Gold medalist Alysa Liu of Team United States poses for a photo. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Liu ends 20-year U.S. gold drought in women’s figure skating
MILAN — Alysa Liu won Olympic gold on Thursday night, ending a 20-year wait for an American woman to top the podium in women’s figure skating. Liu posted the highest free skate score of the night (150.20), finishing with a total of 226.79 to claim the title. And secure the U.S. its first women’s Olympic figure skating gold since Sarah Hughes in 2002.
Liu’s free program, a disco-inspired routine that delighted the crowd, was flawless. She smiled, jumped and fed off the arena’s energy, then hugged her coaches and celebrated as her final score flashed on the scoreboard. With two skaters left after her, the performance guaranteed Liu a medal and ultimately the top spot.
Podium and final results in the women’s free skate
Japan took three of the next top positions as Kaori Sakamoto earned silver and Mone Chiba claimed bronze behind fellow countrywoman Ami Nakai, who also finished in the top five. American Amber Glenn placed fifth, while Isabeau Levito finished 12th.
Final standings (top five):
- Alysa Liu (USA) — 226.79
- Kaori Sakamoto (Japan) — 224.90
- Ami Nakai (Japan) — 219.16
- Mone Chiba (Japan) — 217.88
- Amber Glenn (USA) — 214.91
A free skate to remember — Liu’s winning elements and reaction
Liu’s free skate earned a 150.20 free program score. And featured clean jumps and strong choreography that connected with the audience. Entering the ice, she asked the crowd to “turn up” on the jumbotron, then delivered a polished, high-energy routine that combined technical difficulty and performance quality. After leaving the ice she hugged her coaches, jumped with joy and watched the scoreboard with visible disbelief before the gold was confirmed.
Other highlights from Thursday at Milan Cortina
Thursday was a big night beyond the women’s figure skating final. Team USA women’s hockey defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to win Olympic gold, with Megan Keller scoring the game-winner after Hilary Knight tied the game late in the second period. That victory marked the U.S. women’s hockey team’s third Olympic gold, continuing the rivalry between the U.S. and Canada that has defined the event since women’s hockey joined the Games in 1998.
Other moments highlighted the range of winter sport action: freeski and halfpipe qualifiers in Livigno.
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