73 Days Until The Winter Olympics: Team USA Figure Skating Qualifies Five Entries For Grand Prix

In a powerful conclusion to the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating season, Team USA delivered a statement performance at the 2025 Finlandia Trophy, capturing four medals and cementing their status as a dominant force on the ice. The event, held in Helsinki this past weekend, was the final opportunity for skaters to earn their spot in the prestigious Grand Prix Final, and the Americans rose to the occasion with a blend of grit, grace, and pure emotion.

The strong showing in Finland officially qualified five U.S. entries for the upcoming Grand Prix Final in Nagoya, Japan, December 4 to 7, on the way to the ultimate goal of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.  

Team USA’s Glenn and Zingas & Kolesnik Qualify For Japan

Amber Glenn, the reigning U.S. champion for Team USA, arrived in Helsinki with high expectations and left with a silver medal and a ticket to defend her Grand Prix Final title. With a total score of 213.41, Glenn secured her fifth consecutive Grand Prix medal.

In the ice dance competition, the crowd witnessed the continued ascent of Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik. Their flawless and timeless free dance to the music of “Romeo and Juliet” was a highlight of the event. The duo, who are the reigning U.S. pewter medalists, earned a score of 117.51 for their performance, securing a total of 196.02 points. This bronze medal, their second of the Grand Prix season, was enough to clinch their first-ever trip to the Grand Prix Final. 

U.S. Pairs Shine with Double Podium Finish

The pairs discipline was a showcase of Team USA strength, with two U.S. teams landing on the podium. Reigning U.S. champions Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov captured the silver medal with a moving tribute to the legendary love story of former skaters Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov. Their performance to ”Where Do I Begin (Love Story)” was nearly flawless, earning a free skate score of 135.30. It was a breakthrough moment for the pair, who surpassed the 200-point mark for the first time internationally with a total score of 205.49.

Joining them on the podium were Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea, who took home the bronze. The Colorado Springs-based team continued their impressive medal streak, winning their fourth consecutive Grand Prix Series medal. Their Level 4 Axel lasso lift was the highest-scoring lift of the entire competition, a dazzling display of power and precision. Their consistent results have positioned them as the second alternates for the Grand Prix Final.

Strong Finishes from U.S. Veterans

The U.S. team’s success wasn’t limited to the medalists. Veteran Bradie Tennell, a two-time U.S. champion and 2018 Olympian, continued her inspiring comeback with a solid fourth-place finish. After battling through injuries, Tennell’s performance proves she remains a formidable competitor on the world stage.

In the men’s event, two-time Olympian Jason Brown finished fifth, marking the 16th top-six Grand Prix finish of his storied career. Despite a fall on his Triple Axel, his artistry shone through, earning the second-highest component scores of the competition.

With the Grand Prix series now complete, all eyes turn to Nagoya, Japan, for the Grand Prix Final from December 4-7, where Team USA looks to continue its phenomenal season.

Team USA Qualifyers for the Grand Prix Final in Nagoya, Japan:

• Amber Glenn
• Alysa Liu
• Ilia Malinin
• Madison Chock and Evan Bates
• Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik