Japanese teen Ami Nakai leads the Olympic figure skating short program, while Norway’s Tormod Frostad clinches freestyle skiing big air gold in a dramatic final.
MILAN: Japanese teenager Ami Nakai set the pace in the Olympic women’s figure skating short program. The 17-year-old upstaged compatriot Kaori Sakamoto at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.
Nakai earned a personal-best 78.71 points with a sparkling performance to “La Strada”. She nailed all her elements, including a difficult triple axel.
Three-time world champion Sakamoto sits second with 77.23 points. The 25-year-old is searching for an elusive individual gold at her final Winter Games.
America’s Alysa Liu is third with 76.59 points. The world champion is followed by Japan’s Mone Chiba and neutral athlete Adeliia Petrosian.
Nakai said she felt like she was “dreaming” at her first Winter Olympics. She aims to land the triple axel again and enjoy her free skate performance.
“The Americans push me with their difficult jumps, including the triple axel,” Nakai said. She added that she wants to enjoy her time with them on the ice.
In freestyle skiing, Norway’s Tormod Frostad soared to gold in the men’s big air final. The 23-year-old posted a winning total of 195.50 at the snow-swept Livigno venue.
USA’s Mac Forehand took silver with 193.25 points. Austria’s Matej Svancer claimed bronze with a score of 191.25.
Forehand moved into the gold medal position before Frostad’s final run. The Norwegian responded with a competition-high 98.50 to reclaim top spot.
“The level was just insane,” Frostad said. He added that he was beyond happy to showcase his skiing under pressure.
Norway’s Jens Oftebro won his second Nordic combined gold medal of the Games. The 25-year-old added the large hill title to his normal hill victory.
Canada’s women won team pursuit gold in speedskating. Italy claimed victory in the men’s team pursuit event in Milan.
France celebrated biathlon gold in the men’s 4 x 7.5km relay. The victory took them to a new national record of 16 medals at a Winter Olympics.
Norway leads the medals table with 14 golds and 31 overall. Hosts Italy are second with nine golds and 24 total medals.
