MILAN, Italy — On a night defined by grit and emotional recovery, American figure skater Amber Glenn delivered a powerful redemptive performance during the women’s free skate final at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Thursday, 19 February 2026.
Entering the evening in 13th place following a “soul-crushing” short program error, the three-time U.S. National Champion surged back into the conversation with a free skate score of 147.52. While the final podium standings are still being determined as the top-seeded skaters conclude their routines, Glenn’s performance secured her a temporary hold on first place and guaranteed a significant climb in the overall rankings.
The “Cruelest Rule” and the Short Program Setback
Glenn’s journey to the free skate was marred by technical heartbreak on Tuesday. Despite landing a difficult triple axel, a bailed triple-loop resulted in an “invalid element” ruling. Under International Skating Union (ISU) regulations, the mistake earned her zero points for the element—a penalty more severe than if she had fallen. The error left her with a score of 67.39, trailing leader Ami Nakai of Japan by 11 points and seemingly ending her hopes for an individual medal.
“It was soul-crushing,” Glenn told reporters earlier this week. “To see years of work come down to one technicality was devastating.”
A Historic Olympic Debut
Despite the individual hurdles, Glenn’s 2026 Olympic campaign has already been historic. Earlier this month, she helped Team USA secure a gold medal in the figure skating team event. At 26 years old, Glenn is the oldest American woman to compete in Olympic singles skating in nearly a century and the first openly queer woman to represent the United States in the discipline.
Her presence in Milan has been bolstered by high-profile support. Prior to her short program, pop icon Madonna sent Glenn a personal video message wishing her luck, as Glenn’s routine is set to the 1989 hit “Like a Prayer.”
Mental Health Advocacy and Resilience
Glenn’s rise to the Olympic stage has been defined by her transparency regarding mental health. Having previously spoken about her battles with depression and ADHD, Glenn has become a vocal advocate for athletes’ well-being. Her ability to reset after Tuesday’s disappointment has been hailed by commentators as a testament to her psychological growth.
As the final group of skaters, including teammates Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito, take the ice at the Milano Cortina Games, Glenn has already achieved her secondary goal: finding joy on the ice after the “heartbreak” of the opening round.
| Event Phase | Score | Standing |
|---|---|---|
| Short Program | 67.39 | 13th |
| Free Skate | 147.52 | TBD (Current Leader) |
| Team Event | N/A | Gold Medalist |