Emotional Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov capture second straight U.S. pairs title
Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov have made history by capturing back-to-back national titles at the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships held in St. Louis, Missouri. This accomplishment not only solidified their prowess as a formidable pairs team but also marked them as the first American pair to claim consecutive national titles in over a decade, a feat last achieved by Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir in 2013-14.
Soy holding onto their short program lead, the duo emerged victorious with a scoring total of 207.71. The atmosphere inside the Enterprise Center was electric as they took to the ice last on Friday night, securing a commanding 10-point lead over the silver medalists, Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea, who finished with a score of 197.12 after making a leap from third place.
“This is very hard to believe,” a radiant Efimova expressed to the elated crowd. “It’s hard to believe how far we’ve gotten in just three years.” Their journey, characterized by resilience and passion, has resonated deeply with fans and showcased the strength of American figure skating on the world stage.
However, despite their recent triumph, uncertainty looms as the duo’s Olympic eligibility for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 remains in question. As of Friday, Efimova was still awaiting confirmation of her U.S. citizenship from the government, which is crucial for her participation in the Olympics. With the U.S. Olympic Committee set to name two pairs to the Olympic team on Sunday, January 11, all eyes will be on this developing situation.
Katie McBeath and Daniil Parkman will leave with bronze medals, having scored 187.45. Meanwhile, the competition considered a thrilling jump saw Emily Chan and Spencer Howe rise from eighth to fourth with a tally of 186.52, while Audrey Shin and Balazs Nagy rounded out the top five with 185.10.
The unveiling of these results sets the stage for the upcoming Olympic selections, making this an exciting time for American figure skating, filled with promise and unpredictability as the world watches closely.
