Japanese teenager Ami Nakai scores big in women's figure skating opener

Story byJapanese teenager Ami Nakai scores big in women's figure skating openerAmi Nakai of Japan scored a 78.71 Tuesday night in Milan, Italy, to top the women's short program ahead of the free skating portion of the event. Photo by Richard Ellis/UPIDarryl CooteWed, February 18, 2026 at 3:21 AM UTC·3 min read

Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Japan's Ami Nakai pumped her fists into the air while a large smile bloomed on her face after striking her final pose after completing a near spotless short program Tuesday night in Milan, Italy, claiming first place in the two-program event.

The 17-year-old, the youngest of the 29 figure skaters, scored a personal best 78.71 points in the short program as she skated a fun romp to La Strada by Nino Rota.

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"I feel like I should be enjoying this Olympics," she told reporters after the skate.

"Before the music started, I was calm and was my usual self. I'd almost give myself a 10 out of 10 on the Axel. I wasn't 100% sure ahead of the skate, but I managed to pull it off, all things considered."

She skated among the most technical dances of the night including a triple Axel, a triple loop and a triple Lutz+triple toe loop that had the audience erupting into cheers.

Kaori Sakamoto of Japan finished second Tuesday night with a score of 77.23 in the women's single skating short program at the Milano Figure Skating Stadium in Milan, Italy, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI

In second was Nakai's countrywoman Kaori Sakamoto, who is going after her first Olympic gold medal in her third Olympics.

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The three-time world champion came in Tuesday's competition as the heavy favorite, and scored a 77.23 with a dance to Time to Say Goodbye that included included a triple Lutz and a triple flip+triple toe loop.

Lee Haein of South Korea performs during the women's single skating short program at the Milano Figure Skating Stadium in Milan, Italy, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI

She was all smiles as she exited the ice surface with a prance.

The United States' Alysa Liu finished third on Tuesday night in her second Olympics. She finished sixth in the women's single event in Beijing in 2022.

The United States' Alysa Liu scored 76.59 points perform during the women's single figure skating short program at the Milano Figure Skating Arena in Milan, Italy, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI

The 20-year-old, who has already won a gold in Italy in the Team Event, skated a strong short program for 76.59 points. To Promise by Laufey, Liu performed a triple Lutz+triple loop, a triple flip and a double Axel for one of the more technical dances of the night.

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"I do wish I was out there longer just to take in the moment some more," she told reporters after the skate, explaining what she was feeling when her program was done. "It was really a great feeling."

Loena Hendrickx of Belgium performs during the Women's Single Skating Short Program at the Milano Figure Skating Stadium in Milan, Italy, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI

Amber Glenn, the United States' other skater in the event, finished 13th with a score of 67.39.

The free skating program, the second half of the event, is scheduled Thursday.

Amber Glenn of the United States performs during the women's single skating short program at the Milano Figure Skating Stadium in Milan, Italy, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Photo by Richard Ellis/UPIAdvertisementAdvertisement