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

[PRlady]

I love Alysa more all the time.

 

[Aceon6]

here is sooo much bling in figure skating.

And gymnastics!

I was speaking to a rep from a new boot company that has developed a carbon fiber freestyle boot. Each boot weighs less than a pound and most of that is in the sole. We talked about the advantages and how freeing it must be to be able to bring the free leg up with little effort, only to be weighed down with 10 pounds of bling

 

[Sylvia]

Cross-posting here from her fan thread...

Isabeau shared her post+10 photos from St. Louis today: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTtjkkejOk2/

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My Love Letter to Figure Skating
Isabeau Levito Shares an Intimate Reflection on Growth, Perseverance, and Learning to Trust the Process.
Published on January 19, 2026
https://www.redbullcontentpool.com/international/CP-S-20413

Excerpt:

When I was a child, I worried I’d have to quit skating because the double axel was impossible, or so it seemed. I tried. I cried tears of frustration. I went again, and again. At age 10, I finally nailed it. “Oh, so I am going to make it!”
But I’ve not done this alone. I could have never understood or learned to believe in myself if it weren’t for my coaches reminding me every day, too. Even if it was by yelling at me for not fighting hard enough and messing up the second half of the program, and having me skate it again – all just to prove to me how I can be so much stronger than I believe. [...]
Figure skating has taught me that progress isn’t always linear. Some days you skate perfect programs, and some days you wipe out. It has taught me to trust the process, to push myself, and to find joy in the work I put into it, no matter the outcome. Those lessons follow me off the ice too, reminding me that growth takes time and that passion is something you choose, again and again.

 

[Allskate]

Alysa, Isabeau, and Amber have proposed names for their trio.

They've gone from debating the Ice Princess and Blades of Glory:

Skating Stan on Instagram: "Catch the Babes of Glory at the Winter Olympics starting February 6! ✨🔥 #figureskating #iceskating #olympics"

947 likes, 20 comments - fs.skatingstan on January 18, 2026: "Catch the Babes of Glory at the Winter Olympics starting February 6! ✨🔥 #figureskating #iceskating #olympics".

www.instagram.com

to suggesting that they be named the Bratz Set (Alyssa's suggestion), the Powerpuff Girls (Isabeau's), and to Amber sticking with the Big Three:

Team USA on Instagram: "Top of their game and needing the best name ✨ Drop your U.S. Olympic Women’s Figure Skating Team name ideas 👇 #WinterOlympics"

2,760 likes, 17 comments - teamusa on January 20, 2026: "Top of their game and needing the best name ✨ Drop your U.S. Olympic Women’s Figure Skating Team name ideas 👇 #WinterOlympics".

www.instagram.com

 

[Allskate]

Here is Isabeau talking about the chances of her getting an Olympic tattoo and also talking about how she wants to take on more risk next season:

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This isn't the first time Isabeau has talked about not taking risks with her skating until after the Olympics are over. She has emphasized that she really doesn't want to get injured. I wanted to remind her (and Alysa) of that when I saw a video the other day of Alysa on Isabeau's shoulders. They're so close to the Olympics. Don't do anything that is unnecessary and risky!

ETA: Here is the video of Alysa and Isabeau:

Fanpage Isabeau Levito on Instagram: "She's so strong #isabeaulevito #alysaliu #milanocortina26 🎥: naebaycam/TikTok"

188 likes, 3 comments - fanpage_isabeau_levito on January 17, 2026: "She's so strong #isabeaulevito #alysaliu #milanocortina26 🎥: naebaycam/TikTok".

www.instagram.com

And here is a link to a non-paywall version of the article:

MSN

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I wonder if Bradie would consider skating for one more year, probably not an entire four year cycle obviously but she’s in the best form she’s been in. And her scores are very respectable.

 

[Allskate]

I wonder if Bradie would consider skating for one more year, probably not an entire four year cycle obviously but she’s in the best form she’s been in. And her scores are very respectable.

And she seems to be enjoying herself, which is the most important part of the decision. At some point, she will have to retire, but hopefully it won't be forced on her by injury and she will have planned something to transition to. There are so many high-level athletes who say that it is emotionally difficult when they stop competing and have to figure out what else to do.

 

[Jonas]

Something in my gut is telling me that Bradie will be called up to compete at Worlds. I'll wait to see how that pans out, but if she skates well there, I'd say she'll retire a happy woman.

Here's a crazy thought: I'd love to see Bradie redabble in pairs!! She competed, IIRC, at the intermediate in pairs.

Your thoughts...

 

[Allskate]

Here's a crazy thought: I'd love to see Bradie redabble in pairs!! She competed, IIRC, at the intermediate in pairs.

