2026 Olympics Team Event: Women's Free Skate

[BlissfulSynergy]

Amber didn't do bad. Not skate she wanted

I didn't say Amber 'did bad,' but guess what: this is high stakes, high pressure Olympics competition. Important to believe in yourself, deal with the pressure, and meet the moment. Amber did not do that. Kam/ O'Shea did. Granted, less pressure on K/O because it wasn't expected that Ellie would land the throws. She did, though, which is why they were so happy at the end of their performance, regardless of the judges' score. Meanwhile, Amber knew she didn't skate her best. She applied no pressure at all on Kaori. All Amber had to do was to be second and keep a one point edge for the U.S. That shouldn't have been hard for her to do. She's only added extra pressure on her shoulders for the individual events. Again, bad strategy by the U.S. to send Amber out in the fp. It's not like this fp has been a stellar crowd pleaser for Amber like her Madonna sp has been.

Well, it certainly sets up a squeaker in the men's event. Ilia has to take it all on his inexperienced Olympics shoulders. Same with Amber. This is her first Olympics, and apparently too much pressure to rise to the occasion, like Mirai did in 2018!

 

[Andrea82]

they wer showing volley earlier. let me know if they do

I think they are on Rai 2 rather than Rai Sport.

 

[Charlotte 71]

Yes, since there are more people competing in the SP, so there's more room for chaos if something doesn't go right.

Yes, makes sense to put their most consistent competitor in for the short, but it also makes sense to have their most consistent in the free!

 

[shan22044]

BBC just called the Russian skaters teen-bots when contrasting with Sakamoto's skating.....*shots fired*.

It’s more like girls vs a woman TBH. Those kids never seem to get a chance to mature in their skating.

 

[ladyjane]

I'm not really a fan of women's skating (even if I am one myself but at a slightly - not really, it's a huge one- lower level) but this was nice. Just 5 skaters. A shame that Maddy fell because it was otherwise not a bad skate for her. Hurrah for Anastasiia who had a great skate, a pity that Lara Naki had some mishaps (not big ones, but still), I've seen Amber do better but still a good skate, and Kaori was sublime. I understand her being in tears.

 

[Karoltyna]

beware of Gogo who may ruin it for everyone

Going above Egadze and behind Grassl will be enough

TFU Rizzo - it's all because of nerves...

 

[freedomlover]

Japan wins if tied because they won 3 title vs 1. Both ad 3/4 medal finishes but japan won 3/4. Japan got team regardless of how ilia does

issue is that they wont tie because ilia wins with a point ahead. Kam/O'shea landing what they did was huge lol

 

[FlossieH]

Japan wins if tied because they won 3 title vs 1. Both ad 3/4 medal finishes but japan won 3/4. Japan got team regardless of how ilia does

No. Japan have only won two. US won ice dance and Japan were last. If Ilia wins, US take it. If Shun Sato wins or places ahead of Ilia (which I think is unlikely), Japan will win.

 

[Charlotte 71]

I didn't say Amber 'did bad,' but guess what: this is high stakes, high pressure Olympics competition. Important to believe in yourself, deal with the pressure, and meet the moment. Amber did not do that. Kam/ O'Shea did. Granted, less pressure on K/O because it wasn't expected that Ellie would land the throws. She did, though, which is why they were so happy at the end of their performance, regardless of the judges' score. Meanwhile, Amber knew she didn't skate her best. She applied no pressure at all on Kaori. All Amber had to do was to be second and keep a one point edge for the U.S. That shouldn't have been hard for her to do. She's only added extra pressure on her shoulders for the individual events. Again, bad strategy by the U.S. to send Amber out in the fp. It's not like this fp has been a stellar crowd pleaser for Amber like her Madonna sp has been.

Well, it certainly sets up a squeaker in the men's event. Ilia has to take it all on his inexperienced Olympics shoulders. Same with Amber. This is her first Olympics, and apparently too much pressure to rise to the occasion, like Mirai did in 2018!

Ilia is an experienced Olympic skater now. He skated in the Olympics yesterday.

 

[Andrea82]

beware of Gogo who may ruin it for everyone

My fear is him sandwiched between Egadze and Rizzo. If he does as well as in the SP, I wouldn't mind...

 

[4everchan]

Going above Egadze and behind Grassl will be enough

Grassl is not skating one less pope

 

[NanaPat]

Japan wins if tied because they won 3 title vs 1. Both ad 3/4 medal finishes but japan won 3/4. Japan got team regardless of how ilia does

But they won't be tied. Whichever man (JPN, USA) is ahead will get the gold.

 

[readernick]

Me too! If the short was any indication, he will be great! And a side benefit if he puts a buffer between Shun and Ilia.

