alysa liu Leads Blade Angels in Promising Start at Winter Olympics Short Program
MILAN — Alysa Liu opened the short program segment for the American trio known as the Blade Angels and produced a poised, near-flawless performance that left her in strong position for an individual Olympic medal. The evening offered a sharp contrast among the three U. S. contenders: Liu advanced with momentum, Isabeau Levito delivered a tidy showing, and Amber Glenn suffered a costly mistake that knocked her down the standings.
Liu's near-perfect skate puts her in the hunt
On Feb. 17, 2026 (ET), Liu skated to Laufey’s "Promise, " connecting with the music and the audience at the Assago Ice Skating Arena. Her short program earned a 76. 59, a score that left her third on the leaderboard behind two Japanese skaters but firmly in medal contention. A minor under-rotation on a triple axel was the lone technical blemish that prevented an even higher tally.
Exiting the ice to a standing ovation, Liu said, "I kind of liked it" and added that she "felt super grounded" and more connected to her program than at any point earlier in the season. Her two-time Olympic experience and reigning world champion status were evident in the calm, controlled lines and the performance quality that marked her skate.
Levito steady; Glenn's error upends her night
Isabeau Levito produced a composed short program, opening with a triple flip into a triple toe loop and maintaining the characteristic control and elegance that have defined her skating. She posted a 70. 84 and sits in the top 10 after the short, positioned to move up with a strong free skate.
Amber Glenn’s night was far more difficult. Midway through her routine, the reigning U. S. national champion failed to complete a combination jump, a mistake that dramatically affected her technical score and momentum. Glenn finished with a 67. 39 and placed 13th, visibly distraught and in tears as she left the ice.
The three skaters—Liu, Levito and Glenn—have branded themselves the Blade Angels and arrived in Milan with a mix of star power and competitive pedigree. Collectively they bring multiple national and world titles to the Games, but only Liu had previous Olympic experience coming into these Olympics.
Looking ahead: free skate and U. S. medal drought in focus
All three Americans advanced to the free skate, setting up the decisive segment that will determine final standings. The free skate will test consistency under pressure and offer the best chance for movement up or down the leaderboard. The U. S. has not won an individual women’s Olympic figure skating medal since 2006, a drought that adds context and urgency to every clean performance from this American group.
Veteran voices at the rink noted the geographic diversity and distinct styles the trio brings—each skater representing a different part of the country—and how that variety has strengthened the American presence in the discipline. As one commentator observed, the trio’s backgrounds and approaches give the team a broad set of perspectives to draw on.
Despite the emotional swings and the uneven outcomes of the short program, the Blade Angels still control their own short-term fate: a strong free skate can vault any of them into medal contention, while errors will likely push them out of reach. For Liu, the short program was a reminder that when she hits her elements and connects with her choreography, she is a legitimate contender for the podium in Milan.
