MILAN – The Olympic figure skating short program delivered contrasting emotions for Team USA on Saturday, as world champion Alysa Liu positioned herself for a potential medal while three-time national champion Amber Glenn experienced devastating disappointment in Milan.
Liu delivered a graceful performance set to “This Is How It Feels,” earning 76.59 points to claim third place heading into the free skate. The reigning world titlist appeared composed and confident throughout her routine.
Glenn’s evening began promisingly with a spectacular triple Axel – only the second landed among all 29 competitors – but disaster struck when she reduced a mandatory triple loop to a double, receiving zero points for the element. The error dropped her to a stunning 13th place with 67.39 points.
The emotional toll was immediately visible as Glenn broke down in tears after completing her final pose. Fellow American skater Ilia Malinin, who had his own struggles in the men’s event finishing eighth, rose to his feet in applause for his teammate. Glenn declined to meet with media following her performance.
Liu credited her family’s presence in the arena for her successful skate.
“A ton of my family is out there, and I saw them on the warm-up. I also saw them during my programme,” she said. “It was a really cool moment, because they never come to watch like this. So and I’m really glad I did super well. I felt super grounded, and I connected with my programme on another level compared to the rest of the season.”
The performance marks a remarkable chapter in Liu’s career journey. She stepped away from competition after the 2022 Olympics at just 16 years old, citing a loss of passion for the sport. Her return two years later culminated in an unexpected world championship victory in Boston, making her the first American woman to claim that title since Kimmie Meissner in 2006.
Both skaters contributed to the United States’ team event gold medal earlier in these Games.
Despite her medal position, Liu maintained perspective about her individual competition goals.
“A medal? I don’t need a medal. I just need to be here, and I just need to be present, and I need people to see what I do next,” Liu stated.
Glenn had received an unexpected boost before competition when pop icon Madonna, whose “Like a Prayer” serves as Glenn’s short program music, sent an encouraging video message.
“You are an incredible skater, so strong, so beautiful, so brave,” the Queen of Pop said in a video message. “I can’t imagine that you would not win, so I just want to say good luck. Go get that gold.”
The third member of the American trio, known collectively as the “Blade Angels,” Isabeau Levito, finished in eighth position.
