MILAN, ITALY — The ice at the Milano Ice Skating Arena is simmering with tension as the women’s figure skating individual event prepares for its final, decisive act. After an emotional and technically dazzling short program on Tuesday, February 17, the standings have set the stage for a dramatic free skate final on Thursday.
While Japan has asserted its dominance by taking the top two spots, American world champion Alysa Liu has kept the U.S. firmly in the hunt, sitting in a close third place. However, the night was not without its share of Olympic heartbreak, as a costly mistake by three-time U.S. champion Amber Glenn left the American favorite in tears and facing a steep climb from 13th place.
The Standings: A Tight Race at the Top
The short program concluded with a razor-thin margin separating the podium contenders. Japan’s 17-year-old sensation Ami Nakai delivered a career-best performance to claim the lead, but with less than three points separating the top three, the gold medal remains anyone’s to claim.
| Rank | Skater | Country | Short Program Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ami Nakai | Japan | 78.71 |
| 2 | Kaori Sakamoto | Japan | 77.23 |
| 3 | Alysa Liu | USA | 76.59 |
| 4 | Mone Chiba | Japan | 74.00 |
| 5 | Adeliia Petrosian | AIN (Neutral) | 72.89 |
Japan’s One-Two Punch
Ami Nakai, the youngest skater in the field at just 17, proved that age is no barrier to Olympic composure. Skating to “La Strada” by Nino Rota, Nakai opened with a towering triple Axel, a jump that immediately separated her from the pack. Her technical precision, including a triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination, earned her a personal best of 78.71. Despite her lead, Nakai remained humble, telling reporters, “I feel like I’m dreaming. There’s no way I stand a chance against Kaori; I’m just enjoying these Olympics.”
Right on her heels is the veteran and three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto. Performing an emotional ode to her final competitive season set to “Time to Say Goodbye,” Sakamoto showcased the world-class artistry and power that has made her the favorite for gold. Her score of 77.23 keeps her within striking distance (just 1.48 points back), and many experts expect her consistency in the free skate to be the deciding factor.
Alysa Liu: The U.S. Hope
For Team USA, the night belonged to Alysa Liu. The 20-year-old reigning world champion delivered a mesmerizing routine to Laufey’s “Promise,” a performance she described as her most “grounded” of the season.
Liu’s technical highlight was a difficult triple Lutz-triple loop combination, a sequence no other skater in the competition attempted. She finished with 76.59 points, leaving her just 2.12 points off the lead.
“I do wish I was out there longer just to take in the moment some more,” Liu told NBC’s Andrea Joyce. “I don’t need a medal… my goal is just to share my story.”
Heartbreak and Resilience for Team USA
The “Blade Angels”—the nickname for the formidable U.S. trio—experienced a gamut of emotions. While Liu soared, Amber Glenn faced a crushing setback. Glenn opened with a brilliant triple Axel, but a catastrophic “pop” on her planned triple loop turned the element into an invalid double, resulting in a score of zero for that jump.
The mistake cost her roughly seven points, dropping her to 13th place (67.39). A visibly distraught Glenn was seen crying in the arms of her coach, Damon Allen, though Liu later stepped up to defend her teammate: “She’s gone through so much… I just want her to be happy.”
Meanwhile, Isabeau Levito remains in the mix in 8th place (70.85). While she was docked a level on her step sequence, she is still within reach of a top-five finish if she delivers a clean free skate.
The Wildcards: Quads and Comebacks
The free skate typically allows for a “drastic reshuffle” due to higher technical ceilings. Adeliia Petrosian, currently in 5th, is the major wildcard. Rumors from practice sessions suggest she may attempt multiple quadruple jumps. If she lands them cleanly, she could potentially leapfrog the entire field for gold. However, her struggle with injury this season makes the high-risk strategy a gamble.
Mone Chiba (4th) and Anastasiia Gubanova (6th) are also in a position to strike should any of the top three falter.
How to Watch
The final showdown for the Olympic medals begins soon.
- Event: Women’s Free Skate Final
- When: Thursday, Feb. 19th at 1:00 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: Live on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com, with television coverage on NBC.
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