MILAN, Italy — As the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games reach a fever pitch, Olympic legend Kristi Yamaguchi is celebrating a full-circle moment for American figure skating. Following Alysa Liu’s stunning gold medal victory on Thursday, February 19, Yamaguchi shared heartfelt praise for the 20-year-old champion who has effectively ended a decades-long drought for U.S. women on the Olympic podium.
A Bay Area Legacy Continued
The connection between Yamaguchi and Liu is deeply personal. Both skaters hail from the East Bay region of California, growing up just 40 miles apart. Yamaguchi, who became the first Asian American to win Olympic figure skating gold at the 1992 Albertville Games, noted that Liu’s journey mirrored her own path to the top of the podium.
“I am just in awe of her resilience,” Yamaguchi said in a recent interview following the free skate. “To see her come back from a hiatus and skate with such effervescent joy is what the Olympics are all about.”
The “Blade Angels” and the Clean Program Mandate
Leading up to the 2026 events, Yamaguchi served as a mentor and analyst for the U.S. trio known as the “Blade Angels”—comprising Liu, Amber Glenn, and Isabeau Levito. Yamaguchi had previously emphasized that a “clean short program” was imperative for the Americans to remain competitive against a formidable international field.
Her insights proved prophetic. Liu’s technical precision and artistic maturity allowed her to join the elite ranks of American gold medalists, a list that includes Yamaguchi (1992), Tara Lipinski (1998), and Sarah Hughes (2002). With Liu’s win, she becomes the eighth American woman in history to capture the Olympic singles title.
Reflecting on a Hall of Fame Career
While Yamaguchi remains a fixture in the sport as a commentator and philanthropist, her own competitive record remains one of the most decorated in history. A member of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame, her career highlights include:
- 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist: Ladies’ singles champion in Albertville, France.
- Two-Time World Champion: Back-to-back gold medals in 1991 and 1992.
- Four-Time World Professional Champion: Dominating the professional circuit in 1992, 1994, 1996, and 1997.
- Dual-Threat Athlete: A rare competitor who excelled in both singles and pairs (with partner Rudy Galindo) at the national and world levels.
Looking Ahead
As the 2026 Winter Olympics continue through the weekend, Yamaguchi remains in Milan to support the remaining U.S. skaters. While she jokingly worried about “jinxing” athletes like Ilia Malinin with pre-event messages, her presence has undeniably served as a lucky charm for the American women’s team, signaling a new golden era for U.S. figure skating.
Reporting by USA Daily Staff. Updated Friday, February 20, 2026.