U.S.Women [#9]: Now That's What I'm F*@&%!$ Talking About!

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There are SP & FS mixed zone quotes/clips & local news videos posted in Isabeau's fan thread - cross-posting this South Jersey article here - "Levito reflects on her Olympic debut, sets sights on a triple axel" by Patrice Hutton (Feb. 19/updated Feb. 20):
Levito placed 12th overall in her first Olympic games, finishing eighth in Tuesday’s short program with a score of 70.85 and 13th in Thursday’s free skate with a score of 131.96. [...]
In Thursday’s free skate, Levito rallied after a fall on her opening triple flip.
“I just kind of went on autopilot because in training I just go, go go,” she said. “I do my best when I’m thinking less. So I just went on autopilot and the rest just went how it usually goes.”
Levito went on to land five triple jumps in her free skate.
American teammates cheered Levito on in the crowd of 10,000 at the Milan Ice Skating Arena. Back home, members of the Skating Club of Southern New Jersey gathered at the Igloo Ice Arena to root on their fellow club member.
Levito felt that support. “I felt like I had more energy. I don’t know if it’s because subconsciously I know I’m at the Olympics or if it’s because the crowd is very energetic and supportive here. But I felt it,” she said after her skate.
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The Olympics have been a dream for Levito, who said she’ll continue skating into the next Olympic cycle.
“This has been like a fantasy. I really love being here. Living in the village feels like being on a university campus, which is new to me,” she said. “Walking into the dining hall and seeing friends there, walking past the rings every day, and then getting to do what I’m passionate about, my skating.”
Levito is an avid reader, stuffing her suitcase with books for travel to international competitions, and a passionate story teller on the ice. [...]
Next month, Levito will compete at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Prague and then hit the road with the Stars on Ice tour in April and May, crossing the country for 22 shows.
After that? It’s back to training for Levito, who won’t rest until she adds a triple axel to her repertoire.
But for now, she’ll enjoy a few more days at the Milano Cortina Games, which close on Sunday at the Verona Arena.
“Getting to be here with friends and meeting new people from different sports has been a wonderful experience. It feels like once in a lifetime because I’ve never experienced anything like this before. And I don’t have a bad thing to say about it,” Levito said.
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YukiNieve said:

Alysa Liu RAW: behind the scenes of a legendary gold medal moment in Milan​

www.youtube.com

Alysa Liu RAW: behind the scenes of a legendary gold medal moment in Milan | NBC Sports

Take a behind the scenes trip with Alysa Liu from the moment her gold medal-winning free skate ended, through the score reveals, selfies, and a promise to br...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com

This is very fun to watch. Alysa got censor beeping 7 times, lol
(I think you need to set VPN as US if you are not in the US to watch this)
Click to expand...
One of the many ways you can tell she's from Oakland
 
I hope Isabeau tries to remaster the 4toe also. I remember her trying one at a summer comp back before she even won her junior title.

Your thoughts...
 
Jonas said:
I hope Isabeau tries to remaster the 4toe also. I remember her trying one at a summer comp back before she even won her junior title.
Click to expand...
There was an article where she said that she did have a 4toe as a junior but then got injured. She seemed to suggest that learning the jump contributed to the injury. (Another overuse injury?)

I think she actually has a better chance with the triple axel. But, maybe that's because we generally see her triple toe when it's on the end of a combination. I think the technique on that back end toe jump is weird. She reaches around rather than reaching back. Her axel is fairly big with a good landing, even when she is doing a double out of an Ina Bauer and then doing a falling leaf out of the landing. She seems to have become stronger since her last growth spurt and coming back from her injury. So, maybe there's a chance she can do it if she persists as much as Amber did, but doesn't persist so much that she injures herself again.

I'm glad that she was able to have fun and appreciate her experience despite her fall in the LP. But, she didn't look too happy in some of the photos, which is understandable. Perfectionist Isabeau is going to use this to fire her up more. She looked so good in practices, so she's got to be frustrated.
 
YukiNieve said:

Alysa Liu RAW: behind the scenes of a legendary gold medal moment in Milan​

www.youtube.com

Alysa Liu RAW: behind the scenes of a legendary gold medal moment in Milan | NBC Sports

Take a behind the scenes trip with Alysa Liu from the moment her gold medal-winning free skate ended, through the score reveals, selfies, and a promise to br...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com

This is very fun to watch. Alysa got censor beeping 7 times, lol
(I think you need to set VPN as US if you are not in the US to watch this)
Click to expand...

It is so refreshing to see the positive and supportive interactions among the skaters and coaches in comparison to four years ago. I'm glad the page is officially turned.
 
Tesla said:
This. This is why she wins. She wins because she just doesn't care about winning. The medal doesn't matter to her. She said in an interview yesterday after she won gold that even if she makes a mistake, it's still something. What I love is that the medal doesn't define her. She just wants to share her art with everyone. I loved how she said that she wants to make eye contact with the audience, even the ones high up. Her attitude is everything. She is a truly extraordinary person.
Click to expand...
I read an article a few years ago about the outsize success of Norwegian athletes and how their emphasis on participation in sports for health and recreation paradoxically makes them more rather than less competitive at the elite level. It seems like this mindset is working really well for Alysa.
 
