Jan 9, 2026 – Ilia Malinin posts a flawless short program at the U.S. Championships, scoring 115.10 and leading Tomoki Hiwatashi by nearly 25 points. His quad‑heavy routine opens with a quad flip, then a triple axel, a quad lutz‑triple toe, a backflip and the “raspberry twist,” prompting fans to toss dozens of Toothless plush toys onto the ice. The performance locks him into the Milan Cortina Olympic team as the clear men’s leader. Meanwhile, Maxim Naumov, fourth with 85.72, carries a poignant backstory after his parents died in a plane crash, adding emotional depth to the U.S. men’s field. [6]

Jan 10, 2026 – Amber Glenn wins her third straight U.S. ladies’ title with a 233.55‑point free skate that opens on a triple axel, becoming the first skater to repeat a three‑peat since Michelle Kwan in 2005 and positioning herself as the leading U.S. woman for Milan. Returning from retirement, Alysa Liu takes silver and publicly praises Glenn’s hard work, while Isabeau Levito earns bronze, all vying for the three Olympic spots. Pairs champions Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov defend their title but face a looming citizenship hurdle that could block their Olympic participation. [5]

Jan 11, 2026 – U.S. Figure Skating announces a 16‑athlete roster for the Milan Cortina Games, which former champion Brian Boitano calls the strongest American squad in history. Ilia Malinin is named the men’s gold favorite after a dominant season, and ice‑dance veterans Madison Chock and Evan Bates capture their seventh U.S. title, reinforcing their medal credentials. Amber Glenn joins the women’s team, while the Efimova/Mitrofanov pair is excluded due to unresolved citizenship, illustrating how legal eligibility can reshape Olympic line‑ups. [4]

Jan 12, 2026 – The U.S. delegation departs for Milan, featuring a mix of champions and a tragedy survivor. Maxim Naumov, who rebuilt his coaching team after his parents’ fatal plane crash, wins bronze at the U.S. Championships and secures an Olympic berth, embodying resilience. Ilia Malinin captures his fourth U.S. men’s title with a quad‑focused program, while Alyssa Liu returns from retirement to claim a world title, underscoring her dramatic comeback. The women’s team—Amber Glenn, Alyssa Liu and Isabeau Levito—includes Glenn, the oldest U.S. Olympic lady since 1927, and Liu, a world champion. Pairs champions Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov miss the team after a waiver request fails, and ice‑dance duo Emily Chan and Spencer Howe join the squad, with Howe serving in the Army. [1]

Jan 19, 2026 – Olympic legend Kristi Yamaguchi reflects on her 1992 gold medal—the first Asian‑American Winter Games victory—and draws parallels to today’s U.S. team. She highlights Ilia Malinin’s quad axel as “gold to lose,” emphasizing his era‑defining impact, and praises Alyssa Liu’s joyful comeback and world title, noting it revitalizes U.S. women’s skating. Yamaguchi hopes the broadcast of her 1992 performance inspires perseverance in the next generation. [7][8]

Jan 21, 2026 – Ilia Malinin lands the world’s first quad axel in competition, rotating four‑and‑a‑half times on a single blade, solidifying his “Quad God” reputation and positioning him as the centerpiece of Team USA’s Olympic push. He follows that with a Grand Prix Final free skate featuring seven quads and a record‑breaking 238.24 points, the highest ever in the sport, raising expectations for Milan. The official 16‑athlete roster is confirmed, with Boitano reiterating it as perhaps the strongest U.S. Olympic figure‑skating team ever. Tara Lipinski lauds Malinin’s technical revolution and hints at future quintuple axel attempts. Ice‑dance champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates anchor the dance contingent, while Alyssa Liu leads the women’s squad, supported by Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito, reflecting a revitalized, mentally‑focused program. [2][3]