Alysa Liu gives US its first women’s figure skating Olympic gold in 24 years

Alysa Liu made history at the Milan Cortina Games by clinching the U.S.’s first women’s figure skating Olympic gold medal in 24 years. Her stunning performance in a glittering golden dress captivated audiences as she delivered a near-flawless free skate. The 20-year-old skater from the San Francisco Bay Area achieved a career-best score of 226.79 points, outshining her Japanese rivals Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai.

Sakamoto, who finished with 224.90 points, secured the silver medal to add to her bronze from the Beijing Games. Nakai took the bronze with 219.16 points after a mistake on a combination sequence. The tense moment when Nakai’s score was announced was met with jubilation from Liu and her teammate Amber Glenn, who graciously congratulated the young Japanese skater.

This victory marks the first gold medal for an American woman since Sarah Hughes’ triumph in 2002 at the Salt Lake City Olympics. Glenn, who finished in fifth place, put on a remarkable performance in the free skate, earning a season-best score of 214.91 points. Despite a disappointing short program, Glenn’s determination and resilience shone through as she narrowly missed a spot on the podium.

The competition also saw impressive performances from other skaters, including Mone Chiba of Japan and Adeliia Petrosian, a neutral athlete from Russia. Chiba’s flawless routine briefly placed her in the lead before Liu took the ice and reclaimed the top spot with her breathtaking performance.

The event was filled with emotional highs and lows, showcasing the immense talent and dedication of the athletes. As the crowd cheered and the skaters took their final bows, it was evident that the Milan Cortina Games had witnessed a truly unforgettable moment in women’s figure skating history.

For more updates on the Winter Olympics, visit https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics.