Alissa Liu, the reigning world champion from the United States, kicked off her journey at the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina with a fantastic performance in the women's single short program, securing a third-place finish. She began her routine with a highly rated triple flip, garnering 1.59 points in achievement score (GOE), and impressed the judges further with a combination of a Lutz loop in the second half, accumulating additional points. Liu skated with a smile, expressing her satisfaction after the routine by stating, 'It was the best. Compared to other events this season, I felt grounded.'

The competition has heightened significance for Liu, who had previously struggled at the Beijing Olympics four years ago, finishing in eighth place in the short program and failing to medal overall, ending in sixth position. The current event marks a pivotal moment as she is now just 2.12 points behind the leader, Nakai, with the podium in her sights, indicating a potential for a significant breakthrough in her Olympic journey. Liu’s renewed confidence and improved performance signal readiness to contend for a medal as the competition develops.

This short program serves as a critical step for Liu not only to reclaim her status as a top skater on the world stage but also to create a proud Olympic legacy. If she maintains this level of performance, the young athlete is likely to inspire future generations and enhance the profile of figure skating in the United States, while also adding an exciting layer to the Olympic narrative in Milan-Cortina. Thus, her journey in this year's Olympics is expected to capture the attention of fans and analysts alike, as she stands at the brink of her first Olympic podium finish.