By Kyanna Wiggins
NEW YORK, N.Y. – At Manhattan’s Rockefeller Center, ice dancers Rylen Lukanin and Patrick O’Brien, both 13, skimmed across the surface of the ice rink chasing their Olympic dreams on a 12-degree Saturday in February. The duo had recently won gold at the 2025 Novice Dance representing the Skating Club of New York.
The two performed an exhibition of their skills Feb. 7 amid the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, transforming the Art Deco hub into an epicenter for artistry and expression. Spectators gathered along the rink’s golden-hued bronze rails, captivated by the swift and sharp movements of Lukanin and O’Brien. Their breath visible in the crisp air, the young ice dancers glided to the upbeat music, carving maze-like patterns across the ice. The duo blends expressive storytelling with precision.
The celebration captured the spirit of the Winter Olympics. Two-time Olympian and bronze medalist Mirai Nagasu was among the onlookers at Rockefeller Center. As a trailblazer in U.S. figure skating, Nagasu connects past Olympic achievements to the sport’s future. At the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics in South Korea, she became the first American woman to land a triple axel in Olympic competition.
“We look up to her and the amazing accomplishments she made for U.S. figure skating,” O’Brien said.
“Her meeting us and getting to announce us was so exciting,” Lukanin said. “She said that it was a great skate, and she can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.”
Nagasu greeted fans and offered words of encouragement to the aspiring Olympic athletes. From the time she was a young athlete displaying her talents at Rockefeller Center 18 years earlier, she has made it her mission to inspire the next generation.
“Everyone’s journey is different, and I want them to know losing is a part of learning,” Nagasu said. “Of course, medals look great, but you don’t wear your medals every day. The attitude of a champion is what really matters, and the skaters today handled themselves like champions.”
The duo said they feel immense pride representing the Skating Club of New York and Team USA. “At every competition, I’m very proud that they announce my name and the club,” O’Brien said.
“And some day we want to be there too,” Lukanin said. “Them saying ‘representing the United States’ — just those words make me so excited to go skate our best.”
For Lukanin and O’Brien, performing before an Olympian was a surreal experience. Lukanin noted that past Olympic athletes have performed at Rockefeller Center, including Nagasu. Knowing that gives them hope. “It’s great seeing how many people have had that opportunity and them skating as long as we have,” Lukanin said. “And now to see that they have gotten those achievements, we can do the same.”
At its core, ice dance is about partnership. The ability to move as one while telling a compelling story is essential to executing a routine.
“We’ve just known each other for so long,” Lukanin said.
“We’re really close friends, so I think that’s a major point of how we connect so well on and off the ice,” O’Brien said.
In a sport in which chemistry cannot be manufactured, authenticity is key.
Their body language and synced movements reflect years of training.
“We start at 5:30 a.m.,” Lukanin said. “We skate until 7 or 7:40 a.m., depending on the day. Then I go to school, and then we come back and train in the afternoon from 3 to 4.”
Even in Rockefeller Center’s frigid weather, the duo maintained remarkable control. Each turn was in unison and each transition purposeful.
Still, Lukanin joked, “We froze our toes off.”
The rink is a staple for New Yorkers and visitors. It has hosted generations of skaters. From aspiring Olympic athletes such as Lukanin and O’Brien to world-class competitors like Nagasu, Rockefeller Center epitomizes the city’s relationship with ice skating.
As the duo made their final strides, the crowd erupted in applause. Standing poised, Lukanin and O’Brien took a bow, waving to the audience surrounding the charcoal terrazzo tiles. For them, it was another unforgettable performance in a long season. For those watching, it was a display of the duo’s tenacity.
With diligence, drive and mentorship, the duo said they hope to continue to climb the ranks of U.S. ice dance. If their performance at Rockefeller Center is any indication, they are not just skating — they are skating with a purpose.
