As the ladies’s determine skating acquired going Tuesday on the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games, former world champion and Olympic gold medal winner Kristi Yamaguchi was optimistic in regards to the possibilities of a medal from a trio of American skaters.
An American lady hasn’t received an individual Olympic skating medal in twenty years, however Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito — collectively referred to as the “Blade Angels” — are hoping to alter that. Earlier than the occasion acquired underway, Yamaguchi herself mentioned there was an opportunity they may even sweep.
“I am not gonna say that’s going to occur,” Yamaguchi mentioned, “However, for positive, Amber: reigning U.S. champion proper now. After which Alysa Liu: reigning world champion. An excellent probability of being on the rostrum. Perhaps on the high.”
Matthew Stockman / Getty Pictures
However sadly for Glenn, she could not full her triple loop — a expensive mistake that dropped her into thirteenth place within the standings after the quick program. Liu was in third place whereas Levito was in eighth headed into the free skate on Thursday.
“It is crucial to have a clear quick,” Yamaguchi mentioned earlier than the occasion began. “Lacking one ingredient is so detrimental, and also you need to set your self up proper for an opportunity at a medal, on the gold.”
She additionally mentioned it is essential to return again with a robust free program, even after a disaster within the quick.
“You won’t get the medal you need, however it’s simply proving that, you recognize, you belong there and also you have been prepared,” she mentioned.
Yamaguchi took dwelling the gold on the Albertville 1992 Winter Video games, with fellow American Nancy Kerrigan getting bronze.
Heinz Kluetmeier 
The 2-time world champion mentioned it feels just like the American ladies are “due” for a win with the trio of “strong rivals who’re seasoned, who’ve had the expertise, and I really feel like are prepared.”
Requested what it was about ladies’s determine skating that captures Individuals’ hearts and a spotlight each 4 years, Yamaguchi instructed it has been “seen because the glamorous facet of the Olympics.”
“And the U.S. has historically performed very nicely,” she famous. “We’ve got fairly just a few U.S. ladies’s champions.”
“Clearly, the artistry is … I feel a really important a part of our sport,” she added. “It is what folks fall in love with. Personalities, the type, expression.”
