Japan’s Ami Nakai Surges Into Lead After Figure Skating Short Program at Winter Olympics

Ami Nakai of Japan competes during the women's short program figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 17, 2026. Natacha Pisarenko/AP Photo

MILAN—Ami Nakai and Japanese teammate Kaori Sakamoto upstaged Alysa Liu and the rest of the “Blade Angels” on Tuesday night.

Nakai rode her opening triple axel to a career-best 78.71 points in her short program at the Milan Cortina Olympics, while three-time world champion Sakamoto—the reigning Winter Games bronze medalist—was right behind with 77.23 as she chases down about the only gold medal she has yet to win. Liu was third with 76.59, keeping her within range of the top step of the podium.