The 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics are in full swing, and Thursday was a massive day for the United States in Italy:
Alysa Liu takes gold, makes history for U.S.
The drought is finally over! The last American woman to medal at the Olympics was Sasha Cohen (silver) in 2006 — until Thursday, when Alysa Liu won gold in the women’s singles competition.
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Team USA entered Tuesday’s short program with dreams of a podium sweep behind “Blade Angels” Alysa Liu, Isabeau Levito and Amber Glenn. Liu was the only skater of the three in medal position after a third-place finish in the short program, but Glenn couldn’t be counted out — she scored a 147.52 in her free skate to vault her score to the top of the leaderboard. She was later overtaken by Japan’s Mone Chiba and then Liu, who skated a flawless routine to put her in first place.
Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai won silver and bronze, respectively. Glenn finished in fifth place, while Levito finished with a total score of 202.80, good for 12th place.
Team USA stuns Canada in overtime to win gold medal
With the Americans having pulled their goalie and in desperation mode, Hilary Knight came to the rescue. Knight redirected a Laila Edwards rocket from the point past Canadian goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens, sending red-white-and-blue-clad fans in Santagiulia arena into a full-throated roar and giving the U.S. women’s hockey team new life.
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The clutch goal from the U.S.’s veteran leader took on additional meaning minutes later when the Americans followed it with an overtime game-winner. Megan Keller scored just over four minutes into overtime to give the U.S. an imperfect but resilient 2-1 victory in Thursday’s gold-medal match at the Milano-Cortina Olympics.
Jordan Stolz takes silver in men’s 1500m
Jordan Stolz now has a silver medal to add to his two golds, which the 21-year-old phenom already claimed at 500 and 1,000 meters. He was the favorite in Thursday’s 1,500-meter final, but came in second to China’s Zhongyan Ning. Kjeld Nuis took bronze.
After the 1,500 meters, Stolz has one competition left in his debut Games, Saturday’s mass start event.
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Women’s curling advances to semifinals
Team USA women’s curling entered Thursday with a simple task: Win, and you’re in. With a victory over Switzerland, the United States would guarantee itself a spot in the playoffs.
In the end, it wasn’t that simple, but Team USA secured its spot in the semifinals with a narrow 7-6 win over Switzerland that came down to a clutch hammer from Tabitha Peterson in an extra end. After giving up three points in the 10th end and missing on some early shots in the extra end, Peterson needed an expertly-placed shot with the hammer to send the U.S. to the semifinals.
How many medals has Team USA won so far? Check in with our medal tracker for the full breakdown.
Dates: Feb. 6 – Feb. 22
TV channel: NBC
Streaming: Peacock
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for all the news, events and medals from the Milan Cortina Olympics:
Live312 updates
Thu, February 19, 2026 at 3:24 PM PST
Jeff Eisenberg
With the Americans having pulled their goalie and in desperation mode — just two minutes from losing the gold medal to arch-rival Canada — Hilary Knight came to the rescue.
Knight redirected a Laila Edwards rocket from the point past Canadian goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens, sending red-white-and-blue-clad fans in Santa Giulia Arena into a full-throated roar and giving the U.S. women’s hockey team new life.
The clutch goal from the U.S.’ veteran leader took on additional meaning minutes later when the Americans followed it with an overtime game-winner. Megan Keller scored just over four minutes into overtime to give the U.S. an imperfect but resilient 2-1 victory in Thursday’s gold-medal match at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Taylor Heise set up Keller’s game-winner when she caught the Canadians in an ill-timed line change and sent a length-of-the-ice pass to Keller. The American juked Canadian defender Claire Thompson, created space for herself in front of the net and lashed the puck through the legs of Desbiens.
Read more on the gold-medal game here.
Thu, February 19, 2026 at 2:40 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
The “Blade Angels” — The U.S. figure skating trio of Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito — put on a show during Thursday’s free skate, the final portion of the women’s singles event.
Liu won gold, becoming the first U.S. woman to do so in that event since 2002, and Glenn rebounded from a disappointing end to her short program with a triumphant free skate that ultimately helped her place fifth in the competition.
Levito, the youngest of the group, wound up in 12th, but she’ll have plenty of memories from an Olympics to build on, and one that’s near and dear to her heart, given her Milanese heritage.
