Reigning World Champions Headline Skate America Ahead of 2026 Olympics

This weekend, the figure skating world turns its attention to Lake Placid, New York, as the Saatva Skate America event takes place. Considered a key stop on the road to the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, Skate America features a star-studded lineup of reigning world champions.

In the women's singles, Alysa Liu will look to become the first American woman to win Skate America since 2016. Liu, who last season ended a two-year retirement and then became the first U.S. woman to win a world title in 19 years, is aiming to continue her dominance.

The ice dance competition features a highly anticipated matchup between Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who are seeking their fifth Skate America title, which would tie the record held by Tanith White and Ben Agosto. In pairs, Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, the reigning world champions, will also be in action.

With the 2026 Olympics on the horizon, Skate America serves as a crucial qualifier event, with skaters' results over the six-event Grand Prix Series determining the six qualifiers per discipline for the Grand Prix Final in December. This weekend's competition is sure to provide a glimpse of the talent that will be on display in Milan Cortina two years from now.