Team USA pins hopes on alysa liu after standout short program in Milan Cortina
On Feb. 17, 2026 (ET), Alysa Liu emerged as the United States' primary contender for an individual figure skating medal after a turbulent opening phase for American skaters in Milan Cortina. Liu's short program combined high difficulty and composure, setting up a tense battle ahead of the free skate later this week.
Liu delivers a technical statement
Liu landed a triple Lutz–triple loop combination, the most difficult element attempted by any woman in the short program, and finished just two points behind the leader. The score put her directly behind another top medal favorite and within striking distance of the podium. After her skate, Liu said she was pleased with how she connected to the program and noted the emotional boost of seeing family and friends at the arena: "I am really happy about how I skated... I felt super grounded and I connected with my program on another level. " Her performance showcased both the athleticism and artistry that made her a reigning world champion and raised expectations that she can be a genuine contender in the free skate.
American setbacks heighten pressure on Liu
Other U. S. contenders struggled to replicate earlier season form, increasing the weight on Liu to secure an individual medal for the American team. One teammate missed advancing by a single spot after a shaky outing, while another was penalized for an under-rotated jump and lost critical points in a step sequence where she typically gains scoring ground. Those results left experienced American skaters outside the immediate medal mix and turned more attention to Liu as the nation’s best remaining hope for an individual gold in women's singles.
The broader U. S. figure skating effort has seen mixed fortunes at these Games. The team event yielded a top podium result for the United States, but in individual competitions some favorites have been bounced back by errors and uncharacteristic slips. In the men's event, a leading contender fell twice in the free skate and finished well outside the medals, adding to the sense that this Olympic fortnight has been unpredictable across disciplines.
What comes next: free skate stakes and lingering controversies
Liu advances to the free skate with momentum and a clear objective: skate clean, push technical boundaries, and tell her story on ice. She has emphasized that her priority is executing her programs rather than focusing on defeating specific rivals. The free skate is scheduled for Thursday night (ET), when final placements and medals will be decided. With Liu narrowly placed behind the short-program leader, a strong free skate could propel her onto the podium or even into contention for gold.
Beyond individual rivalries, the figure skating field has been shadowed by judging questions in ice dance, where a contentious mark awarded in the final raised eyebrows and prompted debate about scoring fairness. That controversy, combined with surprising results elsewhere, has amplified scrutiny of panels and heightened the emotional stakes for athletes who must perform under intense attention.
As Liu prepares for the free skate, Team USA will be watching closely. Her short program demonstrated the blend of risk and polish necessary at this level: the triple Lutz–triple loop signaled technical ambition, while her post-skate comments underscored composure. Whether that combination will be enough to bring home an individual gold for the United States remains to be decided, but for now Liu stands as the clearest American medal prospect in women's singles.
