no less thrilling. Japan’s Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara emerged as the leaders, their routine brimming with athleticism and artistry. Georgia’s Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava impressed the judges and spectators alike to secure second place, while Italy’s own Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii delighted the home crowd with a third-place finish. The buzz in the arena was palpable—could these pairs be setting the stage for a dramatic medal chase as the tournament unfolds?
In the women’s singles skating qualifiers, Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto took the early lead, dazzling judges with her technical mastery and expressive style. The United States’ Alysa Liu followed closely in second, her jumps and spins executed with remarkable poise. Italy’s Lara Naki Gutmann, skating on home ice, claimed third, giving the local fans another reason to cheer. With such a closely contested field, anticipation is building for the medal events to come.
Team GB’s strong showing in the ice dance qualifiers—thanks to Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson—has fueled optimism back home. The 2026 Games see a record 53 British athletes competing across all disciplines, and UK Sport has set ambitious expectations, projecting a medal haul between four and eight. According to a statement from UK Sport on January 13, “Team GB’s athletes are more competitive in more sports at a winter games than ever before.” The sense of possibility is unmistakable as British competitors take to the ice, snow, and track, hoping to surpass their previous high-water mark of five medals from Sochi 2014 and Pyeongchang 2018.
The figure skating schedule is densely packed, promising non-stop action for fans around the globe. On February 7, the Ice Dance Free Dance will take center stage, followed by the Pair Skating Free Skating and Women’s Single Skating Free Skating on February 8. The rhythm dance returns on February 9, with the medal event for Ice Dance Free Dance scheduled for February 11. Pair skating continues with the short program on February 15 and culminates in the free skating medal event on February 16. Women’s single skating will feature its short program on February 17 and wrap up with the free skating medal event on February 19. Each event is poised to deliver moments of drama and joy, as skaters chase Olympic glory.
British figure skating fans have plenty to look forward to, with their athletes featuring prominently in the schedule. Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson, along with Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez, are set to compete in the Ice Dance Rhythm Dance on February 9 and the Free Dance on February 11. Pair skating duo Anastasia Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby will take the ice for the short program on February 15 and the free skating on February 16. Kristen Spours will represent Team GB in the Women’s Single Skating Short Program on February 17 and the Free Skating on February 18. The stage is set for potential breakthroughs and memorable performances from the British contingent.
The broader Olympic schedule is a whirlwind of activity, with events in freestyle skiing, speed skating, curling, snowboarding, skeleton, bobsleigh, and alpine skiing. On February 9, Kirsty Muir will compete in the Women’s Freeski Final Runs, Ellia Smeding takes on the Women’s 1000m Speed Skating, and Mia Brookes is a contender in the Women’s Big Air Snowboard finals. Mixed doubles curling sees Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds in the semifinals, while the Ice Dance Rhythm Dance will showcase the talents of Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson.
As the Games progress, the action only intensifies. February 10 brings cross-country skiing qualifications and finals, short track speed skating heats, men’s moguls and freeski finals, and more curling drama. The following days are packed with curling matches for both men’s and women’s teams, skeleton heats, snowboard cross rounds, and the eagerly anticipated figure skating events. The closing ceremony, set for February 22 at 7 p.m. GMT, will mark the end of a 16-day extravaganza that promises to be unforgettable for athletes and fans alike.
For those following the figure skating storylines, there’s no shortage of intrigue. Can Chock and Bates maintain their early dominance and bring home gold for the United States? Will Sakamoto continue her reign in women’s singles, or will Alysa Liu or Lara Naki Gutmann rise to the occasion? And could Team GB’s Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson deliver a historic medal for Britain in ice dance? With so much talent on display and so many narratives unfolding, the only certainty is that the Milano Cortina ice will bear witness to moments of both triumph and heartbreak.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics continue, all eyes remain on the figure skating rink, where the world’s elite are pushing the boundaries of their sport. With qualifiers setting the stage and medal events just around the corner, the excitement is only building. Whether you’re a die-hard skating fan or a casual Olympic viewer, this year’s Games are shaping up to be a showcase of athletic brilliance, national pride, and unforgettable moments. Stay tuned—the best is yet to come.