Team USA successfully defended its Olympic figure skating team event gold medal on Sunday at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, with Ilia “Quad God” Malinin producing a clutch performance when it mattered most.
Entering the men’s free skate tied with Japan at 59 points, the responsibility of deciding the final standings rested squarely on Malinin’s shoulders — and the reigning two-time world champion rose to the occasion.
The 21-year-old attempted five quad jumps and posted a score of 200.03, edging out Japan’s Shun Sato, who earned 194.86 after stepping in for Yuma Kagiyama.
Although Sato delivered a near-flawless routine that briefly put U.S. fans on edge, Malinin’s technical superiority ultimately proved decisive. Japan secured the silver medal, while host nation Italy claimed bronze.
Women’s free skate adds tension to tight battle
Before Ilia Malinin took the ice, the women’s free skate played a key role in shaping the standings. North Texas native Amber Glenn placed third, earning eight points for Team USA.
At 26, Glenn made history as the oldest U.S. women’s singles skater to compete at the Olympics in 98 years and the first openly LGBTQ woman to skate at the Games.
Despite landing her signature triple axel shakily, Glenn reflected candidly on her performance afterward. “I just felt really not my best today and I'm just really disappointed in that,” she said, while adding she was “very proud of the fight.” Notably, she was the only woman to attempt a triple axel in the free skate.
Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto delivered a flawless routine in what is her final season before retirement, helping pull her team level heading into the decisive events.
Ice dance dominance and pair skating contributions
Madison Chock and Evan Bates continued their Olympic excellence by following Saturday’s rhythm dance win with another victory in the free dance.
Competing in their fourth consecutive Winter Olympics together, the three-time world champions looked firmly in control.
“We definitely skated great and we're very happy, as you saw when we finished,” Bates said. “I think we both felt the excitement of just getting these Olympics underway.” Chock and Bates are widely considered favorites for individual gold later in the Games.
In pair skating, Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea finished fourth, earning seven points for the U.S. Skating to the same medley they performed at the U.S. Championships, the Colorado Springs-based duo continued to build momentum after teaming up in 2022.
A golden repeat for Team USA
With Ilia Malinin’s brilliance anchoring the final outcome, Team USA once again stood atop the podium. The victory reaffirmed the nation’s depth and balance across disciplines, setting the stage for strong individual medal hopes as the Olympic figure skating events continue.