Figure Skating: The Rise of the ‘Blade Angels’ and America’s Olympic Hope
Figure skating, at its heart, is a sport built on aspiration – the hope for a flawless routine, the artistry to captivate judges, and the blend of athleticism and emotion that leads to Olympic glory. But for the United States, that glory has been elusive. It’s been two decades since an American woman last stood on the podium in individual figure skating, a streak dating back to Sasha Cohen’s silver medal in 2006. Before that, Sarah Hughes and Michelle Kwan secured gold and bronze respectively in 2002.
Could the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics finally break this dry spell? Many believe so, thanks to a new generation of American skaters affectionately known as the ‘Blade Angels’: Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito. These athletes are entering the competition with a level of momentum and optimism not seen in years.
A Team Poised for Success
“I don’t think I have seen a team this good in decades,” says Tara Lipinski, Olympic gold medalist and NBC commentator. Her assessment isn’t hyperbole. All three skaters currently rank within the top five in the International Skating Union’s world rankings, trailing only Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto (1) and Mone Chiba (2). Their recent performance at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis, where all three medaled, further solidifies their potential. As Johnny Weir, Lipinski’s fellow Olympian and NBC commentator, points out, “It’s very special that there’s a woman from figure skating representing each section of the country.” Levito hails from South Jersey, Glenn from Texas, and Liu from California, bringing diverse perspectives and styles to the team.
Glenn herself emphasizes the importance of focusing on performance: “As long as we do our programs to the best of our abilities, we cannot control the outcome. But I think the US ladies have come so, so far in the last two decades, that if we do our jobs in Milan … then more than likely someone’s going to be up there.”
Meet the Blade Angels
Amber Glenn: Resilience and Openness
The three-time defending national champion, Amber Glenn, began her skating journey at a mall in suburban Dallas. Her parents worked extra shifts and scoured eBay for used skates to support her early promise. However, after years of intense competition, Glenn prioritized her mental health, embracing her true self by coming out in 2019. Since then, she’s continued to excel.
Lipinski praises Glenn’s impact: “She is so special and important for our sport, the way that she’s so open and vulnerable about her mental-health issues and struggles and how she overcomes the doubts and the pressure that she faces.” Glenn overcame a COVID-19 diagnosis that sidelined her from the 2022 Olympics, and has since dominated the U.S. championships. Weir highlights her technical prowess: “She’s landing consistent triple axels. She’s leading the world in many ways in terms of that technical side of our sport and the artistic side.”
Alysa Liu: A Champion Returns
Alysa Liu’s story is one of remarkable resilience. She became the youngest-ever U.S. champion in 2019 at just 13 years old. After competing in the 2022 Olympics, she stepped away from the sport, embarking on a journey of self-discovery that included hiking to Mount Everest’s base camp. Liu returned to skating in 2024, promptly winning a world championship and securing her spot on her second Olympic team.
“She’s so relatable and so authentic in the way that she performs and competes,” Lipinski notes. “She is skating in her own little bubble without pressure, because she really feels that she’s doing this for herself, and she’s taking full ownership over her skating.” Weir adds that Liu has “found a way to completely relax into competition… She doesn’t feel like her life is on the line anymore when she skates.”
Isabeau Levito: Elegance and Precision
Inspired by the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Isabeau Levito began skating at the age of three. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a junior champion and claiming the U.S. championship in 2023.
Lipinski describes her as “that skater in the snow globe. She is that quintessential ballerina that was put on ice. She brings elegance and grace and charm and she is a perfectionist.” Weir emphasizes her dedication: “She is one of those skaters that can tell you, and count on one hand, how many times she’s fallen that week, because she is so driven and striving for perfection.” Levito will skate to the music of Sophia Loren in Milan, a tribute to her Italian heritage.
A New Era for American Figure Skating?
The ‘Blade Angels’ represent a new era for American figure skating – one defined by individuality, resilience, and a commitment to mental well-being. Their diverse backgrounds and styles make them a compelling team to watch. The women’s short program is scheduled for Tuesday, with the medal ceremony to follow two days later. Will Milan Cortina be the site where American women reclaim their place at the top of the figure skating world? The world is watching with anticipation.
Learn more about the history of USA Figure Skating on TeamUSA.org.
