MILAN — The night started with promise and hope for the U.S. women's figure skating team.
The trio of "Blade Angels" — close friends Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito — had enchanted fans in the lead-up to the 2026 Winter Olympics with their camaraderie and determination to do things their own way.
They also represented the Americans' best chance at ending a 20-year Olympic medal drought. But expectations shifted after the short program on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Liu was the first American to take the ice, skating first in the fifth and final group. The reigning world champion turned in an exceptional outing, one good enough to earn her a season-best score (76.59) and put her in third place.
One skater later, Levito turned in a clean routine, putting her in eighth place (70.84) and marking her Olympic debut in front of her mother's hometown crowd.
