Japan's Ami Nakai surges to Olympic lead after short program
Japan's Ami Nakai surges to Olympic lead after short program
The figure skating world witnessed a seismic shift on Tuesday night at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics as 17-year-old Ami Nakai delivered a performance for the ages. In her Olympic debut, the Japanese sensation surged to the top of the standings after the women's short program, outshining veteran champions and establishing herself as the new frontrunner for gold. Scoring a personal-best 78.71 points, Nakai leads a formidable field that includes teammate Kaori Sakamoto and American star Alysa Liu.
A Historic Triple Axel Propels Nakai to the Top
The defining moment of the evening came early in Nakai's routine to "La Strada" by Nino Rota. Skating with a level of composure that belied her age, Nakai opened with a thunderous triple Axel. The jump, widely considered the most difficult in women's figure skating, was executed with clinical precision, making her only the fourth woman in Olympic history to land it successfully at the Games. This high-risk, high-reward element provided the technical foundation that propelled her ahead of the reigning world elite.
Following the triple Axel, Nakai showcased her technical depth by nailing a triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination and a clean triple loop. Her technical score alone created a significant buffer, but it was her artistic growth that truly impressed the judges. Having finished 15th at the Japanese nationals just one year ago, Nakai's "meteoric rise" reached its zenith on the Milano Ice Skating Arena. She finished her program with visible joy, pumping her fists in a rare display of emotion that resonated with the raucous Italian crowd.
Sakamoto and Liu Keep the Medal Race Tight
While Nakai took the headlines, the competition remains incredibly tight heading into Thursday's free skate. Three-time world champion and reigning Olympic bronze medalist Kaori Sakamoto sits in second place with a score of 77.23. Sakamoto, who has announced that Milano Cortina will be her final Olympics, delivered an emotional performance to "Time to Say Goodbye." Although she slightly under-rotated a triple flip-triple toe combination, her trademark power and superior program components kept her within striking distance of her younger teammate.
Breaking up what would otherwise be a Japanese sweep of the top three is Alysa Liu of the United States. Liu, the 2025 world champion, recorded a personal best of 76.59 to secure third place. After briefly stepping away from the sport following the Beijing Games, Liu's "2.0" version appeared calm and centered. Her performance to "Promise" by Laufey was nearly flawless, keeping the "Blade Angels" in the hunt for a podium finish. Japan's Mone Chiba currently sits in fourth with 74.00 points, ensuring that three of the top four spots belong to the Japanese contingent.
High Stakes and Heartbreak for Team USA
The night was not without its share of drama and disappointment, particularly for the rest of the American squad. Isabeau Levito, a former world silver medalist, struggled with her step sequence, dropping her to eighth place with 70.84 points. However, the most poignant moment of the evening belonged to Amber Glenn. The three-time U.S. champion was in the midst of a spectacular program to Madonna's "Like A Prayer" when disaster struck. After landing her own triple Axel and a difficult combination, she "popped" a planned triple loop into a double.
The mistake was costly, as the invalidated element resulted in zero points, plummeting her to 13th place with a score of 67.39. A tearful Glenn left the ice knowing her medal hopes had likely evaporated. Despite the setbacks for her teammates, Alysa Liu remains optimistic about the final segment. "My goal is just to do my programs and share my story," Liu remarked, emphasizing that she is focused on her own execution rather than the scores of the Japanese skaters. With the free skate scheduled for Thursday, February 19, the world will watch to see if Ami Nakai can maintain her lead and complete her transition from underdog to Olympic champion.
The top 24 skaters from the short program will advance to the final segment. While Nakai holds the advantage, the slim margins between the top three mean that the gold medal is still very much up for grabs. As the skaters prepare for the free skate, the pressure will be on the 17-year-old leader to see if she can once again find the "dream-like" state that powered her historic short program.
Japan's Ami Nakai surges to Olympic lead after short program
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