Bold truth: the U.S. figure skating campaign at these Games is not falling apart, but it’s not delivering the clean break many expected either. Here’s a clear, beginner-friendly rewrite of the latest developments, with context, nuance, and a touch of perspective.
Figure skating at the Milan Cortina Games has been full of dramatic turns, and Tuesday’s opening night of the women’s event was no exception. The American women advanced to Thursday’s medal rounds, but the gap to the frontrunners grew larger than anticipated.
The group of skaters dubbed the “Blade Angels” entered Tuesday’s short program as the U.S.
— and perhaps the sport’s — best chance at a solo Olympic medal in years. Yet by night’s end, only two managed to crack the top 10, increasing the pressure ahead of the free skate, which will determine a larger share of the overall score.
Alysa Liu, the reigning world champion, sat in third place behind Japan’s Ami Nakai and Kaori Sakamoto as the program neared its end. In a standout moment, Liu delivered a strong, power-packed routine to Laufey’s “Promise” that earned her a season-best score and nudged her toward the leaderboard’s upper region.
Isabeau Levito, 18, followed with an elegant performance set to a bubbly, retro piece that brought her to fifth place as late scores came in. She ultimately finished the night in eighth.
Amber Glenn, a three-time reigning U.S. champion, took the ice as the penultimate skater, making her Olympic debut at 26. Her program to Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” began with a flawless triple axel — a rare feat for women in Olympic competition — and the rest of her routine was solid, right up until the final jump. She landed a double axel instead of the required triple, a mistake that cost her a higher score and left her with 67.39 points.
The crowd fell quiet as Glenn left the ice in tears, head in hands, and the scoreboard showed the setback. She finished the night in 13th place, a tougher result than many had anticipated for a medal favorite.
Liu, watching nearby during Glenn’s performance, offered a quiet, supportive message about her teammate. “She’s been through so much and she works so incredibly hard… I just want her to be happy,” Liu told reporters, adding that she planned to check in with Glenn later.
Glenn has been open about her mental health journey, speaking publicly about anxiety and depression over the years. She did not take questions from reporters after the event.
With Glenn’s result, the Americans’ medal hopes now largely rest on Liu, whose unconventional journey — retiring as a teen and returning with a focus on creativity rather than pure competition — adds an extra layer of narrative to this Games.
After her own routine, Liu spoke with excitement about a potential Olympic exhibition gala appearance this weekend, hinting at a “really cool gala program” that might be unveiled in the near future. She emphasized that medals aren’t the sole measure of her Olympic experience: “I don’t need a medal. I just need to be here, be present, and show people what I do next.”
Thoughtful takeaway: this phase of the competition underscores not only the difficulty of balancing flawless execution with the sport’s evolving artistry but also the personal journeys behind each score. Do you think the emphasis on artistry or technical difficulty should shift in Olympic judging to better reflect the sport’s modern direction? Share your take in the comments.
