Winter Olympics 2026: Alysa Liu Ends 24-Year Wait For First Women’s Figure Skating Gold
Alysa Liu delivered a stunning free skate performance to hand the United States its first Olympic women’s figure skating gold since 2002, capping a historic Thursday evening that also saw Team USA dethrone Canada in the women’s ice hockey final at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
The 20-year-old world champion entered the free skate in third place behind Japan’s Ami Nakai and Kaori Sakamoto following Tuesday’s short programme, but rose to the occasion with a career-best score of 150.20, giving her a total of 226.79 at the Milano Ice Skating Arena. The performance denied Sakamoto a storybook finish in what was her final competitive appearance.
“I was so calm when I started. I have this breathing technique that I use throughout this program, and I was just making sure to lock in on that, be as smooth as I can and look out into the crowd during all my transitions,” Liu said. “I did that, and I felt everyone’s energy. I felt my energy. I feel good, I feel confident and I put it all out there.”
Liu’s triumph marks the first time an American woman has stood atop the Olympic podium in the singles event since Sarah Hughes won gold at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. It is also Liu’s second gold in Italy, having previously helped the US win the team event.
Sakamoto, 25, finished second with a score of 224.90, closing out her Olympic career with three silvers and a bronze. Seventeen-year-old Nakai rounded off the podium with a total of 219.16.
Keller’s overtime heroics seal ice hockey gold
Earlier in the evening, Megan Keller struck just over four minutes into overtime to give the United States a 2-1 victory over defending champions Canada in the women’s ice hockey final at the Santagiulia Arena in Milan. It is the first time the Americans have claimed the women’s title since the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.
Keller deftly deked a Canadian defender before beating goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens with a composed finish, sending the Team USA bench and thousands of American fans in the arena into rapturous celebrations.
“I’m lost for words. This is an incredible feeling. I love these girls so much,” Keller said. “This group deserves it. Just the effort and the faith that we kept through this four-year journey is something very special.”
Canada had taken the lead through Kristin O’Neill, and appeared to be heading towards retaining their title, before Hilary Knight equalised to force overtime.
Gu survives scare to reach halfpipe final
On the slopes of Livigno, Chinese freeski star Eileen Gu recovered from a fall on her opening run to qualify for Saturday’s women’s halfpipe final, finishing fifth among 12 qualifiers with a score of 86.50. The defending champion, who has already collected two silver medals at these Games, is still in contention for her first gold at Milan-Cortina.
“My working hypothesis is that I need to reach a certain threshold of pressure to thrive, and it’s almost like the first run of qualies is not enough,” Gu said. “I honestly don’t know what it is.”
The session was overshadowed by a serious crash involving Canada’s Cassie Sharpe, the 2018 halfpipe champion. The 33-year-old fell during her second run, losing her skis and poles before lying motionless on the snow. She received medical attention on the course for approximately 10 minutes before being removed on a sled. The Canadian Olympic Committee subsequently confirmed she was in a stable condition. Sharpe had qualified for the final prior to her fall.
Skimo makes Olympic debut; Spain end 54-year wait
In Bormio, ski mountaineering made its Olympic debut. Switzerland’s Marianne Fatton claimed gold in the women’s ski sprint, while Spain’s Oriol Cardona Coll won the men’s event — giving Spain its first Winter Games gold since Sapporo in 1972.
In men’s curling, Great Britain defeated Switzerland to advance to the final, where they will face Canada, who overcame Norway.
On the overall medals table, Norway leads with 16 golds and 34 medals. The United States have moved into second place with nine golds and 27 medals, level on golds with host nation Italy.