Shin Ji-a, South Korea’s leading women’s singles figure skater, delivered a solid real-training performance at the Milan Arena in Italy on February 5. She eyes continued momentum heading into the competition.
Debut in 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics Team Event
On February 6 at 9:35 p.m. Korean time, Shin Ji-a took the ice for the women’s singles short program in the team event during the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. Drawing the fourth spot among 10 competitors, she showcased her program set to Poland’s Ekaterina Kurakova.
This marks her alignment with the 20th free skate assignment from the draw. Shin Ji-a becomes the first Korean figure skater to attempt an Olympic program since Cha Jun-hwan.
Proven Track Record in Junior Ranks
From 2022 through 2025, Shin Ji-a dominated as South Korea’s top women’s singles skater in ISU Junior Grand Prix events, securing medals and setting the highest achievements for Korean women in the discipline.
Though triple Axels and consistent jumps remain challenging, her stable technique, varied Biellmann Y-spins, and strong overall presentation earned consistent high marks.
Adapting to Senior Challenges
For the 2025-2026 season debut, Shin Ji-a navigated short program layout changes by competing in both Grand Prix series events. This boosted her standings, enabling a comeback quota after the 4 Continents Championships.
She jumped back into the sixth position among ISU 4 Continents events, securing a top-group seeding once more.
Confidence Boost Post-Milan
Following her Milan session, Shin Ji-a shared, “After the 4 Continents Championships, returning to Korea allowed me to focus more intensely on practice. I regained confidence by recovering well in free skating. Even now, I stay committed to the training from Korea without forgetting it.”
Her Olympic program continues to generate buzz among observers.
