The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics reached a fever pitch this past week as the figure skating competition concluded with historic performances and emotional podium finishes. In a dramatic turnaround, Team USA’s Alysa Liu captured the Olympic gold medal in the women’s singles event, leading a dominant showing for the American “Blade Angels” on the world stage.
Alysa Liu’s Historic Gold Medal Run
Entering the free skate in third place following the short program, Alysa Liu delivered a flawless performance that earned her a score of 150.2. Her victory marks a significant milestone for U.S. figure skating, as she overcame a strong lead from Japan’s Ami Nakai and Kaori Sakamoto. Fans and commentators alike noted Liu’s “pure joy” on the ice, a sentiment echoed across social media as her gold-medal routine went viral.
Liu was joined in the top flight by teammates Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito. While Glenn faced an emotional night following her performance, the collective strength of the U.S. women solidified their status as the premier contingent of the 2026 Games.
Milan Cortina 2026: Final Results and Champions
As of Monday, February 23, 2026, all five figure skating disciplines have crowned their champions. The competition at the Milan Cortina Games has been hailed by spectators as one of the most technically proficient in recent history. Key highlights include:
- Women’s Singles: Alysa Liu (USA) took home the gold after a stunning free skate.
- Pairs Skating: Japan’s Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara secured gold following a brilliant and emotional free skate.
- Exhibition Gala: The events concluded with the traditional Exhibition Gala on Sunday, February 22, featuring fan favorites like Ilia Malinin and the newly crowned medalists in a non-competitive showcase.
Understanding the Olympic Scoring System
The 2026 Games utilized the refined International Skating Union (ISU) judging system. Scores are divided into two primary categories:
- Technical Element Score (TES): This measures the difficulty and execution of specific moves, including jumps (such as the Axel and Salchow), spins, and step sequences.
- Program Component Score (PCS): Judges evaluate the performance based on three components: Composition, Presentation, and Skating Skills.
For singles and pairs, the Free Skating segment lasts 4:00 minutes, allowing athletes to showcase their stamina and artistic range to vocal or instrumental music.
How to Watch Replays and Highlights
While the live competition has concluded, NBC Olympics continues to provide extensive coverage of the 2026 Games. Fans can stream full event replays, including the Exhibition Gala and the “Blade Angels” journey, on Peacock. Expert commentary throughout the event was provided by the veteran duo of Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski, whose analysis remains available on all NBC digital platforms.
The figure skating world now looks forward to the 2030 Winter Games, but the legacy of the Milan Cortina performances—defined by Liu’s smile and the technical mastery of the Japanese pairs—will remain a highlight of Olympic history.