At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, Japan's Ami Nakai has emerged as a strong contender in the women's figure skating event, having delivered an impressive performance that included a triple axel, earning a score of 78.71 points. Nakai's achievement places her ahead of her teammate, Kaori Sakamoto, who scored 77.23 points in a close contest that has created anticipation for the upcoming rounds. Meanwhile, American skater Alysa Liu, although trailing in third place with 76.59 points, remains within striking distance of gold as the competition progresses.

On a different front, Germany swept the medals in the two-man bobsled event, showcasing their dominance in this sport at the Games. This success comes amidst a disappointing outing for the American bobsledders, as several mistakes hindered their performances, preventing them from competing effectively for a medal. The stark contrast in fortunes between the German and American teams highlights the competitive nature of the Olympics, where precision and performance under pressure are vital.

Overall, the early events in the 2026 Winter Olympics reveal both emerging stories and established rivalries, with Japan's figure skating team showing promising potential and Germany asserting their strength in bobsledding. These competitions set the stage for what could be a thrilling remainder of the Olympic games, as athletes aim to secure their places in Olympic history.