U.S. Women [#8]: Meet Me in St. Louis

[BaileyCatts]

I guess it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, but I thought the Team Captain was always the oldest member of the Team?

 

[Allskate]

I guess it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, but I thought the Team Captain was always the oldest member of the Team?

I seem to recall Evan being elected multiple times, not being appointed based on age.

I'm really glad that Amber was elected. I think there's a pretty good chance that, even though she is National Champion and has had so much international success the last couple of years, she wont be competing in the team event. I understand why a number of less successful American skaters will get to compete in the TE, but at least this is a bit of a nod of respect.

Speaking of age, Amber has talked about meeting Alysa and Isabeau when they were quite young, but I don't think I've seen this photo before of Amber with a young Isabeau. It's really cute:

Fanpage Isabeau Levito on Instagram: "Isabeau with her Ice Mother 2019 #isabeaulevito #amberglenn 📸: AmberGlenn_/X"

111 likes, 2 comments - fanpage_isabeau_levito on July 10, 2025: "Isabeau with her Ice Mother 2019 #isabeaulevito #amberglenn 📸: AmberGlenn_/X".

www.instagram.com

 

[peibeck]

I can't imagine the Team Captain wouldn't be skating in the team event. (Unless they were only planning on doing the free and their team didn't make the free skate).

 

[Allskate]

I can't imagine the Team Captain wouldn't be skating in the team event. (Unless they were only planning on doing the free and their team didn't make the free skate).

Evan Bates was team captain in 2018. He definitely was not in the Team Event.

 

[Bulletsdad]

I can't imagine the Team Captain wouldn't be skating in the team event. (Unless they were only planning on doing the free and their team didn't make the free skate).

It's a dilemma. Both Alysa and Amber deserve to be part of TE, but unless Ilia or C/B choose to do both segments, Alysa or Amber will be out. Alysa has better International BOW, is reigning WC and was gypped out of TE in 2022. Amber is three time National Champion and has higher WR. I would go with Alysa based on her unparalleled consistency, but it'll be sad to see either of them left out.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

I guess it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, but I thought the Team Captain was always the oldest member of the Team?

No. They always vote.

 

[peibeck]

Evan Bates was team captain in 2018. He definitely was not in the Team Event.

I stand corrected. Thanks!

 

[Theatregirl1122]

The concept of a team captain predates the team events in figure skating. I think maybe the US has them for all sports even if they don’t have a team components and other countries seem to as well.

 

[Karen-W]

The concept of a team captain predates the team events in figure skating. I think maybe the US has them for all sports even if they don’t have a team components and other countries seem to as well.

Yes, and, at least for Team USA, the team captains are the ones who vote for the opening ceremony flag bearers, IIRC.

 

[Sylvia]

Alysa shared a clip of her 3Lz+3T from practice today: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DURPcZ6D-13/

Copying over from Alysa's fan thread...

NBC LA's short clip from team processing day:

NBCLA on Instagram: "Blade Angels or Babes of Glory? Team USA’s Alyssa Liu shares the nicknames the U.S. women figure skaters considered for their group for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. #WinterOlympics"

256 likes, 4 comments - nbcla on February 1, 2026: "Blade Angels or Babes of Glory? Team USA’s Alyssa Liu shares the nicknames the U.S. women figure skaters considered for their group for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. #WinterOlympics".

www.instagram.com

Yahoo! Sports' article by Jay Busbee (Jan. 30):

Winter Olympics 2026: After two years off — and a trip to Mt. Everest — Alysa Liu is ready to conquer skating again

She was a national champion at 13, retired at 16, came back to win a world championship at 19. Is Olympic gold next?

sports.yahoo.com

From the end:

Oh, and as for that Everest base camp cow-versus-chicken debate?
“I would rather be a cow,” she says. “One, cows get to eat grass. And, like, the cows that I see, they’re just free-roaming the hills. All the chickens that I’ve seen are hidden behind cages. Yeah, no thank you.”

Alysa's profile in Time Magazine [by Alice Park]:
‘What Is There to Lose?’ Alysa Liu on Making an Olympic Comeback After Retiring at 16

Alysa Liu on Making an Olympic Comeback After Retiring at 16

She retired from figure skating at 16 only to return a few years later. Now she's heading to the 2026 Winter Games.

time.com

Love her mentality here (the decision refers to trying the new FS at Nationals) [excerpt italicized below]:

The decision reflects the new Liu, less concerned with conforming to norms and more focused on following her inner compass. She is skating not necessarily for points or medals, but simply because she missed it so much. “Anywhere that has an audience, get me there, I will skate,” she says. And despite the added pressure that often accompanies a comeback, Liu is remarkably calm about her second Olympics. “I don’t think anything is going to be hard about the Olympics,” she says. “What is there to lose? Every second you are there, you are gaining something. I can’t think of anything that I would find stressful or anything that could bring me down.”

ETA from the mixed zone, presumably: https://x.com/rockerskating/status/2018393707196694907

“Are you planning to include the 3A?”
Alysa Liu: Oh hell nah

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Attention all kitty cats and greetings from off the coast of Cuba.

Just checking in as I’m on my first cruise and boy have I seen some things on this one. Those who have my Instagram can check some things out.

My Bestie informed me of some things going on, I love the ads for blades of glory. Amber and Alysa and Isabeau look amazing.

I’m gone for another week Puerto Rico and Saint Martin … spelling? still to go.

Miami was legit 36°. Can you believe?

So interesting being on a cruise. My first one.

 

[Karen-W]

Attention all kitty cats and greetings from off the coast of Cuba.

Just checking in as I’m on my first cruise and boy have I seen some things on this one. Those who have my Instagram can check some things out.

My Bestie informed me of some things going on, I love the ads for blades of glory.

