> At a Glance
> – Andrew Torgashev eyes one of three U.S. Olympic figure-skating spots this weekend
> – Final qualifier runs in Milano Cortina, less than a month before the 2026 Games
> – Fifth after Wednesday’s short program, he skates free skate Saturday night
> – Why it matters: Sunday’s announcement decides who represents Team USA on the Olympic stage
Andrew Torgashev’s 20-year journey from toddler on ice to Olympic hopeful reaches its climax this weekend as the Irvine-based skater battles for a coveted Team USA berth.
The Road to Milano Cortina
Born to former Soviet skating stars, Torgashev, 24, began skating in Florida before relocating to Colorado Springs and finally Orange County. He now trains at Great Park Ice under Rafael Arutyunyan, the coach who guided Nathan Chen to 2022 Olympic gold.
> “Out of the whole world, Raf was the only person that I could go to to develop my skating even further,” Torgashev said.
Emotion on Ice
Known for expressive programs, Torgashev says performance fuels his competitive fire.
- Pours feeling into every routine
- Values vulnerability as a strength
- Strives for peak delivery each skate
> “I put my emotions into my skating,” he explained. “Every program, I try to perform to the best of my ability.”
What’s Next
Torgashev sits fifth after Wednesday’s short program and will unveil his free skate Saturday night. Officials will reveal the three-member U.S. Olympic team Sunday.
> “The idea of representing the United States at the Olympics is crazy,” he said. “If I can achieve that, and I’m doing everything in my power to achieve that, that would be goal complete for me.”
Key Takeaways
- Final qualifying event decides Team USA figure-skating lineup
- Rafael Arutyunyan coaches Torgashev at Great Park Ice
- Sunday announcement finalizes 2026 Olympic roster
- Torgashev aims to turn two decades of skating into an Olympic debut
