Team USA Wins Gold in Team Figure Skating at Milan Cortina Olympics

MILAN — Ilia Malinin emerged victorious in a thrilling head-to-head battle against Japanese skater Shun Sato at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Sunday night, securing a gold medal for the United States in the team figure skating event.

Malinin, known as the “Quad God,” showcased his talent by executing five quadruple jumps in his free skate routine, earning a total of 200.03 points. Despite a somewhat lackluster short program, Malinin’s outstanding performance in the free skate propelled Team USA to victory. Sato, on the other hand, delivered a commendable performance with three quadruple jumps but fell short with 194.86 points, resulting in a second consecutive silver medal for Japan in the team event.

With the U.S. finishing on top with 69 points, Japan settled for second place with 68 points. Italy clinched the bronze medal with 60 points, thanks to Matteo Rizzo’s exceptional free skate.

In a historic moment, Georgia secured the fourth position with 56 points, marking its best performance at the Winter Games.

The competition was intense as the U.S. held a five-point lead over Japan heading into the final session. However, Japan narrowed the gap by winning the pairs and women’s free skate events earlier in the night.

Malinin’s stellar performance in the free skate solidified Team USA’s triumph, with the crowd erupting in cheers as he executed flawless jumps and combinations. Sato also delivered a remarkable performance but fell slightly short of Malinin’s score.

The pairs event set the stage for an exciting finale, with Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea delivering a standout performance for the U.S. against strong competition from Japan. The American pair’s impressive score helped maintain their lead heading into the final events.

The women’s free skate saw Kaori Sakamoto of Japan clinch the top spot, tying the overall score with the U.S. Amber Glenn’s performance for the American team was marred by a few errors but did not detract from the team’s overall success.

Malinin’s exceptional performance in the free skate was a highlight of the competition, showcasing his skill and determination to lead Team USA to victory.

The team figure skating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics was a thrilling display of talent and determination, with Team USA emerging as the deserving champions.

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AP Olympic coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics