Sublime Amber Glenn rockets to third straight U.S. title, holding off world champion Alysa Liu
It was a chilling night in St. Louis, as Amber Glenn showcased her exceptional skills and determination to claim victory at the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. In a thrilling competition that had fans on the edge of their seats, Glenn emerged as the two-time and reigning American champion, earning her third consecutive title — a remarkable feat that hasn’t been achieved since the legendary Michelle Kwan’s reign from 1998 to 2005.
“That was terrifying,” Glenn confessed on live television, while visibly elated. “I’m just so grateful… I’m still just mind blown.” The 26-year-old skater delivered a masterclass performance under immense pressure, scoring a career-best 150.50, leading her to a total of 233.55 points. This commanding performance allowed her to surpass former national champions Alysa Liu (228.91) and Isabeau Levito (224.45), who secured the second and third spots, respectively, at this pre-Olympic event.
“I had to skate after these two incredible ladies brought the house down,” Glenn remarked, appreciating the formidable talent around her as she performed in front of a packed audience of 17,000 at the Enterprise Center. “So I’m glad that I didn’t disappoint too much.”
Alysa Liu, visibly beaming from the experience, expressed her joy of sharing the podium with such talented skaters. “I’m just really happy, and I’m proud of them. This crowd was amazing; it’s filled to the brink, and I saw the standing ovations… that’s what it should be about,” Liu said.
Looking ahead, the American women have secured three spots for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina 2026. Team USA is expected to announce the official roster on Sunday, January 11th.
As the excitement builds for the Olympic Winter Games, Glenn, Liu, and Levito set the stage high for U.S. figure skating. Stay tuned for further updates as the competition unfolds!
