Six days after their significant contributions led Team USA to a hard-fought gold medal in the figure skating team event at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, O’Shea and her partner Kam returned to the Milano Ice Skating Arena to showcase a season’s best performance. The duo scored 71.87 points, finishing seventh in the individual pairs short program, while their teammates landed in the top ten as well, with a score of 70.06 placing them ninth.
Expressing a mix of pride and disappointment, O’Shea remarked, “I’m a little disappointed in myself. I left some points out there with some levels that I normally don’t do.” Despite this, she acknowledged the progress made during their performance, noting the absence of significant mistakes and their achievement of a season-best score. The Colorado Springs-based skaters, who previously secured silver at the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, captivated the audience with a beautifully choreographed routine to k.d. lang’s rendition of “Hallelujah.” They began with a Level 4 triple twist, followed by side-by-side triple Salchows and a throw triple loop, though Kam had a minor slip on the landing.
The highlight was an impressive Axel lasso lift, which garnered them a program-high of 8.86 points. “I would like to think that we have some of the best lifts in the entire world,” O’Shea noted. “Lifts are often like the quads of pairs skating; you earn significant points for executing them well.”
At just 21, Kam is the youngest U.S. Olympic pairs skater since 2014, while O’Shea, at 35, is the oldest U.S. Olympic pairs skater since 1932, marking a remarkable milestone in their representation. The pair teamed up in September 2022, despite O’Shea having a previous title with Tarah Kayne in 2016 and Kam’s limited experience in pairs skating. Their collaboration rapidly transformed them into one of the nation’s top teams, playing a vital role in securing two pairs entries for the Olympics and three spots for the upcoming 2026 World Championships.
If the short program standings remain as they are, the United States will witness two teams finishing in the top ten for the second consecutive Olympic Winter Games. “I’m so proud of what pairs in the U.S. have been doing,” O’Shea expressed. “At the last Olympics, Alexa [Knierim] and Brandon [Frazier] did great and they opened doors for us.”
In their Olympic debut, Chan and Howe performed a polished short program to “Nyah” by CH2, successfully executing side-by-side triple toe loops and demonstrating high-level elements, earning a commendable 70.06 points. Chan shared their relief at finally performing together, capturing their connection both physically and mentally throughout their routine.
After a challenging two-week wait since arriving in Milan, which tested their patience, this season marked a turning point for Chan and Howe, as they have successfully managed to remain healthy and avoid serious injuries, allowing them to fully concentrate on their training.
The pairs free skate is set to take place on Monday at 2 p.m. ET, with great anticipation from Team USA fans. As the Olympic Winter Games progress, these athletes embody resilience and dedication, inspiring not only their teammates but also aspiring skaters across the nation.