2026 Olympics Team Event - Strategy, Predictions & Discussion

[farahfan]

Maybe Malinin could be persuaded to do both phases of the Team Event with watered-down content and just six or seven quads across two programs.

I assume he could do a "light" SP and then ramp up the FS if necessary.

 

[Karen-W]

I assume he could do a "light" SP and then ramp up the FS if necessary.

I don't think so, but I'm also operating under the assumption that Yuma will be doing the SP for Team Japan. Going light in the SP would almost certainly give Yuma the SP win & Japan an extra point.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Obviously, Japan will split ladies and men.

Can a team bring in a skater that did not qualify in individual? Yes, correct? so say like could bring in Pezzeta to split the women if they wanted to? To give LaNaGu a break? Obviously, Italy will not split pairs or dance, but if they wanted they could bring in a skater who did not qualify to help in the team correct?

 

[tony]

Obviously, Japan will split ladies and men.

Can a team bring in a skater that did not qualify in individual? Yes, correct? so say like could bring in Pezzeta to split the women if they wanted to? To give LaNaGu a break? Obviously, Italy will not split pairs or dance, but if they wanted they could bring in a skater who did not qualify to help in the team correct?

No.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

No.

I thought they could

Did Poland actually qualify a man in singles or an ice dance team?

 

[Lanie]

They only can if they need to fill a team roster if they don’t have the individual spots

 

[Karen-W]

I thought they could

Did Poland actually qualify a man in singles or an ice dance team?

Poland qualified a man, woman & pairs team at Worlds last year.

Assuming France gets UZB's pairs spot for the individual event, that will open up 2 additional athlete quotas for the TE and since Korea doesn't have a pairs team, it would default to Poland & they would send a dance team for the TE only.

Obviously, Japan will split ladies and men.

Why are you making that assumption? Men, yes, I think it's split seeing as Yuma & Shun are both strong medal contenders; but Pairs goes before Women the 2nd weekend and we know MiuKih are dealing with injuries. Japan may decide to split pairs & men instead of men & women.

 

[ChillSkate]

The problem with Ilia doing a "light" version of his FS is that that is just not who Ilia is. He won't want to get out there and do something less than he is capable of. And maybe even risk getting beaten by someone for doing so.

My understanding is that the USFS does not want the Team Event to diminish someone's chances for an individual medal. It's a shame that Men's is first - but since it is and since Ilia is obviously in contention for an individual medal, I'm not sure they would ask him to do both Team events since it could jeopardize his individual medal chances.

 

[Karen-W]

The problem with Ilia doing a "light" version of his FS is that that is just not who Ilia is. He won't want to get out there and do something less than he is capable of. And maybe even risk getting beaten by someone for doing so.

My understanding is that the USFS does not want the Team Event to diminish someone's chances for an individual medal. It's a shame that Men's is first - but since it is and since Ilia is obviously in contention for an individual medal, I'm not sure they would ask him to do both Team events since it could jeopardize his individual medal chances.

Men are, technically, the 2nd individual event, but they have their SP on the day between the RD & FD and then short-track uses the arena the day after the FD, so there's a 2-day rest between the Men's SP & FS.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Why are you making that assumption?

They have no other options but the one team in ice dance and the one team in pairs so that they can split that.

 

[Karen-W]

They have no other options but the one team in ice dance and the one team in pairs so that they can split that.

They have two pairs teams - MiuKih and NagaMori.

 

[Karen-W]

Quick refresher on which countries have multiple entries in the individual events and therefore have an option of splitting the Team Event assignments should they make the FS/FD phase:

USA - 3 men, 3 women, 2 pairs, 3 dance teams
JPN - 3 men, 3 women, 2 pairs, 1 dance team (TE only)
ITA - 2 men, 1 woman, 2 pairs, 1 dance team
GEO - 1 man, 1 woman, 1 pair, 1 dance team
CAN - 1 man, 1 woman, 2 pairs, 3 dance teams
FRA - 2 men, 1 woman, 1 pair (TE only at this time), 2 dance teams
GBR - 1 man (TE only), 1 woman, 1 pair, 2 dance teams
CHN - 1 man, 1 woman, 1 pair, 1 dance team
KOR - 2 men, 2 women, 0 pairs, 1 dance team
POL - 1 man, 1 woman, 1 pair, 0 dance teams (at this time, likely will have a TE entry once FRA gets the pairs individual spot relinquished by UZB)

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

They have two pairs teams - MiuKih and NagaMori.

Of course, but there’s no way I would use the junior to senior team, they’re good, but not going to score ahead of Italy, Can or Georgia… too many placements will be lost if they are used.

 

[Bulletsdad]

The problem with Ilia doing a "light" version of his FS is that that is just not who Ilia is. He won't want to get out there and do something less than he is capable of. And maybe even risk getting beaten by someone for doing so.

My understanding is that the USFS does not want the Team Event to diminish someone's chances for an individual medal. It's a shame that Men's is first - but since it is and since Ilia is obviously in contention for an individual medal, I'm not sure they would ask him to do both Team events since it could jeopardize his individual medal chances.

No way is Ilia doing the FS in team event. He was left off team in 2022, and I can't see him sacrificing his stamina to ensure a TE gold. Thereto, if Amber wins Nationals, it will be a tough choice between Alysa and Amber for both segments of the TE. Alysa is reigning World/Grand Prix Champion who missed out on a well deserved TE Gold in 2022. Glenn would be a three time National Champion who is higher in WR. However, I think based on body of work and consistency, Alysa should get the nod.