Amber Glenn clinched her first-ever U.S. women’s figure skating championship title in her senior career. Despite several podium finishes in previous nationals, including a third place last year, Glenn’s total score of 210.46 secured her the coveted gold medal this time. This marked her sixth appearance at the U.S. championships.
Glenn’s win also marked a significant milestone as she became the first openly LGBTQ+ skater to achieve the U.S. women’s title. Reflecting on her victory, Glenn expressed her amazement, highlighting the importance of visibility and acceptance for LGBTQ+ individuals in sports.
Amber Glenn becomes first LGBTQ+ woman to win U.S. Women's Figure Skating Championship https://t.co/Qgymc4hDWP
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) January 27, 2024
Josephine Lee claimed the silver medal with a total score of 204.13, while Isabeau Levito initially led the pack after the short programs. However, neither Glenn nor Levito delivered their best performances during the free skate. Glenn, though executing a triple axel early on, faced challenges with other elements, which affected her overall score. Despite her mixed emotions about her performance, Glenn expressed gratitude for securing her first national title.
Levito, positioned to defend her title, faced difficulties early in her skate, resulting in falls and a third-place finish. Reflecting on her performance, Levito acknowledged the challenges and the learning experience it provided.
The audience also witnessed a historic moment during Mia Kalin’s performance, as the 15-year-old successfully landed a quadruple jump, making her the first woman to achieve this feat at the U.S. Championships, despite not finishing on the podium.
