• Reigning ISU World and Grand Prix Final Champion Alysa Liu (USA) headlines the field. Competing in her second Olympic Games, Liu staged a stunning comeback a year ago when she came out of retirement to take the World title. 

Alysa Liu (USA) can complete her return from retirement by adding Olympic gold to her World title © Getty Images

• Three-time ISU World Champion Kaori Sakamoto, pictured top, has dominated this Olympic cycle. Competing in her final season, she wants to get that Olympic gold.
• Amber Glenn (USA) has a triple Axel in her arsenal that could give her the edge over her competitors.
• Ami Nakai (JPN) is the most exciting newcomer this season. Armed with a triple Axel, she was on the podium at the ISU Grand Prix and ISU Four Continents this season.
• Two-time ISU World medalist Loena Hendrickx (BEL) is back in action after missing last season due to injury.
• Others to watch include: Two-time ISU European Champion Niina Petrokina (EST), Mone Chiba (JPN), Anastasiia Gubanova (GEO) and Lara Naki Gutmann (ITA).

Newly crowned European Champion Niina Petrokina (EST) is a contender in a deep Women's field © ISU

• Adeliia Petrosian (AIN) has landed the triple Axel and quadruple jumps in competition.
• Sakamoto has the highest seasons best in the Short Program (78.88 points), followed by Ami Nakai (78.00 points) and Chiba (77.27 points).

• A total of 27 Women representing 20 NOCs and two Individual Neutral Athletes compete in the Short Program.
• The top 24 Women after the Short Program advance to the Free Skating on Thursday, February 19.
• The highest score in the Women’s Short Program currently is 87.42 points, set by Kamila Valieva in 2021. 
• The highest score in the Women’s Short Program at Olympic Games is 82.92 points (by Alina Zagitova, Olympic Winter Games 2018).
• Kaori Sakamoto is re the only returning medalists from the Beijing Games.
• Japan, Italy and Georgia have yet to win an Olympic medal in Pair Skating (individual event).