Amber Glenn has made history once again, cementing her status as one of the brightest stars in American figure skating. On Saturday, she triumphed at the Grand Prix Final held in Grenoble, France, making her the first American woman to win this prestigious event since Alissa Czisny's victory 14 years ago.
This triumph marks another milestone for Glenn, who has experienced a remarkable resurgence at age 25, showcasing her talent and hard work since returning to competitive skating. She kicked off her winning streak with her first national title at the U.S. Championships earlier this year and has remained unbeaten throughout the 2024-25 season.
Glenn's victory came following intense competition against five Japanese skaters, including defending champion Kaori Sakamoto. With her impressive performance, Glenn scored 212.07 points, narrowly beating silver medalist Mone Chiba, who finished with 208.85 points. Sakamoto, who stumbled during the short program, secured the bronze with 201.13 points.
Reflecting on her accomplishments, Glenn admitted to feeling exhausted and struggling with imposter syndrome. “It has been a whirlwind of a season and I’ve kind of struggled with this imposter syndrome. Just: ‘Oh, no, no, I’m not winning. That’s not me.’ And I’m just happy my hard work is finally showing,” she said.
Skate aficionados worldwide have noted Glenn's signature triple Axel jump, the most challenging jump in figure skating, as pivotal to her recent success. During the Grand Prix Final, she started her free skate routine with this jump and landed it successfully, showcasing her athleticism and determination. Despite some minor mistakes later—she doubled her planned triple salchow and slightly under-rotated on her triple flip—Glenn finished strong, confident of her abilities.
Glenn's rise to stardom has not been without its challenges. She first burst onto the scene as the U.S. national junior champion at just 14 years old, but her promising start was marred by mental health struggles, leading her to step away from the sport for some time. After returning to skating, she faced several setbacks, including lackluster performances during her senior-level competitions and another hiatus advised by medical professionals.
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the competitive season, Glenn saw it as an opportunity to refine her skating. This instigated her quest to master the triple Axel, and she successfully executed the demanding jump for the first time late last year. This remarkable achievement has undoubtedly helped her rise to prominence within the sport.
With her recent Grand Prix title, Glenn has established herself as one of the leading contenders for the upcoming World Championships to be held from March 23-30, as well as laying the groundwork for her Olympic aspirations for the 2026 Games. She is determined to maintain her momentum, and her performance predicts success on the world stage.
Not only did Glenn achieve this historic win, but she also led her fellow U.S. skating teammates to glory. Ilia Malinin defended his title, showing athletic prowess by attempting six distinct quad jumps, and Madison Chock and Evan Bates successfully defended their ice dance title, completing the U.S. sweep of the Grand Prix Final.
Glenn has quickly become the center of attention, seen as hopeful and inspiring for many fans and young skaters longing to follow her path. Her win is more than just personal achievement; it signifies progress for U.S. women’s figure skating as they look to reclaim their standing among the elite.
Through triumph and trials alike, Amber Glenn is embracing her newfound position atop the podium, determined to keep soaring higher, inspiring the next generation of skaters along the way.