USA and Japan Battle for Figure Skating Team Event Lead as Men's Short Program Looms

The figure skating team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina has delivered early drama, with Team USA clinging to a slim two-point lead over Japan heading into the crucial men's short program on Saturday, February 7. After compelling performances in the rhythm dance and women's short program on opening day, the United States sits atop the standings with 25 points, while Japan lurks just behind with 23 points in what has become a thrilling battle for supremacy. Alysa Liu delivered a sparkling performance in the women's short program for Team USA, showcasing the technical precision and artistic flair that has made her one of America's brightest skating stars. Her routine earned crucial points for the United States, helping establish the narrow advantage they now protect. Japan's Sakamoto Kaori responded with her own exceptional skate, demonstrating why she remains one of the world's elite competitors and keeping her nation firmly in medal contention. The team event format creates unique pressure, as each nation's success depends on multiple skaters across different disciplines performing at their best. Italy has emerged as a serious medal threat, sitting in third place with 22 points thanks to home-ice advantage energizing their athletes. Georgia occupies fourth with 20 points, while Canada rounds out the top five at 19 points. Only these five nations will advance to the second phase of competition after Saturday's men's short program eliminates the bottom five countries. Phenom Ilia Malinin will carry enormous expectations when he takes the ice for Team USA in the men's short program. The quad king has revolutionized men's skating with his technical prowess, and his performance could prove decisive in determining whether America maintains its lead. Japan will counter with their own formidable men's skater, setting up a compelling head-to-head battle that could swing momentum dramatically. The stakes extend beyond individual performances, as the team event provides an early glimpse of form heading into the individual competitions later in the Games. Strong showings here can build confidence and momentum, while stumbles might create doubt. The pressure-cooker atmosphere of team competition requires mental fortitude alongside technical skill, testing athletes in ways that individual events cannot replicate. As Saturday's men's short program approaches, the narrow gap between USA and Japan ensures maximum drama. With Italy, Georgia, and Canada all within striking distance, the battle for positions and advancement promises to be fierce. The team event has already provided some of the most exciting figure skating of these Winter Olympics, and the best may be yet to come as the world's elite skaters compete for national pride and Olympic glory.