Ami Nakai Leads After Short Program at Milan Cortina Olympics

Ami Nakai surged into the lead after the women’s short program at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on Tuesday night.

Nakai landed a triple axel and scored a career best 78.71 points. Fellow Japanese skater Kaori Sakamoto was second with 77.23 points. Alysa Liu finished third with 76.59.

"Whether I beat them or not is not my goal," Liu said of the Japanese contingent, which includes Mone Chiba right behind her in fourth place. "My goal is just to do my programs and share my story, and I don't need to be over or under anyone to do that."

Chiba scored 74.00 points to stay in medal contention ahead of the free skate on Thursday.

American skater Isabeau Levito placed eighth with 70.84 after losing a level on her step sequence. Three time reigning U.S. champion Amber Glenn was 13th with 67.39 after doubling a triple loop.

"I had it," Glenn told her coach, Damon Allen. He replied: "It's not over."

Adeliia Petrosian of Russia finished just behind Chiba. Competing as a neutral athlete, she delivered a strong performance set to a Michael Jackson medley.

"I'm quite pleased with my score. It's good," Petrosian said in Russian, "and I'm happy with it."

"I hope to be in the same warmup group with them," Petrosian said. "I haven't really seen them yet because we are all in different practice groups. But it would be nice to be in the same warmup group and compete against them."

Nakai said she was focused on the experience.

"There's no way I stand a chance against Kaori," Nakai said. "Right now, I'm just enjoying these Olympics."

Sakamoto, the reigning Olympic bronze medalist and three time world champion, remained within reach of the lead heading into the free skate.

Liu, who finished sixth at the Beijing Winter Olympics before stepping away from the sport, said she feels different this time.

"I can't even describe how different it is," Liu said. "I mean, just the fact that my family and friends are here and the fact that it's not COVID and the fact that I am here with programs that I love and I'm proud of enough to, like, show people and, like, rep, and, like, I love my dresses a lot. Like I'm super confident in myself, in everything. It goes beyond my skating."

"So, I'm really glad," Liu continued, "that I got this stage as I am now."

The women’s free skate on Thursday will decide the medals.