Amber Glenn, a prominent figure skater representing Team USA, experienced a significant setback during the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics women's short program on February 17. Competing at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, the 26-year-old Texas native and three-time U.S. champion faced a critical moment that affected her standing in the event.
Glenn's performance began on a high note as she executed a clean triple axel, a challenging jump that set the crowd ablaze with excitement. Her routine seemed to be off to a promising start, with spectators eagerly anticipating the rest of her performance. The triple axel was a highlight, as only one other competitor successfully performed the jump that evening.
However, as the routine progressed, a costly error occurred. Glenn performed a double loop instead of the required triple loop. This mistake resulted in a loss of seven technical points and a score of zero for that section of her program. The impact of this error was immediately evident when Glenn received a final score of 67.39, which placed her in 13th position after the short program's conclusion. The deduction made it exceedingly difficult for her to contend for a medal in the upcoming free skate.
Upon leaving the ice, Glenn was visibly distraught, seeking comfort in her coaches' embrace. Her emotional state continued as she awaited her final score, expressing shock at the turn of events to NBC, "I did the hard stuff, so I was just in shock." Asked about the missed jump, she reflected on losing focus and not feeling her best at that moment.
The leaderboard after the short program was dominated by Japanese skaters, with Ami Nakai, Kaori Sakamoto, and Mone Chiba securing first, second, and fourth places, respectively. Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito, Glenn's Team USA teammates, finished in third and eighth positions.
In the lead-up to the Olympics, Glenn had drawn attention not only for her skating prowess but also for her candid remarks regarding the LGBTQ+ community and the current administration. Identifying as bisexual and pansexual, Glenn has been an advocate for marginalized groups and has spoken about the challenges faced by these communities. Her comments, however, stirred controversy, prompting her to halt her social media activities temporarily due to the backlash.
Despite the challenges, Glenn continued to use her platform to address her critics. After winning gold in the team event, she made a statement on TikTok, countering the negative reactions to her advocacy. As the first openly LGBTQ+ U.S. women’s figure skating champion, she remains a significant figure in the sport and the community she represents.
Glenn is set to compete in the free skate, where the final medal standings for the women's singles event will be determined, offering her an opportunity to demonstrate her resilience and skill on the ice.
