Skating Toward Milan

U.S. pair skaters Emily Chan and Spencer Howe are reaching out to fans for financial support as they enter the final phase of preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

The Olympic newcomers shared an Instagram update on Wednesday, January 21, expressing appreciation for the encouragement they’ve received while continuing to train in the U.S. before heading overseas for the Milan–Cortina Games. “It really means so much to us and motivates us everyday,” Chan wrote in the joint post.

The update also spotlighted the duo’s GoFundMe campaign, which was launched in February 2025—well before U.S. Figure Skating finalized the Olympic roster. The fundraiser was created to help manage the growing expenses tied to elite competition, including coaching fees, choreography, private ice sessions, travel, and off-ice conditioning.

In outlining their fundraising goals, Chan and Howe emphasized that although they contribute as much as they can on their own, the cost of competing internationally continues to rise. Contributions are being used exclusively for training-related needs required to stay competitive at the Olympic level.

Earlier this month, the pair officially earned their places on Team USA, joining fellow pairs skaters Ellie Kim and Danny O’Shea. The American delegation bound for Milan also includes singles competitors Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, Isabeau Levito, Ilia Malinin, Andrew Torgashev, and Maxim Naumov, along with ice dance teams Madison Chock and Evan Bates, Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, and Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko.

Chan and Howe’s selection positions them among the next wave of U.S. pair skaters following recent Olympic success by Americans such as Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier. Their Olympic build-up unfolds under the direction of U.S. Figure Skating leadership, including CEO Tracy Marek, as the federation looks ahead to Milan.

With the February 6 Opening Ceremony drawing closer, the pair’s GoFundMe total has climbed past $5,000. Chan later shared a separate update thanking supporters and confirming that their departure for Italy is just days away.

The Milan–Cortina Games will serve as the Olympic debut for both athletes, marking a milestone shaped by years of training, sacrifice, and personal investment in the sport.