Alyssa Liu captured gold in the women’s free skate at the 2026 Milan‑Cortina Winter Games, posting an 85.12‑point total that out‑scored Russia’s Ilia Malinin (84.78) and USA’s Amber Glenn (83.90). NBC’s real‑time coverage delivered minute‑by‑minute scores, split‑screen replays, and expert analysis, cementing Liu’s status as the leading technical innovator in modern figure skating.
Live Updates, Scores and Medal Race
From the first blade on the ice, NBC’s live feed broke down technical element scores (TES), program component scores (PCS), and judges’ Grade of Execution (GOE). Liu opened with a flawless triple‑axel‑triple toe‑loop combo, earning a near‑perfect GOE and setting an early benchmark of 85.12 points. Malinin followed with a daring quadruple toe‑loop but a wobble cost her GOE points, finishing with 84.78. Glenn’s lyrical “Swan Lake” interpretation earned high PCS but fell short on technical difficulty, ending at 83.90. The final leaderboard confirmed Liu’s gold, Malinin’s silver, and Glenn’s bronze.
The Road to the Free Skate
The women’s free skate served as the climactic act of a competition that began with a short program six days earlier. The short program had already positioned Liu as the favorite, yet the free skate left room for dramatic comebacks, underscoring the razor‑thin point differentials where a single GOE swing could reshuffle the podium. NBC’s day‑by‑day coverage highlighted each contender’s technical base value, strategic choices on high‑risk quad jumps, and the composure required under Olympic pressure.
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Exhibition Gala: Skating’s Fun Side
Following the decisive free skate, attention turned to the upcoming exhibition gala—a non‑competitive showcase where athletes can display “their fun side.” The gala will feature choreographed group numbers, comedic interludes, and audience‑engaging moments that differ from the high‑pressure competition programs. Skaters will experiment with music and costumes that might be too bold for judged routines, offering fans a glimpse of the personalities behind the blades.
Broadcast Plans: Primetime in Milan
To maximize audience reach, NBC scheduled a special Saturday night primetime slot at 10:30 p.m. ET, with a rebroadcast on USA Network at 1:30 a.m. ET Sunday. The primetime broadcast will present a curated highlight reel, behind‑the‑scenes commentary, and interviews with skaters discussing their gala preparations, reinforcing NBC’s commitment to elevating figure skating as a marquee television event.
Implications for the Sport and Future Seasons
Liu’s gold reinforces the United States’ dominance in women’s figure skating, marking her third Olympic medal and cementing her reputation as a technical innovator. Malinin’s silver, achieved under a neutral flag, showcases the resilience of Russian‑trained athletes amid geopolitical challenges. Glenn’s bronze signals growing depth in American women’s skating. The tight scoring margins highlight an emerging parity among top contenders, driven by universal adoption of quadruple jumps and intricate choreographic sequences. Coaches and federations will likely analyze GOE distribution from this final to fine‑tune future programs as judging criteria continue to evolve.
Coach Perspective
“We’ve trained for years to hit those high‑risk elements on a day when the world is watching,” said veteran coach Ruth Miller, who has worked with Liu since her junior days. “What stood out in Milan was the athletes’ ability to stay composed under a razor‑thin point spread. The free skate was a masterclass in balancing technical difficulty with artistic expression—something every upcoming skater should study.”
