Alysa Liu of the United States won the women’s figure skating gold medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Thursday 19 February 2026, becoming the first American woman to claim Olympic figure skating gold since Sarah Hughes at Salt Lake City 2002. Liu surged from third after the short program with a career-best free skate of 226.79 overall at the Milano Ice Park.
What is the Olympic Women’s Figure Skating Event?
Women’s singles figure skating is one of the blue-riband events of the Winter Olympics. Competitors perform a short program featuring required elements and a free skate lasting four minutes. Scores from both segments combine, with technical points for jumps, spins and step sequences added to program component marks for skating skills, composition, presentation and interpretation.
The discipline has been part of every Winter Games since 1924 and produces some of the most watched performances of the entire Olympic programme.
When did the Ladies’ Final Take Place?
The women’s free skate was held on Thursday 19 February 2026 at the Milano Ice Park, following the short program two days earlier. Skating began in the evening local time and the gold medallist was confirmed late at night.
Where was it Held?
All Olympic figure skating at Milano Cortina 2026 took place at the Milano Ice Park, a temporary arena built around the Mediolanum Forum in Assago on the southern outskirts of Milan. The venue seats roughly 10,000 spectators for figure skating.
Results
Alysa Liu of the United States won gold with a total of 226.79, a personal best, skating her free program to a suite of Donna Summer’s MacArthur Park. Kaori Sakamoto of Japan, the reigning world champion and the leader after the short program, took silver. Her compatriot Ami Nakai claimed bronze to deliver Japan a double podium.
Liu’s victory was the first American women’s singles gold in 24 years. The 20-year-old, who briefly retired in 2022 before returning to the sport, executed a clean free skate with six triples including a triple Axel, overhauling Sakamoto in the process.
Background and Form Going In
Sakamoto had been the pre-Games favourite after winning three consecutive world titles. Liu returned to competition in 2024 and won the 2025 world title, establishing herself as Sakamoto’s main rival. Nakai, the 2025 world junior champion, emerged as Japan’s second contender. Amber Glenn of the United States, the 2025 Grand Prix Final winner, finished outside the medals.
History and Records
Women’s singles figure skating has produced some of the Winter Olympics’ most famous champions, from Sonja Henie in the 1920s and 1930s to Katarina Witt, Kristi Yamaguchi and Yuna Kim. Sarah Hughes was the last American woman to win gold before Liu, at Salt Lake City 2002. Japan has never won Olympic gold in the women’s event, though Sakamoto’s silver extended a run of Japanese podiums stretching back to Shizuka Arakawa’s title in 2006.
How to Watch (Replays)
Full replays and free skate highlights are available on olympics.com, NBC and Peacock in the United States, BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom, Eurosport and Discovery+ across Europe, and CBC in Canada. The official Olympics YouTube channel carries Liu’s gold medal-winning free skate in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won gold in women’s figure skating at Milano Cortina 2026?
Alysa Liu of the United States won gold with a total of 226.79 points.
When was the ladies’ final held?
The free skate took place on Thursday 19 February 2026 at the Milano Ice Park.
Who won silver and bronze?
Kaori Sakamoto of Japan took silver and compatriot Ami Nakai won bronze.
When did an American woman last win Olympic figure skating gold?
Sarah Hughes at Salt Lake City 2002, 24 years before Liu’s victory.