Winter Olympics 2026: Nakai Ami Leads Women’s Figure Skating Short Programme

Japanese teenager Ami Nakai claimed the lead in the women’s figure skating short programme at the Winter Olympics Milano Cortina 2026 on Tuesday, 17 February, after a technically flawless performance.

The 17-year-old scored a season’s best 78.71 points at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, ahead of teammate Kaori Sakamoto and US world champion Alysa Liu, putting herself in medal contention.

Nakai opened her programme with a clean triple Axel, followed by a triple Lutz–toe loop combination and a triple Loop, skating to La Strada by Nino Rota. “Before the music started, I was calm and was my usual self,” Nakai said.

Sakamoto, 25, a three-time world champion and 2022 Olympic bronze medallist, finished second with 77.23 points after her routine to Andrea Bocelli’s Time To Say Goodbye. Liu, 20, scored a personal best 76.59 points performing to Promise by Laufey, securing third place heading into the free skate.

Other strong performances included Chiba Mone of Japan in fourth with 74.00 points and Adeliia Petrosian, competing under a neutral banner, in fifth on 72.89 points. Petrosian, coached by Eteri Tutberidze, landed a triple-triple jump combination and impressed spectators with her Michael Jackson tribute routine.

American skater Amber Glenn, 26, faltered on her final triple jump, leaving her 13th and over ten points behind Nakai. Nakai acknowledged the challenge from the field, stating: “The Americans push me with their difficult jumps, including the triple Axel”.

Nakai’s short programme lead highlights her meteoric rise this season, progressing from 15th at Japanese nationals last year to qualifying for the Grand Prix Final after winning the Grand Prix of France.

The women’s free skating final is scheduled for Thursday, 19 February, where Nakai, Sakamoto, Liu, and other top competitors will battle for Olympic medals in Milano Cortina 2026.