At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, all eyes were on the U.S. women’s figure skating team — nicknamed the “Blade Angels” — as they opened their campaign in the highly anticipated women’s short program.
The trio — Alysa Liu, Isabeau Levito, and Amber Glenn — arrived in Italy with big expectations. American women haven’t stood on the Olympic podium in individual figure skating since 2006, and many saw this group as one of the strongest chances in years to break that drought.
⭐ Alysa Liu Leads the Charge
Alysa Liu, a two-time Olympian and reigning world champion, delivered a strong performance in the short program that put her squarely in medal contention. She skated with poise and artistry to the song “Promise”, earning a score of 76.59, good enough for third place heading into the free skate. Her routine was nearly flawless, with only a small under-rotation on a triple axel keeping her from moving into the top spot.
Liu was warmly applauded by the crowd at the Assago Ice Skating Arena, and afterward she shared that she felt grounded and connected to her performance — a positive sign as the competition intensifies.
🙌 Levito Skates with Style
Isabeau Levito also put in a respectable performance. Her skate, set to selections from classic Italian cinema, showcased her signature elegance and technical control. Levito earned a score of 70.84, placing her solidly in the middle of the standings with the free skate still to come.
💔 Heartbreak for Amber Glenn
Unfortunately, Amber Glenn’s night didn’t go as planned. Early in her routine, she executed the rare and difficult triple axel, a jump only a few competitors attempted. But moments later, a routine triple loop went awry, and she completed only a double loop, which in Olympic scoring earns no points at all. That huge deduction dropped her score to 67.39 and left her in 13th place, putting her out of strong medal contention.
Glenn was visibly emotional at the end of her skate, her hopes for a breakthrough Olympic moment slipping away despite a strong start.
🌍 Fierce International Competition
Across the ice, competitors from other nations made big statements. Japanese skater Ami Nakai delivered a breathtaking performance, landing a powerful triple axel and earning a personal best score, putting her in first place early. Her teammate Kaori Sakamoto also skated well, adding to the intense competition at the top of the leaderboard.
🧊 What Comes Next
With the short program complete, the free skate — traditionally where medals are decided — will determine the final Olympic standings. Liu and Levito still have strong opportunities to push toward the podium, while Glenn will aim to finish strong in what remains one of the world’s toughest athletic stages.
The women’s figure skating final will continue later in the week, building toward thrilling free-skate performances that could rewrite Olympic history for Team USA.