I’m gone for another week Puerto Rico and Saint Martin … spelling? still to go.

Miami was legit 36°. Can you believe?

So interesting being on a cruise. My first one.

So, uhm, what does any of this have to do with the US women? Is there a former US singles skater performing in the ice show on the cruise?

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

So, uhm, what does any of this have to do with the US women? Is there a former US singles skater performing in the ice show on the cruise?

Just saying hi to my kitty cats and this is my most frequented thread. I saw an ice-skating show last night and one of the figure skaters I swear to gosh look like Ashley Cain, but I was told they are all eastern European figure skaters.

 

[Sylvia]

Selected tweets by Jackie Wong today (Monday, Feb. 2):

After the open women's practice in the practice rink:
Liu: 3S, 3Lo, 3Lo, 3S, 3T, 3T, 3Lo, 3Lo, 3F2T, 2Lz, 3Lz, 3Lz2A2T, 3Lz3T, 3Lz3T, 3Lz3Lo, runthru (marked F, 2A, marked Lz)
Glenn: 2A, 3T(hangs on), 3Lo, 3F, 3F3T, 1A, 3A(step), 3A, runthru (3A(fall), 3F3T, 3Lo), 2A, 3A, 3F3T, 3A, 3Lz2T, 3S, 3S, 3Lo2A2A, 3Lo
"Amber Glenn in the mixed: She has an uncle who is from around Milan and will have more family here to watch; she's making sure to manage her energy because this event is so long"

Second women's practice in the main rink:

Liu: 2A, 3S, 3T, 3T, 3Lo, 3F2T, 3Lz2A2T, 3Lz3T, runthru (3F, 3Lz3T(step), 3S, 3Lo, 3Lz2A2T, 3F2T, 2A), 3Lz3T, 3Lz1Lo, 3Lz3Lo, 3S
"Choreo step from Alysa Liu's Donna Summer FS has changed - added the rotating double knee slide from the Gaga FS after the straightline slide and before the split jump"
"Lutz-toe from Alysa Liu has very much improved in the rideout of the lutz, which is always key to the rotation for that toe"

Alysa shared a clip of her 3Lz+3T from practice today: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DURPcZ6D-13/

ETA a few photos:

Joosep Martinson on Instagram: "Alysa Liu 🇺🇸 during a training session on day minus four of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Ice Skating Arena on February 02, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Joosep Martinson @gettysport ) #olym

119 likes, 0 comments - jmfotoz on February 2, 2026: "Alysa Liu 🇺🇸 during a training session on day minus four of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Ice Skating Arena on February 02, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Joosep Martinson @gettysport ) #olympics #milanocortina2026...

www.instagram.com

Practice notes Glenn: 2A, 3S, 3Lo, 3F, 3F3T, 3Lz(hand,ftdwn), 3Lz2T, 3A, runthru (3A, 3F3T, 3Lz(2ft?)2T, 3S, 3Lo2A2A, 3F, 3Lo), 3Lo, 3A, 3A, 3A, 3Lz2T, 3F3T, 3Lo2A2A, 3Lo https://x.com/rockerskating/status/2018391941398868250
"Amber Glenn in the mixed: She felt like Boston Worlds was more pressure, said this is feeling like any other competition; she’s reworked the timing of her spin to 3Lo at the end of her FS since Nationals #MilanoCortina2026"

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

Attention all kitty cats and greetings from off the coast of Cuba.

Just checking in as I’m on my first cruise and boy have I seen some things on this one. Those who have my Instagram can check some things out.

My Bestie informed me of some things going on, I love the ads for blades of glory. Amber and Alysa and Isabeau look amazing.

I’m gone for another week Puerto Rico and Saint Martin … spelling? still to go.

Miami was legit 36°. Can you believe?

So interesting being on a cruise. My first one.

I think that our Blade Angels are all looking good! Happy travels!

 

[Jammers]

I really wished that Alysa had pushed herself and been practicing the 3axel this season. I get the whole" I'm just skating for myself' storyline that she has made for herself since her comeback but she's still in a sport that's a competition so why not go all out to give yourself the best chance to win otherwise it seems almost disrespectful to the sport to not try.

 

[natsulian]

I really wished that Alysa had pushed herself and been practicing the 3axel this season. I get the whole" I'm just skating for myself' storyline that she has made for herself since her comeback but she's still in a sport that's a competition so why not go all out to give yourself the best chance to win otherwise it seems almost disrespectful to the sport to not try.

Something tells me she'll be adding the triple Axel this upcoming season. She did say she cannot see herself stopping soon. I would not be shocked to see her in 2030.

 

[Allskate]

I’m gone for another week

Who is this? ANL scheduled a cruise for when Amber is competing at the Olympics?

I really wished that Alysa had pushed herself and been practicing the 3axel this season. I get the whole" I'm just skating for myself' storyline that she has made for herself since her comeback but she's still in a sport that's a competition so why not go all out to give yourself the best chance to win otherwise it seems almost disrespectful to the sport to not try.

Alysa is being disrespectful? Seriously? The idea that anyone is being "disrespectful" if they don't put winning above everything else, including health, happiness, family, education, etc. is really being disrespectful to the athletes.

Having fun doesn't mean that Alysa isn't trying hard. She has talked about having fun, but she also has said that she loves to challenge herself. She added the lutz/loop this season - a combination that most skaters are not willing to do. She has said repeatedly that she has been practicing the triple axel. We have seen video of it. It's not that easy to do one, which is why Amber is going to be the only woman at the Olympics who consistently lands one.

Personally, I respect skaters who don't add in jumps in competition if they aren't fairly consistent with the jump in practice. The rules are a big part of the problem because the skaters are pretty well rewarded just for doing most of the rotation and falling. It seems like some skaters are just rolling the dice because they know that they can't possibly medal otherwise.