Olympic team figure skating: everything you need to know

[ad_1] There, athletes will compete their lengthy packages ... however there is a twist. Every nation is allowed two "splits" on this spherical, which means they'll substitute in one other skater/duo within the hopes of scoring extra factors.

There's an actual technique to this. If a nation has two sturdy opponents in a single self-discipline, it might "cut up" them between packages to stability their load and protect their vitality; assume Staff USA leveraging Alysa Liu and Amber Glenn as a substitute of simply certainly one of them. If it solely has one sturdy competitor, it might ask them to carry out twice.

Doing so will increase the nation's probability at successful a staff skating medal, however could tire out the athlete and decrease their probability at successful a medal inside their very own self-discipline down the road. There could be controversy if nations and skaters aren't aligned on their priorities right here.

After the lengthy program, every nation's scores are tallied once more. The highest three nations win gold, silver and bronze medals, and each single skater who participated will get to take one residence.

Which nations are inclined to dominate it? Staff determine skating debuted on the 2014 Video games in Sochi, so we solely have three Olympic cycles' price of historical past to work from right here. Nonetheless, these three cycles have been telling: Russia and the US have medaled each time.

In 2026, although, it is all about the US and Japan. Issues are just too near name between the 2 nations, and there is a extensive hole between them and the remainder of the aggressive discipline. They're broadly anticipated to take residence the gold and silver medals between them, with Canada, France and Georgia battling it out for the bronze.

What makes Staff USA and Japan so aggressive? Simple: one probably first-place end, two probably podium finishes and one occasion they're comfy throwing away.

Staff USA: ought to win the lads's occasion, place extremely in girls's and ice dancing and battle in pairs

Japan: ought to win the pairs occasion, place extremely in girls's and males's and battle in ice dancing

When the lads's, pairs and ice dancing scores are all added up, Staff USA and Japan are anticipated to be in a lifeless warmth. Which means the gold medal is prone to come all the way down to the ladies's occasion.

Staff USA chosen reigning world champion Alysa Liu to skate its quick program. Japan chosen defending Olympic bronze medalist Kaori Sakamoto to problem her. It is price conserving a really shut eye on each of them.