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

[SkateFanBerlin]

Alysa was so easy on 60 minutes. Apparently nothing phases her. Probably could do broadcast commentary if she wanted.

All the top ladies are getting attention but Liu seems to get the most. This may be good for Amber. All those obligations and reporters are a distraction. With much of that going to Alysa Amber can just focus on getting out 2 clean programs (my goal for her )

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Alysa was so easy on 60 minutes. Apparently nothing phases her. Probably could do broadcast commentary if she wanted.

All the top ladies are getting attention but Liu seems to get the most. This may be good for Amber. All those obligations and reporters are a distraction. With much of that going to Alysa Amber can just focus on getting out 2 clean programs (my goal for her )

Amber was getting all of the attention this time last year, still defended, but then had the triple axel mishap at worlds in short programs.

Watching the practices right now, everyone looks rather good so far.

 

[Richard]

Great news everyone! I can officially confirm that the white circle sofa has been adopted by the junior and novice skaters. We (at the Enterprise Center) have a new kiss and key that features a very large LED display along with a new (bright and clean) white sofa! I think it may be the same sofa they used at Worlds.

 

[my little pony]

by adopted do you mean they are taking it home so we get something else?

 

[Karen-W]

Great news everyone! I can officially confirm that the white circle sofa has been adopted by the junior and novice skaters. We (at the Enterprise Center) have a new kiss and key that features a very large LED display along with a new (bright and clean) white sofa! I think it may be the same sofa they used at Worlds.

Is the new sofa the same style/design as the previous one?

 

[Richard]

Is the new sofa the same style/design as the previous one?

Same color. They both look like they came from Wayfair or IKEA. This one is not round, it’s straight with three large cushions.

 

[Richard]

by adopted do you mean they are taking it home so we get something else?

It’s currently at the Centene Center. I figured they would move it over here once the events concluded there tonight. It may be gone from senior nationals, but it shall never be forgotten…

 

[Lanie]

At least there are no AmLactin bottles

 

[overedge]

At least there are no AmLactin bottles

Yet.

 

[Rukia]

At least there are no AmLactin bottles

how dare you those divas deserve respect

 

[my little pony]

they could have been Prevagen bottles

 

[natsulian]

Congratulations to the new U.S. junior women champion: Angela Shao. Angela made her Junior Grand Prix debut this season, scoring 170.68 which was about 3 points off the bronze medal. In a stellar free skate, Angela landed seven triples and scored a whopping 187.44 points. Annika Chao and Hannah Kim rounded out the top three, followed closely by Jessica Jurka who placed fourth.

Junior Nationals Results

 

[Allskate]

How exciting, and I was going to ask people who are there when they watch the practices which music they were hearing for Alysa. Glad to know we already have confirmation.

I watched her practice runthrough. She was just marking the jumps, but IMO the Gaga program is so much better than MacArthur Park. I can't wait to see her compete with it.

 

[Skaterbob]

I swear Emilia looks like she could be Loena‘s younger sister.

Yea when I saw her in Juniors last year that was my first thought. Better jumps than Loena by a lot though.

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

I watched her practice runthrough. She was just marking the jumps, but IMO the Gaga program is so much better than MacArthur Park. I can't wait to see her compete with it.

I love what I'm seeing so far of Alysa's revamped Gaga FS! I am sad that she didn't do her 3A, even aside from her marked run through.

I don't love Alysa's revamped tiger stripes. Loved them on Jimmy Fallon but now that they're encircling the crown of Alysa's head, my eyes keep going there not in a good way. The styling is giving me unfortunate Friar Tuck bald circle vibes!

 

[Skaterbob]

I love what I'm seeing so far of Alysa's revamped Gaga FS! I am sad that she didn't do her 3A, even aside from her marked run through.

I don't love Alysa's revamped tiger stripes. Loved them on Jimmy Fallon but now that they're encircling the crown of Alysa's head, my eyes keep going there not in a good way. The styling is giving me unfortunate Friar Tuck bald circle vibes!

I liked the music for sure. Someone had posted a edit of an example gaga program on reddit with interludes from her concerts and this one has that quality too. I always enjoy the interludes not just 3 songs put together like it was before.

 

[DreamSkates]

LOL!

Do you really think they care what fans say... NBC needs to be one raising a stink IMHO

Paying members, yes. How do you think people got companies to change their products or ads? Let them know they won't buy. Been there, done that. One auto maker took their ad off the air.
Currently I'm not a member of USFSA but all these comments here may prompt me to write them, after Nationals. Will not send a list of usernames, of course. Offer to start a Go Fund Me for a defunct couch. Yes, I'm serious. If you think something is that bad, at least make your voice heard. Enough voices heard, maybe they'll get one of their major supporters to buy them a new couch!

 

[Aceon6]

maybe they'll get one of their major supporters to buy them a new couch!

Or cede the area to the broadcast partner and have their set department handle it.

 

[olympic]

Wow!

I hereby deem the 2026 Women's SP 'Before and After Josephine Lee'

 

[Allskate]

Amber mentioned the word "retirement" in the interview tonight. Has she said that she plans to retire after this season?

 

[Lanie]

I could swear she has said that this would be her last season, but I don’t know when I read that…

 

[Wyliefan]

Sadly, but not surprisingly, Ava is stepping away. Very best wishes to her.

