Sequins and shock: A dramatic first week in figure skating
Digest
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating events have been marked by historic achievements and compelling narratives. Mikhail Shvedov of Kazakhstan secured a surprise gold medal in men's singles, a significant win for his nation. American skater Ilia Malinin faced challenges with complex jumps, impacting his individual performance despite a strong team event contribution. Team USA clinched gold in the team event, with ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates earning silver after a demanding competition schedule. The French ice dance duo Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron claimed gold, showcasing a remarkable partnership. Canadian bronze medalists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier shared insights on managing pressure and the strength of their long-term collaboration. The podcast also featured interviews with Amber Glenn, who made her Olympic debut at 26, and Deanna Stallo-Dudec, who achieved her Olympic dream at 42 after a 16-year hiatus, embodying resilience and perseverance.
Outlines
Figure Skating Highlights: Milano Cortina 2026 Recap
This episode recaps the dramatic first half of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating events, featuring historic wins, surprising performances, and inspiring athlete stories.
Unexpected Victories and Top Skater Challenges
Discussion on Mikhail Shvedov's historic gold medal for Kazakhstan and Ilia Malinin's struggles with difficult jumps. Insights are provided on strategic positioning and the challenges of complex maneuvers in figure skating.
Team USA's Gold and Elite Ice Dance Dynamics
Recap of Team USA's gold medal in the team event and the silver medal won by ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates. Interviews with the French gold medalists Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron, and Canadian bronze medalists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, explore their unique partnerships and journeys to the podium.
Inspiring Debuts and Resilience in Figure Skating
Features interviews with Amber Glenn, discussing her Olympic debut at 26 and her role in the women's team, and Deanna Stallo-Dudec, highlighting her incredible comeback after a 16-year break to make her Olympic debut at 42, showcasing resilience and the pursuit of dreams.
Keywords
Mikhail Shvedov
Figure skater from Kazakhstan who won a historic gold medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Ilia Malinin
American figure skater known for attempting difficult jumps like the quad axel, faced challenges at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics.
Ice Dance
Figure skating discipline featuring couples performing routines; highlights include American silver medalists Chock/Bates and French gold medalists Papadakis/Cizeron.
Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron
French ice dance gold medalists at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, known for their rapid success as a new partnership.
Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier
Canadian ice dancers who won bronze at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, discussing their partnership and performance.
Amber Glenn
American figure skater making her Olympic debut at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games at age 26, part of the "Blade Angels" team.
Deanna Stallo-Dudec
Figure skater making her Olympic debut at age 42 after a 16-year hiatus, showcasing remarkable perseverance.
Quad Axel
A highly difficult quadruple jump in figure skating with 4.5 rotations, known for being attempted by skaters like Ilia Malinin.
Q&A
Who won the historic gold medal in men's figure skating at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, and what made it significant?
Mikhail Shvedov, a 21-year-old from Kazakhstan, won the gold medal. This victory was significant as it was Kazakhstan's second-ever gold medal at a Winter Games and their first since 1994.
What challenges did Ilia Malinin face during the men's singles event?
Ilia Malinin struggled with his jumps, including a stumble on a quad axel, leading to an eighth-place finish. This was unexpected given his reputation for pushing the boundaries of the sport.
What was the experience like for Madison Chock and Evan Bates competing in both the team event and individual ice dance?
The American ice dancers described it as an emotional roller coaster, requiring them to manage intense feelings after winning team gold before competing in the individual event. They were proud of delivering four strong skates over six days, ultimately winning silver.
What is unique about the ice dance partnership of Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron?
Guillaume Cizeron became the first ice dancer to win two Olympic golds with two different partners. He and Gabriella Papadakis formed their partnership just over a year before the Games and took the ice dance world by storm, winning gold.
What advice do Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier offer regarding managing pressure in high-stakes competitions?
They suggest that calmness and peace can come from letting go of the outcome. Focusing on delivering the best possible skate, rather than the result, can alleviate pressure and allow athletes to trust their training.
What is the significance of Deanna Stallo-Dudec's Olympic debut at age 42?
Her debut is remarkable as she returned to figure skating after a 16-year break and began pairs skating at 33. Her journey defies the typical age norms in figure skating and highlights incredible perseverance and dedication.
How does Amber Glenn view her role as the oldest American woman debuting in figure skating at the Olympics in nearly a century?
While acknowledging her age relative to her teammates, she doesn't feel maternal but rather a balanced contributor. She recognizes that her teammates have different experiences and accomplishments, and they collectively support each other.
Show Notes
Figure skating always has a flair for the dramatic - and this Winter Olympics has been no different. Mikhail Shaidorov's shocking gold medal in the men's event came as favourite Ilia Malinin fell to eighth place. In ice dance, the competition was one of the closest in history - with Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron edging Madison Chock and Evan Bates by just 1.43 points.
Olympics.com contributor Gracie Gold joins host Nick McCarvel to help reflect on both Shaidorov and Malinin, and she also sits down with fellow American Amber Glenn, with the women's event set to anchor week two of the Games at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.
The episode also features exclusive sit-downs with Fournier Beaudry/Cizeron, Chock/Bates and bronze medallists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, as well as 42-year-old Canadian Deanna Stellato-Dudek, who is set to make her Olympic debut in the pairs event.
"This is obviously my second chance at this sport," Deanna tells Nick, having been retired of 16 years. "So many stars had to align; so many serendipitous occasions had to occur in order for me to even be sitting in this seat. I just feel like I owe it to my younger self and to my current self to do absolutely everything I can, put all my chips on the table, like full throttle to [chase] this dream."
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