The figure skating team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics is underway, and the early narrative is one of a compelling duel between the United States and Japan. Both nations have delivered strong performances across multiple disciplines, positioning themselves as the teams to beat in the race for the podium. The event, which combines scores from men’s and women’s singles, pairs, and ice dance, has already seen world-class skating and dramatic shifts in the standings.
For Team USA, the story has been one of depth and excellence. American skaters have been described as so good it’s ‘unheard of,’ with standout performances fueling their charge. In the ice dance, the duo of Madison Chock and Evan Bates rocked the ice with a world-best score to open the figure skating competition, giving the Americans a significant early boost. Meanwhile, the women’s contingent is led by the talented Alysa Liu, whose presence adds a formidable scoring threat to the U.S. lineup.
Japan’s campaign has been powered by its own constellation of stars. In the women’s event, the spotlight is firmly on Kaori Sakamoto, who is not only a key contributor to the team effort but is also the favored contender to win the individual gold medal. The Japanese team received a crucial lift from their pairs skaters, Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi, who won the team pairs short program. This victory launched Japan back into serious medal contention, showcasing the nation’s strength across the board.
The competition is fierce, with other skaters making their mark. South Korea’s Shin Ji-a delivered a solid performance, finishing in 4th place in the women’s short program segment of the team event. While not atop the standings, her result keeps her country in the mix. In ice dance, a Korean ice dancer has penned a personal story for their Olympic routine, adding a layer of narrative to the athletic pursuit, though their team currently ranks 7th after the rhythm dance.
As the team event progresses, the battle between the United States and Japan appears set to define the competition. With skaters like Alysa Liu for the USA and Kaori Sakamoto for Japan leading the charge, and pivotal victories in pairs and dance shaping the scoreboard, the fight for gold promises to be a showcase of the sport’s very best. The early stages have set a high bar, and the world will be watching to see which nation can maintain its momentum all the way to the podium.