I’m writing to share that I’ve decided to step away from competitive skating. Over the past two years, l’ve faced significant challenges, including two surgeries in just six months. While I am incredibly grateful to the doctors who provided such excellent care, the journey back has been difficult. I worked as hard as I could to rebuild my strength and regain my jumps, spins, and confidence, but I haven’t been able to return to the level needed for competition.
This process has taken a heavy toll on me both mentally and physically. Skating has been a massive part of my life and has given me so many wonderful opportunities. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and helped me get to where I am today especially my amazing coaches and family who helped me through the good and bad. I would never have been able to make it this far without them.

Ava Ziegler on Instagram: "I’m writing to share that I’ve decided to step away from competitive skating. Over the past two years, l’ve faced significant challenges, including two surgeries in just six months. While I am incredibly grateful to the do

238 likes, 18 comments - _avaziegler on January 8, 2026: "I’m writing to share that I’ve decided to step away from competitive skating. Over the past two years, l’ve faced significant challenges, including two surgeries in just six months. While I am incredibly grateful to the doctors who...

www.instagram.com

 

[PRlady]

Sadly, but not surprisingly, Ava is stepping away. Very best wishes to her.

Ava Ziegler on Instagram: "I’m writing to share that I’ve decided to step away from competitive skating. Over the past two years, l’ve faced significant challenges, including two surgeries in just six months. While I am incredibly grateful to the do

238 likes, 18 comments - _avaziegler on January 8, 2026: "I’m writing to share that I’ve decided to step away from competitive skating. Over the past two years, l’ve faced significant challenges, including two surgeries in just six months. While I am incredibly grateful to the doctors who...

www.instagram.com

So so sorry to hear this, I was hoping she would be a star of the next quad.

But physical pain and mental pressure shouldn’t destroy a vibrant young woman. Wishing her great things.

 

[karmena]

I love what I'm seeing so far of Alysa's revamped Gaga FS! I am sad that she didn't do her 3A, even aside from her marked run through.

I don't love Alysa's revamped tiger stripes. Loved them on Jimmy Fallon but now that they're encircling the crown of Alysa's head, my eyes keep going there not in a good way. The styling is giving me unfortunate Friar Tuck bald circle vibes!

Excatly. It would be nice if someone could give her an advice to go back to her natural color or, at least, to get rid of these highlights before Olympics. These highlights are distraction and turns away to experience her skating.
I wonder if her coaches can do this or anyone from her fellow Americans. IT seems like a small detail, but for a mosaic to be complete... even one single detail is significant.

 

[Allskate]

Excatly. It would be nice if someone could give her an advice to go back to her natural color or, at least, to get rid of these highlights before Olympics. These highlights are distraction and turns away to experience her skating.
I wonder if her coaches can do this or anyone from her fellow Americans.

I think it's pretty clear that her coaches aren't telling her what to do anymore. Alysa is making the decisions. I think the stripe looks worse than it did before because it is now higher on her head and looks like a sports headband. (That's what it looked like at first when I saw her in practice, though not as much in the short program.) It looked much better before, IMO when the stripe was lower. I don't think the color will look good with her new long program costume, but maybe she feels differently or just doesn't care. I think it may be temporary color, so it could be gone by the Olympics anyway.

That's all minor anyway. She's skating great and having a blast, which is what is important.

 

[Karen-W]

I think it's pretty clear that her coaches aren't telling her what to do anymore. Alysa is making the decisions. I think the stripe looks worse than it did before because it is now higher on her head and looks like a sports headband. (That's what it looked like at first when I saw her in practice, though not as much in the short program.) It looked much better before, IMO when the stripe was lower. I don't think the color will look good with her new long program costume, but maybe she feels differently or just doesn't care. I think it may be temporary color, so it could be gone by the Olympics anyway.

That's all minor anyway. She's skating great and having a blast, which is what is important.

Well, part of the issue is the placement, yes, but also, the colorist she went to in Japan when she had it done originally was a master at toning down the brassiness which often happens when dark brown hair is bleached that way. Whomever she used in the Bay Area is not so gifted and it reminds me of a LOT of Hispanic girls I went to high school with who had a two-toned look with brassy bleached hair and dark brown hair.

 

[Wyliefan]

The stripe seemed to blend in more naturally when her hair was combed and braided than it did during practice. Still, I think the braids are really pretty and the stripe unfortunately drew the eye away from them, so I too hope she changes it before the Olympics.

But the most important thing is, she skated wonderfully last night!

 

[Oreo]

I think it's pretty clear that her coaches aren't telling her what to do anymore. Alysa is making the decisions. I think the stripe looks worse than it did before because it is now higher on her head and looks like a sports headband. (That's what it looked like at first when I saw her in practice, though not as much in the short program.) It looked much better before, IMO when the stripe was lower. I don't think the color will look good with her new long program costume, but maybe she feels differently or just doesn't care. I think it may be temporary color, so it could be gone by the Olympics anyway.

That's all minor anyway. She's skating great and having a blast, which is what is important.

I wanted to focus on her new program, but was just getting too distracted wondering what the heck she put on her head (a plunger? a small bowl?) and dyed around to get that effect. If she feels it empowers her, then go for it. I hope the international judges aren’t distracted too.

 

[karmena]

yes, of course, her skate was soul-touching, uplifting and, imho, unique too
still... I wish her to get rid of these attention taking highlights :-(

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

There are so many articles out in the news this morning It’s difficult to know which ones to click on it. I don’t have time to click on all of them.

Here is another good one about the close friendship between the three and how they stayed at the rink to watch each other perform their short programs.

For Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito, it’s good vibes all around

U.S. women's figure skating is on fire, and it's coming at a time where they are no longer rivals, but rooting for each other.

www.usatoday.com