Amber Glenn delivered a powerful free skate on Thursday, vaulting up the women’s leaderboard after a disappointing short program earlier in the week. Her performance — emotional and nearly flawless — has reopened U.S. medal conversations as the event heads into its final phase.
Jayson Tatum’s adjustments could determine Celtics’ title chances
Jordan Stolz denied gold in men’s 1,500m speedskating upset
Glenn scored 147.52 in the free skate, bringing her combined total to 214.91. The result moved her into the provisional lead with several top contenders still to skate, including American teammates Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito.
From disappointment to a comeback moment
Alysa Liu takes gold in women’s figure skating: flawless individual performance
U.S. women’s hockey clinches Olympic gold: key moments that toppled Canada
On Tuesday, a failed jump in the short program cost Glenn crucial points and dropped her down the standings. She described that result as crushing, but returned to the ice on Thursday with a visibly different mindset.
After completing her technical elements, Glenn beamed for the crowd, let out a celebratory yell with her coach, and punctuated the run with a fist pump — small, human reactions that underscored how much the skate meant to her.
Speaking to NBC after the program, Glenn said she consciously chose to enjoy the moment, acknowledging she could have skated better while also celebrating that she “stayed on [her] feet at the Olympics” during a spiral sequence. That balance of realism and relief framed her comeback.
What the score means now
| Segment | Score |
|---|---|
| Free skate | 147.52 |
| Short program | 67.39 |
| Total | 214.91 |
| Current placement | 1st (provisional) |
Those numbers are provisional: the free skate is still underway and a number of top skaters have yet to perform. Glenn’s score sets a high bar, but it is not definitive.
Immediate implications
- Glenn’s rebound restores her as a contender for a podium finish and reshapes U.S. team dynamics in the event.
- With teammates Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito still to skate, the Americans remain in a strong position but face stiff competition from remaining entrants.
- Psychologically, the turnaround gives Glenn momentum — and adds pressure on rivals who must respond later in the session.
Glenn’s program on Thursday was a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in figure skating: a single mistake can be costly, but a composed free skate can revive medal hopes. As the competition progresses, the focus will be on whether she can hold the lead and how the rest of the field responds.
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.