A tale of three skates for the United States’ ‘Blade Angels’

Three American figure skaters — Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito — took part Tuesday in what is perhaps the signature moment of every Winter Olympics, the women's single skating event. This highly anticipated competition represents one of the most-watched and prestigious events of the entire Olympic Games, showcasing the grace, athleticism and artistry that have made figure skating a global phenomenon. The American contingent, affectionately dubbed 'Blade Angels' by fans, entered the competition with hopes of adding to the nation's rich figure skating legacy. The women's single skating event has historically produced some of the most memorable moments in Olympic history, from Sonja Henie's early dominance to the dramatic rivalry between Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding in 1994, and more recently, Yuzuru Hanyu's record-breaking performances. As these three American skaters took to the ice, they carried not only their personal dreams but also the expectations of a nation passionate about figure skating excellence.