<p>Figure skating at <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/olympics/winter-olympics-2026">Milano Cortina 2026</a> features five medal events across men's singles, women's singles, pairs, ice dance, and a team event, all held at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.</p> <p>Competitions take place from February 6 to 19 (local time). The following are key dates:</p> <ul> <li>Team Event (Feb 6-8)</li> <li>Ice Dance (Feb 9/11)</li> <li>Men (Feb 10/13)</li> <li>Pairs (Feb 15/16)</li> <li>Women (Feb 17/19)</li> <li>Exhibition Gala (Feb 21)</li> </ul> <h2>Milano - Cortina Olympic Figure Skating Betting Preview</h2> <p>Each discipline uses a short program/rhythm dance (first phase, required elements), followed by a free skate/dance (creative freedom). Judging combines technical score (elements) and program components (artistry and transitions); top scorers advance to the finals.</p> <p>The team competition sees each nation selecting one skater/pair per discipline for short/free programs across all four categories. The scores are combined to determine team medals, rewarding depth and consistency.</p> <p>In these events, it’s important to look out for the following:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Men's singles and women's singles</strong>: Individual skaters perform a short program (prescribed elements) followed by a free skate, emphasising jumps, spins, step sequences, and routines to music.</li> <li><strong>Pairs</strong>: A man and woman execute lifts, throw jumps, death spirals, spins, and synchronised steps, with short and free programs testing power and harmony.</li> <li><strong>Ice dance</strong>: Focuses on rhythm and musical interpretation with rhythm dance and free dance; no jumps or overhead lifts, prioritising footwork and holds.</li> </ul> <h2>Milano - Cortina Olympic Figure Skating Betting Predictions</h2> <p><strong>Ilia Malinin</strong> is the reigning world champion in men’s singles and has dominated recent Grand Prix events, and is described as one of the strongest gold‑medal favourites of the entire Games due to his status of being unbeaten over the last two seasons. We predict he will be the likely winner.</p> <p>In the women’s singles, <strong>Alysa Liu</strong> is the reigning women’s world champion and Grand Prix Final winner, and is considered a strong favourite to claim the gold medal in Milano Cortina. This year’s event will mark her comeback, having initially retired at 16. Still only 20, we think there will be value in her being the gold medal winner, despite finishing 6th at the 2022 Winter Olympics.</p> <p>In pairs, <strong>Riku Miura</strong> and <strong>Ryuichi Kihara</strong> are the reigning world champions and have finished first or second at the last four worlds, signalling both peak quality and consistency heading into the 2026 Winter Olympics. They look unbeatable in this discipline, and despite likely being a short-priced favourite, it’s hard to look beyond this pairing becoming Japan’s first in this discipline.</p> <p>In ice dance, <strong>Madison Chock</strong> and <strong>Evan Bates</strong> have completed a historic three‑peat of world titles, and are explicitly described as gold‑medal favourites for Milano Cortina, having recently captured their seventh U.S. championship, setting the record for most in ice dance. With this general consensus, our prediction is that they will likely win this event.</p>