The Milano Ice Skating Arena witnessed a historic night for American figure skating as all three U.S. representatives—Alysa Liu, Isabeau Levito, and Amber Glenn—secured their spots in Thursday’s Free Skate Final on February 17, 2026. Dubbed the “Blade Angels” by enthusiastic fans, the trio delivered performances ranging from spellbinding brilliance to courageous resilience, ensuring the Stars and Stripes will fly prominently in the medal round of the women’s singles event.
Alysa Liu made a strong comeback at the 2026 Winter Olympics! ⛸️ She shined in the team event short program, finishing second and helping Team USA take the lead. Her performance proves she’s back at the top of her game.#WinterOlympics #Olympics pic.twitter.com/TBf3nqktz2
— shamara (@ShanikaMarambe) February 8, 2026
Alysa Liu emerged as the standout American, capturing third place with a personal best score of 76.59. Skating to Laufey’s “Promise,” the 20-year-old delivered what analysts called a “pristine” performance, executing the most difficult combination of the night—a triple Lutz-triple loop worth 11.71 points. She earned Level 4 on all her spins and step sequence, continuing her remarkable comeback story. After retiring following a sixth-place finish at the 2022 Beijing Olympics to pursue a “normal life,” Liu returned to competition in March 2024 and has since captured the 2025 World Championship and an Olympic team gold medal in these Games.
Isabeau Levito secured eighth place with a score of 70.84, keeping herself firmly in medal contention heading into the final. The 18-year-old “ice princess” delivered a relatively clean program, though she lost a level on her step sequence. Meanwhile, Amber Glenn’s performance embodied both courage and heartbreak. The 26-year-old nailed a massive triple Axel to open—a feat achieved by only one other skater—but faltered when she doubled a planned triple loop, invalidating the element. She left the ice in tears, embraced by her coach who reminded her, “It’s not over.”
Isabeau Levito wows at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships with a dazzling 148.73 free skate. ✨ pic.twitter.com/waQPPZ2eF2
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) January 10, 2026
With Liu sitting in bronze medal position and Levito within striking distance, all eyes now turn to Thursday’s Free Skate Final on February 19, 2026. For Liu, the opportunity is particularly poignant—she stands just one skate away from an individual Olympic medal to complement her team gold. As the American contingent prepares for the decisive night, the Milano crowd and viewers worldwide await what promises to be an unforgettable conclusion to the women’s figure skating competition.