Alysa Liu: Figure Skating Returns to the US

      The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics ended the 24-year drought in USA’s women’s singles Figure Skating since Sarah Hughes’s victory in 2002. On February 19, 2026 Alysa Liu won 1st place with 226.79 points, bringing home a long awaited gold medal.

 Since the age of 5, Alysa Liu has been a Figure Skating prodigy. Growing up in Oakland, California, Liu rose to the highest levels of the sport at a very young age with the support

of her father and coaches. At just 13 years old, she won the U.S. National Championship at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Liu is also the first American woman to land a Triple Axel in a national competition (2019), the youngest woman to land a Triple Axel in a competition (age 12), as well as the first American woman to land a Quadruple Lutz in a competition (2019).

       Nevertheless, at 16 years old Liu stepped away from Figure Skating, stating in an interview that it was a critical time in her life where she sought to have the life of a “normal teenager,” as opposed to being devoted and pressured to the sport. Liu felt as though she was starting to see the sport as more of a responsibility rather than a pleasure.

       When Liu returned for Milano Cortina, her skating was more fluid and free than ever before, and people are loving it. She has become the talk of social media, and her relatable Gen Z personality is warming for young people to see. Many say Liu represents the future of ice skating—serene and unshackled—not about who lands more jumps, but who is most pleased with their own art; the enjoyment of their craft. 

       Additionally, Alysa Liu’s performance at the Milano Cortina Figure Skating Exhibition Gala has brought joy to fans. Performing “Stateside” by PinkPantheress Feat. Zara Larson, Liu shared a performance full of creativity and personality, a moment that will be remembered as her “victory lap” and one that helped the song chart #1 globally.

What do you think about Alysa Liu, and her performance?