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Alysa Liu Carries U.S. Figure Skating HopesScoring 76.59, Liu ranks third before the free skate, aiming to end the U.S.'s 20-year Olympic medal drought in women's skating.
Key FactsFeb 18, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: nytimes.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: nytimes.com
- Alysa Liu delivered an almost flawless short program and currently holds third place in the competition.
- She stands as the United States' final contender to break a two-decade Olympic medal drought in women’s figure skating.
- Liu draws emotional strength from her family attending her performance for the first time.
- Her focus on personal fulfillment over medals provides a distinct mental advantage under Olympic pressure.
She skates for herself and the audience, not for the numbers or the ranking.— NBC broadcaster Tara Lipinski said of Liu on the broadcast.
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