Alysa Liu Wins First US Olympic Figure Skating Gold in Milan on February 19 2026

Alysa Liu has won the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. This win is the first time an American woman has taken the top spot in figure skating in 24 years. The last time this happened was in 2002. Liu finished with a total score of 226.79 points, beating her closest rivals from Japan.

The event was a mix of personal comebacks and high-pressure moments. Liu, now 20 years old, left the sport for nearly four years before deciding to return. She stated that her goal this time was to enjoy the experience rather than just focus on winning. While she did not perform her famous triple axel jump, her clean routine was enough to move her past the competition. The final results show a very close race between the top three skaters, decided by small mistakes made during the final performances.

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The Path to the Podium

The competition took place over several days, ending on Thursday night at the Milano Ice Skating Arena. The event involved the "short program" and the "free skate."

• Alysa Liu (USA): Scored 150.20 in her free skate to reach a total of 226.79.

• Kaori Sakamoto (Japan): Earned the silver medal with 224.90 points.

• Ami Nakai (Japan): Won the bronze medal with 219.16 points.

• Amber Glenn (USA): Moved from 13th place to 5th place after a strong final skate.

Liu performed her routine to "MacArthur Park Suite" by Donna Summer. She wore a shiny gold dress and successfully landed seven triple jumps. Ami Nakai, who is 17 years old, held the lead after the first part of the competition. However, errors in the second half of her program caused her score to drop, allowing Liu to take the lead.

Data and Performance Records

The following table shows the final scores for the top competitors in the event:

"She and Glenn helped the Americans win team gold… Liu would be skating on her terms, more carefree and self-assured than she'd been as a child." — ESPN Report

The core of the victory rested on Liu's ability to stay calm and land all seven of her planned triple jumps without major errors.

Technical Precision vs. Late Mistakes

A major factor in the final rankings was the difference in how the skaters handled their jumps. Alysa Liu did not attempt the most difficult jumps, like the triple axel, but she completed every jump she planned with no falls.

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In contrast, Ami Nakai stumbled on a triple lutz jump. This mistake is what likely dropped her from first place to third. Kaori Sakamoto also had small errors on her triple flip and triple loop combo. Did the pressure of holding the lead cause the younger skaters to make more mistakes? The evidence shows that while the other skaters had more difficult moves, Liu’s steady performance earned more points from the judges.

Motivation: Duty vs. Joy

There is a clear difference in how Liu approached this Olympics compared to her earlier career. As a child, she was a "prodigy" who won the U.S. title at age 13. At that time, she felt a "duty" to skate and missed out on time with family and friends.

Read More: Alysa Liu Wins Historic 2026 Olympic Figure Skating Gold, Ending 24-Year US Drought

After her four-year break, she returned with a different mindset. Reports say she wore clothes she liked and chose her own style.

• Some observers ask: Was her success due to this new lack of pressure?

• Others might ask: Would she have won if the top Japanese skaters had not made technical mistakes?

The reports suggest that Liu’s happiness on the ice helped her stay focused, while her rivals struggled with the weight of the competition.

The Comeback of Amber Glenn

Amber Glenn provided another important story during the finals. After the short program, she was in 13th place and was seen crying because of a failed jump. However, her final free skate was one of the best of the night.

• She scored 214.91 points in the final round.

• She moved up eight spots to finish in 5th place.

Even though she did not win a medal in the individual event, she had already won a gold medal earlier in the week during the team event alongside Liu.

Expert Analysis

Analysts from major news groups noted that this event marks a shift in American figure skating. For two decades, the U.S. has struggled to reach the top of the podium in the women's category.

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Journalists from the BBC and The Guardian pointed out that Liu’s score of 150.20 in the free skate was "staggering" and showed she is still a world-class athlete despite her time away from the rink. The New York Times (Athletic) noted that Liu "knows who she is," suggesting that her mental strength was just as important as her physical skill. Experts believe this win could encourage more American skaters to focus on their mental health and personal happiness as a way to improve their scores.

Investigation Findings

The 2026 Winter Olympics women's figure skating final concluded with a clear victory for the United States. The findings show:

1. Alysa Liu won because of her consistency and ability to avoid mistakes that affected her rivals.

2. The 24-year "gold drought" for U.S. women is officially over.

3. Technical difficulty (like triple axels) was less important in this specific event than a clean, error-free performance.

4. Japan remains a very strong force in the sport, taking three of the top four spots.

The next steps for Liu and the U.S. team involve preparing for the next World Championships. It remains unknown if Liu will continue to skate or if she will leave the sport again now that she has reached her goal.

Read More: Alysa Liu Wins Historic Olympic Figure Skating Gold for USA After 24 Years

Sources Used

• ESPN: Liu wins rare Olympic women's figure skating gold for U.S. - Context on Liu's return to the sport and team gold win.

• The New York Times (Athletic): Alysa Liu wins first U.S. Olympic gold in 24 years - Details on her score and personal growth.

• The Guardian: Alysa Liu wins gold to end US 24-year drought - Full scoring breakdown for Sakamoto and Nakai.

• Sporting News: Alysa Liu results: Flawless, joyful free skate - Live updates and timing of the event.

• BBC Sport: American superstar wins 2026 Winter Olympics gold - Technical details on Nakai's errors and Liu's free skate score.

• NPR: Alysa Liu said she didn't care if she medaled - Focus on her emotional state and teammate interaction.

• LA Times: American Alysa Liu rides wave of joy to gold - Details on Amber Glenn's performance.