She seems pretty tall for pairs. I think she's at least six inches taller than Starr.

 

[Jonas]

She seems pretty tall for pairs. I think she's at least six inches taller than Starr.

I'd agree, but Bradie could use that to her advantage, i.e., Ashley Cain or Minerva Haase! (I didn't check any skaters' bio to confirm any height stats!)

Your thoughts...

 

[Allskate]

I'd agree, but Bradie could use that to her advantage, i.e., Ashley Cain or Minerva Haase! (I didn't check any skaters' bio to confirm any height stats!)

Your thoughts...

Ashley had a pretty tall partner. Can you think of a tall American male pairs skater who would want to skate with Bradie?

 

[Theatregirl1122]

I'd agree, but Bradie could use that to her advantage, i.e., Ashley Cain or Minerva Haase! (I didn't check any skaters' bio to confirm any height stats!)

Your thoughts...

Why do you end EVERY post with “your thoughts”

Everyone’s going to give their thoughts or not either way.

 

[Sylvia]

Why do you end EVERY post with “your thoughts”

Everyone’s going to give their thoughts or not either way.

I recall Jonas posting in other skating forums decades(!) ago and that's just the way he ends his posts. My first and only thought is that I don't/can't envision Bradie as a pair skater type.

 

[Vagabond]

Thought No. 1: Bradie Tennell and Nikolaj Memola would make a fine Pair.

Thought No.2: So too would Tennell and Marco Zandron.

 

[Wyliefan]

She'd be up in the rafters!

 

[Maximillian]

Wrong thread

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

can't envision Bradie as a pair skater type.

Me either, but on a second note look at the deep conversation I had started with this topic lol

 

[Aceon6]

If she’s inclined to do so, I think Bradie might be the perfect person to add to a multinational coaching team. She’s survived it all, improved after injuries, and seems to be able to summon inner strength when she needs it.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

I think most women who don't skate pairs don't skate pairs because they don't want to.

 

[Allskate]

NBC has interviewed all three of the women on the Olympic team:

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TODAY is your trusted destination to stay informed, get inspired, and start your day strong. Each morning, TODAY anchors’ Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin, Al Roker, Carson Daly, Sheinelle Jones, and Dylan Dreyer, bring you the biggest news headlines, weather reports, and interviews with...

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Also, the trio have all posted on Instagram that they are going to be revealing the name of the trio on Monday. Any bets?

 

[haribobo]

Of US Women who might continue, Amber, Levito, Alysa, Sarah Everhardt, and SJVF will be in good stead for 2 GP spots. Also Bradie if she does not retire.

Alina Bonillo is currently around 6th on the alternates list or thereabouts.

Sherry Zhang, Logan Higase-Chen, and Elyce Lin-Gracey will be too low on the SB list for any GP events but could be a Skate America TBD spot alternate based on how things shake out.

 

[Karen-W]

Of US Women who might continue, Amber, Levito, Alysa, Sarah Everhardt, and SJVF will be in good stead for 2 GP spots. Also Bradie if she does not retire.

Alina Bonillo is currently around 6th on the alternates list or thereabouts.

Sherry Zhang, Logan Higase-Chen, and Elyce Lin-Gracey will be too low on the SB list for any GP events but could be a Skate America TBD spot alternate based on how things shake out.

So, the GP Alternates list - aka the SB Top 75 skaters who have only 1 or no GP assignments doesn't reset with retirements, etc. Bonillo won't move up from her 48th place right now even if 12-15 of the skaters ahead of her retire. They just won't be included in the GP assignment pool, which may increase her chances of a GP assignment but I'd put her in the same group as Elyce Lin-Gracey, who is the only other age-eligible USA woman in the SB Top 75 (Zhang, Higase-Chen, Hilmer, Josephine Lee & Katie Shen are all well out of the SB Top 75) - vying for a possible SkAm TBD spot.

 

[haribobo]

Yes, however there are quite a few skaters in the top 50 who won't be age eligible for senior events, so I kind of bump everyone on the alternate list that way as those junior skaters don't count...

I believe that would apply to Mayuko Oka, Mei Okada, Sumika Kanazawa, Hana Bath, Alica Lengyelova, Elisabeth Dibbern, and Jiyu Huh of the current top 50.

Also important to consider that Petrosian and Safonova may not be allowed in GP Series and Starr Andrews is switching to pairs, etc.

So a 48th highest SB in women is a lot higher on the alternates list than any other discipline...

 

[Karen-W]

Yes, however there are quite a few skaters in the top 50 who won't be age eligible for senior events, so I kind of bump everyone on the alternate list that way as those junior skaters don't count...

