Alysa Liu secured her first Skate America title on November 16, 2025, in Lake Placid, New York, capping a remarkable day for American figure skaters. Despite expressing dissatisfaction with her performance, Liu’s powerful free skate earned her a score of 140.54, sealing her victory and boosting her momentum as she aims for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
After a heartfelt short program the previous day that brought tears to her eyes and earned a standing ovation, Liu entered the free skate knowing she needed to deliver a strong performance. Although she felt her routine contained mistakes, she ultimately outperformed Japan’s Rinka Watanabe, who finished second with a score of 136.61.
Alysa Liu’s Journey to Victory
Liu, competing as the second-to-last skater in the iconic Herb Brooks Arena, executed her “MacArthur Park Suite” flawlessly, despite her self-assessment of the routine. “My body just moves with the music,” she stated, highlighting her connection to the performance. This victory marks a significant milestone in Liu’s career and adds to her impressive achievements this year, including winning the world championship in March and a second-place finish at the Cup of China.
The win at Skate America not only represents Liu’s first Grand Prix victory but also secures her a spot in the Grand Prix finals scheduled for December. As the United States has not seen a woman earn a medal in the singles event since Sasha Cohen in 2006, Liu’s triumph offers hope for a strong showing at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina.
Looking ahead, Liu acknowledged her desire to improve, stating, “One good thing about making so many mistakes in a program is that I’m so motivated to not make any more mistakes in my next program.” She teased the possibility of returning with her Lady Gaga medley for future competitions.
Chock and Bates Shine in Ice Dance
On the same day, the ice dance team of Madison Chock and Evan Bates also made headlines with their commanding performance. The couple, now in their second season of marriage, dominated the competition, finishing with a total score of 212.58 points. Their rhythm dance, featuring a dynamic medley of Lenny Kravitz songs, earned them an impressive score of 84.77, leading them comfortably into the free dance.
Chock and Bates executed their paso doble flawlessly, showcasing their exceptional skills and artistry. This victory marks their fifth title at Skate America, tying the record previously held by Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto. With three Skate America wins in the last four years, Chock and Bates continue to establish themselves as frontrunners in the ice dance category.
As they prepare for the Grand Prix finals, the couple aims to reach their fourth Olympic appearance. They have long sought a medal in ice dance, a goal that seems increasingly attainable following their recent success, including a victory at the Cup of China just three weeks prior.
The strong performances from both Liu and the ice dance duo highlight a promising future for American figure skating as they march toward their Olympic aspirations.
