Amber Glenn captures biggest figure skating title for US woman in 14 years

Amber Glenn has risen to the top of international figure skating and proved she belonged there on Saturday with a historic victory in the Grand Prix final.

Glenn became the first American to win the Women’s Grand Prix Final since Alissa Czisny fourteen years ago when three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto had to settle for third place.

It continues a stunning breakout season at age 25 for the Texas-born skater, who is undefeated in 2024-2025, and caps off a year that began with her first U.S. national title in January. Glenn admitted that it is difficult to get used to being on the top step of the podium.

“I’m exhausted,” she said. “It’s been a whirlwind of a season and I’ve been struggling a little bit with this imposter syndrome. Just, ‘Oh, no, no, I’m not going to win. I’m not.’ And I’m just happy that my hard work is finally showing, and this is an amazing event, and I’m honored to even be here.

Skating last in the field of six women against five Japanese skaters, there was little sign of the pain that plagued Glenn during Thursday’s short program.

Starting with an emphatic triple axel, Glenn overcame a slight wobble midway through her free skate – doubling a planned triple salchow and a slightly less twisting triple somersault – to finish strong and score a total of 212.07 for the win.

Mone Chiba, winner of silver at both her Grand Prix events this season, was second again with 208.85. World champion Sakamoto was out of form in the short program, but recovered with a strong free skate to the musical Chicago for bronze on 201.13.

The US could win two more titles later Saturday. Ilia Malinin leads the men’s event before the free skate and Madison Chock and Evan Bates lead the ice dance.