OLYMPIC DIGEST | Figure Skating: Ami Nakai is the Surprise Leader After Short Program

The triple axel propelled teenager Ami Nakai to the top in the women's figure skating short program on Tuesday night, February 17.

By successfully landing the difficult jump and following it with a triple lutz/triple toe-loop combination, Nakai dazzled during her rendition of "La Strada" by Italian composer Nino Rota. Nakai earned 78.71 points.

In the 17-year-old's Olympic debut, she exceeded her expectations at Milano Ice Skating Arena.

"Honestly, I'm surprised, and I'm very happy now that I was able to perform like this on this stage," Nakai told reporters at the Milan Cortina Olympics. "I feel like I'm dreaming."

Three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto is second with 77.23 points, followed by reigning world champ Alysa Liu of the United States (76.59) and Mone Chiba (74.00).

figure skating — *Mone Chiba makes her Olympic debut on February 17. (©KYODO)*

For Japan, heading into the free skate on Thursday night (Friday 3 AM JST) with three of the top four skaters underscores the nation's depth and talent in this winter sport. Sakamoto was the bronze medalist at the 2022 Beijing Games.

Nakai Maintains Poise in the Short Program

Reflecting on her performance in the short program, Nakai mentioned that her preparations went well. And that put her in a positive mindset.

"I was in quite good condition in practice, so I thought I just had to do the triple axel in the competition," Nakai told a news conference before adding, "I also had a lot of confidence."

Before the short program, "I didn't feel scared at all," she stated, "and I wasn't as nervous as I expected. I was really excited about it."

Now in pursuit of her first Olympic figure skating medal, Nakai intends to stick with what worked on Tuesday.

"I want to make sure I land the triple axel," Nakai said, according to Agence France-Presse, "and then enjoy the performance until the very end of it."

Sakamoto Satisfied with Her Short Program

By putting herself in medal contention, Sakamoto reminded everyone of her credentials as a world-class skater.

In doing so, Sakamoto also enjoyed the experience in Milan.

"Although I was nervous today, I was really able to enjoy skating, so I feel quite satisfied with how it went," Sakamoto was quoted as saying by Kyodo News.

She added, "On this big stage, I was able to deliver about 90% of my performance in the short program, so that's something I want to praise myself for."

Curling

Japan Women Eliminated from Medal Contention

On Tuesday, the Japan women's team slipped to 1-6 in round robin play, losing 8-6 to Italy at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. It was Japan's fourth consecutive defeat.

With its less-than-flattering record in the curling tournament, skip Sayaka Yoshimura's team can't advance to the semifinals.

The struggling team closes out the Olympics with a match against Great Britain on Wednesday and another versus China the next day.

Japan was the bronze medalist at the 2018 Olympics and returned home with the silver from the 2022 Winter Games. The two-time medalists were led by skip Satsuki Fujisawa.

At the national qualifying tournament for Italy's Olympics in September 2025, Yoshimura's squad was the champion.

All of the members of the current Japan curling team are first-time Olympians.

Before it faced Italy on Tuesday, Japan lost 9-6 to Canada in its previous match.

Japan vice-skip Yuna Kotani spoke about the team's frustration after the match against Canada.

"I believe the difference between winning and losing is paper-thin, but that small gap feels enormous," Kotani said, according to Jiji Press. "Winning on such a big stage is really tough."

Skeleton

Disqualified Ukrainian Racer Receives $200,000 Gift

After the IOC disqualified him from competition, Olympic skeleton racer Vladislav Heraskevych lost his appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport on February 13. The appeal centered on his request to wear a helmet honoring Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed in Russia's invasion of his homeland.

In the aftermath of the International Olympic Committee's initial ruling that he couldn't wear the helmet because of its political "messaging," and the CAS decision, Heraskevych, 27, was denied a chance to compete at the 2026 Olympics.

But a Ukrainian businessman wants to ensure that he'll have opportunities to compete elsewhere in the future.

Rinat Akhmetov, who owns the Shakhtar Donetsk soccer club, gave a gift of $200,000 USD (about ¥31 million JPY) to Heraskevych on Tuesday, The Associated Press reported.

"Vlad Heraskevych was denied the opportunity to compete for victory at the Olympic Games, yet he returns to Ukraine a true winner," Akhmetov said in a statement. "The respect and pride he has earned among Ukrainians through his actions are the highest reward.

"At the same time, I want him to have enough energy and resources to continue his sporting career, as well as to fight for truth, freedom and the remembrance of those who gave their lives for Ukraine."

Memorable Olympic Commentary from Yesteryear

This reporter's midweek morning reading included a classic column on the Summer Games from half a century ago. It is from the Red Smith Reader (1982), an anthology of the legendary American journalist's sports columns.

One of Smith's 1976 dispatches from Montreal, Canada, "Fields of Friendly Strife," for The New York Times, begins this way:

"The Games of the XXI Olympiad end tomorrow, and not a moment too soon. Another day or so of camaraderie and good will on the fields of friendly strife and somebody would win up with a knife between his ribs. Up to now, this sweaty carnival has run smooth as the course of true love, if you don't count the angry withdrawal of thirty nations, cheating disqualifications, rumors of attempted bribery, political and ideological clashes, threats, bluffs, defections, charges of kidnapping and the use of forbidden steroids.

"It won't be easy to wait four long years to see them do it all over again in Moscow."