USA figure skater Jeremy Abbott has lamented his performance during the men's short program in the team event at the Winter Olympics in Sochi on Thursday.

The 28-year-old could only collect four points for his country after falling on his opening quadruple jump and sliding into the boards.

"I'm torn apart that I couldn't do this for my team and my teammates," the Washington Post quotes him as saying. "I love being a part of Team USA, and I'm so honoured to be skating with the kids I'm skating with.

"They really have become like family over the last couple weeks, and I really wanted to pull out a win."

Russia currently lead the inaugural figure skating team event, with Canada and China in second and third respectively.