For more information about Figure Skating in the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, please check here

For some, the Olympic Winter Games are the culmination of a long career. For others, they are just the start. The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will see the debut of exciting figure skaters who are ready to start their Olympic journey with a bang. 

As a two-time ISU World Champion, “Quad God” Ilia Malinin (USA), pictured above, is the hot favorite heading into Milan. At the ISU Grand Prix Final in December, he set a new highest score in the Free Skating and landed seven quadruple jumps, including his unique quad Axel, in his Free Skating. Malinin, 21, will compete in his very first Olympic Games, and he looks almost untouchable. 

“I’ve been looking forward to this moment my whole life,” he said when selected for the U.S. team following his fourth straight victory at the U.S. Championships in January. “It’s been such a journey, such a push, such an effort to get to this point in time. I’m just so grateful for everyone who was with me or behind me from day one.”

Ami Nakai (JPN) is an exciting prospect ahead of the Milan Games © ISU

Japan’s Ami Nakai still competed in juniors a year ago and burst onto the international senior scene this season. After winning her first ISU Grand Prix event in France, she qualified for the ISU Grand Prix Final, where she claimed the silver. She added another silver to her resume at the recent ISU Four Continents Championships. Nakai, 17, has a triple Axel in her arsenal and is one of the most exciting newcomers this season.

Amber Glenn continued her breakthrough this season. At 26, the three-time U.S. Champion has more experience than many of her competitors, but she will make her Olympic debut in Milan. Armed with a big triple Axel, Glenn leads the strong team of U.S. women at the Games. 

Nakai’s teammate, Mone Chiba, took bronze at the ISU World Championships 2025 and continued her ascent by winning her Grand Prix events. After settling for bronze at the ISU Four Continents Championships, Chiba is looking for redemption at her first Games.

Niina Petrokina (EST) won her second ISU European Championships title ahead of the Olympics © ISU

Niina Petrokina of Estonia defended her title at the ISU European Championships in January. This resilient young woman had to overcome a life-threatening illness as well as injuries and always came back stronger. “The Olympic Games feel like a gift because I’ve worked so hard these four years,” Petrokina said in Sheffield. “I want to go there, see how everything is, and feel that atmosphere. My second (European) title gives me much more power for the Olympics.”

While Sara Conti & Niccolo Macii of Italy have been skating together since 2019, Milan will be their first Games. For them, a dream comes true to challenge for the Olympic podium not only in their home country, but also in their hometown.

Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps (CAN) have had a long, unique journey to Milan © ISU

Canadians Deanna Stellato-Dudek & Maxime Deschamps probably had the longest journey to the Games of all skaters. World Junior silver medalist Stellato-Dudek retired from the sport as a teenager only to return after a 16-year break. With Deschamps, she forms a world-class pair, and Milan will be the Olympic debut for the 2024 ISU World Champions at ages 42 and 34.

Two-time ISU World medalists Minerva Hase & Nikita Volodin of Germany and the newly minted ISU European Champions Anastasiia Metelkina & Luka Berulava of Georgia are medal hopefuls, with newcomers Volodin and Metelkina counting on their partners’ experience.

Ice Dancers Emilea Zingas & Vadym Kolsenik (USA) have celebrated a big breakthrough in this Olympic season and qualified in a deep U.S. Ice Dance field for the Olympic Winter Games. Fresh off their first victory at the ISU Four Continents Championships, they are the Ice Dance debutants to watch.