Ami Nakai took the lead in the women's figure-skating short program at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026.
Nakai's performance establishes Japan as a primary contender for the gold medal. Her success comes at a critical juncture in the competition as other top nations, including the U.S., have struggled to match her early momentum.
Nakai secured the top position after landing a triple axel during her routine. She earned 78.71 points [1], which marks a career-best score for the athlete in a short program. The high technical score propelled her ahead of the field, placing her in a strong position heading into the free skate.
Japanese teammate Kaori Sakamoto also delivered a strong performance in the same segment. The combined efforts of Nakai and Sakamoto have given Japan a dominant presence in the women's event. Their performances on and off the ice have been noted for their composure and synergy during the games.
The competition in Milan-Cortina has highlighted a shift in technical execution. Nakai's ability to land the triple axel under Olympic pressure provides her with a significant mathematical advantage over competitors who lack the same technical difficulty in their programs. This lead puts pressure on the rest of the field to deliver flawless free skates to bridge the gap.
“Ami Nakai earned 78.71 points, which marks a career-best score for the athlete.”
Nakai's career-best score and successful triple axel create a significant technical buffer. In figure skating, the short program sets the baseline for the final standings; by leading this segment, Nakai forces her competitors to take greater risks in their free programs to overtake her, increasing the likelihood of errors for the rest of the field.
