What's Happening?
At the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games, Japan's Ami Nakai emerged as the leader in the women's short program with a score of 78.71. Her compatriot, Kaori Sakamoto, followed closely with 77.23, while Mone Chiba placed fourth with 74.00. The top 24 competitors from the 29-woman field advanced to the free skate, scheduled for Thursday. Team USA's Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn, and Isabeau Levito also advanced. Liu, the reigning world champion, scored 76.59, placing third. Levito, the youngest at 18, scored 70.84, finishing eighth. Glenn, despite a strong start with a triple axel, faltered and scored 67.39, placing 13th. The American skaters aim to secure the first individual women's figure skating gold for Team USA in 24 years.
Why It's Important?
The performance of Team
USA's figure skaters is significant as they strive to end a 24-year drought in individual women's figure skating gold medals. Alysa Liu's strong performance positions her as a potential medal contender, highlighting the depth of talent in the U.S. team. The advancement of all three American skaters to the free skate underscores the competitive nature of the event and the potential for the U.S. to make a significant impact. The results also reflect the global competitiveness of the sport, with Japan's skaters setting a high bar for excellence.
What's Next?
The free skate event on Thursday will determine the final standings and medal winners. Team USA's skaters, particularly Alysa Liu, will aim to capitalize on their strong performances to secure a podium finish. The competition will be intense, with Japan's skaters also vying for top honors. The outcome will have implications for the future of U.S. figure skating, potentially inspiring a new generation of skaters.
