In the vibrant world of figure skating, the spotlight shone brightly on Alysa Liu at the recent world championships held in Boston. Known for her decisiveness both on and off the ice, the 19-year-old American skater found herself in an unusual predicament as her name echoed through the arena for her warm-up routine — she was uncertain about her entrance.
Liu quickly resolved her indecision with a spur-of-the-moment decision to perform a cartwheel on the carpet leading onto the rink. This playful act set the stage for her impeccable performance in the short program, which earned her a leading score of 74.58 points. Liu’s performance placed her ahead of Japan’s Mone Chiba and her fellow American skater Isabeau Levito, who is making her own return following an injury, as they head into Friday night’s free skate.
Both Liu and Levito are vying to end a 17-year dry spell for the U.S. in women’s figure skating by attempting to capture the world championship crown, a feat last accomplished by Kimmie Meissner in 2006. Liu, reflecting on her journey of retiring post-2022 Olympics due to burnout and later returning to the sport, shared, “16-year-old me was right. Retiring temporarily was necessary to regain my joy in skating.”
Chiba scored a close 73.44 points, followed by Levito with 73.33. Meanwhile, Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto, aiming to win four consecutive titles akin to the legendary Carol Heiss, landed in fifth place with 71.03 points. Two-time U.S. champion Amber Glenn faced challenges, falling on a triple axel, and was ranked ninth with a score of 67.65.
Despite the pressure, Glenn remained optimistic about Friday’s events, commenting on the need to rely on her training for a comeback.
In the pairs event, the Japanese pair Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara delivered a lively routine to “Paint it Black” by the Rolling Stones, earning 76.57 points and leading the pairs competition. They were trailed by Sara Conti and Niccolo Macci from Italy, and the duo from Germany, Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin.
However, reigning champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps of Canada encountered difficulties, affecting their marks and placing them in a surprising seventh position.
As the men’s and ice dance competitions prepare to commence, all eyes were on the final medal events scheduled for Saturday. The championships not only celebrate individual achievements but also play a crucial role in determining national entries for the upcoming Milano-Cortina Olympics.
An undercurrent of resilience ran through the event as the Skating Club of Boston, mourning the loss of six members from a tragic accident two months prior, hosted the championships. Skaters and organizers alike expressed their hope that the event would bring some solace to the grieving community.
Doug Zeghibe, CEO of the club, reflected on the importance of recognizing the promising athletes lost, emphasizing the championship’s significance to the community.
The U.S. women’s team is especially poised for success, with Liu leading and Levito, the reigning silver medalist, returning strong in her first major competition since recovering from a foot injury. The duo’s strong performances highlight their technical and artistic capabilities, keeping U.S. hopes alive against fierce Japanese competitors such as Chiba. As Liu concluded, the anticipation mounts for the free skate, where podium placements will be fiercely contested.