Get ready for an action-packed Day 7 of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy! Today, we're witnessing history in the making as Team USA aims to dominate the medal count.
The Golden Quest: Ilia Malinin's Journey to Glory
Figure skating sensation Ilia Malinin is on a mission to claim his second gold medal of the Games. After an exceptional short program performance, Malinin is poised to make history once again. But here's where it gets controversial: will he attempt the elusive quad Axel, a move that could seal his victory?
Malinin's signature backflip, a skill rarely seen in elite competition, has captivated audiences and raised questions. Is he the only skater with this unique ability? While not entirely unique, Malinin's backflip is a historic feat, as it was last performed legally in 1976. Since then, the International Skating Union prohibited somersault-type jumps, until recently.
The Quad God's Legacy
Ilia Malinin, known as the Quad God, is set to write his name in the annals of U.S. figure skating history. With a commanding five-point lead after the short program, Malinin's free skate performance could be a defining moment. His ability to execute quadruple jumps, including the rare quadruple axel, sets him apart from the rest. But will he attempt all seven quads in his routine?
Malinin's free skate performance begins at 1 p.m. ET, and as the leader, he will be the final skater to take the ice. With a score of 108.16 from the short program, he holds a significant advantage over the rest of the field.
Team USA's Medal Hunt
Beyond figure skating, Team USA is looking to make waves in other events. The U.S. women's hockey team, fresh off their dominant preliminary round performances, takes on Italy in the quarterfinals. With stars like Caroline Harvey and Hilary Knight, the Americans are heavy favorites to advance.
In snowboarding, Team USA has four athletes competing in the women's snowboard cross event, and 17-year-old Alessandro Barbieri is aiming for gold in the men's halfpipe finals.
Keep an eye on these athletes and their journeys as they strive for Olympic glory.
And this is the part most people miss: the schedule! Here's a rundown of the key events and medal ceremonies for Friday, February 13th:
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
Stay tuned for live updates and the latest results as Team USA strives to boost its medal count.
And don't forget the ongoing controversy surrounding the ice dance scoring. The American duo of Evan Bates and Madison Chock took silver, but Chock called for more transparency after a French judge's score raised eyebrows. The International Skating Union has defended the judging process, but the debate continues.
What do you think? Should there be more transparency in Olympic judging? Let us know in the comments!
