The women’s figure skating competition at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opened with high expectations for Team USA. Entering the short program, American skaters were viewed as serious contenders, carrying the nation’s best chance for an individual women’s medal in nearly two decades. By the end of the night, however, the standings told a more complicated story.
All three U.S. skaters advanced to the free skate, but the results were not as strong as many had predicted. Only two Americans finished inside the top ten, putting added pressure on the decisive final skate still to come.
A Promising Start Meets Olympic Pressure
The United States was represented by Alysa Liu, Isabeau Levito, and Amber Glenn. Together, the trio entered the competition with momentum built from strong international performances and growing confidence.
Yet the Olympic stage often magnifies pressure. Small mistakes that might be manageable elsewhere can become costly here, and that reality became clear as the short program unfolded.
Alysa Liu Leads the U.S. Charge
Alysa Liu delivered the strongest performance for Team USA. Skating near the end of the night, she produced a confident and expressive routine that earned her a season-best score. Her performance placed her third overall after the short program, with only two skaters from Japan ahead of her.
Liu’s position keeps her firmly in the medal race. With the free skate accounting for half of the total score, she remains well within reach of the podium.
Isabeau Levito Holds Steady
Eighteen-year-old Isabeau Levito showed maturity beyond her years. Her elegant and controlled routine briefly placed her in the top five before later skaters shifted the rankings. By the end of the night, she stood in eighth place.
While not ideal, Levito’s position leaves room for movement. A clean and confident free skate could allow her to climb the standings and finish strong.
Amber Glenn’s Emotional Olympic Moment
Amber Glenn’s performance was the most emotional of the night. Competing in her first Olympics at age 26, the three-time U.S. champion opened with a clean triple axel, one of the most difficult jumps in women’s figure skating.
However, a mistake on her final jump proved costly. She landed a double loop instead of the required triple, which lowered her score despite an otherwise solid routine. Glenn finished the short program in 13th place, a disappointing result for one of the event’s medal hopefuls.
U.S. Results After the Short Program
| Skater Name | Rank After Short Program | Performance Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Alysa Liu | 3rd | Season-best score |
| Isabeau Levito | 8th | Clean, composed routine |
| Amber Glenn | 13th | Strong start, late mistake |
Why Medal Hopes Still Exist
Despite the stumble in the short program, the competition is far from over. The free skate offers a chance to recover lost ground, and history has shown that rankings can change quickly on Olympic ice.
Liu’s strong position keeps U.S. medal hopes alive, while Levito still has room to rise with a clean skate. Even for Glenn, a strong free program could help restore momentum.
The short program may not have gone as planned, but the final chapter has yet to be written. With talent, resilience, and one more skate ahead, the U.S. women still have a chance to turn an early setback into an Olympic comeback.
