Figure skating fans around the globe are buzzing with excitement as three-time world champion Sakamoto Kaori unveils her captivating free skate program for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics season. In a display fit for the grandest of stages, Sakamoto will perform to the iconic love ballad “L’Hymne à l’amour” by Edith Piaf, channeling the powerful emotions synonymous with Celine Dion’s recent performances.
At a special exhibition titled “Dreams on Ice” held in Yokohama, the 25-year-old showcased her interpretation, declaring, “At this point, I’ve got a long way to go before I make the program mine.” She expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming season while reflecting on her journey through figure skating. “But I really had a good time today because I was able to show how I’m going to compete for the new season.”
Sakamoto is traversing a path filled with nostalgia as she gears up for her final season, aiming for a gold medal at her third Olympic Games. The choice of Piaf’s classic is intentional, with its themes of love resonating deeply. Choreographer Marie-France Dubreuil emphasized that this skate wouldn’t center on romantic love, but rather on Sakamoto’s devotion to the sport itself. The result promises to intertwine her personal story and her artistic expression.
Complementing this heartfelt program, Sakamoto will also present a short routine set to Andrea Bocelli’s “Time To Say Goodbye.” “The short will be a look-back on my 20 years in skating, taking everyone on a journey through everything I’ve gone through since childhood,” she revealed, offering a sneak peek into her reflective themes for the element of farewell.
Add to that, her close friend and fellow Olympic contender, Higuchi Wakaba, recently echoed similar sentiments as she confirmed her upcoming retirement, choosing Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” and the “Wonder Woman” theme for her programs. Wakaba, who shared a silver medal with Sakamoto in Beijing, expressed a determination to make her final competitive season memorable.
As both skaters embark on this poignant farewell tour, throngs of admirers will undoubtedly flock to see these torchbearers of figure skating deliver performances that honor their legacies while captivating audiences worldwide.