Here’s a look at the final results:
1) Alysa Liu (USA): 226.79
2) Kaori Sakamoto (Japan): 224.90
3) Ami Nakai (Japan): 219.16
4) Mone Chiba (Japan): 217.88
5) Amber Glenn (USA): 214.91
6) Adeliia Petrosian (AIN): 214.53
12) Isabeau Levito (USA): 202.80
Thu, February 19, 2026 at 2:13 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
Alysa Liu is the first American woman figure skater to win an Olympic medal in the individual event since Sasha Cohen took silver in 2006.
And Liu’s the first American to win gold in women’s singles since Sarah Hughes in 2002.
Skating to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park,” Liu made her artistry on the ice look effortless.
But that’s nothing new for a free spirit who’s clearly rejuvenated after taking time away from the sport.
She returned to become a world champion last year. This year, she’s an Olympic gold medalist.
Coupled with her gold from the team event, the 20-year-old, two-time Olympian has two gold medals under her belt this Games.
Thu, February 19, 2026 at 2:07 PM PST
Gold medalist Alysa Liu celebrates with Japan’s bronze medalist Ami Nakai at Milano Ice Skating Arena on February 19, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Jamie Squire via Getty Images)Thu, February 19, 2026 at 2:01 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
Japan’s Ami Nakai pulled off another triple axel, but she notably received a negative grade on a triple lutz and triple toe combination.
She rebounded with a triple lutz, double axel and double axel sequence, followed by a triple loop.
But the 17-year-old Nakai was dinged on the technical side, and she ended up short of the 148.09 points she needed for the lead.
Nakai is third, and Team USA’s Alysa Liu is first.
Liu has won gold.
Thu, February 19, 2026 at 1:52 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto, who will retire after this season, was gunning for gold as well.
She already has bronze in this event — and two silvers in the team event — but she missed out on a combination in her free skate.
After a bendy triple flip, she had to go back for a planned triple toe later in the program to make up for that small mistake.
Those two jumps paired together could have done the trick for Sakamoto, but instead her 147.67-point free skate was only good for second.
There’s one skater left. Team USA’s Alysa Liu is guaranteed at least a silver medal.
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan competes during the women’s figure skating free program at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)Thu, February 19, 2026 at 1:40 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
The applause was louder than Alysa Liu’s first landing as she jumpstarted her spellbinding free skate.
Liu nailed a triple loop later in the program. That set the stage for a flying camel spin that allowed her to reset, leading up to a triple lutz, double axel and double toe sequence that likely has her well on her way to the podium.
Liu was smiling throughout, slicing through the pressure of the moment as usual. As she twirled during her final spin, so did her signature striped hair.
“That’s what I’m f***ing talking about,” Liu said joyously to the camera on her way off the ice.
Liu’s 150.2-point free skate thrust her into first place and clinched the U.S.’ first medal in women’s singles in 20 years.
Thu, February 19, 2026 at 1:33 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
So light on her skates, Japan’s Mone Chiba executed a triple lutz and double axel sequence that propelled her through a smooth second half of her free skate.
Skating to a chorus of claps, Chiba floated across the ice during her step and choreographed sequences.
The 20-year-old’s program wasn’t extravagant, but it was precise.
And it allowed Chiba to pass Glenn for first place with three skaters left to go.
Thu, February 19, 2026 at 1:26 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
Russia’s Adeliia Petrosian, competing as a neutral athlete, was in fifth after the short program.
But she under rotated on a quad toe and fell as a result.
Petrosian strung together a triple lutz and a pair of double axels later in the free skate, though.
She finished strong, but the 18-year-old — still inexperienced in international competition — probably needed that quad to have a chance at a medal.
Her 141.64 free-skate score left her just shy of Amber Glenn’s event mark of 214.91.
Adeliia Petrosian of Individual Neutral Athletes competes during the women’s figure skating free program at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)Thu, February 19, 2026 at 1:15 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
Here were the results before the final group got underway:
Amber Glenn (USA) — 214.91
Niina Petrokina (EST) — 210.82
Lee Hae-In (KOR) — 210.56
Sofia Samodelkina (KAZ) — 207.46
Shin Ji-A (KOR) — 206.68
Isabeau Levito (USA) — 202.80
Thu, February 19, 2026 at 1:12 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
Alysa Liu was nearly flawless in her short program. She’s now preparing for her free skate, which could deliver Team USA its first medal in women’s singles since 2006.