It's very hard to imagine Gogo beating Ilya.( And I like Gogo )But, hey, who knows? All the team USA single skaters have looked nervous here and not skated to potential. In general, experience has won the day but Gogo was an exception to that rule in the SP. The pairs and ice dancers have been amazing!

 

[Allikat]

What a Wow of a Women's Team final! Problem is, this is almost what I had expected, unless it had instead come out with Japan one point ahead of US, which is where my first thoughts lay. Team placements will be left up to the men, after all. Looking forward to 5 more great programs here. Am very glad to see both Kaori and Anastasiia in particular have such wonderful skates! Plus, Amber did okay under those circumstances...

 

[Fetinia]

Japan won team event already .before men's free skate

No, they are tie now (59 vs 59). If Ilya wins, he will bring 10 points. Assuming Shun is second he will being 9 points, therefore US will have more points 69 vs 68.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Ouch... harsh headlines on CBC - " Canada eliminated from Olympic figure skating team metal contention as Schizas finishes last."

Whoa! Schizas did well in the sp to help get Canada in the final in the first place! FGS! It was going to be a lingshot for Canada anyway. Wht didn't Canada send Gilles/Poirier out in the FD? Ask that question CBC!

 

[Skater Boy]

I feel for Amber. all that pressure and while it is a team effort she may have just cost the US gold. But Malinin should win though. THe Japanese men are inconsistent. I was hoping she woudl feed off of Danny and Ellie. She seemed a bit stiff, disconnected, cautious. Kaori was solid. Just beautiful Score I thought might be higher but won't change the results.Gubanova had the skate of the evening. She was in the zone but we also know she could have been a hot mess. Good skate by Laura but rotationissues cost her. THe Canadian girl and Canada just can't get the breaks. She needs more presence and make sure everything is clean. Canada has lost all thec close battles - Piper and Paul unfairly in the RD, Lia and Trennt in the fs to the Americans and now Madi to Laura. Those are valuable points. But honestly would not change the results The ladies definitelhystepped it up a notch from the GP finals. The "weakest" skater would or might podium at a GP event. I hope Kaori has not overly competed. Amber can regroup. I think GUbanova wil be energized. Laura was fairly solid and should feel confident. I don't think anyone expected USA or Japan not to be in the top two spots.

 

[skatesofgold]

I didn't say Amber 'did bad,' but guess what: this is high stakes, high pressure Olympics competition. Important to believe in yourself, deal with the pressure, and meet the moment. Amber did not do that. Kam/ O'Shea did. Granted, less pressure on K/O because it wasn't expected that Ellie would land the throws. She did, though, which is why they were so happy at the end of their performance, regardless of the judges' score. Meanwhile, Amber knew she didn't skate her best. She applied no pressure at all on Kaori. All Amber had to do was to be second and keep a one point edge for the U.S. That shouldn't have been hard for her to do. She's only added extra pressure on her shoulders for the individual events. Again, bad strategy by the U.S. to send Amber out in the fp. It's not like this fp has been a stellar crowd pleaser for Amber like her Madonna sp has been.

Well, it certainly sets up a squeaker in the men's event. Ilia has to take it all on his inexperienced Olympics shoulders. Same with Amber. This is her first Olympics, and apparently too much pressure to rise to the occasion, like Mirai did in 2018!

Yeah, it was K/O's first Olympics, too, and they did what they needed to do.

 

[readernick]

I didn't say Amber 'did bad,' but guess what: this is high stakes, high pressure Olympics competition. Important to believe in yourself, deal with the pressure, and meet the moment. Amber did not do that. Kam/ O'Shea did. Granted, less pressure on K/O because it wasn't expected that Ellie would land the throws. She did, though, which is why they were so happy at the end of their performance, regardless of the judges' score. Meanwhile, Amber knew she didn't skate her best. She applied no pressure at all on Kaori. All Amber had to do was to be second and keep a one point edge for the U.S. That shouldn't have been hard for her to do. She's only added extra pressure on her shoulders for the individual events. Again, bad strategy by the U.S. to send Amber out in the fp. It's not like this fp has been a stellar crowd pleaser for Amber like her Madonna sp has been.

Well, it certainly sets up a squeaker in the men's event. Ilia has to take it all on his inexperienced Olympics shoulders. Same with Amber. This is her first Olympics, and apparently too much pressure to rise to the occasion, like Mirai did in 2018!

All the US singles skaters have been a bit rocky. This technical panel called two of Alysa's four jumps in the SP. ( Deserved calls) There is no guarantee she would have brought 9 points either. No need to focus on Amber.

 

[SmileHappy34]

As Danny oshea they did theit job like chock and bates and alyssa
Ilia and amber did too but for

I thought I heard Johnny or Tara saying that the short has extreme significance in the Team event which is why they sent Alysa maybe?

They help break tiebreaker. With placement and scores