The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics reached a fever pitch today, 15 February 2026, as the Pairs Figure Skating competition officially commenced at the Milano Ice Skating Arena in Assago. With the short program underway, the world’s elite duos are battling for position ahead of tomorrow’s decisive free skate.
Competition Status: Short Program Underway
As of Sunday afternoon, the first segment of the pairs event is being broadcast live across Canada on CBC and CBC Gem. The competition features 19 qualified pairs, with the short program serving as the critical qualifier for Monday’s medal-deciding free skate. Reigning World and Grand Prix Final champions Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi of Japan entered the ice as heavy favourites, seeking their nation’s first-ever Olympic gold in the pairs discipline.
The American contingent, led by Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea, is looking to break a nearly 40-year medal drought for the United States in this category. Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Milan remains electric following a series of upsets in the singles events earlier this week, including a shocking fall by men’s favourite Ilia Malinin.
Team Canada Update
Canada enters the individual pairs event looking for redemption after a fifth-place finish in the Figure Skating Team Event earlier this week. While the United States secured gold and Japan took silver in the team category, the Canadian pairs are now focused on individual technical execution. The Canadian pairs roster continues the nation’s long-standing tradition of excellence, following the “long-term partnership” model famously exemplified by legends Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir.
Technical Requirements & Scoring
Under the current ISU judging system, pairs must perform a series of highly technical required elements in their short program, including:
- Twist Lifts: Where the male skater throws the female skater into the air, she rotates, and he catches her.
- Throw Jumps: Assisted jumps where the partner provides momentum for the flight.
- Death Spirals: A signature move where the lady circles the man in a low horizontal position.
- Side-by-Side Jumps: Requiring perfect unison in rotation and landing.
How to Watch: Schedule for Canadians
Fans in Canada can follow the remainder of the pairs competition through the following schedule (all times in ET):
| Date | Event | Broadcast / Stream |
|---|---|---|
| 15 February 2026 | Pairs Short Program | CBC, CBC Gem, TOU.TV |
| 16 February 2026 | Pairs Free Skate (Medal Event) | CBC, CBC Gem, TOU.TV |
The competition concludes tomorrow, 16 February, with the Free Skate, where the first pairs medals of the 2026 Games will be awarded.