In a stunning display of youthful prowess, Japanese teenager Ami Nakai has dramatically overshadowed the United States team in the women's figure skating short program at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The seventeen-year-old sensation, alongside her compatriot Kaori Sakamoto, seized the lead on Tuesday night, relegating the highly-touted American 'Blade Angels' to the chasing pack.
Japanese Dominance on the Olympic Ice
Ami Nakai, the youngest competitor among the twenty-nine skaters in the field, delivered a career-best performance to score 78.71 points. Her routine was highlighted by a flawless opening triple axel that set the tone for the evening. Close behind, Kaori Sakamoto posted 77.23 points as she pursues the elusive Olympic gold medal, the only major title missing from her illustrious collection.
American Hopes Dented by Costly Errors
The American challenge was led by Alysa Liu, who managed a respectable 76.59 points to secure third place, keeping her within striking distance of the podium. However, the rest of the US team encountered significant setbacks. Isabeau Levito suffered a level reduction on her step sequence, finishing eighth with 70.84 points.
More devastating was the performance of three-time reigning US champion Amber Glenn. Her medal aspirations were severely compromised when she doubled a planned triple loop, rendering the jump invalid and awarding her zero points for the element. Fighting back tears as she left the ice, Glenn found herself in thirteenth place with 67.39 points.
"I had it," a distraught Glenn told her coach, Damon Allen, who offered words of encouragement: "It's not over."
Japanese Depth and Russian Intrigue
Japan's strength in depth was further demonstrated by Mone Chiba, who scored 74.00 points to position herself just ahead of Adeliia Petrosian of Russia. With three skaters in strong contention, Japan appears capable of stacking the podium when the women's free skate concludes the figure skating program on Thursday night.
The women's event has long been anticipated as a showdown between the technical brilliance of Japan and the powerful athleticism of the Americans. However, Adeliia Petrosian successfully inserted herself into this narrative. The eighteen-year-old from Moscow, competing as a neutral athlete due to Russia's ongoing ban from international competition following the invasion of Ukraine, was vetted and cleared by the International Olympic Committee.
Petrosian's Remarkable Olympic Debut
Despite having no significant world ranking, Petrosian delivered a captivating performance set to a medley of Michael Jackson hits. She executed a clean double axel, landed a triple lutz, and completed a seemingly effortless triple flip-triple toe loop combination. Her score of 74.00 points placed her firmly among the contenders.
"I'm quite pleased with my score. It's good," Petrosian remarked in Russian. "I hope to be in the same warm-up group with them. It would be nice to be in the same warm-up group and compete against them."
Coached by the controversial Eteri Tutberidze, Petrosian qualified for the Olympics by winning a qualifying event in Japan after being cleared of any ties to the Russian military or the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The Stage is Set for Thursday's Finale
As the competition moves to the decisive free skate on Thursday night, Ami Nakai carries the momentum of her short program triumph. The Japanese teenager has not only upstaged her American rivals but has positioned herself as the athlete to beat in the quest for Olympic gold. With Sakamoto and Chiba providing formidable support, Japan could achieve a historic podium sweep, while the United States team must mount a dramatic comeback to salvage their medal hopes.
