Alysa Liu, 20, has made a triumphant return to Olympic-level figure skating after briefly retiring following the 2022 Beijing Games. On February 6, 2026, she competed in the women’s singles short program qualifier at Milan’s Unipol Forum, finishing in second place with a score of 74.90. Only Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto surpassed her with a 78.88. Liu expressed excitement after the event, telling reporters that she felt “hyped” and proud of her mindset, which helped her overcome challenges and perform on a global stage.
Liu Delivers Emotionally Charged Routine, Boosting Team USA’s Standing in Qualifiers
Liu’s routine, performed to Laufey’s song “Promise,” included seven technical elements: a triple flip, double axel, change foot combo spin, triple lutz, triple loop, flying camel spin, step sequence, and layback spin. She shared that the song resonates deeply with her, noting that she has listened to it since its release and connected with the emotion in the performance. Liu received enthusiastic support from Team USA teammates, including Amber Glenn and Ilia Malinin, and the American fans in attendance.
Alysa LiuHer performance contributed to Team USA’s strong showing in the qualifiers. Earlier, Madison Chock and Evan Bates finished first in the ice dancing rhythm dance, while pair skaters Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea placed fifth. Liu’s score helped Team USA regain first place heading into February 7, when Ilia Malinin will complete the short program qualifiers. Team event finals are scheduled to run February 7–8, concluding with the medal ceremony.
Liu Rekindles Passion for Skating, Combining Artistic Vision with Olympic Ambitions
Liu returned to competitive skating in 2024 after rediscovering her love for the sport. Reflecting on her earlier years, she admitted that during her first Olympics, she was mostly “checked out” and focused on the Olympic experience rather than the sport itself. Over the next few years, she explored other hobbies before realizing that figure skating aligned with her interests, particularly in costume design. Liu enjoys collaborating closely with her dress designer, making the visual and artistic elements of skating a major source of motivation.
This renewed focus has allowed Liu to embrace every aspect of figure skating, from technique to presentation, and approach the 2026 Winter Olympics with excitement and confidence. Her strong showing in Milan signals that she is back at the top of her game and ready to compete for medals on the world stage.
