Alysa Liu's exceptional short program puts her in 3rd at Olympics

Editor's note: Alysa Liu won Olympic gold in women's figure skating.

MILAN — Alysa Liu is back on figure skating ice at the Winter Olympics and on the path to gold.

The 20-year-old U.S. figure skater began her run in the women's singles competition Tuesday, Feb. 17 with the short program, and put herself in third place entering the free skate Thursday.

She delivered an exceptional program from start to finish, highlighted by a triple lutz + triple loop combination. By the time she was done with the program, her coaches were celebrating and she held her hands to her face, seemingly shocked by how well she did. The routine for Liu is an emotional one, set to the song "Promise" by Laufey.

Liu got a season-best 76.59, which put her in second place at the time of her program. It's a much more clean showing than the team event, when she got a 74.90.

"It doesn't change how I did," Liu said on being in third place after the short program. "I mean, I'd hope it doesn't change how people view my performance, either.”

It's the second Olympics for Liu after she competed in 2022, but she's a medal contender this time around. Liu was the first of three U.S. women to skate in the competition. Isabeau Levito finished eighth with a 70.84 and Amber Glenn, after missing a triple loop, fell to 13th with a 67.39.

What's on Alysa Liu's teeth?

Liu has one of the most distinctive styles at the Winter Olympics. Many fans notice a "smiley" piercing and striped hair. Here's what they mean.

Alysa Liu short program elements

Here are Liu's short program elements.

• Triple flip
• Double Axel
• Change foot combination spin
• Triple lutz + triple loop
• Flying camel spin
• Step sequence
• Layback spin

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