2026 Winter Olympics: Malinin & US Women's Hockey Updates

Team USA is poised for a busy Friday at the 2026 Winter Olympics, with medal contenders set to compete in figure skating, women’s hockey, snowboarding, and more. The day’s events offer several opportunities for the U.S. To add to its medal count, building on successes already achieved.

Figure Skating Spotlight: Ilia Malinin

All eyes will be on Ilia Malinin as he competes in the Men’s Free Skate. Malinin already secured a gold medal as part of Team USA’s team figure skating victory. He delivered an exceptional short program on Tuesday, landing his signature backflip and achieving a score of 108.16 – more than five points ahead of the next competitor.

Did You Know? Ilia Malinin’s strong performance in the short program positions him to potentially secure the second consecutive Olympic victory for the U.S. In men’s singles figure skating.

The question for Friday is whether Malinin will attempt the quad Axel, a jump he did not include in his short program. A successful performance in the free skate could add another gold medal to his collection.

Women’s Hockey Quarterfinal: USA vs. Italy

The U.S. Women’s hockey team will face Italy in the quarterfinals at 3:30 p.m. ET. The Americans dominated the preliminary round, outscoring their opponents by a combined total of 20-1. They are considered heavy favorites against the host nation.

Expert Insight: The U.S. Women’s hockey team’s dominant performance in the preliminary round demonstrates their strong position as contenders for a gold medal, and the quarterfinal match against Italy represents a crucial step toward that goal.

Caroline Harvey has six points in the last two games, while Hilary Knight is just one goal away from breaking multiple U.S. Olympic records.

Additional Events

Beyond figure skating and hockey, Team USA will also be competing in other events. Four American athletes will participate in the women’s snowboard cross event, beginning with seeding runs at 4 a.m. ET. In the men’s halfpipe final, 17-year-old Alessandro Barbieri will compete for a gold medal after finishing fourth in Wednesday’s qualifying round.

2026 Olympics Schedule – Friday, Feb. 13

Notable sports, team competitions and medal events | All times Eastern

Cross-Country Skiing: Men’s 10 km Interval Start Free* — 5:45 a.m.
Snowboarding: Women’s Cross Final* — 7:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Biathlon: Men’s 10 km Sprint* — 8 a.m.
Speed Skating: Men’s 10,000m* — 10 a.m.
Figure Skating: Men’s Free Skate* — 1 p.m. – 5:10 p.m.
Snowboarding: Men’s Halfpipe Final* — 1:30 p.m.
Women’s Ice Hockey: Quarterfinal — Team USA vs. Italy — 3:10 p.m.

*Denotes medal event

Frequently Asked Questions

What events are Team USA focusing on today?

Team USA is focusing on figure skating, women’s hockey, and snowboarding, with key events including the Men’s Free Skate, the Women’s Hockey Quarterfinal against Italy, and the Women’s Snowboard Cross Final.

How did Ilia Malinin perform in the short program?

Ilia Malinin performed exceptionally well in the short program, landing his signature backflip and scoring 108.16, which was more than five points higher than the next skater.

What is the status of the U.S. Women’s hockey team?

The U.S. Women’s hockey team dominated the preliminary round, outscoring opponents 20-1, and are considered heavy favorites in their quarterfinal match against Italy.

As Team USA continues its pursuit of medals, what impact do you think these early successes will have on the team’s overall momentum throughout the remainder of the games?

2026 Winter Olympics: Malinin & US Women’s Hockey Updates