Alisa Efimova delivered a dazzling short program at the U.S. Championships, but her Olympic dream hinges on a government stamp of approval.
At a Glance
- Alisa Efimova scored a season-best 75.31 points with partner Misha Mitrofanov
- She needs a citizenship waiver to make the U.S. Olympic team
- The final roster will be announced Sunday
- Why it matters: A last-minute waiver could determine America’s top pairs team for the Winter Games
A Performance in Limbo
Efimova, born in Finland, stepped off the ice sporting an American flag patch after Wednesday’s skate. Her triple twist and throw loop were flawless, yet her passport status remains the final obstacle.
Mitrofanov explained:
> “We’re hoping maybe a last-minute miracle might happen.”
Timeline of Events
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Green card approved | July 2024 |
| Marriage to Mitrofanov | February 2024 |
| Citizenship waiver requested | Pending |
| Roster deadline | This Sunday |
Pressure on the Ice
While rivals stumbled-Ellie Kam fell on triple salchows and Emily Chan crashed twice-Efimova held her composure. She has previously competed for Finland, Russia, and Germany, but now trains at the Skating Club of Boston.
Efimova reflected:
> “I think what I’m happy about is we were still able to skate well.”
Key Takeaways
- Efimova needs a three-year waiting-period waiver to naturalize quickly
- U.S. Figure Skating wants its top pairs team at the Games
- The couple leads second-place Shin/Nagy by almost 8 points
The fate of America’s strongest pairs hopefuls now rests with a bureaucratic decision due within days.
