Emilea Zingas and Team USA Shine at the 2026 Winter Olympics
MILAN – The ice is set, and the competition is fierce as three Team USA ice dancing couples have qualified for the free dance at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Among the rising stars making their Olympic debut are Emilea Zingas and her partner, Vadym Kolesnik, captivating audiences with their skill and artistry.
Zingas and Kolesnik: A Promising Partnership
Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik finished a strong sixth after the rhythm dance on Monday, demonstrating their potential on the world stage. Their performance, set to the timeless classic “Romeo and Juliet” by Sergei Prokofiev, showcased their connection and technical prowess. The pair recently won the 2026 ISU Four Continents Championships in January, building momentum that they’ve carried into the Olympic Games.
Kolesnik expressed a remarkable calmness despite the Olympic pressure. “I know it’s an Olympic stage and for many people, this is the moment of their lives,” he said. “I just thought of it as a test run for our next eight years, because this is just the beginning for us and we’re going to reach higher goals. So, I wanted to have a good experience, and I couldn’t ask for more.”. They surpassed their previous personal international best in the rhythm dance by three points, achieving a score of 83.53.
Strong Showing from Team USA
Joining Zingas and Kolesnik are Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, who finished 11th, and Team USA’s top couple, Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who are considered gold-medal favorites after securing second place in the rhythm dance. Carreira and Ponomarenko achieved a season-best score of 197.62 in their free dance, performing to a powerful medley including “Deceit and Betrayal” by Audiomachine.
The possibility of multiple American ice dance pairs medaling is a historic one. Never before have two U.S. teams stood on the podium together in ice dance. While three American pairs finished in the top 10 at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, and three pairings finished in the top 11 at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, a double podium finish would be a groundbreaking achievement.
Looking Ahead to the Free Dance
The free dance promises to be a thrilling showcase of athleticism and artistry. Zingas and Kolesnik are scheduled to skate 15th overall. The competition is expected to be intense, with all three American teams aiming to deliver their best performances.
Stay tuned for updates throughout the night as the free dance unfolds and Team USA continues its pursuit of Olympic glory. For more in-depth coverage, visit USA Today.
This story will be updated with results as they become available.
