“Grace on ice: Amber Glenn’s triumphant ascent and Ilia Malinin’s dominance redefine excellence at the 2024 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.”
In a dazzling display of skill, perseverance, and triumph, Amber Glenn claimed her first senior U.S. title at the 2024 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Columbus, Ohio. A decade after standing atop the podium as the U.S. junior champion, Glenn showcased her growth and resilience, nailing a triple Axel and captivating the audience with her performance to “Exogenesis: Symphony, Part 3: Redemption Song” by Muse.
Glenn’s journey included overcoming rough patches with her intended triple Lutz and triple flip, but she finished strong with back-to-back Level 4 spins and an electric choreography sequence. With an overall score of 210.46, she stood proudly on the podium alongside first-time senior medalists Josephine Lee (silver) and Sarah Everhardt (pewter), and the 2023 U.S. champion Isabeau Levito, who secured the bronze.
Josephine Lee, 15, delivered the best free skate of the night, earning a personal-best score of 204.13. Performing flawlessly to “Poeta en el Viento” by Vicente Amigo, Lee’s triple flip-double Axel-double Axel sequence dazzled the audience, securing her well-deserved silver medal.
In the men’s short program, Ilia Malinin from Virginia dominated the competition with back-to-back quad jumps, setting the stage for a potential second U.S. title. His score of 108.57, earned with a performance to “Malagueña” by Roni Benise, placed him nearly 19 points ahead of the competition, showcasing his prowess and artistry.
The men’s competition also featured notable performances from Maxim Naumov, who achieved a personal best score, securing second place, and fan-favorite Jason Brown, who overcame an opening fall to land in third place. Andrew Torgashev, the defending U.S. bronze medalist, is in fourth place, setting the stage for an intense competition in the free skate.
As the U.S. Figure Skating Championships continue, the focus now shifts to the ice dance and pairs events, where new champions will be crowned. Glenn’s triumph and Malinin’s dominance have set the bar high for the remaining competitors, promising an exciting conclusion to this year’s championships in Columbus.
