MILAN, Italy — On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the international figure skating community turned its eyes to the ice dance competition at the Winter Olympics, where American breakout stars Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik continued their meteoric rise on the world stage.
Zingas, 23, and partner Kolesnik entered the free dance segment in 6th place following a captivating rhythm dance that solidified their status as the “future of U.S. ice dancing.” The duo is scheduled to skate 15th overall today, performing to the dramatic score of Sergei Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet.”
A Historic Breakthrough Season
The 2025-2026 season has been nothing short of historic for the Michigan native. Just weeks before arriving in Milan, Zingas and Kolesnik captured the gold medal at the 2026 ISU Four Continents Championships. Their victory led a dominant American podium sweep, the first for the United States in that event in 21 years.
In addition to their international success, the pair secured the silver medal at the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January, finishing only behind veteran champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates with a total score of 213.65 points.
From Singles Skating to Olympic Ice Dance
Emilea Zingas’s journey to the Olympic podium is considered one of the most unique trajectories in the sport. Born April 22, 2002, in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, Zingas originally competed as a singles skater. Representing Cyprus, she competed at the 2021 World Championships before making the bold transition to ice dance in 2022.
Teaming up with Vadym Kolesnik—a former World Junior Champion—Zingas successfully transitioned her technical skills into the dance discipline in less than four years. “Zingas and Kolesnik are rare Olympic debutants in a sea of veteran ice dancers,” noted Olympic analysts, highlighting their “vibrant personality” and “strong skating skills” as key factors in their rapid ascent.
What’s Next for Team USA
As the free dance concludes today, Zingas and Kolesnik are positioned to secure a top-tier finish, a remarkable feat for a pair in their first Olympic appearance. Their performance to “Romeo and Juliet” is expected to showcase the technical precision and emotional chemistry that has made them a fan favorite this season.
With their 2026 Four Continents title and impressive Olympic debut, Zingas and Kolesnik have firmly established themselves as the leaders of the next generation of American figure skating excellence.