Zingas and Kolesnik Lead U.S. Sweep In Rhythm Dance At Four Continents — Final Tune‑Up Ahead Of Milan‑Cortina

Olympic ice dancers Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik topped the rhythm dance and spearheaded an American sweep of that segment at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships on Thursday in Beijing.

The newly crowned U.S. silver medalists scored 79.97 points for their rhythm dance, narrowly edging Caroline Parsons and Michael Brown, who posted 78.66. Siblings Oona Brown and Gage Brown finished third with 74.24.

Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik skates during the "Making Team USA" performance at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Using Four Continents As A Final Tune‑Up

Although few Olympic-bound skaters normally compete at Four Continents in an Olympic year, Zingas and Kolesnik are taking advantage of this final international assignment to fine‑tune both programs before the Milan‑Cortina Games begin in just under two weeks.

According to U.S. Figure Skating entries, Green and Parsons are listed as first alternates for the U.S. Olympic team for Italy, with the Brown siblings serving as third alternates.

Sui Wenjing and Han Cong, of China, compete in the Pairs Short Program at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, in Beijing, China, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Pairs: Citizenship Issue Hampers U.S. Hopes

Two‑time reigning U.S. pairs champions Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov were third after the short program at the National Indoor Stadium — the same venue that hosted Olympic ice hockey during the 2022 Beijing Games. Efimova had hoped to obtain American citizenship in time to compete for the U.S. in Milan, but the Finnish skater's passport did not arrive before the eligibility deadline. Olympic rules require athletes to be citizens of the country they represent.

The Chinese pair Sui Wenjing and Han Cong — heavy favorites to defend their Olympic pairs gold in Milan — led the pairs short with 76.02 points. Japan's Yuna Nagaoka and Sumitada Moriguchi were second with 71.95, while Efimova and Mitrofanov posted 71.85.

Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, of United States compete in the Pairs Short Program at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, in Beijing, China, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Women's Short: Japan Dominates

Japan swept the top three spots in the women's short program. Ami Nakai led with 73.83 points, followed by Yuna Aoki (71.41) and Mone Chiba (68.07). All three are slated to represent Japan at the Milan‑Cortina Games.

The depth of Japan's squad — along with competitors such as Russia's Adeliia Petrosian — is expected to present the stiffest challenge to the U.S. women's team of Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito, none of whom are competing at Four Continents this week.

Ami Nakai, of Japan performs during the Women's Short Program at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Beijing, China, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Sarah Everhardt was the highest‑placed American in the women's short on Thursday in fifth. Bradie Tennell and Starr Andrews were seventh and eighth, respectively.

Schedule And What’s Next

Four Continents continues Friday with the free dance and the women's free skate. The men's short program and the pairs free skate are scheduled for Saturday, and the event concludes Sunday with the men's free skate.