Amber Glenn — the first American woman in 14 years to clinch the Grand Prix Final

Amber Glenn has ascended to the pinnacle of international figure skating and affirmed her place there on Saturday with a groundbreaking triumph in the Grand Prix Final. Glenn made history by becoming the first American to clinch the women’s Grand Prix Final title since Alissa Czisny 14 years ago, while three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto finished in third. This achievement marks a remarkable breakout season for the 25-year-old skater from Texas, who remains undefeated in 2024-25, and it concludes a year that started with her winning her first U.S. national championship in January. Glenn confessed that adjusting to standing atop the podium has been challenging. “I’m worn out,” she stated. “It’s been a whirlwind season, and I’ve struggled with some imposter syndrome. Just: ‘Oh, no, no, I’m not the one winning. That’s not me.’ And I’m just thrilled that my dedication is finally being recognized, and this is a wonderful event, and I’m honored to even be a participant.” As the final competitor in a six-woman lineup that included five Japanese skaters, there was little indication of the discomfort that plagued Glenn during Thursday’s short program. Glenn commenced with a powerful triple axel and managed to recover from a minor wobble during her free skate — executing a double instead of a planned triple salchow and slightly under-rotating a triple flip — to finish strong and achieve a total score of 212.07 for the victory. Mone Chiba, who earned silver at both of her Grand Prix competitions this season, placed second again with a score of 208.85. Although world champion Sakamoto struggled in the short program, she rebounded with a compelling free skate to music from “Chicago,” earning bronze with a score of 201.13. The U.S. has the opportunity to secure two more titles later on Saturday, with Ilia Malinin leading the men’s event prior to the free skate, and Madison Chock and Evan Bates currently in first for the ice dance.

GRENOBLE, France (AP) —

Amber Glenn has ascended to the pinnacle of international figure skating and affirmed her place there on Saturday with a groundbreaking triumph in the Grand Prix Final.

Glenn made history by becoming the first American to clinch the women’s Grand Prix Final title since Alissa Czisny 14 years ago, while three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto finished in third.

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This achievement marks a remarkable breakout season for the 25-year-old skater from Texas, who remains undefeated in 2024-25, and it concludes a year that started with her winning her first U.S. national championship in January. Glenn confessed that adjusting to standing atop the podium has been challenging.

“I’m worn out,” she stated. “It’s been a whirlwind season, and I’ve struggled with some imposter syndrome. Just: ‘Oh, no, no, I’m not the one winning. That’s not me.’ And I’m just thrilled that my dedication is finally being recognized, and this is a wonderful event, and I’m honored to even be a participant.”

Jurij Kodrun – International Skating Union

Laurent Cipriani

Laurent Cipriani

As the last skater in a field of six competing against five Japanese athletes, there was little indication of the distress that had affected Glenn during Thursday’s short program.

Glenn kicked off her performance with a bold triple axel and managed to navigate a minor stumble midway through her free skate — executing a double where she had intended to do a triple salchow and slightly under-rotating a triple flip — to conclude strongly and earn a total of 212.07 for the victory.

Mone Chiba, who took silver at both of her Grand Prix contests this season, again finished second with a score of 208.85. World champion Sakamoto struggled initially in the short program but rebounded with a robust free skate to the music from “Chicago,” securing bronze with a score of 201.13.

The U.S. has a chance to take home two additional titles later on Saturday, as Ilia Malinin is leading the men’s event before the free skate, and Madison Chock and Evan Bates are currently ahead in the ice dance.