Alysa Liu sits within 2 points of the lead heading into Olympic free skate Thursday night

Alysa Liu, the American figure‑skater, sits within two points of the overall lead heading into the Olympic free skate Thursday night at the Milan venue, as she aims to break the United States’ long medal drought in women’s singles. Liu has been one of the favorites for a podium finish at the 2026 Winter Olympics, having delivered strong technical programs in both the short program and the national championships. As the free skate approaches, the gap between her and the current leader has narrowed dramatically, placing her at a pivotal moment to turn an early advantage into a medal. The stakes are particularly high for the U.S. program, which has struggled for women’s figure‑skating medals at the Olympics for over a decade. Behind Liu, other top skaters from Russia, Japan and the United Kingdom are competing for podium positions, making the field highly competitive. Liu’s performance in the free skate could not only bring home a medal for her but also signify a turning point for U.S. figure skating on the world stage. The free‑skate segment will be contested under stricter scoring guidelines that emphasize both technical difficulty and program components. Liu’s repertoire—featuring a quadruple Lutz, a high‑level triple Axel combination, and an engaging narrative program—places her in contention for a standout performance. Her coach and support team have highlighted precision in jumps and artistry as key to gaining the narrow points she needs to overtake the leader. In addition to the competitive implications, the free skate will be the last significant opportunity for Liu to secure an Olympic medal before the next Winter Games series. A podium finish would end a stagnation period for the United States in women’s singles and could spark renewed interest and investment in the sport domestically. Public reaction to Liu’s position has been enthusiastic, with fans urging her to keep pushing and to make a historic moment for U.S. figure skating. Analysts predict that her jump execution and program construction will be critical determinants of whether she can close the two‑point gap and finish in medal contention. "Every jump, every spin, every element matters now," Liu said in a pre‑performance interview. "I’m not only focused on myself but also on what this means for the entire U.S. program, and that’s a powerful motivator.",