The 2025 U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Championships brought moments of brilliance, and none were more stunning than the performances by Amber Glenn and Ilia Malinin. Both skaters made a statement with their victories, positioning themselves as key contenders not only for the World Championships in March but also for the upcoming Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026.
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As Olympic figure skating continues to be a sport of artistry, precision, and athleticism, Glenn and Malinin’s performances highlighted the future of American Olympic figure skating, blending power, grace, and innovation. Let’s take a closer look at their standout moments at the 2025 U.S. Championships and what they mean for the trajectory of their careers.
Amber Glenn: A Triumph of Technical Precision and Emotional Expression
Amber Glenn, who has long been recognized for her graceful skating and competitive intensity, delivered a stunning performance in the women’s competition at the U.S. Championships. Glenn, who placed first in both the short and free programs, captivated the audience with her balance of technical skill and artistic expression, underscoring her growth as a skater.
Her free skate, set to the hauntingly beautiful Carmen, showcased her ability to marry intricate technical elements with a deep emotional connection to the music. Glenn executed a near-flawless program that included difficult triple jumps, including a triple lutz-triple toe combination, and strong spins, all while maintaining fluidity and elegance across the ice. The precision of her jumps, in particular, has been a hallmark of her recent performances. Her technical development, especially in jumping consistency, has made her a more formidable competitor against a field of younger skaters pushing the boundaries of difficulty.
More importantly, Glenn’s emotional maturity as a skater has evolved in recent years. Her ability to embody a character like Carmen — fierce, passionate, and determined — was the final touch that made her performance resonate with the judges and the audience. With a strong free skate score, she sealed her victory and underscored her readiness for the world stage.
Her performance in San Jose also demonstrated that she is a key contender for the World Championships in 2025. A successful showing at Worlds would help solidify her position as one of the leading U.S. women’s skaters on the road to the Winter Olympic 2026. The added pressure of the Olympic is something Glenn is well aware of, but if her results at Nationals are any indication, she is ready to rise to the occasion.
Ilia Malinin: Redefining the Limits of Men’s Winter Olympic Figure Skating
If Amber Glenn’s victory was a testament to technical mastery and emotional depth, Ilia Malinin’s triumph in the men’s competition was a demonstration of fearless innovation and unyielding ambition. Malinin, already known as the Quad King for his ability to land quadruple jumps with ease, has taken his skills to the next level in recent years, consistently landing multiple quads in his programs with a level of confidence few others have displayed. You Can Read Winter Olympic 2026: Chock and Bates Win Sixth U.S. Ice Dance Championship Title
At the U.S. Championships, Malinin showed the world that his skating is more than just about executing the hardest jumps — it’s about redefining what is possible on the ice. His short program, set to a contemporary orchestral score, was a display of precision and fluidity, culminating in a jaw-dropping quadruple axel, the first-ever successfully executed in competition by a male skater. This historic moment wasn’t just a personal achievement for Malinin; it was a defining moment for the sport, marking a new era in men’s Winter Olympic figure skating where ultra-difficult jumps are no longer seen as a distant possibility, but a reality.
Malinin: A New Era of Athleticism and Artistry in U.S. Winter Olympic Figure Skating
What was perhaps most impressive about Malinin’s performance was his ability to execute these difficult elements while maintaining artistic quality. His lines were clean, his transitions smooth, and his expression full of confidence. The quad jumps, while impressive, were never the sole focus of his program. They existed within the larger context of a compelling performance that pushed the limits of athleticism while maintaining a sense of artistry — a combination that is increasingly rare in a sport that often values one over the other.
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With a commanding lead after the short program, Malinin continued his excellence in the free skate, delivering a high-energy performance full of difficult combinations and spins. He clinched the national title with a free skate performance that left no question about his place at the top of U.S. men’s Winter Olympic figure skating.
As with Glenn, all eyes will be on Malinin at the 2025 World Championships, where he’ll look to further cement his standing as one of the sport’s most electrifying and groundbreaking talents. The fact that Malinin is just 18 years old and already showing the potential to challenge for gold in Winter Olympic 2026 bodes well for the future of U.S. Winter Olympic figure skating.
The Road to the Winter Olympic 2026: Rising Stars with International Ambitions
With their performances at Nationals, both Amber Glenn and Ilia Malinin are firmly positioned as major contenders not only for the 2025 World Championships but for the Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026. Their trajectories are especially noteworthy given the intense international competition they will face. While the U.S. has a long tradition of success in Winter Olympic figure skating, the landscape is increasingly competitive, with countries like Russia, Japan, and Canada producing some of the world’s top skaters. For Glenn and Malinin to reach the podium in Milan, they will need to continue refining their techniques and pushing their limits.
For Glenn, the key to success will likely lie in her ability to improve her consistency, particularly in her jumping technique. If she can stabilize her technical elements — her jumps and spins — she will become a more formidable opponent on the world stage. Additionally, continuing to develop her artistry and ability to connect with the audience will help her stand out in a highly competitive field.
For Malinin, the biggest challenge may be maintaining his dominance in quad jumps while continuing to expand his artistic repertoire. The pressure to land the difficult jumps consistently will undoubtedly increase as he faces stiffer competition internationally. However, if he can balance the technical with the expressive, Malinin has the potential to not only win gold in Winter Olympic 2026 but to revolutionize the sport with his groundbreaking performances.
The Future of U.S. Olympic Figure Skating
The 2025 U.S. Winter Olympic Figure Skating Championships were a showcase of two skaters who have the potential to shape the future of American Winter Olympic figure skating. Amber Glenn and Ilia Malinin’s victories were not just a testament to their hard work and talent, but a sign of what is possible when athletes dare to push the limits of their sport. With the World Championships and the Winter Olympic 2026 looming, both skaters are poised to continue their rise to international prominence.
As Winter Olympic figure skating evolves, the next few years will be critical for both Glenn and Malinin, but one thing is certain — they will be at the forefront of the next generation of skating excellence. The ice is theirs for the taking.
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