Over the last few weeks, we were hearts-pounding glued to the screen, as national hockey players jockeyed on ice, ski jumpers launched like flying squirrels across the sky, and bobsled teams zipped treacherously down narrow ice tracks. Our emotions were shredded as the athletes we were rooting for missed the podium or hit gold. As usual, the figure skating competitions captured our attention and hearts with each skater dazzling on ice. While Team USA may have fallen short of some expectations, they still won gold in the mixed team event and Alysa Liu brought home our first Olympics title for women's figure skating in 24 years.
Although the 2026 Winter Olympics wrapped up a few days ago in Italy, we were excited to learn that some of these very athletes are heading our way sooner than we could imagine. Along with Alysa Liu, other members from the mixed team event - Ilia Malinin, Madison Chock, Evan Bates, and Amber Glenn – are slated for the 2026 Stars on Ice tour, which makes a stop in Anaheim, CA on May 16. Taking place at the Honda Center, a 10-minute drive east from the Alamo Inn and Suites, this opportunity to watch the U.S. National Figure Skating team perform in person is not one to pass up. Those of us from California should be proud that several of these competitors grew up and trained in the Golden State. And while we may or may not witness a quadruple axel, there should be enough Olympic spirit to fire up some newfound passion in our little ones and elevate our minds above the daily grind.