United States Clinches Gold in Nail-Biting Figure Skating Team Event

The figure skating team event at the Olympics in Milan was an exhilarating spectacle, coming down to the final skater to determine the winner. The United States was counting on the prowess of 21-year-old Ilia Malinin, a skater already celebrated for his world championship title and groundbreaking tricks, to secure the gold medal.

Malinin’s performance was both riveting and nerve-wracking, as he executed a backflip that electrified the audience, despite a small stumble that moments earlier had caused a collective gasp. The anticipation was palpable as Japan’s Shun Sato took the ice, with the entire Milan Ice Skating Arena falling silent as Sato’s final score was announced. When it was clear his score was lower than Malinin’s, the American team erupted in joy, with skaters embracing near the ice.

The final tally was U.S. 69, Japan 68, with Italy earning bronze with 60 points. This victory marked Malinin’s first Olympic medal and upheld the U.S. team’s legacy of success, being the second consecutive Games where they claimed the event.

Reflecting on the competition, Malinin expressed his gratitude for his team’s unwavering support, which he credits with helping him maintain focus and perform at his best. He shared with NBC Sports’ Andrea Joyce, “Just going in today, I was just so grateful to be a part of this team… Without them I don’t think I would’ve been able to accomplish this.”

This event included contributions from various U.S. skaters across different disciplines during the qualifying rounds on Saturday and the final competitions on Sunday. Madison Chock and Evan Bates showcased their talents in both rhythm and free dance, while Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea competed in pairs skating. Malinin handled the men’s singles with poise. The women’s singles saw Alysa Liu skate on Saturday, and Amber Glenn take the ice on Sunday.

Amber Glenn, despite being the reigning U.S. champion, acknowledged feeling “guilty” for placing third in her Sunday performance, which temporarily put the U.S. competing side by side with Japan. Tied with 59 points, both teams awaited the final event late Sunday evening. Malinin, unflustered by the pressure, made his grand entrance with enthusiasm, removing his Team USA jacket to reveal his sparkling costume, poised to perform.

Sato, the competitor from Japan, remained composed, expressing post-competition that he was not focused on whether he could surpass Malinin but was determined to give his best. Though Malinin did not have a completely flawless routine, as he had to steady himself on the ice during one sequence, he captivated the crowd with a daring center-ice backflip, securing his standing. With a remarkable score of 200.03, Malinin widened the gap over his closest competitor by over 20 points, compelling Sato to aim high but ultimately fall short with 194.86.