2026 Olympics | Figure Skating | Women’s Short Program

Japan’s Ami Nakai grabbed an early lead after the Women’s figure skating short program at the 2026 Olympics in Milan, Italy. Teammate and veteran Kaori Sakamoto is in a close second, followed by USA’s Alysa Liu. Only 5.82 points separate the first and fifth-place skaters going into the free skate.

Ami Nakai

Japan’s Ami Nakai delivered a flawless short program, opening with a solid triple Axel which earned positive grades of execution (GOE) across the board. The 2026 Four Continents silver medalist followed up with a strong triple Lutz-triple toe and triple loop, and displayed level-four spins and footwork throughout. She was received a new personal best score of 78.71 points for her winsome routine to La Strada, placing first heading into the free skate.

“Honestly, I’m surprised,” she said of her personal best. “I’m very happy now that I was able to perform like this on this stage.”

The skater said that she was in “quite good condition” in practice, regarding the triple Axel.

“I just had to do it in the competition,” said the 17-year-old. “I also had a lot of confidence. This time I was able to finish the short program calmly, so I think it was really good.”

“I didn’t feel scared at all, and I wasn’t as nervous as I expected,” Nakai added. “I was really excited about it. I was the first to skate, so I was able to carry this feeling from the six-minute warm-up into properly challenging this performance. I think that really helped. I visualized the competition since the practice and went to challenge it. Until the very last moment, I was able to believe in myself. I think that’s why I was able to land it today.”

Nakai could also hear the crowd cheering while doing her spins.

“It was truly the best moment of my life!” she said. “There were many Japanese fans waving flags, and that made me very happy and gave me reassurance. My family also came to watch, and I was looking for where they were. After the performance, I found the handmade banner they made.”

Kaori Sakamoto

Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto placed a close second with her expressive, but powerful, short program to “Time to Say Goodbye,” with 77.23 points. The 2022 Olympic bronze medalist showed deep edges throughout her expressive routine which featured a triple Lutz, double Axel and triple flip-triple toe. The Lutz received an edge call while the triple toe was slightly underrotated, but she racked up high GOEs for level-four spins and footwork.

The 25-year-old admitted to being nervous, but was satisfied with her skate.

“It wasn’t fun at the start,” she said. “Maybe right before the Axel. After the flying camel, I suddenly entered this strange, relaxed mode I’d never experienced before. From then on, I just wanted to enjoy the moment.”

Sakamoto also relayed that she was grateful to Nakai for letting her stay in the “chasing position” until the very end.

“I think the generational change is already secure,” said Sakamoto. “Japan is in a good place. Heading into the free skate, I don’t feel like I have anything to protect. So until the very end, I want to give my all and show my full power. If I can do that, I think I’ll be able to deliver a good performance. I don’t want to skate defensively. I want to skate with an attacking attitude.”

Alysa Liu

USA’s Alysa Liu skated to third place with a new personal best score of 76.59 points with her airy performance to “Promise.” She received a quarter call on the back end of a triple Lutz-triple loop, but the double Axel and triple flip were solid. The 2025 World champion also picked up a level four on all three spins and footwork, earning high GOEs throughout.

“Tonight, I performed for the people,” said Liu. “I performed for them specifically. I don’t need a medal. I just need to be here. I just need to be present and need people to see what I do next.”

The 20-year-old, who will be sporting a new dress for the free skate, said she is excited for the free skate and hopes to be invited to the Olympic gala.

“I’m just proud to be here,” she said. “I really want to be in the gala because I have a really cool gala program that I’ve been working on, and it’s basically done.”

Mone Chiba

Mone Chiba of Japan produced an upbeat short program to “Last Dance,” placing fourth with 74.00 points. The 2025 World bronze medalist landed a triple flip-triple toe, double Axel, and triple Lutz, but the back end of the combo was landed on the quarter, and the Lutz received an edge call. However, she displayed strong level-four spins and footwork. The layback spin alone earned +5 GOEs across the board.

After the skating order was determined and Chiba learned she would be last to skate, she mentally prepared.

“But during the six-minute warm-up, for a moment, a big wave of nerves suddenly hit me,” she said. “It was my first time going into an arena with the full audience during the six-minute warm-up. I almost felt crushed by the wave of nerves. But when it was actually my turn to skate, that feeling changed into wanting to enjoy it. I’m glad it did.”

Adeliia Petrosian

Adeliia Petrosian (AIN) gave a crowd-pleasing skate to a Michael Jackson medley, landing a double Axel, triple Lutz and triple flip-triple toe. All three spins and the footwork were graded a level four, and the 18-year-old from Moscow scored a new personal best of 72.89 points for fifth place.

The 18-year-old from Moscow said she felt calm and enjoyed her performance and was “quite pleased” with her score.

“I hope the spectators enjoyed it as well,” said Petrosian. “Mentally and psychologically, I was calm. I wasn’t nervous. These are my first Olympic Games, so I don’t feel any big pressure. We’ll see how it goes in the free skate.”

“When I learned that my coach (Daniil Gleikhengauz) could be with me at the boards, I was very happy,” she added. “It means I have more familiar people around me, and that makes it easier for me. I feel more support that way. He helped me focus on my performance. I think he was more nervous than I was. And I’m happy that I didn’t disappoint him.”

