Mariia Seniuk Nails Short Program, Advances to Olympic Free Skate in Milan
Israeli skater mariia seniuk produced a composed short program at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, earning a spot in the free skate after posting a 58. 61 to sit 22nd heading into the final segment.
mariia seniuk secures place in free skate despite pre-Games tensions
Seniuk, 20, who was born in Moscow and switched her competitive allegiance to Israel in 2019, delivered a clean short program that drew a warm reception from the crowd at Forum di Assago. Despite pre-Games warnings that representing Israel might prompt protests and scattered boos at the opening ceremony, she said she felt supported and described the experience as "very, very special. " The short program score of 58. 61 was enough to advance her to the free skate, where the final standings and medals will be decided on Thursday (ET).
Field tightens as Nakai, Sakamoto and Liu lead into free skate
The short program featured several standout performances that reshaped expectations for the free skate. Japan's Ami Nakai surged into the lead with a season-best 78. 71, fueled by a clean triple Axel in her Olympic debut. Three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto sat second on 77. 23, while reigning world champion Alysa Liu claimed third with 76. 59 after a confident, clean skate. Russian-born Adeliia Petrosian, competing under neutral status, had set an early benchmark with a Michael Jackson-themed routine and a career-best 72. 89 that kept her near the top before eventually finishing fifth in the short program standings.
What Seniuk's result means for Israel and the final
As a four-time national champion who carried Israel's flag at the opening ceremony, mariia seniuk's progression to the free skate is a notable development for the country's small delegation. The 10-member team drew mixed reactions in the stands, but the largest visible Israeli flags and a contingent of supporters helped create an encouraging atmosphere for the skater. Her measured short program — executed under the unique pressures that accompany the geopolitical backdrop — demonstrated composure and poise that bode well for the free skate challenge.
With the free skate scheduled for Thursday (ET), the medal picture remains wide open. Nakai, Sakamoto and Liu hold the top three positions after the short program, but the free skate rewards technical difficulty and presentation across a long program, meaning movements up and down the leaderboard are common. Seniuk will need to deliver a markedly stronger free skate to climb from 22nd into contention, but qualifying itself represents progress on the Olympic stage for the young athlete.
Beyond placements, the event highlighted the emotional complexity surrounding athletes who change national allegiance and the reactions that can follow at major events. For now, seniuk has put herself into the decisive segment of the competition and will aim to build on the momentum of a solid short program when she returns to the ice for the free skate on Thursday (ET).
