Alysa Liu to miss 2026-27 season after Olympic title

Alysa Liu will not defend her Olympic title during the 2026-27 figure skating season, choosing instead to step away from competition and reassess her direction. The 21-year-old American said she intends to return after using the break to refine her skating and artistic expression.

Liu made the announcement on social media as skaters began unveiling their programmes for the new campaign. It will be her second period away from the sport after a brief retirement that lasted from April 2022 until October 2024. She also missed the World Championships in Prague a month after winning Olympic gold at Milan-Cortina.

Her Olympic triumph followed a sixth-place finish at the Beijing Games at age 16. In Milan-Cortina, Liu rose from third after the short programme to take the title. She had already won the 2025 world championship and previously became the youngest US champion at 13. She was also the first woman to combine a triple Axel and a quadruple jump in one programme.

Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai, who joined Liu on the Olympic podium, will have a chance to lead the field in her absence. Sakamoto won the Prague world title ahead of compatriot Mone Chiba and Belgium’s Nina Pinzarrone. The season includes ISU Grand Prix events in Angers, Canada, China, the United States, Finland and Japan, followed by the World Championships in Tampere from March 17 to 21.