What a masterclass showing from all of the athletes in the women's discipline. An incredible evening of figure skating marked by half of the competitors either earning their personal best or season's best total scores. From the first flight to the last, the entertainment value was through the roof. I have followed the sport since 2018 and dare I say that this was probably one of if not the best free skates of all time. Alysa, Amber, and Isabeau each brought their "A" game and will leave with lessons learned, unforgettable experiences gained, and stamp their names into the coveted history books as Olympians—forever. What I was most impressed by was Amber's intellectuality, clarity of purpose, and drive to utilize her platform in ways that invited criticism but she dared to do so. There is nothing more courageous to me than to put yourself out there and stand up when others are quietly sitting. Given her history of mental health issues, it is all the more compelling that she chose to endanger her peace by being vocal. Alysa was similar. She not only supported Amber but brought a kind of joy that can only be encapsulated as addictive. Alysa, too, was vocal, although it was more strategic and quiet than Amber. Isabeau truly lived the fantasy and I am beyond excited to watch her growth in the upcoming cycle.

In terms of their performances, Amber's free was awe-inspiring. In fact, she was one triple Loop away from the bronze medal. Regardless of the medals, she showed herself and the world that she is a reliable skater. She is a fierce competitor. She is resilient. She was, and is, everything that everyone told her she was not. What a beautiful way to show that on the biggest athletic stage.

Alysa, like I said, was joy prancing on the ice. I have never seen a skater quite like her. Her mental fortitude, gracefulness, and ability to command an audience are stratospheric. Alysa made history by ending the United States' medal drought and then went on to become one of eight American women to capture Olympic gold. She has become the "it" girl of sports. What a gift for figure skating, a sport that has chewed and spat out many young prodigies such as herself. What she, and so many others that evening, stood for was beyond the sport. May change for the sport come like a tidal wave.

Isabeau... there are no words. Her skating skills, posture, and performance qualities are some of the very best in the world. She seems slow and labored on television for many, but when you watch her live, it is a different story. Having watched Isabeau live, I was floored by how polished her movements were. She is not a skater that will rouse an audience to its feet. Instead, she is a skater that will make an audience hold its breath and become enchanted by her performance. Although her free skate was not the performance she wanted, she fought until the end.

All in all, one of the best showings from an American women's team in a very long time. I believe Amber and Isabeau will come in hungry at the World Championships. What an inspiring and joyful end to what was one of the best quads for the American women. I am eagerly waiting to watch how the next quad unfolds.
 
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natsulian said:
What a masterclass showing from all of the athletes in the women's discipline. An incredible evening of figure skating marked by half of the competitors either earning their personal best or season's best total scores. From the first flight to the last, the entertainment value was through the roof. I have followed the sport since 2018 and dare I say that this was probably one of if not the best free skates of all time. Alysa, Amber, and Isabeau each brought their "A" game and will leave with lessons learned, unforgettable experiences gained, and stamp their names into the coveted history books as Olympians—forever. What I was most impressed by was Amber's intellectuality, clarity of purpose, and drive to utilize her platform in ways that invited criticism but she dared to do so. There is nothing more courageous to me than to put yourself out there and stand up when others are quietly sitting. Given her history of mental health issues, it is all the more compelling that she chose to endanger her peace by being vocal. Alysa was similar. She not only supported Amber but brought a kind of joy that can only be encapsulated as addictive. Alysa, too, was vocal although it was more strategic and quiet than Amber. Isabeau truly lived the fantasy and I am beyond excited to watch her growth in the upcoming cycle.

In terms of their performances, Amber's free was awe-inspiring. In fact, she was one triple Loop away from the bronze medal. Regardless of the medals, she showed herself and the world that she is a reliable skater. She is a fierce competitor. She is resilient. She is all that everyone told her she was not. What a beautiful way to show that on the biggest athletic stage.

Alysa, like I said, was joy prancing on the ice. I have never seen a skater quite like her. Her mental fortitude, gracefulness, and ability to command an audience are stratospheric. Alysa made history by ending the United States' medal drought and then went on to become one of eight American women to capture Olympic gold. She has become the "it" girl of sports. What a gift for figure skating, a sport that has chewed and spat out many young prodigies such as herself. What she, and so many others that evening, stood for was beyond the sport. May change for the sport come like a tidal wave.

Isabeau... there are no words. Her skating skills, posture, and performance qualities are some of the very best in the world. For many she seems slow and labored on television but when you watch her live, it is a different story. Having watched Isabeau live, I was floored by how polished her movements were. She is not a skater that will rouse an audience to its feet. Instead, she is a skater that will make you hold your breath and become enchanted by her performance. Although her free skate was not the performance she wanted, she fought until the end.

