The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina kicked off with the figure skating team event, featuring top contenders USA and Japan. The event spans three days and involves the top 10 countries competing across four disciplines: men's, women's, pairs, and ice dance. The USA, with a large team of 16 skaters, is favored to defend its 2022 gold medal, competing against Japan and other nations. Key US athletes include Alysa Liu in women's singles, Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea in pairs, and Madison Chock and Evan Bates in ice dance, all with strong track records. Ilia Malinin, known for his potential quadruple axel, is set to compete in the men's short program, although strategic decisions about participation are expected. The event's scoring system involves points based on performances in the short program and rhythm dance, with the top five countries advancing to the final round for medals. The competition continues through Saturday and Sunday, culminating in the awarding of the first figure skating medals of the Games.