Olympic figure skater Emily Hughes, of Great Neck, is currently in seventh place after scoring a personal best 57.08 in the women's short program.

The 17-year-old had a nearly flawless performance, except for a slight wobble on the landing of a triple Lutz/double Toe combination. Hughes, younger sister of 2002 Olympic champion Sarah Hughes, made the team as the first alternate when Michelle Kwan withdrew from the competition last week.

Hughes is third among Americans heading into the free skate Thursday. U.S. champion Sasha Cohen (66.73) is in first place and Kimmie Meissner fifth (59.40). News 12 Long Island's Erin Colton is in Turin this week providing a behind-the-scenes look into Hughes' quest for a medal.