2026 Olympics Team Event - Strategy, Predictions & Discussion

[Allskate]

They really need to restructure the points system of this Team Event and make the FS count for more points because the way I'm doing the math (and going on assumptions of placements), there is no way USA still does not win if Ilia does the FS, even if JPN wins Womens and Pairs (and that one is not a given).

I think that all ten teams should do LPs/FDs. But, if they did, Japan definitely would lose a lot more points in the FD.

 

[Karen-W]

I think that all ten teams should do LPs/FDs. But, if they did, Japan definitely would lose a lot more points in the FD.

True. I do think that cutting the field in half doesn't work. Maybe there would be more movement if there were 6 teams in the FS/FD rather than 5.

 

[zebobes]

We've been over this in past Olympic cycles and I'm not sure there's any different way to restructure the points that would change the outcome for the medals. I've played around with various different methods suggested by others and almost always, the medals shake out the way they have in actuality.

Yeah, it doesn't really work if the goal is to create a system to allow a certain team to win/prevent an unliked team from winning.

The fact that the competition is SO tight this time I think means that all of the countries are putting more emphasis on the team event, and have learned more how the system works. I think the problem is this format is done only once every four years, and because of that, it has taken so much longer for an interesting competition to develop.

 

[Allskate]

True. I do think that cutting the field in half doesn't work. Maybe there would be more movement if there were 6 teams in the FS/FD rather than 5.

Why six and not ten?

Yeah, it doesn't really work if the goal is to create a system to allow a certain team to win/prevent an unliked team from winning.

The goal is not to prevent any particular team from winning. The goal is to make the LP/FD count for as much as the SP/RD.

Also, it does take physical and mental energy to do the TE. I wish they would move it to the end of the figure skating schedule.

 

[Aaron MB Fan]

I am just over the moon that after 2 Olympics of pearl clutching and proclamations of Canada not qualifying even for the Team Final, Canada defies the odds again, delivers when it counts, with better than expected results, qualifies for the final and this time around even sits close to medal contention!!

Go Team Canada!!!

Can’t wait to be in Milano in a couple of days to cheer you on in person!! (last minute trip!!)

 

[shuilee]

First Olympics nerves for Ilia. This makes me worry about Amber Glenn tomorrow. If she struggles with nerves similar to Ilia, she could finish 3rd or lower in the Women's FS (behind Italy or Canada or Georgia). And then Ilia winning the Free Skate may not be enough.

Also - what if Japan decides to go for Team Gold and send Yuma to do the Men's FS? Currently, Shun Sato is supposed to skate. But they could always change their minds with the points being so close. USA is projected to only have a 1 point advantage heading into the Women's FS/Men's FS.