Ami Nakai leads as amber glenn falters in Olympic women's short program
Japan dominated the women's figure skating short program at Milan-Cortina 2026, with 17-year-old Ami Nakai taking the lead on Tuesday (ET) with a season-best 78. 71. The short program left the Japanese trio occupying three of the top four positions and left one of the U. S. hopefuls, Amber Glenn, facing an uphill fight after a costly mistake.
Nakai's clean skate puts Japan in control
Nakai delivered a calm, technically demanding routine highlighted by a soaring triple axel and a strong jump combination, earning her a personal-season high of 78. 71. Three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto backed up her reputation with a polished performance to sit second on 77. 23, while Mone Chiba—last year’s world bronze medallist—rounded out the Japanese presence near the top in fourth with 74. 00.
The trio’s positioning after the short program presents Japan with a rare and tantalising chance to threaten an Olympic podium sweep in the free skate. Nakai, the youngest of the field, said she tried to stay present in her routine and enjoy the moment, and her composed outing held firm through the remainder of the group.
Americans struggle; Amber Glenn’s error compounds pressure
The United States lineup did not enjoy the same fortune. Alysa Liu produced a crowd-rousing performance—complete with her instantly recognisable halo hair and lip piercing—and posted a season-best 76. 59 to sit third, amid vociferous arena support. Her routine drew visible acclaim from fellow skaters and well-known spectators in the crowd, though she lost a few points for a slightly short landing on her triple lutz.
Others from the U. S. side found the night harder going. Isabeau Levito was penalised with a level deduction on her step sequence and finished eighth on 70. 84. Amber Glenn, skating to Madonna’s "Like a Prayer, " began strongly and produced the only other triple axel of the night, but then missed her triple loop entirely. The jump was judged an invalid element and scored zero, a blow that effectively extinguished her medal hopes. The 26-year-old was visibly emotional as she left the ice and sits 13th overall after the short program—far from the mark needed to contest for a podium place.
Other notes and the path to the free skate
Adeliia Petrosian, competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete (INA), placed fifth and remains the most likely INA contender to break the current medal drought for that designation; she trains under established figures in the sport, though not all are listed on official paperwork. Meanwhile, Great Britain’s Kristen Spours, in what will be her final competitive outing before retirement forced by injury, finished 29th and did not qualify for the free skate—only the top 24 advance to Thursday’s medal-deciding free skate (ET).
With the free skate scheduled for Thursday evening (ET), the leaders will try to convert strong short-program showings into Olympic medals. Japan arrives with momentum and multiple skaters in medal contention, while the Americans must regroup rapidly if they are to end their long wait for an Olympic women’s podium finish.