I believe that would apply to Mayuko Oka, Mei Okada, Sumika Kanazawa, Hana Bath, Alica Lengyelova, Elisabeth Dibbern, and Jiyu Huh of the current top 50.

Also important to consider that Petrosian and Safonova may not be allowed in GP Series and Starr Andrews is switching to pairs, etc.

So a 48th highest SB in women is a lot higher on the alternates list than any other discipline...

Sure, but this is true every season. The only skaters ranked below SB 40 who got GPs from the women were:

Medland Spence 41 (NHK - initial assignment)
Serna 42 (GPdF & SkAm - initial assignments)
Shiryaeva 48 (SCI host spot initial assignment)
Dupuis 50 (SCI host spot initial assignment)
Karhunen 51 (Finlandia host spot initial assignment)
J Lee 69 (SkAm host spot - assigned in July)
Zhu 71 (CoC host spot initial assignment)

I'd be shocked if Bonillo winds up with anything but a SkAm host assignment on the initial list and maybe not even then depending on how many other US women are ahead of her & receive 2 or 1 GPs straight away.

 

[haribobo]

Medland Spence 41 (NHK - initial assignment)/NOW Seniuk
Serna 42 (GPdF & SkAm - initial assignments)/NOW Pinzarrone and Serna
Shiryaeva 48 (SCI host spot initial assignment)/ NOW Kwon or Woodley (or Daleman)
Dupuis 50 (SCI host spot initial assignment)/ NOW Kwon or Woodley
Karhunen 51 (Finlandia host spot initial assignment)/ NOW Ceder?
J Lee 69 (SkAm host spot - assigned in July)/ NOW Alina or Sherry
Zhu 71 (CoC host spot initial assignment)/ NOW Zhu or Ruiyang

Interesting list- so I just added on some potential scenarios (outside of SB 40) to replace those, keeping the host spots with host skaters. I think Haruna or Mako may be in the running for the NHK TBD, and Seojin being the only other 40-48 skater not on the above list. So yea, if 40 is the cutoff again, Alina may be waiting on the alternates list, but Shiryaeva, Dupuis, and Karhunen (48, 50, and 51 on last season's list) all ended up with a spot or 2, so that could bode well, especially with more retirements likely after this current season...

I am giving the SCI host spots in my scenario to those skaters since A) they placed higher than SMD at Nationals, and B) SMD is likely high enough on the SB list to get a spot or end up super high on the alternates list. But knowing SC, they will give it to Kaiya and Schizas and hand back the 3rd spot

 

[Sylvia]

I've re-posted some of the above into this relevant discussion thread in the TC : https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...-2026-grand-prix-entries.113603/#post-6878410

 

[leilaofpaper]

NBC has interviewed all three of the women on the Olympic team:

TODAY | iHeart

TODAY is your trusted destination to stay informed, get inspired, and start your day strong. Each morning, TODAY anchors’ Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin, Al Roker, Carson Daly, Sheinelle Jones, and Dylan Dreyer, bring you the biggest news headlines, weather reports, and interviews with...

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Also, the trio have all posted on Instagram that they are going to be revealing the name of the trio on Monday. Any bets?

I don’t think Amber wants “Babes of Glory” as has been widely suggested, but I don’t have a guess as to an alternative. Isabeau and Alysa’s suggestions of Powerpuff Girls and Bratz have too many copyright issues, and it seems too big of an announcement if it is Amber’s suggestion of “the big 3”

 

[Sylvia]

NBC has interviewed all three of the women on the Olympic team:

Thanks! Direct links to listen via iheartcom (will cross-post these links into their respective fan threads):

The Road to Milan: Alysa Liu on Joy, Freedom, and Falling Back in Love With Skating
January 23, 2026 • 9 mins
Alysa Liu first reached the Olympics at 16 years old before stepping away from the sport to rediscover joy, balance, and purpose on her own terms. After returning to competition in 2024, Liu delivered one of the strongest performances of her career at the World Championships, skating with a renewed sense of freedom and creativity as Milan-Cortina 2026 came into view. In this conversation with NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk, Liu reflects on why she finds skating fun again, how her mindset has evolved since Beijing, and what she is most excited about heading into Milan. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/552-today-83954501/episode/the-road-to-milan-alysa-liu-318975942/

The Road to Milan: Amber Glenn on Belief, Balance, and Becoming Herself
January 23, 2026 • 11 mins
Amber Glenn has been skating since she was four years old, rising through the U.S. figure skating ranks to become a national champion and one of the sport’s most distinctive voices. In this conversation with NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk, Glenn opens up about mental health, self-belief, and why this chapter of her career feels more meaningful than ever as she looks ahead to Milan-Cortina. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/552-today-83954501/episode/the-road-to-milan-amber-glenn-318975940/