For now, though, her teammate, Amber Glenn, is still in first place after a bounce-back free skate.
Alysa Liu of the United States competes during the women’s short program figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)Thu, February 19, 2026 at 1:09 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
Isabeau Levito’s first Olympics are in the books. She won’t medal, but she had a memorable and meaningful experience in Italy, where her family ties run deep.
Here’s a look at her free skate:
Thu, February 19, 2026 at 12:53 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
Isabeau Levito fell on a triple flip to start her free skate. She bounced back with a double axel and then a triple loop, however that opening fall cost her, and her medal hopes.
Nonetheless, the 18-year-old’s ability to regain focus and maintain her balletic movement on the ice was commendable.
Levito finished her performance to a symphony of cheers from an appreciative crowd that includes her mother, who immigrated to the U.S. from Milan.
She’s now in sixth place. Amber Glenn remains in first.
Thu, February 19, 2026 at 12:34 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
Isabeau Levito is part of the third group of skaters participating in Thursday’s free skate.
She was in eighth place after the short program.
Isabeau Levito of the United States competes during the women’s short program figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)Thu, February 19, 2026 at 12:25 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
Two groups down and two to go in the free skate portion of the women’s singles.
Here’s the current top eight, with the top-12 skaters from the short program — including the U.S.’ Isabeau Levito and Alysa Liu — still yet to perform:
Amber Glenn (USA) — 214.91
Shin Ji-a (KOR) — 206.68
Lara Naki Gutmann (ITA) — 195.75
Iida Karhunen (FIN) — 192.79
Julia Sauter (ROU) — 190.93
Olga Mikutina (AUT) — 185.59
Zhang Ruiyang (CHN) — 178.03
Ekaterina Kurakova (POL) — 173.37
Thu, February 19, 2026 at 12:21 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
Amber Glenn found some redemption Thursday in the free skate.
“Deep down, of course, I know I could have done better, but I told myself, ‘Enjoy it,’” Glenn told NBC’s Andrea Joyce. “And I had my moment in my spiral, and I told myself, ‘You just skated and stayed on your feet at the Olympics.’
“I am proud that I was able to have that moment.”
Joyce asked Glenn what allowed her to regain focus after what the three-time defending national champion had described as a “soul-crushing” short program.
“That 6-year-old girl that never thought I’d even be here,” Glenn said, “I just told myself to go out there, do your job, and I was working toward being able to have that moment in the sequence. That was my reward. So, it was chasing a goal.”
Thu, February 19, 2026 at 12:04 PM PST
Andy Backstrom
The 26-year-old Amber Glenn was amped after putting on an incredible performance in her free skate.
Scott Hamilton, a 1984 Olympic gold medalist, told NBC’s Mike Tirico that Glenn’s program-opening triple axel was the best he’s seen her land.
Thu, February 19, 2026 at 11:52 AM PST
Andy Backstrom
Just as she did during her short program, Glenn landed a triple axel to start her free skate.
Then she executed a triple flip and triple toe combination.
Glenn cruised through her jumping passes with elegance yet also power.
As part of a majestic sequence, she hit a redemptive triple loop.
During the last jump of her free skate — another triple loop — she lost points on her landing, but that didn’t diminish her admirable performance.
She earned 147.52 points on her free skate, slingshotting her to first place. But the top-12 skaters still have yet to take the ice.
Regardless of where she ends up at the end, her free skate will be remembered.
Amber Glenn was thrilled with her score in the kiss and cry area after competing in the figure skating women’s single free skating final at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on February 19, 2026. (Photo by Antonin THUILLIER / AFP via Getty Images)
(ANTONIN THUILLIER via Getty Images)Thu, February 19, 2026 at 11:23 AM PST
Andy Backstrom
Isabeau Levito still has a while before her free skate, but she stopped for an NBC interview.
“I think I want it to just look beautiful,” Levito said, when asked about her hopes for her free skate.
“I just want it to look elegant and pretty, and that’s my plan tonight.”
Levito has extended family in Milan, including her grandmother. She ended the short program in eighth place.
Thu, February 19, 2026 at 11:07 AM PST
Andy Backstrom
The second group of free skaters are warming up. Amber Glenn is among them.
She’s looking to bounce back from a disappointing conclusion to her short program, which saw her pop her planned triple loop and instead land a double loop that cost her as many as seven points.
She entered Thursday’s free skate in 13th place.
Here are the skaters coming up: