Ami Nakai Leads Short Program; isabeau levito and U.S. Hopes Face Setbacks
Japan dominated the opening phase of the Olympic women's figure skating competition on Tuesday (ET), with 17-year-old Ami Nakai producing a personal-best short program to lead a strong Japanese showing. The performance left the U. S. contingent chasing as key American hopefuls, including Isabeau Levito, failed to match the front-runners ahead of Thursday's free skate (ET), when medals will be decided.
Nakai's clean skate puts Japan in control
Nakai delivered a crisp, technically demanding program to La Strada that included a soaring triple axel and a triple lutz–triple toe loop combination, earning a season-best 78. 71 points. The 17-year-old, the youngest of the 29 skaters in the field, set an early benchmark that withstood the remainder of the short program groups.
Three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto followed close behind with a poised routine set to Time To Say Goodbye, collecting 77. 23 points despite a couple of slightly under-rotated elements. Mone Chiba also impressed, leaving the top four tightly packed and Japan in the rare position of potentially securing a podium sweep — a feat never achieved in the Olympic women's event.
“I feel like I’m dreaming, ” Nakai said after her skate. She added that she aimed to stay focused and enjoy her time on the ice, praising the competitiveness of her rivals while noting the friendly atmosphere among the skaters.
U. S. challenge falters as isabeau levito loses ground
The Americans had high hopes of ending a long medal drought in this event, but performances fell short of expectations. Alysa Liu mounted a strong challenge, landing difficult elements and earning 76. 59 to remain firmly in the podium conversation. A world champion who returned to competition following a break, Liu said her goal was to perform her programs and share her story rather than focus on beating specific opponents.
Other U. S. skaters struggled to convert their technical ambition into scores. Isabeau Levito was penalized with a downgraded level on her step sequence and finished eighth in the short program with 70. 84 points. The deduction underscored the fine margins in the short program, where component and level calls can swing placements significantly.
Amber Glenn energized the arena with the only other triple axel attempt of the night, a moment that drew a roaring response from the crowd. Her routine included high notes of excitement but also inconsistencies that left the American team still seeking a clean, medal-worthy result heading into the free skate.
What to expect in the free skate
With the free program scheduled for Thursday (ET), the contest remains wide open. Nakai, Sakamoto and Chiba will carry momentum for Japan, but the free skate's longer format and higher base values provide opportunities for movement up and down the leaderboard. Liu and other contenders can close gaps if they deliver clean, technically full programs under pressure.
The U. S. team must convert its jump arsenal into error-free performances to break the country's long absence from the Olympic ladies' podium. The free skate will demand not only technical excellence — triple axels and combinations — but also the performance quality Sakamoto and Nakai showcased on Tuesday. Expectations and nerves will collide on Thursday evening (ET), when judges finalize the Olympic medals.
