Amber Glenn Delivers Season-Best Free Skate, Finishes Fifth at 2026 Winter Olympics
MILAN, February 19, 2026 — U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn capped her 2026 Winter Olympics run with a powerful season-best free skate performance that lifted her to a fifth-place finish in the women’s singles competition, closing a narrative of redemption that captivated fans in the Italian Alps.
Glenn’s charge came on Thursday night at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, where she delivered a technically demanding free skate that netted 214.91 points — her strongest individual score of the season — after a disappointing short program had left her well outside medal contention earlier in the week.
From Setback to Comeback
The three-time U.S. national champion began the Olympics in less than ideal fashion. A costly mistake in her short program — a mis-rotated jump — landed her in 13th place, seemingly knocking her out of serious contention for a podium finish. But rather than surrender to the pressure, Glenn responded with a composed and confident free skate that briefly placed her atop the standings as the later skaters took the ice.
“It wasn’t easy,” Glenn said after her performance, reflecting on the emotional journey between programs. “I came out here to enjoy skating, and that’s what I did.”
For much of the evening, Glenn’s free skate held strong against the competition. Her performance — which included a clean triple Axel and a host of difficult jump combinations — drew sustained applause from the packed arena. But as the final group completed their routines, skaters including her American teammate Alysa Liu and Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto, Ami Nakai and Mone Chiba nudged Glenn down in the final standings.
Historic Gold for Teammate
Glenn’s fifth-place outcome came as part of a larger historic night for U.S. figure skating. Alysa Liu captured the gold medal, becoming the first American woman to win Olympic gold in individual figure skating since 2002, ending a 24-year drought for the United States in the sport’s premier event.
Liu’s triumph, and Glenn’s spirited fightback, underscored Team USA’s strength throughout the competition. A third American competitor, Isabeau Levito, also took part in the free skate, finishing her Olympic debut with valuable experience and strong support from teammates.
More Than a Result
Though she left Milan without an individual medal, Glenn’s story resonated with fans and commentators alike for much more than placements on a scoreboard. Her resilience and emotional honesty — often shared publicly in the months leading up to the Olympics — became a defining part of her journey, and Thursday’s performance was widely praised as a culmination of perseverance and skill.
“This was about showing up for myself and skating with joy,” Glenn said, her voice full of relief and pride after the event.
