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Figure Skating Split Between Cortina and Milan

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, January 28th 2026 at 20:26 GMT by NBC Chicago
      Locales: Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Valle d'Aosta, ITALY

A Two-City Affair: Venues and Dates The figure skating events will be uniquely split between two iconic locations. The competition begins in Cortina d'Ampezzo from February 11th to 13th, setting the stage for the pairs discipline and the initial stages of the ice dance competition. The action then shifts to Milan from February 15th to 22nd, where the remaining events - men's and women's singles, the conclusion of ice dance, and the highly anticipated team event - will unfold. This split venue adds a logistical layer to the competition but also showcases two distinct facets of Italian winter sports culture.

The Five Disciplines: A Full Spectrum of Skating Fans can anticipate a full schedule encompassing the five established disciplines of figure skating. These include:

• Men's Singles: A display of powerful jumps, intricate spins, and athletic precision.
• Women's Singles: Known for its grace, flexibility, and increasingly demanding technical content.
• Pairs: Requiring incredible strength, synchronization, and trust between partners, featuring breathtaking lifts and throws.
• Ice Dance: A showcase of rhythm, musicality, and connection, judged on choreography and skating skills rather than acrobatic jumps.
• Team Event: Introduced in recent Olympics, this fast-paced event combines the strengths of each discipline, representing nations in a dynamic team competition.

Detailed Schedule: Mark Your Calendars! Here's a glimpse of the key dates (all times are Eastern Time):

Feb. 11: Pairs Short Program (8:00 AM ET) Feb. 12: Pairs Free Skate (2:00 AM ET) Feb. 13: Ice Dance Short Dance (8:00 AM ET) Feb. 15: Men's Singles Short Program (2:00 AM ET) Feb. 16: Women's Singles Short Program (8:00 AM ET) Feb. 17: Ice Dance Rhythm Dance (2:00 AM ET) Feb. 18: Men's Singles Free Skate (8:00 AM ET) Feb. 19: Women's Singles Free Skate (2:00 AM ET) Feb. 20: Pairs Free Skate (8:00 AM ET) Feb. 21: Team Event (8:00 AM ET) Feb. 22: Ice Dance Free Dance (2:00 AM ET)

Understanding the Scoring: The ISU Judging System Figure skating scoring can appear complex, but it's rooted in the ISU Judging System (IJS). This system evaluates two primary components: Technical Elements and Program Components. Technical Elements (TES) are awarded points based on the difficulty of each jump, spin, lift, or step sequence. Each element has a base value, which is then adjusted based on the quality of execution (Grade of Execution - GOE). Program Components (PCS) assess the artistic aspects of the performance, including skating skills, transitions, performance, composition, and interpretation. Judges assign scores for each component, contributing to the overall score. The combined TES and PCS determine the final ranking.

The Path to the Podium: Olympic Qualification Earning a coveted spot at the 2026 Winter Olympics is a rigorous process. Skaters don't simply qualify based on national rankings. Instead, athletes accumulate points throughout the ISU World Cup series, the ISU Grand Prix series, and the ISU World Championships. Performances at these events determine a skater's standing and ultimately dictate which nations earn the maximum number of entries for each discipline. The specific number of qualifying spots per country is determined by the results of the preceding seasons, ensuring that only the most deserving skaters will compete on the Olympic stage. The stakes are incredibly high, and the competition for Olympic berths is fierce, making the journey to Milan and Cortina as captivating as the games themselves.