2026 Winter Olympics men's figure skating free skate final in Milano Cortina

2026 Winter Olympics Men’s Figure Skating: Schedule, Results & India Update

By primesportoview Feb 13, 2026 1

The 2026 Winter Olympics men’s figure skating competition at the Milano Cortina Games has delivered exactly what fans hoped for — history-making jumps, artistic brilliance, and a razor-tight race for gold. With the free skating event set to decide the medals, all eyes are on American sensation Ilia Malinin, who carries a narrow but significant lead into the final showdown.

For fans in India and around the world, the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s figure skating schedule promises high drama, elite athleticism, and a defining moment in Olympic history.

Team Event Momentum: USA Starts Strong

The United States entered the Milano Cortina Games with confidence, especially after dominating early sessions in the team event. Ice dance stars Madison Chock and Evan Bates set a world-best season score in the rhythm dance, establishing early dominance.

On the women’s side, Alysa Liu delivered a powerful short program, finishing second and strengthening Team USA’s medal position.

But while the team event created headlines, the spotlight quickly shifted to the most anticipated contest of the Games: Men’s Single Skating – Free Skating.

The Backflip Revolution: From Banned Move to Olympic Moment

One of the biggest storylines of the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s figure skating competition has been the return of the backflip.

Originally banned in 1976 for being “too dangerous” and not aligned with the sport’s artistic image, the move became legendary when French skater Surya Bonaly performed a one-footed backflip at the 1998 Nagano Games in protest.

In 2024, the International Skating Union officially legalized the backflip, citing its athletic value and entertainment appeal.

At Milano Cortina 2026, Ilia Malinin made history by landing the first legal Olympic backflip during the team event — a defining moment that symbolized figure skating’s evolution into a more daring and athletic sport.

The Race for Gold: Malinin vs Kagiyama vs Siao Him Fa

Heading into the free skate, the leaderboard reads like a global showdown:

🥇 Ilia Malinin (USA)

Short Program Score: 108+ (approximate combined technical cushion)
Known as the “Quad God”
Only skater in history to land the quadruple Axel in competition
Five-point lead entering free skate

🥈 Yuma Kagiyama (Japan)

Score: 103.07
Beijing 2022 silver medalist
Known for clean technique and consistency

🥉 Adam Siao Him Fa (France)

Score: 102.55
Advocate for backflip legalization
Combines artistry with explosive technical layouts

Malinin’s technical ceiling is significantly higher than his rivals. If he attempts — and lands — the quadruple Axel in the free skate, the gold medal could be mathematically secured before the final group even concludes.

2026 Winter Olympics Men’s Figure Skating Schedule

The Men’s Free Skating event is scheduled as follows:

Date: Friday, February 13, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET (USA)
Final Group: 3:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Milano Ice Skating Arena

For Indian viewers, the event airs late evening IST depending on session timing.

This final segment determines the Olympic champion and often produces record-breaking total scores.

How to Watch 2026 Winter Olympics Men’s Figure Skating in India

For Indian fans searching for “2026 winter olympics men’s figure skating India”, here’s everything you need to know:

TV Broadcast: Sports18 (Viacom18 Network)
Live Streaming: JioCinema / JioHotstar
Official Coverage: Olympics.com (selected events & highlights)

While India does not have a participant in men’s figure skating this year, interest remains high thanks to the global star power of Malinin and Kagiyama.

Milano Cortina 2026: Current Standings

Although India has yet to secure a medal at the 2026 Winter Games, the nation is represented by two determined athletes:

🇮🇳 Stanzin Lundup

Event: Men’s 10km Interval Start Freestyle
Venue: Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium
Focus: Achieving personal best and historic ranking

🇮🇳 Arif Khan

Event: Slalom (February 16)
Aiming to improve on his Beijing performance

Indian winter sports remain in developmental stages, but participation itself is a significant milestone given limited infrastructure and climate challenges.

Technical Breakdown: Why Malinin Is the Favorite

Ilia Malinin’s dominance stems from three pillars:

1️⃣ Quadruple Axel Capability

The quad Axel requires 4.5 rotations in the air — the most difficult jump in figure skating. Malinin is the only athlete to land it successfully in competition.

2️⃣ High Base Value Layout

His jump combinations often include:

Quad Lutz–Triple Toe
Quad Flip
Quad Axel attempt

This creates an enormous technical base score advantage.

3️⃣ Improved Artistry

Earlier criticized for focusing solely on technical elements, Malinin has improved his presentation scores significantly this season.

Japan’s Strategy: Clean Over Crazy

Yuma Kagiyama represents a different philosophy. Instead of maximum difficulty, he focuses on:

Clean execution
Superior edge control
High component scores

If Malinin falters on a quad Axel attempt, Kagiyama is poised to capitalize.

The Evolution of Men’s Figure Skating

The 2026 Winter Olympics men’s figure skating competition symbolizes a turning point in the sport:

Legalized backflips
Increased technical scoring
Younger champions
More athletic programs

The balance between artistry and acrobatics continues to evolve, and Milano Cortina may be remembered as the Games that redefined men’s skating.

Political and Global Attention

The opening sessions attracted high-profile spectators, including US political leaders and international sports officials. Their presence highlights how figure skating remains one of the Winter Olympics’ most globally recognized events.

Medal Predictions

Based on current standings and technical potential:

🥇 Ilia Malinin (USA)
🥈 Yuma Kagiyama (Japan)
🥉 Adam Siao Him Fa (France)

However, free skating is unpredictable. A single fall can swing 10+ points — enough to change medal colors instantly.

Why 2026 Winter Olympics Men’s Figure Skating Matters Globally

This event is more than a medal contest:

It showcases the highest technical standard in skating history.
It expands the sport’s entertainment appeal.
It inspires new markets — including India — to follow winter disciplines.

Search trends in India for “2026 winter olympics men’s figure skating schedule” and related keywords have surged, reflecting growing interest in global winter sports.

Final Word: A Defining Olympic Moment

As the free skate begins, the skating world waits.

Will Ilia Malinin attempt the quadruple Axel?
Can Yuma Kagiyama deliver a flawless masterpiece?
Will Adam Siao Him Fa surprise everyone with an artistic breakthrough?

The 2026 Winter Olympics men’s figure skating final promises history, heartbreak, and brilliance.

For fans in India and worldwide, this is not just another Olympic event — it’s a generational showdown redefining what is possible on ice.

Stay tuned. The blades are ready. The ice is set. History is about to be written in Milano Cortina.