Figure Skating 2026

Cori Piels during figure skating competition at Tim Horton’s Ice Complex in Brighton, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Maya Galindo)

By Lex Paull and Mariella Santiago 
 
ROCHESTER, N.Y. —  Special Olympics New York 2026 (SONY) held its figure skating competition as a part of its Winter Games competition at Tim Horton’s Ice Complex.   

Skaters from across New York State were greeted with signs of encouragement as they took to the ice, competing across multiple skill levels.  

Athlete Mina Reay’s emotional support stuffed animals, Zoey and Smokey, during the Figure Skating competition at Tim Horton’s Ice Complex in Brighton, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Maya Galindo)
Mina Reay, from the Western region, hugs her emotional support stuffed animals before the Figure Skating competition at Tim Horton’s Ice Complex in Brighton, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. “I’m nervous cause this is my first year doing level 4. [I’m] feeling pretty confident [in my routine] now.” (Photo by Maya Galindo)

Genesee Region Special Olympics athlete Emma Cahill took to the ice, adorned in a pink outfit covered in glittering rhinestones with white skates and pink eyeshadow to match, as she skated to “The Girl in the Bubble” from the 2025 film, Wicked: For Good. As she skated, she went into “full on character mode”, channeling Glinda the Good as she glided across the ice.  

“I do it with all my heart and passion,” Cahill said. “It makes me feel like a princess.” 

Emma Cahill, from the Genesee region, applies her makeup before the Figure Skating competition at Tim Horton’s Ice Complex in Brighton, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Maya Galindo

Cahill has been part of Special Olympics for about 11 years, and has been involved with swimming, bowling, equestrian, track and, of course, figure skating. She was awarded a bronze medal in the female level one adult category. 

“[Special Olympics] is like a family,” Cahill said. “…And we don’t put anyone down, we don’t judge.” 

Peter Dailey skating on the ice during figure skating competition at Tim Horton’s Ice Complex in Brighton, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Amanda Mulligan)
Peter Dailey ends his program during figure skating competition at Tim Horton’s Ice Complex in Brighton, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Amanda Mulligan)
Ryan Chin, from the Hudson Valley region, performs his program during the Figure Skating competition at Tim Horton’s Ice Complex in Brighton, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Haley Fromm)

Genesee Region Special Olympics athlete Cori Piels has been figure skating for over 20 years, and competed in the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy, winning bronze. 

“It’s so fun to be in here with all my fellow teammates and the fans in the stands,” Piels said. “The support that we have around here makes us work hard.” 

Leyla Davila, from the Genesee region, adjusts her skates before the Figure Skating competition at Tim Horton’s Ice Complex in Brighton, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Deanna Miller)
Erin, a volunteer captain, organizes the medals to be presented during the figure skating competition at Tim Horton’s Ice Complex in Brighton, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Deanna Miller)

Piels noted two-time Olympic medalist Michelle Kwan as a source of inspiration for her passion for figure skating. When she was 17, Piels watched as Kwan performed during the 2002 Winter Olympics, her eyes glued to the screen as Kwan, dressed in red and gold, glided across the ice.  

“I just love the fact that she glides across the ice like an angel,” Piels said.  

A volunteer holds flowers for the medalists during figure skating competition at Tim Horton’s Ice Complex in Brighton, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Maya Galindo)
Cade Bolan poses with police officers during the medal ceremony at figure skating competition at Tim Horton’s Ice Complex in Brighton, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Maya Galindo)
Athletes stand off the ice during the medal ceremony at figure skating competition at Tim Horton’s Ice Complex in Brighton, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Maya Galindo)

Now, in 2026, Piels skated in a pink and white rhinestone dress, gliding and swaying to the song “When You Believe” by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. Her performance won her gold in the female level four adult category.  

“It makes me feel so proud of myself, knowing that I went out there,” Piels said. “I showed the world what I can do, and I felt confident, I felt brave…” 

Mina Reay poses with her medal and stuffed rabbits after the figure skating competition at Tim Horton’s Ice Complex in Brighton, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Deanna Miller)

Along with being a decorated Special Olympic athlete, Piels works as the Golisano Institute’s Inclusion Specialist, where she helps to provide hearing, vision, dental and mental health support for athletes across the state. 

“When you step on that ice, you take the ice, you own the ice,” Piels said. “And you go out there and shine and show all these people what you can do.” 

16 athletes came to compete at the 2026 SONY figure skating competition, and in the end, each one was awarded a medal along with a rose, recognizing their hard work and dedication.