US Olympian Alysa Liu advances in mission to earn individual medal amid American skating disappointments

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina have proven to be a rollercoaster of emotions for the United States figure skating team. While the event began with the high of a team gold medal, the individual competitions have been marked by unexpected stumbles and heartbreak for some of America's biggest stars. However, amidst the string of disappointments, reigning world champion Alysa Liu has emerged as a beacon of hope. Following a poised and technically daring short program on Tuesday night at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, Liu has positioned herself as the primary contender to bring home an individual medal for Team USA, sitting in third place and well within striking distance of the top of the podium.

Alysa Liu Shines as the Lone American Contender

Alysa Liu's performance in the women's short program was a testament to her growth and newfound perspective since returning to the sport. After a two-year retirement prompted by burnout following the 2022 Beijing Games, Liu's comeback has been nothing short of spectacular. On Tuesday, she delivered a nearly perfect routine set to the song Promise by Laufey, earning a season-best international score of 76.59 points. Her program was highlighted by a triple Lutz-triple loop combination, which was the most difficult jumping sequence attempted by any woman in the competition that evening.

What stood out most to observers was Liu's visible joy and composure on the ice. Unlike the high-pressure environment she faced as a young phenom, the 20-year-old Liu now emphasizes her connection to the music and the presence of her family. Her four younger siblings and her father were in the stands to watch her compete, a rare occurrence that Liu noted made the moment deeply special. She expressed that her goal is no longer centered solely on the color of a medal or beating specific rivals, but rather on sharing her story and performing for herself and her loved ones. This grounded attitude seems to be her greatest asset as she prepares for the final segment of the competition.

Currently, Liu trails the leader, Ami Nakai of Japan, by just over two points. Nakai leads the field with 78.71 points, followed closely by her Japanese teammate and reigning Olympic bronze medalist Kaori Sakamoto at 77.23. With the top three skaters separated by such a narrow margin, the free skate on Thursday promises to be a high-stakes battle for the gold medal. Liu remains the only American woman in the top five, carrying the weight of a nation that has not seen an Olympic podium finish in women's singles since 2006.

A Series of Heartbreaks for Team USA Skating Stars

Liu's success stands in stark contrast to the challenges faced by her teammates and other American skating icons in Milan. The narrative for U.S. Figure Skating at these Games has been one of "what could have been." The most shocking result came earlier in the week when Ilia Malinin, the "Quad God" and heavy favorite for the men's gold, crashed out of his free skate. Malinin fell twice during his routine, eventually finishing in eighth place overall. His disappointment was palpable as he spoke about the insurmountable pressure and the negative thoughts that flooded his mind during the performance, a reminder of the immense psychological toll of the Olympic stage.

The women's short program on Tuesday added to this list of setbacks. Amber Glenn, the three-time reigning U.S. champion who had shown immense strength throughout the season, saw her medal hopes likely evaporate in seconds. After landing a massive triple Axel to start her program, Glenn bailed out of a planned triple loop, resulting in an invalid double loop that earned zero points. The error left her in 13th place with a score of 67.39. A visibly distraught Glenn was seen in tears following the performance, though she later expressed pride in her ability to finish the routine despite the devastating mistake.

Isabeau Levito, another key figure for the American team, also struggled to find her best form. Known for her intricate footwork and high program components, Levito was docked for an under-rotated triple loop and received lower levels for her step sequence. These technical deductions left her in eighth place with a score of 70.84. While still in the top ten, she faces a significant uphill battle to reach the podium. Furthermore, the U.S. ice dance team of Madison Chock and Evan Bates, three-time world champions, had to settle for a bittersweet silver medal amid controversy over scoring from a French judge, adding to the general sense of frustration within the American camp.

The Road Ahead: Free Skate and Historical Stakes

As the focus shifts to the free skate on Thursday, February 19, all eyes are on Alysa Liu to see if she can break the Japanese stranglehold on the leaderboard. Japan currently occupies three of the top four spots, with Mone Chiba sitting just behind Liu in fourth place. For Liu, the challenge will be to maintain the same sense of calm and artistic expression that guided her through the short program. She has already announced that she will be debuting a new dress for the free skate, and her primary wish is simply to be invited to the Olympic Gala, a goal that reflects her desire to enjoy the experience rather than obsess over the results.

The historical significance of a potential medal for Liu cannot be overstated. If she reaches the podium, she will be the first American woman to do so in the individual Olympic event since Sasha Cohen won silver in Torino twenty years ago. Following the disappointments of Malinin and Glenn, a victory or a medal for Liu would salvage the individual campaign for the United States and provide a triumphant conclusion to her remarkable comeback story. While her teammates fight to climb the rankings and regain their confidence, Liu remains poised to make history on her own terms.

• Alysa Liu sits in 3rd place after the short program with 76.59 points.
• Leaders are Japan's Ami Nakai (78.71) and Kaori Sakamoto (77.23).
• U.S. teammates Isabeau Levito and Amber Glenn are 8th and 13th, respectively.
• The women's free skate is scheduled for Thursday, February 19, at 1 p.m. ET.
• Liu is the reigning 2025 World Champion and looking for her first individual Olympic medal.

US Olympian Alysa Liu advances in mission to earn individual medal amid American skating disappointments

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