{"id":88169,"date":"2026-01-27T14:23:19","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T21:23:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=88169"},"modified":"2026-02-23T09:30:48","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T16:30:48","slug":"colorado-figure-skaters-ellie-kam-danny-oshea-head-to-italy-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/colorado-figure-skaters-ellie-kam-danny-oshea-head-to-italy-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Bringing home gold medals: Colorado figure skaters played a pivotal role as Team USA won the team competition in Italy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Ellie
Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea bring both artistry and athleticism to their skating. Here they practiced before heading to Milan where they became Olympic gold medalists, helping Team USA win the figure skating team event. Photo by Mark Reis, for UCHealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Like flashes of lightning, gold threads shimmer on the champion ice skaters<\/a>\u2019 purple costumes.<\/p>\n

For Coloradans Ellie Kam and Danny O\u2019Shea, who headed to Italy in February for the biggest competition of their lives, the costumes symbolize a remarkable journey.<\/p>\n

\"Ellie
Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea started skating together in 2022. They were an unlikely duo since they had a big age and experience gap. But “Team KamO,” as they are known now, forged a great connection that is obvious in their athleticism and artistry on the ice. Here, they exuded joy during a previous competition. Photo courtesy of Dr. Benjamin Kam.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Danny doesn\u2019t usually weigh in on wardrobe matters. Now 35, he\u2019s a veteran figure skater \u2014 both in singles and in pairs \u2014 and he\u2019s a pro at complex throws, jumps and navigating global competitions. But Danny happened to be scrolling online while recovering from an injury one day last year when he came across posts about a special type of Japanese pottery called kintsugi.<\/p>\n

For centuries, artists in Japan have gathered pieces of broken pots and melded them back together with shiny lacquer and powdered gold dust. Fired in hot ovens, the kintsugi creations emerge even more beautiful than the original pots, with seams of shiny gold jutting around the pots in unexpected, dramatic patterns \u2014 a little like an amazing pairs figure skating program.<\/p>\n

Danny knew instantly that the kintsugi theme would be perfect for the team\u2019s debut on the world stage in Milan this year.<\/p>\n

Both Ellie and Danny had faced health challenges, including literal broken bones for him and tough concussions for her. They were an unlikely duo, and yet, they were succeeding with beautiful athleticism and artistry on ice. Plus, Ellie, now 21, has deep ties to Japan. Her mother grew up in Japan, and Ellie was born there while her dad served as a surgeon for the U.S. Air Force.<\/p>\n

Just like Danny knew kintsugi was a perfect metaphor for the duo, he also had a powerful feeling four years earlier when he skated with Ellie for the first time at Colorado Springs\u2019 famous Broadmoor World Arena<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"IIn
In pairs figure skating, commentators talk about the woman being “a rose,” and the man being “a stem” because the male skater does so many lifts that showcase the woman high in the air, Ellie Kam says Danny O’Shea is far more than a strong “stem.” She says he’s one of the world’s best pairs skaters and makes her feel beautiful and powerful. Photo courtesy of Dr. Benjamin Kam.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cShe had that \u2018it factor,\u2019 an intangible ability to perform and light up the ice,\u201d Danny said. \u201cI saw that she was a very hard worker.\u201d<\/p>\n

Back in 2022, Danny had retired from competitive skating and was working as a part-time coach for some young skaters at the World Arena. He didn\u2019t know Ellie but had seen her skate. Some people even had suggested Ellie as a partner for Danny, but she was competing with a different person at the time, and Danny was pretty sure that his competitive skating career was over.<\/p>\n

\"Ellie
Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea at a practice session on Jan. 26, 2026, days before they departed to compete on the world stage in Milan, Italy. Photo by Mark Reis, for UCHealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then Ellie\u2019s coach asked Danny for a favor. She had just gone through an amicable breakup with her previous pairs partner. Could Danny skate with Ellie for a couple of days, just to lift her spirits and help her get through a tough time?<\/p>\n

