South Korean Olympic figure skaters wasted no time, beginning their first practices in Milan less than 24 hours after arrival. Despite jet lag, they focused on getting accustomed to the ice and venue. The competition kicks off Friday with the team event.
South Korean Olympic figure skaters arrived in Milan, northern Italy, the previous evening and hit the ice for their initial sessions on Thursday at the Milan Ice Skating Arena. The men's singles athletes, Cha Jun-hwan and Kim Hyun-gyeom, glided to their short program music on the main rink, while women's singles skaters Shin Ji-a and Lee Hae-in worked on free skate elements at a nearby practice area.
With limited time to recover from travel, the group prioritized familiarizing themselves with the ice surface and facility layout. Cha Jun-hwan, the team's most experienced member with finishes of 15th in 2018 and fifth in 2022, remarked, "I just wanted to check out the ice conditions and the size of the rink here. I didn't really test my jumps too much, but it felt real once I stepped onto the ice." He added that arriving at the arena gave him goosebumps, blending happiness, excitement, and nerves that would keep him sharp.
Kim Hyun-gyeom noted the ice seemed soft and the rink smaller than usual venues, saying, "I'd heard about the size, but seeing it is different. I have time to adjust." Shin Ji-a, battling some jet lag, kept efforts light: "I worked on some jumps, and it went pretty well. Seeing the main rink for my first Olympics felt great. I want to deliver a strong performance now that I'm here."
Lee Hae-in, who attempted more jumps, credited the thrill for overcoming fatigue: "I was tired, but the excitement of practicing here pushed me through. Skating on ice with the Olympic rings was amazing. I plan to give my all at my debut Games."
The figure skating events begin Friday with the team competition. South Korea's singles representatives are Cha and Shin, complemented by ice dance pair Hannah Lim and Quan Ye. Men's short programs start next Tuesday, followed by free skates three days later; women's events follow on February 17 and 19.
