The United States triumphed in the team event at the figure skating competition on December 3, 2023, securing a gold medal against Japan. The American skaters showcased their skills and determination, with Ilia Malinin playing a pivotal role in the victory. Although the performance included some challenges, Team USA’s strong showing ultimately outperformed Japan in a closely contested event.
The competition began with the pairs team of Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea, who were considered the weakest link for the Americans. They delivered a solid free skate, marred only by a few minor bobbles but, crucially, no falls. Their score placed them fourth among the five finalist teams, setting a reasonable foundation for the United States.
Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto opened the women’s competition with an impressive performance, executing a clean program filled with triple jumps. Her score placed her comfortably in first, further solidifying her status as a favorite for the upcoming individual event.
The Americans turned to Amber Glenn to keep their hopes alive in the women’s category. Glenn managed to land her triples, but her program appeared somewhat scrappy, resulting in a third-place finish. This left Team USA and Japan tied, heightening the stakes for the final men’s event.
With the competition balanced, the United States relied on the expertise of Ilia Malinin, known as the “Quad God.” Malinin’s announced program was ambitious, featuring multiple quads, including the notoriously difficult quad axel. He had previously opted out of this jump in the preliminary phase, where he faced defeat against Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama. Even though Malinin described his earlier effort as “50 percent of my full potential,” he still managed to secure a crucial victory.
During the decisive performance, Malinin executed a series of challenging moves, although he did make contact with the ice at one point and skipped the quad axel. Despite these setbacks, his overall difficulty level enabled him to outperform Japan’s Shun Sato, who delivered a cleaner, though less complex, routine. The competition concluded with Matteo Rizzo of Italy taking the bronze medal, much to the delight of the home crowd.
In the end, Team USA celebrated their gold medal achievement, marking a significant moment in the competition. With Malinin’s potential yet to be fully realized, expectations will remain high as the event progresses. The United States’ victory serves as a testament to their resilience and skill on the ice.
