Amber Glenn Olympics: Near-Perfect Free Skate Delivers Redemption but Falls Short of Podium
Amber Glenn delivered one of her most emotionally charged performances in Milan, a redemption arc that played out on the Olympic ice but ultimately left her off the podium. Her free skate — which featured a clean opening triple axel and a strong 147. 52 free-skate score — lifted her total to 214. 91, yet it was not enough to move beyond fifth place in the final standings.
Amber Glenn Olympics: a comeback free skate that almost changed everything
Starting the free skate from 13th position after a disastrous short program, Glenn stepped onto the ice in Team USA warmup and received an enthusiastic response from the crowd, who waved American flags as she prepared. Her program opened with a rare triple axel, a jump few female skaters attempt, which landed to roaring applause and set the tone for a program that was strong if not perfect. Glenn’s music was a medley that included “I Will Find You” and “The Return, ” and the routine carried her to a free-skate score of 147. 52 and a total of 214. 91 — numbers that put her briefly in the leader’s seat with a dozen skaters still to go.
From team event struggles to individual resilience
Glenn’s path through the Olympic competition had not been smooth. The earlier team event flagged the first signs of trouble when she was asked to skate the free skate element and delivered an uncharacteristically tentative performance that placed third in that segment. She described physical fatigue and heavy legs in the lead-up to the individual event and acknowledged feeling that she had left points on the table. Still, her individual free skate in Milan was widely seen as a redemptive effort — not a flawless masterpiece, but a routine that reclaimed much of what she had lost in prior rounds.
Final standings and what came next for the U. S. trio
Glenn’s free-skate effort ultimately did not secure a medal. A flawless performance by one American teammate captured the gold, while top skaters from Japan filled the remaining podium spots. Final scores for the medalists were 226. 79 for gold, 224. 90 for silver, and 219. 16 for bronze; Glenn finished fifth overall.
The American women had entered the Games as a highly visible trio, arriving with rising popularity and national titles. Talk of an American podium sweep had taken hold in some circles, and the trio had even adopted a collective nickname that reflected their rapport. In the end, one teammate broke a long national medal drought in women’s figure skating with a flawless routine that secured gold, while Glenn’s strong but imperfect comeback fell short of that same outcome.
Aftermath and outlook for Amber Glenn
Sitting on the leader’s couch after her skate, Glenn spoke of lingering what-ifs as she watched the remaining competitors. The performance provided clarity on what she can deliver under Olympic pressure: technical ambition, emotional transparency, and the capacity for a redemptive outing even after earlier setbacks. For now, the record stands — a near-perfect free skate that lifted her to a temporary lead and a final placement just off the podium. Her Olympic experience combined a public display of resilience with the frustration of narrowly missing a medal, leaving open questions about how she and the team will build on both the high points and the disappointments from Milan.
Recent developments indicate Glenn’s free skate will be remembered as one of the week’s most compelling personal comebacks. Details about next steps and any future plans remain to be announced, and the story may continue to evolve as the team and athletes reflect on their performances.
