The excitement is building as the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 reaches its climax for the women’s figure skating event. Heading into the decisive “last dance” free skate on Thursday, February 19th, Japan’s Sakamoto Kaori stands poised for a dramatic showdown, sitting just 1.48 points different from gold. The three-time world champion and Olympic medallist aims to capture the elusive Olympic gold in her final Olympic competition.
“It doesn’t feel like this is the end,” an optimistic Sakamoto remarked following her impressive short program. With her score of 77.23, she secured second place, narrowly trailing her fellow Japanese teammate, Nakai Ami, who scored an astonishing personal best of 78.71 in her Olympic debut.
As the tension mounts, Sakamoto emphasizes the importance of self-focus. “I think if I focus on myself and skate the way I’m capable of skating, I should be happy with the outcome,” she said. The 25-year-old plans to stay uplifted with a spirit of enjoyment through her performance.
Competing to the moving melody of Time to Say Goodbye, Sakamoto showcased her talents with a flawless opening triple Lutz and a strong double Axel. The energy from the crowd at the Milano Ice Skating Arena served as a significant boost, enabling her to execute a triple flip-triple toe loop combination while earning level fours on her spins and step sequence.
The competition is remarkably tight, with the top nine skaters separated by just eight points. Sakamoto currently holds the world lead in both the free skating (150.13) and overall total (227.18) categories, showcasing her remarkable skills throughout the season. However, Nakai remains a close challenger, with scores of 149.08 in free skating and 227.08 overall.
Sakamoto is steadfast in her quest for a joyous conclusion to her Olympic journey. “Not going to lie, I was a little bit nervous, but I had fun skating out there,” she reflected. Her passion and focus on enjoyment, along with her determination, signal that the Saturday free skate will be nothing short of thrilling.
