Amber Glenn, one of the U.S.'s top medal hopefuls, delivered a heartbreaking performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics on February 17. The 26-year-old skater finished 13th in the women's short program after landing only a double instead of a triple loop midway through her routine. She scored 67.39 points, a significant setback for the three-time U.S. champion.
Glenn's short program to Madonna's "Like a Prayer" started brilliantly. She nailed a clean triple axel - one of the rarest jumps for women at the Olympics - and was on pace for a strong score. But disaster struck during a crucial triple loop. Glenn landed it as a double rather than the required triple, docking her otherwise strong score. The error was marked as an invalid element, meaning she lost around seven points. She left the ice visibly emotional, tears streaming as she skated to her coaches.
Glenn enters the free skate in 13th place, well below medal contention but still eligible to compete on Thursday. Her teammates Alysa Liu leads Team USA in third place, while Isabeau Levito sits in eighth. Glenn has always been an advocate for mental health and resilience - now she'll need both as she looks to bounce back. The free skate happens Thursday, and she'll have the chance to reclaim some ground. Her comeback story continues at the Milan Cortina Games, much like Kaillie Humphries' inspiring bronze medal at age 40.