Alyssa Liu is Team USA’s standout contender for an individual gold medal in women’s figure skating at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. As the reigning world champion, Liu delivered a remarkable performance in the short program on Tuesday, distinguishing herself as the only American skater still in realistic contention for gold.
Her routine featured a triple Lutz-triple loop combination, the most difficult attempted by any woman at the Olympics, earning her a position just two points behind leader Ami Nakai and narrowly trailing her Japanese teammate Kaori Sakamoto.
After her performance, Liu expressed joy and emotional connection with her routine. She noted the support of her family and close friends in the audience, which gave her a sense of grounding and allowed her to perform at a deeper level. Liu emphasized her focus on skating her program rather than on competing directly against her Japanese rivals.
Team USA Women’s Skaters Struggle While Liu Remains Gold Medal Hope
Other American skaters faced setbacks. Amber Glenn finished 13th, missing advancement by a single spot, while Isabeau Levito was penalized for under-rotating her triple loop and lost points on her step sequence, leaving her in eighth place with slim podium chances. Earlier, Team USA had celebrated success in the team event, but individual results have been mixed. Madison Chock and Evan Bates earned silver in ice dance amid controversial scoring, and men’s favorite Ilia Malinin fell twice in the free skate, finishing eighth.
With these disappointments, the weight of securing an individual gold rests on Liu. Her combination of technical skill, mental focus, and composure under pressure makes her the strongest hope for the United States. By concentrating on executing her programs and telling her story on the ice, Liu aims to bring home the gold, continuing her legacy as one of America’s premier figure skating champions.
