2026 Olympic Women's Figure Skating Free Skate: Preview and Top Contenders
The stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to the women's figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Following a thrilling short program that saw a surprise leader emerge, all eyes are on the Milano Ice Skating Arena for the highly anticipated free skate on Thursday, February 19. This final performance will determine who takes home the gold, silver, and bronze medals in one of the Games' most prestigious events .
This article provides everything you need to know ahead of the final, including the full broadcast schedule, the current standings after the short program, and the top contenders to watch.
📅 Event Overview: Date, Time, and How to Watch
The women's free skate is the climax of the figure skating competition. Here are the essential details to ensure you don't miss a minute of the action.
📺 Broadcast Information
Live Stream: Peacock and NBCOlympics.com
🥇 Current Standings: The Top 10 After the Short Program
The short program on Tuesday, February 17, delivered drama and set the stage for an open competition. Japan's teenage sensation Ami Nakai delivered a stunning performance to take a surprise lead. She is closely followed by her decorated teammate and three-time world champion, Kaori Sakamoto . Reigning world champion Alysa Liu of the USA sits firmly in third, keeping America's medal hopes very much alive .
Here are the official standings after the short program :
| Rank | Skater | Country | Short Program Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ami Nakai | Japan | 78.71 |
| 2 | Kaori Sakamoto | Japan | 77.23 |
| 3 | Alysa Liu | USA | 76.59 |
| 4 | Mone Chiba | Japan | 74.00 |
| 5 | Adeliia Petrosian | AIN (Individual Neutral Athlete) | 72.89 |
| 6 | Anastasiia Gubanova | Georgia | 71.77 |
| 7 | Loena Hendrickx | Belgium | 70.93 |
| 8 | Isabeau Levito | USA | 70.84 |
| 9 | Lee Haein | South Korea | 70.07 |
| 10 | Niina Petrokina | Estonia | 69.63 |
The scores are tight at the top, meaning the free skate—which is worth one-third more points than the short program—will be the true decider .
🥌 Key Contenders to Watch in the Free Skate
The free skate promises a fascinating battle between experience, youthful energy, technical prowess, and the emotional weight of a final Olympic performance.
🇯🇵 The Japanese Trio: Aiming for a Historic Sweep
Japan is in an incredibly strong position, with three skaters in the top four.
Ami Nakai: At just 17, the youngest competitor in the field shook up the establishment with her fearless and joyful short program. As a relative unknown on the senior international stage, she is now the one to catch .
Kaori Sakamoto: The veteran leader and crowd favorite, Sakamoto is competing in her final Olympics before retiring from the sport. Skating to "Time to Say Goodbye" in the short program, the 25-year-old three-time world champion is determined to upgrade her bronze from Beijing 2022 to gold on her home-continent ice .
Mone Chiba: Currently in fourth, Chiba is only 2.71 points off the podium. The 2024 World bronze medalist is perfectly positioned to capitalize if any of the top three falter .
🇺🇸 The American "Blade Angels": Chasing a 24-Year Gold
The trio of Alysa Liu, Isabeau Levito, and Amber Glenn have already secured team gold for the USA. Now, they are on an individual mission .
Alysa Liu: The reigning world champion is the best-placed American in third. Skating with a new-found freedom and confidence after a brief retirement, she is a serious threat for gold .
Isabeau Levito: The 18-year-old "ice princess" sits in eighth. While she faces a points gap, a pristine and artistic free skate could see her climb several places .
Amber Glenn: After a heartbreaking short program where a missed element cost her dearly, the 26-year-old U.S. champion sits in 13th. However, she is the only American woman to land a triple axel in competition. If she skates cleanly and aggressively, she has the power to dramatically shake up the final standings .
🇷🇺 The Neutral Wildcard: Adeliia Petrosian
The biggest unknown is Adeliia Petrosian. The 18-year-old Russian, competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN), is the only skater in the field who regularly performs quadruple jumps . She sits in fifth place and has hinted that she may attempt a quad in the free skate. If she lands it cleanly, it could be a "game-changer" and propel her onto the podium in her first major international competition .
🔮 What to Expect in the Final
The women's free skate is a four-minute program that allows for more technical elements and artistic expression than the short program. Given the tight margins, the competition will likely come down to who can handle the immense pressure of the Olympic final .
Will it be a Japanese sweep? Can Alysa Liu bring gold back to the USA? Or will Adeliia Petrosian's quad revolutionize the competition? One thing is certain: the Milano Ice Skating Arena will be the center of the figure skating world on Thursday afternoon.
Don't miss the crowning of the 2026 Olympic women's figure skating champion.
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