Honestly, if you haven’t been paying attention to the ice since the last Olympics, you’ve missed a total structural shift in how the U.S. competes. We aren't just "showing up" anymore. The 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis just wrapped up, and the team heading to Milan is, frankly, stacked in a way we haven't seen in decades. It’s not just about the sparkle and the spandex; it’s about a group of athletes who are basically redefining what the human body can do on a 4mm blade.
Team USA ice skating is currently spearheaded by a teenager who most experts agree is the greatest jumper to ever live. But it’s deeper than just one star. From the ice dance veterans who finally got their wedding out of the way to a women’s field that is suddenly a dogfight for the podium, the vibe is different this year.
The Ilia Malinin Factor: Breaking the Sport
Ilia Malinin. You’ve probably heard the name, or at least heard the nickname "Quad God." It sounds hyperbolic until you see him land a quadruple Axel—a jump with four and a half revolutions that literally no one else in history has ever landed in competition.
He just won his fourth straight U.S. title. It wasn't even close. He finished with a total score of 324.88, which is just absurd. He’s been undefeated since late 2023. Think about that for a second. In a sport where a single caught edge or a shaky landing can ruin a season, he hasn't lost in over two years.
Malinin isn't just winning; he's demoralizing the competition. At Skate Canada earlier this season, he set a world record free skate score of 228.97. He did that while landing six quads. People used to think three quads in a program was the limit for "human" endurance. Ilia is doing six and then doing a backflip (which is now legal, by the way) just to show off.
The Women’s Resurgence: Amber Glenn’s Moment
For a long time, the U.S. women were playing catch-up. Not anymore. Amber Glenn just did something no woman has done since Michelle Kwan—she won three consecutive U.S. titles.
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At 26, Glenn is technically the "old" lady of the group, but she’s skating with more power than the teenagers. Her triple Axel is a massive weapon. In St. Louis, she hit it so cleanly in her short program (skating to "Like a Prayer") that she broke the 80-point barrier with an 83.05. It was electric.
But she’s not alone on that Olympic plane. You’ve also got:
- Alysa Liu: The comeback kid. She retired, lived a normal life for a bit, and realized she missed the grind. She’s back and looks more relaxed than ever, taking silver at Nationals.
- Isabeau Levito: The 2023 champ. She’s the technician. Her skating is like watching a ballerina who happens to be moving at 20 miles per hour. She rounded out the top three with a personal best 224.45.
This trio is legit. They aren't just there to participate; they are hunting for a team medal and individual hardware.
Ice Dance and the "Old Guard"
Madison Chock and Evan Bates are basically the parents of Team USA ice skating at this point. They’ve been together for 15 seasons. They finally got married in 2024. Most people thought they’d retire after their 2024 World Title, but they stayed for the one thing they don't have: an individual Olympic gold.
They just picked up their seventh U.S. title. It’s a record. They are skating a program that feels more like performance art than a sport. Their rhythm dance score of 91.70 in St. Louis proved they are still the duo to beat.
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Behind them, the depth is crazy. Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik are the new "it" couple, taking silver and showing that the U.S. ice dance pipeline is still the best in the world.
The Pairs Tragedy and Triumph
You can't talk about this team without mentioning the heartbreak. The skating community lost 28 members, including the parents of skater Maxim Naumov, in the American Airlines Flight 5342 tragedy. Seeing Maxim make the Olympic team in the men's division after that was easily the most emotional moment of the championships.
In the actual Pairs event, Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea are leading the charge. O’Shea is 34 and has survived more surgeries than most pro football players. He literally skated on a broken foot to earn the U.S. an extra Olympic spot. That’s the kind of grit this 2026 squad has. It’s not just about pretty spins; it’s about surviving the sport.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Games
There’s a common misconception that figure skating is a dying sport in the U.S. because we don't have a "household name" like Michelle Kwan or Scott Hamilton right now.
That’s a mistake.
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The technical ceiling is higher now than it has ever been. In the 90s, a triple-triple combination was the gold standard. Now, if a man doesn't have at least three different types of quads, he’s not even in the conversation for the top 10. The 2026 Olympics in Milan are going to be a bloodbath of technical difficulty.
Team USA is also leading the way in "artistic freedom." The rules changed recently to allow things like vocal music and acrobatic movements. Amber Glenn’s queer representation and openness about mental health, or Ilia Malinin’s "Quad God" branding, show a team that is finally embracing the 21st century.
Real-World Action Steps for Fans
If you want to actually follow this journey without getting lost in the weeds of "judging drama" and technical jargon, here is how you handle the next few weeks:
- Download the Peacock App: Honestly, it’s the only way to see the full programs without the TV edits. Every single skate from Milan will be live-streamed there starting February 6th.
- Watch the Team Event First: This starts on day one. It’s the best way to see the entire Team USA ice skating roster in one weekend. You’ll see the men, women, pairs, and dance teams all competing for one collective medal.
- Follow the "Base Value": If you’re confused by the scores, look for the "Technical Elements Score" (TES) on the screen. It's like a live speedometer. If you see Malinin’s TES jumping by 20 points in one second, you just saw history.
- Check the World Rankings: Before the Olympics start, keep an eye on the ISU (International Skating Union) standings. Malinin is #1, but the battle between Amber Glenn and the Japanese skaters like Kaori Sakamoto is where the real drama is.
The U.S. is heading into Milan as the favorite for the Team Gold, and for the first time in a generation, we have a legitimate shot at the Men’s individual gold and an Ice Dance gold in the same year. This isn't just a rebuild; it’s a takeover.