Here's the Entire 2018 Winter Olympics Figure Skating Schedule
We're calling it: Figure skating is about to reach a fever pitch in the United States in approximately T-minus 23 days. The 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang could introduce the world to the next Kristi Yamaguchi, Michelle Kwan, or Nancy Kerrigan, and you won't want to miss it.
NBC has already revealed the competition schedule for the entire games, and a lot's about to go down almost every day for nearly two weeks. First up, let's get a refresher if you haven't heard the word "triple axel" since Sochi.
Figure skating is divided into four disciplines: ladies' singles, men's singles, pairs, and ice dance. Each of the singles competitions includes a short program and a free skate with all of those breathtaking jumps and spins. The pairs competition also combines two parts, but men and women work together to achieve gravity-defying stunts like overhead lifts, throw jumps, and death spirals.
Ice dancing measures another set of skills, asking partners to perform intricate steps on ice in time to music. This occurs in two rounds: short dance and free dance.
The team event - introduced in 2014 - combines the four disciplines into one, kind of like gymnastics. Six athletes from each of the 10 qualifying countries will skate their hardest in their respective event. Based on each individual's rankings, teams will earn an assigned number of points toward a collective core.
How to Watch or Stream the Olympics
Skating fans can watch all of the competition live each night during on NBC or on NBCOlympics.com and the free NBC Sports app. While competitors will rise and shine quite early to compete at 10 a.m. Korean Standard Time, viewers halfway around the world can catch everything in primetime. All scheduled times listed below are Eastern Time.
Thursday, February 8
8 p.m.: Team Event: Men's Short Programs
9:45 p.m. Team Event: Pairs' Short Programs
U.S. Figure Skating will decide whether Adam Rippon, Nathan Chen, or Vincent Zhou will skate on behalf of the national team. Married couple Alexa Scimeca-Knierim and Chris Knierim are the only pair skaters representing Team USA at the Olympics this year.
Sunday, February 11
8 p.m.: Team Event: Short Dance
9:45 p.m.: Team Event: Ladies' Short Program
11:40 p.m.: Team Event: Pairs' Free Skate
"You want to do the best that you can because this is another shot at a medal," figure skater Gracie Gold told reporters during the team event's debut in Sochi.
Monday, February 12 - Medals Awarded
8 p.m.: Team Event: Men's Free Skate
9:45 p.m.: Team Event: Ladies' Free Skate
11:40 p.m.: Team Event: Free Dance
Following three days of competition, three lucky teams will receive gold, silver, and bronze.
Wednesday, February 14
8 p.m.: Pairs' Short Program
The United States' pairs team is no stranger to setbacks: After Knierim broke his leg in 2014, Scimeca-Knierim suffered a life-threatening illness this summer that required three surgeries. Despite that, they're one of three couples in the world currently performing a quad lift twist.
Thursday, February 15 - Medals Awarded
8 p.m.: Pairs' Free Skate
It's the first time since 1924 that the U.S. won't have multiple pairs competing at the Olympics, minimizing the country's chances at making the podium.
Friday, February 16
8 p.m.: Men's Short Program
Adam Rippon made U.S. Winter Olympic history by becoming the first openly gay man to qualify for the games. He's also one of the oldest men competing, and his signature move is called the "Rippon Lutz."
Saturday, February 17 - Medals Awarded
8 p.m.: Men's Free Skate
The first skater in history to land five different quadruple jumps in a single program, American Nathan Chen is the odds-on favorite to win gold this year.
Monday, February 19
8 p.m.: Ice Dance Short Dance
After an Olympic debut in 1976, ice dancing's ballroom-inspired routines have caught on fast. Dancers don't perform throws and jumps because they usually maintain contact the entire time.
Tuesday, February 20 - Medals Awarded
8 p.m.: Ice Dance Free Dance
Siblings Maia and Alex Shibutani (a.k.a. the "Shib Sibs") are favored to secure the bronze for Team USA, adding to their collection of three world championship medals.
Wednesday, February 21
8 p.m.: Ladies' Short Program
Don't miss the "quiet assassin." At just 18, American Karen Chen (no relation to Nathan Chen) says shes "not scared to attack" whatever she does, including this year's games.
Thursday, February 22 - Medals Awarded
8 p.m.: Ladies' Free Skate
Out of the three American women competing, 19-year-old breakthrough Bradie Tennell has the jumping power to earn the most points. That said, Russian, Japanese, and Italian skaters are posed to finish higher, with Canadian Kaetlyn Osmond the current favorite to get the top spot.
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