All in all, one of the best showings from an American women's team in a very long time. I believe Amber and Isabeau will come in hungry at the World Championships. What an inspiring and joyful end to what was one of the best quads for the American women. I am eagerly waiting to watch how the next quad unfolds.
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Beautiful sentiments, beautifully written.
 
I wonder how many tubes of Rare Beauty lip gloss Alysa has sold for Selena Gomez? :lol: I really liked her lip color and wondered what lipstick it was. I need wonder no more because internet sleuths identified it. :lol: I may have ordered one since my favorite Urban Decay lipsticks are on their last legs... :shuffle:
 
alexikeguchi said:
It is so refreshing to see the positive and supportive interactions among the skaters and coaches in comparison to four years ago. I'm glad the page is officially turned.
Click to expand...
You could see how everything changed immediately after the Russians were banned after the Olympics a month later at Worlds in Montpellier when Kaori, Leona and Alysa were on the women's podium after the ladies event and how they were laughing, smiling and giggling with each other and no one was off to the side crying and pouting or being let alone with no coach supporting them.
 
Jammers said:
I really hope Alysa doesn't feel like she's done everything she set out to do and retires again she's just getting started. It may seem like she's been around forever but she's had only 3 seasons as a Senior internationally.
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Just like four years ago, I hope she does whatever the H@LL she wants to. I think she'll continue because she's having fun. How college works into that, I don't know.
 
SkateSand said:
I wonder how many tubes of Rare Beauty lip gloss Alysa has sold for Selena Gomez? :lol: I really liked her lip color and wondered what lipstick it was. I need wonder no more because internet sleuths identified it. :lol: I may have ordered one since my favorite Urban Decay lipsticks are on their last legs... :shuffle:
Click to expand...
She really has become THE biggest it girl from these Winter Olympics. I've seen nothing but praise for her from across so many parts of American society. She's definitely hit the pop culture consciousness hard. I've seen multiple articles & social media posts about the lip gloss and I'm sure those are just the tip of the iceberg of interest in her.
 
Karen-W said:
She really has become THE biggest it girl from these Winter Olympics. I've seen nothing but praise for her from across so many parts of American society. She's definitely hit the pop culture consciousness hard. I've seen multiple articles & social media posts about the lip gloss and I'm sure those are just the tip of the iceberg of interest in her.
Click to expand...
She is. I was so glad to hear in that CBS interview that she stays away from social media and says no to a lot of things and ghosts folks trying to get her time and attention.
 
Karen-W said:
She really has become THE biggest it girl from these Winter Olympics. I've seen nothing but praise for her from across so many parts of American society. She's definitely hit the pop culture consciousness hard. I've seen multiple articles & social media posts about the lip gloss and I'm sure those are just the tip of the iceberg of interest in her.
Click to expand...
Threads adores her and rightly so. 🤩
 
Tesla said:
Alysa has become the viral sensation that they wanted from Ice Dance.
Click to expand...
She really has. Her IG went from just over 311k followers prior to Nationals to 2.2m as of last night. Not even Ilia has had that sort of impact - and he had a pretty significant increase, I can't recall exactly how many followers he had (somewhere in the same range as Alysa prior to Nats), but he's now at 1.2m followers.
 
Badams said:
If I read one more pearl-clutching fart bag criticize Alysa's hair... It's disgusting to me that people are so quick to tear someone down based on looks, especially the women athletes. Fat balde men and frumpy old jealous women.
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Maybe pick a different, better part of the internet to visit? I haven't seen or heard any criticism about her hair.
 
Badams said:
If I read one more pearl-clutching fart bag criticize Alysa's hair... It's disgusting to me that people are so quick to tear someone down based on looks, especially the women athletes. Fat balde men and frumpy old jealous women.
Click to expand...
I like the pearl clutching over her language. I, myself, love a colorful metaphor.
 
Alysa is closing in on 3 million followers today. Amber now at 1.1.

And I just have to share this fan reaction to her free program, right down to the hair flip and everything. I don’t think we’ll ever see another skater like her.

www.instagram.com

Matt Le on Instagram: "Pure joy @alysaxliu ⛸️✨🥇 #alysaliu #teamusa #winterolympics #figureskating #bearsofinstagram"

6,884 likes, 111 comments - lebamatt on February 20, 2026: "Pure joy @alysaxliu ⛸️✨🥇 #alysaliu #teamusa #winterolympics #figureskating #bearsofinstagram".
www.instagram.com www.instagram.com
 
Karen-W said:
She really has become THE biggest it girl from these Winter Olympics. I've seen nothing but praise for her from across so many parts of American society. She's definitely hit the pop culture consciousness hard. I've seen multiple articles & social media posts about the lip gloss and I'm sure those are just the tip of the iceberg of interest in her.
Click to expand...
USFS should sponsor some kind of multi-year tour for Alysa and Ilia - maybe others too. Go 2 rinks around the country demo-ing, teaching, talking with kids. For the first time in a long time we have a couple of skaters young people could see themselves as.
 
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