Ami Nakai leads Japanese dominance in Olympic women’s short program
Teenager Ami Nakai has stormed into the lead of the women’s figure skating at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, heading a dominant display by the Japanese team.
The 17-year-old posted a season-best score of 78.71 to take top spot on the leaderboard in Italy.
She is followed closely by compatriot and three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto in second place.
With Mone Chiba – a bronze medallist at last year’s World Championships – sitting fourth, Japan currently occupy three of the top four positions ahead of the decisive free skate.
Liu in contention as Glenn falters
The Japanese trio capitalised on uncharacteristic errors from the highly fancied American contingent.
Reigning world champion Alysa Liu lies in third place, keeping medal hopes alive for the United States.
Liu, instantly recognisable by her halo hair and lip piercing, drew a raucous reaction from a crowd that included team-mate Ilia Malinin and rap icon Snoop Dogg.
However, the American lost vital points after landing her triple lutz on the quarter.
The judging panel deemed the rotation incomplete, penalising the skater for returning to the ice 90 degrees short.
It was a far more difficult evening for US champion Amber Glenn, who suffered a disastrous routine.
The 26-year-old missed her triple loop entirely, resulting in zero points for that specific element.
Glenn burst into tears as she exited the rink, aware that her medal chances had evaporated as she finished the segment down in 13th place.
Petrosian debuts amid boos
Russian national champion Adeliia Petrosian, competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN), sits in fifth place.
The 18-year-old is coached by the controversial Eteri Tutberidze, although she was accompanied by Daniil Gleikhengauz while receiving her scores.
Despite fans in the arena holding banners of support, the teenager faced a smattering of boos during her introduction – a rarity in figure skating.
Petrosian, who has been unable to compete internationally due to the ban on Russian athletes, performed a spotless routine to a Michael Jackson medley.
She landed an excellent triple flip and toe loop to earn a season-best score of 72.89.
Spours bows out for Team GB
It was an emotional end to the competitive career of Kristen Spours.
Competing in her final event before an injury-enforced retirement, the Team GB skater finished in 29th place.
The Woking-born athlete will miss out on the free skate, with only the top 24 competitors progressing to Thursday evening’s medal decider.