Danny agreed.<\/p>\n

And as soon as the duo took to the ice, Danny felt a jolt of something special. He started to envision a professional future with Ellie, and after just three days of skating with her, Danny canceled a planned vacation, and the two kept working together. Danny didn\u2019t want to overwhelm Ellie at the time, so he didn\u2019t tell her about a strong premonition he felt. But a four-year plan took hold in Danny\u2019s mind. He pictured the two of them getting stronger year after year and making it to Italy this year. Since then, the duo has brought that exact arc to life.<\/p>\n

Ellie and Danny now have ascended to the highest levels of competition in figure skating and headed to Italy to represent Team USA<\/a>. Next, they\u2019ll compete in the World Championships<\/a> in the Czech Republic in March.<\/p>\n

Bringing home gold medals: How Ellie and Danny played a pivotal role in the team figure skating competition in Milan<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The team figure skating competition started in Milan on Feb. 6, the same day as the opening ceremonies.<\/p>\n

And Ellie and Danny were quick to make their mark. Fellow U.S. skaters selected Danny as their captain for the team event, which consists of competitions and combined point totals from each of the figure skating events: pairs, ice dancing and both men\u2019s and women\u2019s singles skating. Team USA went into the final day of the team competition on Feb. 8 with a slight lead over their biggest competitor: Japan.<\/p>\n

Then it was Danny and Ellie\u2019s turn to skate their long program, and they dazzled the world with the best performance of their careers<\/a>, spurring NBC commentator and former skater Tara Lipinski to say, \u201cI have never seen them skate like that, ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

By beating expectations, Ellie and Danny surged one spot ahead of Team Canada and helped Team USA hold onto a sliver-thin lead.<\/p>\n

As he skated off the ice, Danny had a message for fans and supporters: \u201cHey, everyone back home, thanks for believing in us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Danny later said: \u201cWe walked into the rink with positive emotions, with a positive attitude. That showed on the ice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following Ellie and Danny\u2019s exuberant performance, the U.S. singles skater, Amber Glenn, made a handful of mistakes, and slipped into third place, leading to a nail-biter for the final competition in the men\u2019s free skate. That\u2019s when U.S. skater, Ilia Malinin, who is also known as \u201cthe quad god\u201d for his effervescent quadruple jumps, secured victory for Team USA by a single point<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ellie and Danny and the rest of the figure skaters went on to compete in their individual events where Danny and Ellie finished in the top 10.<\/p>\n

Strong roots: Ellie\u2019s dad served in the Air Force, and her mom was an athlete<\/strong><\/h2>\n

From Danny\u2019s years of skating and coaching, he knew that Ellie\u2019s charisma, fearlessness and determination were extraordinary. She also came from a strong, supportive family.<\/p>\n

\"Ellie
Ellie Kam started ice skating at age 4 and soon was competing as a singles skater. She transitioned to pairs skating when she was a teen and now is ranked seventh in the world with her partner, Danny O’Shea. Photo courtesy of Dr. Benjamin Kam.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Her dad, Dr. Benjamin Kam<\/a>, is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy who went on to earn his medical degree and a master\u2019s in public health before serving for more than 23 years around the world in the Air Force as a combat flight surgeon and an orthopedic surgeon. Kam now cares for patients at UCHealth Orthopedics Clinic-Park West in Pueblo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"A
A young Ellie Kam with her dad, Dr. Benjamin Kam. Photo courtesy of Dr. Benjamin Kam.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ellie\u2019s mom, Mako Kam, is from Japan. A decision to come to Colorado as an exchange student set her on a path to meet her future husband.<\/p>\n

While Benjamin Kam was a cadet at the Air Force Academy in the early 1990s, Mako was a student at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, studying applied math.<\/p>\n

Friends wanted to set the two up. Mako was best friends with a captain\u2019s wife from the Academy. Mako first had come to Colorado Springs as a foreign exchange student in high school. She always loved fitness and was a runner. She\u2019s from the region of Japan near Colorado Springs\u2019 sister city, Fujiyoshida. Much like Colorado Springs, which sits at the base of beautiful Pikes Peak, Fujiyoshida lies at the foot of Mount Fuji. After high school, Mako decided to stay in Colorado for college. Benjamin Kam\u2019s ancestors come from both Japan and China. He was born and raised in Hawaii.<\/p>\n

