Germany’s Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin delivered a stunning short program performance at the Olympics, securing their top spot with a personal best score of 80.01 points for their routine to “El Abrazo” by Maxime Rodriguez. Their controlled artistry set them significantly ahead of their competitors, showcasing their potential as strong contenders for the gold medal.
In second place, Georgia’s Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava maintained their momentum from a successful season, despite an appearance that was slightly less confident than previous outings. They earned 75.46 points, demonstrating their powerful skating and speed, and continue to solidify their position as serious medal hopefuls following their recent European title win.
Canadian champions Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud made an emotional statement with their performance to “Say You Love Me” by Jessie Ware, which garnered them a personal best score, landing them in third place. Their achievement signifies a remarkable journey for the duo, who have been skating together since 2022. Pereira remarked on their desire to excel, highlighting the fulfillment they felt in achieving their goals on Olympic ice.
Hungarians Maria Pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko debuted strongly in fourth place with a clean and spirited program to “Without You.” The 2026 European bronze medalists, known for their resilience, are still in contention, with only a slim margin separating them from the medal positions.
Rounding out the top five were Japan’s Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, who faced unexpected challenges with a lift error during their routine to “Paint It, Black.” Despite this setback, their overall power and skating skills hinted at their potential to reclaim their status in the upcoming free skate.
In a heartening story, Deanna Stellato-Dudek, at 42 years old, marked her Olympic return after a 16-year hiatus. Skating alongside 2024 world champion Maxime Deschamps, they managed to compete against the odds after last-minute injuries threatened their participation. Although a stumble towards the end of their routine placed them in 14th with a score of 66.04 points, their experience and joy in performing were celebrated as a significant achievement in their journey.
The Olympic events are set to continue, promising more thrilling performances and remarkable stories from the athletes as they vie for medals.