US Women Fall Short in Olympic Figure Skating Short Program

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan have already delivered moments of high drama, and the women’s figure skating competition, which began Tuesday, was no exception. While Team USA qualified all three of its skaters – Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn, and Isabeau Levito – for Thursday’s medal event, their performances in the short program suggest a challenging path to the podium.

The American team, dubbed the “Blade Angels,” entered the competition with hopes of securing the nation’s first individual medal in women’s figure skating in two decades. However, Tuesday’s results revealed a significant gap between expectation and reality.

Alysa Liu, the reigning world champion, currently stands in third place, trailing Ami Nakai and Kaori Sakamoto of Japan. Liu delivered a powerful routine set to Laufey’s “Promise,” achieving a season-best score and positioning herself as a strong contender for a medal. Her performance showcased a renewed focus on artistry alongside technical skill, a shift she has emphasized since returning to competitive skating after a brief retirement.

Isabeau Levito, at 18 years old, presented an elegant program to “Almost In Your Arms, Zou Bisou Bisou,” initially placing her in fifth position. She ultimately finished the night in eighth place.

The most emotionally charged performance of the night came from Amber Glenn, the three-time U.S. Champion. Glenn, making her Olympic debut at age 26, began strongly with a successful triple axel – a difficult jump rarely mastered by female skaters. However, a misstep on her final jump, landing as a double instead of the required triple, significantly impacted her score. She finished in 13th place with a score of 67.39, and was visibly distraught, leaving the ice in tears.

Glenn’s emotional response underscores the intense pressure faced by athletes at the Olympic level. She has been open about her struggles with anxiety and depression throughout her career, and her vulnerability resonated with many viewers. Following her performance, she was comforted by her coach, Damon Allen, and could be heard saying, “I had it.”

The impact of Glenn’s performance was felt by her teammates as well. Liu, while preparing to leave the ice, observed Glenn’s reaction on a nearby television screen and expressed concern for her friend. “She’s gone through so much and she works so freaking hard… I just want her to be happy,” Liu stated. “Like, that’s genuinely all I want. And so I’ll be seeing her later.”

The short program standings place significant pressure on Liu to deliver a strong free skate on Thursday, which accounts for the second half of the overall score. The free skate will be crucial for her medal aspirations, as she currently trails the top two Japanese skaters by several points.

The U.S. Women’s team faces an uphill battle to break the 20-year drought without a medal in the women’s singles event. While Liu remains a strong contender, the performances of Glenn and Levito highlight the challenges of Olympic competition and the emotional toll it can take on athletes. The free skate promises to be a pivotal moment for the American skaters, and for the nation’s hopes of a podium finish in women’s figure skating at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

Liu expressed excitement about the possibility of performing in the Olympic exhibition gala, hinting at a “really cool gala program” she has been developing. “I don’t need a medal,” she said. “I just need to be here, and I just need to be present. And I need people to see what I do next.”