As the women's singles free skate hits the ice in Milan on Thursday, the Olympic fate of USA figure skating is on the line — and it rests on the shoulders of reigning world champion Alysa Liu.
Liu finished third in Tuesday's short program with a score of 76.59, slightly behind Japan's first and second place finishers Ami Nakai (78.71) and Kaori Sakamoto (77.23).
"I'm really confident in myself, and even if I mess up and fall, that's totally okay, too," Liu said following her short program finish, as the US looks to end a 20-year women's singles medal draught.
Thursday's event also offers Liu's fellow Blade Angels — eighth-place Isabeau Levito and 13th-place Amber Glenn — a chance to right the ship after mixed short program results.
"I wanted to enjoy today, and unfortunately I didn't get to," an emotional Glenn said Tuesday, after a popped triple loop ended her own medal hopes. "So hopefully I can try to find some happiness in the free skate."
"I felt very good out there," said 18-year-old Levito. "I feel very well-trained, so I was able to enjoy the moment."
How to watch Alysa Liu and Team USA in Olympic women's free skate
Liu and her fellow Blade Angels will close out the 2026 Olympic figure skating competition in the women's singles free skate at 1 PM ET on Thursday, airing live on NBC.