The Road to Milan: Isabeau Levito on Resilience, Perspective, and Her Comeback
January 23, 2026 • 10 mins
Isabeau Levito is one of Team USA’s brightest figure skating stars, who emerged as a world-class competitor before a serious injury disrupted one of the most successful stretches of her career. Levito made a strong return to the ice, finishing fourth at the World Championships and keeping her Olympic ambitions firmly in focus ahead of Milan-Cortina 2026. In this conversation with NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk, Levito opens up about perseverance, pushing through mistakes, and why competing in Milan will mean so much to her. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/552-...e/the-road-to-milan-isabeau-levito-318975938/

 

[Sylvia]

Orange County Register article by Scott M. Reid (Jan. 26, 2026):

Alysa Liu has returned to skating to become an Olympic favorite

Liu was the youngest U.S. champion at 13, retired at 16, and has returned to the sport with a chance at gold this winter.

www.ocregister.com

Excerpts:

The joy with which Liu speaks about her time away from skating is now also evident on the ice. She is at peace with both her decision to walk away and then to return in large part because she has found herself as a young woman and a skater. Liu has come to view skating not so much as a competition but an art form.
“I’m an artist, definitely,” she said.
An artist who has found something she never had until she retired – a voice, in her skating, in her life.
There are times when Liu looks back at the 13-year-old who burst onto the global scene with a talent so rare that she was called figure skating’s Simone Biles, and she doesn’t recognize her. And there are times when she realizes the person she is today was there all along.
She just had to find her.

“In that two years, I found, you know, what I like and what I didn’t like. I really got to know myself. Because I got 16, I didn’t really know myself. I couldn’t know myself if I only ever did one thing. So having gotten done like, God knows how many things, I realized I love music, I love to dance, and I love exercising. Like, I love cartwheels. I can cartwheel forever. I love moving. I need to let my energy go into something. And I love being creative, and I love having an outlet. And I mean, I had many outlets already, but I was like, I need more, and skating is one of those outlets.
“I mean, I’m still the same Alysa, like, if you put me back into I guess, like, yeah, 16-year-old me, I would have made the same decisions as me now, even knowing what I know. But I think the moral of the story is that you really got to evaluate yourself, and you need time to do that, and you need space to do that. And if we’re able to give athletes that, they blossom into whatever it is, whether it’s staying on the athlete path or not, they will blossom.”

Privately, she decided to retire after the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing. While she trained for the Olympics, she was unaware that Arthur Liu had been notified by the FBI in October 2021 and informed that he and Alysa were the targets of what the U.S. Justice Department alleged was a spying operation by the Chinese government. Not wanting to distract her preparations, Arthur Liu did not share the information with Alysa until after the Games.
She successfully petitioned her way onto the team after being forced to withdraw from the 2022 U.S. Championships in Nashville after testing positive for COVID-19. Liu was sixth at the Olympics and then claimed the bronze medal at the World Championships, the first American woman to do so in six years, only the second since 2006.
Two weeks later, Liu stunned the sport, announcing on social media that she was retiring.
“Moving on with my life,” she said in the posting.
“I started skating when I was 5 so that’s about 11 years on the ice and it’s been an insane 11 years.”
She said at the time of her unexpected retirement that “It feels not like a sacrifice – but more like I’m graduating.”

“Well, I kind of went right into it when I quit. I wasted no time. I was going to concerts, which I never could have done before. I also got my driver’s license so I could drive myself around, drive my siblings, my friends, around. I did a whole year at college, and a little bit of the sophomore year as well. I, yeah, I went on vacation for the first time, and I went many more after that. I went skiing, I went snowboarding. Like I got to do so many different things that I never would have done had I stayed in the sport. And yeah, I got to experience, like, real life during that time. I got to know myself a lot more, know what I like to do, kind of what my passion in life is like, what my calling is. And I love the arts, I love dancing, and I love music and that, and I love sports, and that’s what figure skating is.
“So I kind of realized that, as I, you know, was taking my break, that I loved all those things, and then when I stepped back out on ice, I was like, I can apply all of my interests into this. And I never thought of figure skating in that way before.”

... Liu was asked about the low point on her way back to the top of the sport.
“The low point that I learned the most from was, I mean, I can’t even call it a low point, because I feel like everything that you could consider bad, I like, I’m so happy that happened, because I learned so much from it,” she said. “So it was, it’s not a low point, it’s like a learning point. And you got to have those, you know what I’m saying, to grow. And so, yeah, hopefully there are more points like that in the future too. You know, we all want to become like our best selves, and I don’t know, get to experience more. And yeah, you gotta, you gotta make mistakes to learn.
“Yeah, I don’t know. I’m excited for the future.”