MILAN, ITALY – The stage is set for a high-stakes finale at the Milano Ice Skating Arena. Following the conclusion of the Short Programme earlier this week, the Women’s Single Skating competition is heading into its decisive medal round tonight, Thursday, February 19, 2026.
While no medals have been awarded yet, the standings from the first segment have established a clear battle for the podium between Japanese technical masters and a resurgent American star.
The Leaderboard Heading into the Free Skate
The competition is currently led by a powerful Japanese duo, but the margins remain thin:
- 1st Place: Ami Nakai (Japan) – The technical standout who carries the lead into the final night.
- 2nd Place: Kaori Sakamoto (Japan) – The veteran powerhouse looking to cement her Olympic legacy.
- 3rd Place: Alysa Liu (USA) – The American sensation currently positioned to end a 20-year U.S. Olympic medal drought in this event.
Tonight’s Decisive Format
The Free Skating segment, beginning tonight, is the longer of the two routines and carries a higher scoring value. Because it allows for more complex jump combinations and technical elements, it frequently reshapes the standings from the Short Programme.
The final Olympic Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals will be determined by the combined total scores from both Tuesday’s Short Programme and tonight’s Free Skate.
Storylines to Watch
- Japan’s Quest for Dominance: Can Nakai and Sakamoto maintain their 1-2 positioning to secure a historic finish for Japan?.
- The American Drought: Alysa Liu’s current third-place standing represents the best chance for a U.S. woman to stand on the Olympic podium since 2006.
- Technical Risks: With the Free Skating segment allowing for a higher volume of jumps, spectators are anticipating whether the leaders will play it safe or attempt high-risk elements to secure the Gold.