Niina Petrõkina, a two-time European champion in figure skating, made her Olympic debut at the Milano Cortina Games, finishing in seventh place. Competing as the 15th skater in the free program, Petrõkina performed flawlessly, executing seven triples and earning a score of 141.19 points for the free program. This score was just over four points shy of her record set at the European Championships, and her combined score of 210.82 points fell short of her personal best of 216.14 points from a month earlier in Sheffield.

The women’s singles event saw American Alysa Liu win the gold medal, finishing with a free skate score of 150.20 points and a total of 226.79 points, setting a new personal record. Liu’s victory marks her second gold medal at the Games, showcasing her dominance in the sport. Japanese three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto took home the silver with a score of 224.90 points, while another young Japanese skater secured the bronze, further emphasizing the strength of the Japanese figure skating team on the international stage.

Petrõkina's strong performance at her first Olympics reflects her rising talent and potential for future competitions. As she continues to develop her skills, her experience in such a high-stakes environment will serve her well, providing a valuable foundation for her career in figure skating.