Anastasiia Gubanova

Georgia’s Anastasiia Gubanova delivered a playful, high-energy Bollywood routine to “San Sanana,” placing sixth with a personal best score of 71.11 points. The three-time European medalist produced a triple flip-triple toe, double Axel and triple Lutz while earning a level four on all spins and footwork.

“I’m incredibly happy about the skate,” said the 23-year-old said. “It was a terrific skate! This was more than I was hoping for. It gives me a lot of pride to be able to deliver a clean skate at an event like this.”

“Yesterday I was here to support the Georgian pair team, and I discovered that it’s way more complicated to stand by the boards and be nervous for someone else than to skate myself,” she added. “It was a historic medal for Georgia, the first one at the Winter Olympics, and I’m so proud of my country. I never thought it would be that hard just rooting for somebody who can get an Olympic medal.”

Loena Hendrickx

Belgium’s Loena Hendrickx placed seventh with a new season’s best of 70.93 after a powerful, yet refined, short program to “Ashes.” The 26-year-old slightly underrotated the back end of a triple flip-triple toe and received an edge call on a triple Lutz, but showed two level-four spins and footwork.

“Two weeks ago, I wasn’t even sure if I was going to be here,” said the two-time world medalist. “I couldn’t walk on my right ankle for a few days. I had such a difficult preparation, but I knew I was strong and that I could overcome it. But I was just so thankful for my whole team supporting me. I really couldn’t have done it without them. This experience showed me how strong my body actually is.”

“From the first moment to the last, I was just enjoying it,” she continued. “I think I’ve never enjoyed a skate as much as today. My love for the sport is so big. For today, I really want to keep enjoying every single moment. I know I can deliver the free skate, and I will do everything I can to skate that one well too.”

Isabeau Levito

USA’s Isabeau Levito landed a triple flip-triple toe, double Axel and triple loop in her short program to “Zou Bisou Bisou.” The only mistake came when she received a quarter call on the triple loop, but she also lost a level on the footwork. Nevertheless, all spins were graded a level four, and the 2024 World silver medalist placed eighth with 70.84 points.

Haein Lee

Haein Lee of South Korea placed ninth in the short program with a new season’s best of 70.07. She slightly underrotated the back end of triple Lutz-triple toe, but the double Axel and triple flip were solid. The 2023 World silver medalist also displayed level-four spins a footwork throughout her ethereal routine to “Sirens.”

“I was very nervous, actually,” said the 20-year-old. “But I was really happy to just be here at the Olympics. I’ve been here for about three weeks, but I still couldn’t believe I’m at the Olympics. After my short program, now I think I really believe I’m at the Olympics. There are so many people cheering me and also the Team Korea members. So, I was so grateful for that.”

The skater from Seoul said she wasn’t really thinking about the score and didn’t expect to get a season’s best.

“I was really happy and surprised!” said Lee. “In the free skate, I will have to focus even more on my program. I want to do more clean jumps and have more energy in my performance. I’m not expecting anything, but I want to achieve my season’s best score and give the audience the most exciting performance this season. They are here to watch figure skating, and I want them to know it’s a really fun sport.”

Niina Petrokina

Niina Petrokina of Estonia attacked her short to “Criminal Tango,” landing a double Axel, triple Lutz-triple toe and triple flip. The only error was a slightly underrotated jump on the back end of her combination. All spins and footwork were graded a level four, and the 21-year-old placed 10th place with 69.63 points.

“I was really nervous, but I’m glad I brought everything with me and did my job well,” said the two-time and current European champion. “So, I’m happy.

“It feels amazing because I really wanted to come here and see how everything is,” she added of her experience at the Olympic Games. “The atmosphere and everything else, since it’s my first time here. I just wanted to see how everything is set up here. It feels a little different from other competitions because everyone feels pressure here. It’s the Olympics. I was even shaking a little today, but I’m glad I was able to complete every element.”

Rounding out the field

Nina Pinzarrone of Belgium produced a beautiful short program to “Send in the Clowns” placing 11th with a new season’s best of 68.97.

“I was so happy at the end of my performance!” said the 19-year-old. “I think everyone could see it. I really wanted to enjoy the moment. Skating in this stadium was something very special, and seeing the Olympic rings made it even more special.”

Kazakhstan’s Sofia Samodelkina earned a new personal best (68.47) for her flamboyant, but lighthearted short program to “Czardas,”

“I was fully focused from the very first step onto the ice,” said the 18-year-old. “Of course, I’m extremely happy and very satisfied, and I feel completely relieved now. It felt as if I skated it all in one breath. In that moment, I thought, ‘wow, I’m at the Olympic Games!’ I saw the rings. I saw the people standing there with flags, supporting me. That inspired me so much and was an incredible support for me.”

USA’s Amber Glenn found herself in 13th place (67.39) after doubling a loop which received no value. The opening triple Axel was spot on, earning positive GOEs, but she also received a quarter call on the back end of a triple flip-triple toe.

The Women’s event will conclude with the Free Skate on Thursday.

Related info:

• Official Results
• Olympic Qualification System for Figure Skating
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• More Olympic Figure Skating news

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