> At a Glance
> – Alisa Efimova and partner Misha Mitrofanov lead U.S. Nationals after scoring 75.31 points
> – Efimova, born in Finland, needs U.S. citizenship before the Milan Cortina Olympics
> – The final U.S. Olympic team will be announced Sunday
> – Why it matters: Her citizenship waiver hangs in limbo, threatening America’s top pairs spot
Alisa Efimova stepped off the Enterprise Center ice wearing a jacket with an American flag patch after a season-best short program. With the Olympics weeks away, her path to representing Team USA now depends on a last-minute government decision.
The Citizenship Hurdle
Efimova, 26, was born in Finland and moved to the U.S. full-time only in 2023 when she teamed up with Mitrofanov, 28, a native-born American. The pair married in February 2024, she secured a green card by July, and officials requested a waiver of the usual three-year wait for naturalization.
- Green card approved: July 2024
- Citizenship waiver: Pending
- Olympic team announcement: This Sunday
Mitrofanov admitted the uncertainty has weighed on them:
> “We’re hoping maybe a last-minute miracle might happen.”
A Dominant Performance Under Pressure
Despite off-ice distractions, the couple posted 75.31 points, nearly eight ahead of their nearest rivals, Audrey Shin and Balázs Nagy (67.67). Their triple twist, side-by-side triple toes and throw triple loop were all cleanly executed.
| Team | Score | Gap to Leaders |
|---|---|---|
| Efimova / Mitrofanov | 75.31 | – |
| Shin / Nagy | 67.67 | -7.64 |
| Kam / O’Shea | 67.13 | -8.18 |
| Chan / Howe | 59.29 | -16.02 |
Efimova said the familiar rink atmosphere calmed her nerves:
> “As soon as I entered the rink today… I just trusted the routine.”
Who Controls Olympic Fate
While other teams will secure spots on the ice Friday night, Efimova and Mitrofanov must also wait on federal paperwork. The Skating Club of Boston and U.S. Figure Skating have spearheaded the push for her passport, recognizing the duo as arguably the nation’s strongest pair.
Mitrofanov emphasized their focus remains on training:
> “All we can do is focus on what we do, which is on the ice.”
Key Takeaways
- Efimova leads Nationals but still needs citizenship approval
- The Sunday team announcement leaves little buffer time
- Immigration paperwork, not scores, could decide the Olympic roster spot
- The pair hope their season-best performance strengthens their case
Unless bureaucratic wheels turn fast, America’s top pairs contenders may watch the Games from the sidelines.
