Amber Glenn Makes History as First Openly LGBTQ+ U.S. Women’s Figure Skating Champion
A Groundbreaking Triumph at the 2024 U.S. Figure Skating Championships
In a momentous achievement that shattered barriers and inspired a generation, Amber Glenn ascended to the pinnacle of U.S. women’s figure skating, becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ skater to capture the coveted national title. At the 2024 U.S. Figure Skating Championships held in Columbus, Ohio, Glenn’s captivating performance and unwavering spirit etched her name into the annals of history.
A Journey of Perseverance and Triumph
Glenn’s path to the top was paved with unwavering determination and years of relentless effort. Having graced the podium multiple times at nationals, including a third-place finish in 2023, Glenn’s unwavering focus finally culminated in a golden triumph. With an overall score of 210.46, a testament to her artistry and athleticism, she secured the coveted title, marking her sixth appearance at the U.S. championships.
Breaking Barriers: A Champion for Inclusivity
Glenn’s victory transcended the realm of sports, becoming a symbol of progress and inclusivity. As the first openly LGBTQ+ skater to win the U.S. women’s title, her achievement resonated deeply with the skating community and beyond. Glenn’s journey to the top served as an inspiration to countless young skaters, demonstrating the power of authenticity and self-acceptance.
“Being the first openly queer women’s champion is incredible,” Glenn expressed with emotion. “When I came out originally, I was terrified and scared it would affect my scores or something, but I didn’t care. It was worth it to see, over the last couple of years, the amount of young people that feel more comfortable in their environments at the rink.”
A Thrilling Competition: Ups and Downs on the Ice
The battle for the title was far from a one-woman show. Josephine Lee and Isabeau Levito, both formidable contenders, pushed Glenn to her limits, creating an atmosphere of intense rivalry and high drama. Lee secured the silver medal with a respectable overall score of 204.13, while Levito, who had been neck-and-neck with Glenn following the short programs, faced a challenging free skate, ultimately settling for a third-place finish.
Missed Elements and Unexpected Falls: The Challenges of Perfection
While Glenn executed her triple axel with precision early in her program, a few missed elements later on proved costly, preventing her from unleashing her full potential. Despite the setbacks, Glenn’s resilience shone through as she fought to maintain her composure and salvage her performance.
“I was just disappointed in myself again because I know that I could have brought a bit more and trusted myself to do a bit more in that second half,” Glenn reflected. “To go from that, feeling like my success was slipping away, to realizing that I had it, it was a mixture of happiness, of course. This wasn’t exactly how I wanted to get my first national title but I’m incredibly thankful for it.”
Levito’s Title Defense Falters: A Night of Disappointment
With the opportunity to defend her title, Levito stepped onto the ice, determined to reclaim her crown. However, the evening took an unexpected turn as she struggled from the outset, suffering a couple of falls that led to a deduction of four points and a disappointing third-place finish.
“This evening kind of felt like a fever dream,” Levito lamented. “It was so tough going in, trying to defend the title, and I think when I first made that mistake, it kind of woke me up.”
History in the Making: Mia Kalin’s Quadruple Jump
While the women’s free skate program was dominated by the battle for the top spots, Mia Kalin, a 15-year-old rising star, etched her name into the history books. During her performance, Kalin became the first woman to cleanly land a quadruple jump, a skill with four turns, also known as a “quad,” at the U.S. Championships, earning thunderous applause from the crowd.
Men’s Short Program: Ilia Malinin Dominates, Brown Remains Resilient
In the men’s short program, Ilia Malinin asserted his dominance, securing a commanding lead with a score of 108.57. Finishing nearly 20 points ahead of his closest rival, Maxim Naumov, Malinin shattered the record for the largest lead in U.S. Figure Skating Championship history after the short programs portion of the men’s event.
Despite missing out on his signature quad axel, the move that catapulted him into the record books in 2022, Malinin lived up to his “quad god” nickname by executing two other impressive quad skills.
“The audience coming out here, some of them are flying or driving a long way here to really watch us skate,” Malinin acknowledged. “We just have a lot of appreciation for them. … For us to try to perform our best in front of them, is really sort of way to show that.”
Jason Brown, a fan favorite and former Olympian, faced a challenging short program, suffering a fall that resulted in a one-point deduction. Despite the setback, the 29-year-old veteran remained upbeat and positive, demonstrating his resilience and unwavering spirit.
“I love the US championships,” Brown enthused. “It just feels like a homecoming every time I get to come back year after year. As far as my performance, I felt great out there. Obviously, it’s not ideal to start, you know, on your butt, but I love the fight to the end.”
Anticipation Builds for Ice Dance and Pairs
With the women’s and men’s titles decided, the U.S. Figure Skating Championships continued with ice dance and pairs, both culminating in their long programs on Saturday. The stage was set for more captivating performances, nail-biting competition, and the crowning of new champions.