At first, he and Mako were friends, then they started dating. He graduated from the Academy in 1991 and attended medical school and completed his master\u2019s degree at Tulane University in New Orleans. Mako stayed behind in Colorado Springs to finish her college degree, then joined him in New Orleans. The couple married in 1995. Benjamin Kam then became an Air Force surgeon, a role that would take the Kams around the U.S. and the world.<\/p>\n

\"Ellie
Ellie Kam with her mother, Mako Kam. Ellie’s mom always encouraged Ellie and her two older brothers to “show up” when they decided to participate in activities. Ellie followed her brothers onto the ice and stuck with it. Her brothers moved on to other activities and now serve in the U.S. Air Force, like their father did for more than 23 years. Photo courtesy of Dr. Benjamin Kam.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

He still marvels that his first assignment as an orthopedic surgeon happened to be in Japan, which enabled him to get to know his wife\u2019s family. Ellie was born on Yokota Air Base during their tour of duty in Japan. Her brothers, Zane, 25, and Kai, 23, followed in their dad\u2019s footsteps and both earned appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Both are on active duty with the Air Force.<\/p>\n

Discipline clearly was part of the Kam family\u2019s DNA.<\/p>\n

Just four months after launching their partnership, \u2018Team KamO\u2019 medals at Nationals<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Pairs
Pairs figure skating involves huge throws and jumps. For that reason, the risk of injury can be higher than in singles skating. Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea both have faced injuries over the years, including broken bones and concussions. But their trust and support for one another has made their partnership \u2014 and their skating \u2014 even better. Photo courtesy of Dr. Benjamin Kam.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While skating with Danny always was easy and felt right, Ellie had zero expectations at first. She wasn\u2019t looking for a new partner as she pondered her next steps. And frankly, she wasn\u2019t sure if she and Danny were the right match. Then just 17, Ellie wondered if the duo\u2019s 14-year age gap and her relative lack of experience would be dealbreakers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had just started pairs, and Danny had so many years under his belt,\u201d Ellie said.<\/p>\n

Her parents had their doubts too.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were not initially sold on the idea of doing pairs skating because it\u2019s the most dangerous of all of the skating disciplines,\u201d Benjamin Kam said.<\/p>\n

In pairs, men throw their partners as high as eight or nine feet in the air, and Ellie\u2019s dad worried about the impact that the landings would have on his daughter\u2019s feet and legs.<\/p>\n

And when she and Danny began skating together, he was already 31. She was still in high school.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the years, they\u2019ve developed a mutual respect for each other, despite the age difference, and I really credit them both for that. And Danny is really a stand-up gentleman,\u201d Benjamin Kam said.<\/p>\n

Danny\u2019s perspective, experience and maturity proved to be a great benefit to the duo. And in Danny, Ellie found an equally dedicated partner.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Danny\u2019s the hardest worker I\u2019ve ever met,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Ellie and Danny always have skated and gotten along well. Sure, they have an occasional funny Gen Z-Millennial misfire. But their chemistry and camaraderie both on and off the ice always have been solid.<\/p>\n

\"Ellie
Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea practice together at the Broadmoor World Arena days before heading to the pinnacle of figure skating competitions in Milan, Italy. Photo by Mark Reis, for UCHealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So, soon after that initial three-day tryout, Ellie and Danny had a business meeting, of sorts. They met at a Starbucks to sketch out a plan with Ellie\u2019s parents and their coach, Drew Meekins.<\/p>\n

By September of 2022, Ellie and Danny decided to go all in as a new pairs team.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe timing was right. That\u2019s something that I truly believe in,\u201d Ellie said.<\/p>\n

\"Ellie
Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea have been skating together since 2022. Danny instantly knew that Ellie had very special qualities. He envisioned their future success, and his premonition was right on target. Ellie and Danny won gold medals in the team figure skating event in Milan this year. Photo by Mark Reis, for UCHealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And for Team KamO<\/a>, as they soon came to be known, the successes racked up quickly:<\/p>\n