Stephen Gogolev 10th after Olympic short program as Ilia Malinin seizes early lead
Stephen Gogolev opened his individual campaign at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games with an 87. 41 in the men’s short program on Tuesday (ET), placing 10th heading into the decisive free skate on Friday (ET). The 21-year-old Canadian remains within striking distance of the top group, but will need a clean, high-difficulty free skate to climb the standings.
Gogolev puts down 87. 41 to stay in contention
Gogolev’s 87. 41 positions him 10th after the short, giving him room to attack in the free skate. The Canadian delivered a competitive technical base and components that kept him in the mix, but the gap to the podium places is significant and will require a standout second segment to close.
Malinin sets blistering pace; Kagiyama and Siao Him Fa round out top three
Ilia Malinin delivered the performance of the day, earning 108. 16 to take a commanding lead into the free skate. The two-time reigning world champion, known for his quad arsenal, heads a tightly contested chase pack led by Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama with 103. 07 and France’s Adam Siao Him Fa with 102. 55. With those three breaking the 100-point barrier, the medal race will hinge on whether the leaders can repeat their precision under Friday night pressure.
Medals to be decided in Friday’s free skate
The men’s competition concludes Friday (ET) with the free program, where point swings can be dramatic given the added technical difficulty. For Gogolev, maximizing grade of execution on planned quads and maintaining clean program components will be critical to moving up. Any errors from the leaders could open doors for athletes in the second flight to make a late charge.
Team Canada sits fifth in figure skating team event
Elsewhere in Milan, Team Canada wrapped the opening day of the figure skating team event in fifth place after the rhythm dance, pairs short program, and women’s short program. With 19 points, Canada is within one point of Georgia and three of third-place Italy, while the United States and Japan occupy the top two positions. The top five after the opening phase advance to the final segment, keeping Canada in the thick of the qualification fight.
Gilles and Poirier spark with season-best rhythm dance
Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier delivered a season-best 85. 79 in the rhythm dance to place fourth, less than a point off third. Skating to a playful mix of RuPaul’s “Supermodel (You Better Work)” and Right Said Fred’s “I’m Too Sexy, ” the duo set an energetic tone for Canada. The four-time world championship medallists, competing at their third straight Games, emphasized consistency and connection, using their trademark performance quality to anchor a strong team start.
Pereira and Michaud steady in pairs amid late lineup change
In the pairs short program, Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud scored 68. 24 for fourth, a composed effort given a late shift to the short program role. Slight reductions on elements such as the triple twist and side-by-side spins kept them just shy of their season best, but the outing helped stabilize Canada’s point total after a disrupted lead-up. With the team event balanced on narrow margins, their skate kept the Canadians positioned to push for a spot in the final phase.
With the men’s free skate looming on Friday (ET), Gogolev’s path to a higher finish is straightforward but demanding: cleanly land the biggest jumps, sharpen transitions, and capitalize on every component mark. After a promising first day in the team competition and an eye-catching rhythm dance from Gilles and Poirier, Canada’s momentum on the ice continues to build as the Games hit their stride.
