What's happened
American figure skaters faced setbacks at the 2026 Winter Olympics, with Amber Glenn and others making costly errors. Meanwhile, Japan's Ami Nakai and Kaori Sakamoto lead the women's event, and Japan's Mone Chiba is poised for a podium sweep. The story highlights American disappointment and Japanese dominance.
What's behind the headline?
The American figure skating team's struggles highlight a significant shift in the sport's landscape. Despite a roster of talented skaters, recent errors—such as Amber Glenn's invalid jump and Isabeau Levito's missed level—underscore the increasing difficulty and unpredictability of Olympic-level competition. Japan's clean performances, led by Ami Nakai and Kaori Sakamoto, demonstrate a new standard of technical mastery and consistency. This shift suggests that the US must reevaluate training approaches and mental preparation to regain dominance. The failure to medal risks further diminishing US influence in figure skating, while Japan's potential sweep signals a strategic and technical evolution that other nations will likely emulate. The upcoming free skate will be decisive, but the trend indicates that the US's historical dominance is waning, and the sport is entering a new era of international competition where precision and consistency are paramount.
What the papers say
France 24 reports on Nakai's and Sakamoto's performances, highlighting their technical mastery and leading positions. The NY Post details Amber Glenn's emotional breakdown after her failed jump, emphasizing the high stakes and emotional toll of Olympic competition. The New York Times provides context on the sport's evolution, noting the increasing difficulty of jumps like the triple Axel and Japan's recent success, which signals a shift in competitive standards. These contrasting perspectives underscore the growing dominance of Japan and the challenges faced by the US team, illustrating a broader transformation in figure skating at the Olympic level.
How we got here
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Livigno feature intense competition in figure skating, with the US aiming for its first medal since 2006. Recent performances reveal a shift in dominance, with Japan leading the women's event and other nations excelling in various disciplines. The US team, despite high talent, has faced recent setbacks, reflecting broader trends in international figure skating.
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Amber Elaine Glenn is an American figure skater. She is the 2021 U.S. national silver medalist, the 2021 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb silver medalist and the 2019 CS U.S. Classic bronze medalist. She has finished within the top ten at two ISU Championships.
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Alysa Liu is a American figure skater. She is the 2021 CS Nebelhorn Trophy champion, the 2021 CS Lombardia Trophy champion, and a two-time U.S. national champion.
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Kaori Sakamoto is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2018 Four Continents champion, a two-time NHK Trophy champion, a two-time Skate America silver medalist, the 2018 Grand Prix of Helsinki bronze medalist, the 2019 Japanese national champion, and a two