The hallmarks of figure skating — strategy, glamour and a dash of controversy — all come into focus with the team event, which kicks off the sport’s schedule at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 with the men’s short program on Friday.
Squads from 10 nations will contend in Beijing, each competing in short programs in the men’s, women’s and pairs events, plus rhythm dances for the ice dancers.
Winners in each event are awarded 10 points, second place gets nine points, and so on down the line. Results are tallied, and the top five countries qualify for the free skate round. Scores from the short program round carry over. Whoever gets the most points, wins.
With dominance in the women’s event plus strength in the other three disciplines, the Russian Olympic Committee is heavily tipped for gold. At the 2021 World Team Trophy, an event with a similar format held last April in Osaka, Japan, Russian skaters defeated Team USA by 15 points.
“I’m certain Team Russia is going to throw down an amazing performance,” said Nathan Chen, the three-time defending men’s world champ, who is expected to star for Team USA. “World Team Trophy was a pretty good example of that. So, it’s going to be a pretty cool event.”
Asked which of the quadruple jump equipped ROC women here he favored, Chen replied, “All three of them bring so much to the sport. I’m glad I don’t have to compete against them. They are doing spectacular things.”
After winning bronze medals in Sochi and PyeongChang, the first two Winter Games to include the team event, the U.S. should have a solid chance for silver in Beijing but must overcome a strong Japanese team. Here are a few key points:
Not Every Skater Gets To Compete
Team USA brings three men, three women, three ice dance teams and two pair teams to Beijing, but only two single skaters and two teams compete in the team short program and rhythm dance events. Two skaters/teams may be swapped out for the free programs and free dances.
Spots on the team are, naturally, highly coveted. U.S. Figure Skating published a lengthy document explaining its selection process, but it boils down to this: skaters are ranked according to results at the recent U.S. championships, plus international scores over the past few seasons. Top-ranked skaters are given the option of competing in one, or both, segments of the team event, or to opt out entirely.
Participants in the men’s and pairs short programs, and the rhythm dance, will be announced Thursday. Competitors in the women’s short will be announced Friday. On Sunday, skaters chosen for the free skate and free dance events will be announced.
Event Schedules Come Into Play
Athletes selected are those with the best potential for peak performances in the team event, as well as the individual event. So don’t expect Chen to compete both his short program and free skate in the team event. That’s because the men’s individual competition begins Feb. 8, just a day after the team event free skates.
Whatever the schedule, 1984 Olympic champion Scott Hamilton thinks competing in the team event could help skaters with their individual contests.
“When I competed my Olympic short, my adrenaline was through the roof,” Hamilton said. “I was a mess. The team event takes a little of that away. It’s kind of a dress rehearsal. If I had gotten to do a short program in the team event, it would have been a lot easier.”
Two of Team USA’s three men in Beijing own team bronze medals, with Chen earning his in PyeongChang and Jason Brown in Sochi. Vincent Zhou competed individually in PyeongChang, placing sixth, but was not chosen for the team event.
“We all train for any situation,” Brown said. “One of the coolest things about the Olympics is, we all know what the schedule is way, way in advance, so it’s something we are able to train (for) and that’s something that I’ve definitely done with my coaches. So, if I am called on to take part, I’m ready, but I also know that any of us are competent in that situation.”