Liu wins Milan Olympic skating gold

MILAN, Italy, Feb. 21 – Alysa Liu delivered a near-flawless free skate to win the women’s figure skating gold at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, ending a 24-year U.S. drought in the event, according to the Associated Press. Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto took silver and teammate Ami Nakai claimed bronze, Reuters reported.

Liu scored 226.79 overall with a 150.20 free skate, surging from third after the short program as she skated to Donna Summer’s ‘MacArthur Park,’ the BBC said. Reuters noted she landed jump after jump to seal the title.

Comeback on her terms

The 20-year-old stepped away from the sport at 16 after the Beijing Games, then returned two years later with a new approach that prioritized creativity and joy, NBC Olympics reported.

The victory made Liu the first U.S. woman to win Olympic gold since Sarah Hughes in 2002 and the first American medalist since 2006, Reuters said, a milestone the BBC emphasized.

Japan takes silver and bronze

Sakamoto, a three-time world champion who has said this is her final season, finished second with 224.90 points, per Reuters.

Nakai, 17, led after the short program and opened her free skate with a triple axel but slipped down the standings before securing bronze with 219.16, the BBC reported.

U.S. depth shows

American Amber Glenn rallied from 13th after the short program to finish fifth overall, posting a season-best 214.91, the AP reported and NBC Olympics noted.

Liu already helped the United States win the team event earlier in the Games, giving her two gold medals in Milan, Reuters said, a storyline ESPN highlighted.

Liu said she felt calm and connected with the crowd as she skated, a theme that underscored her comeback, according to Reuters.

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