APTOPIX Milan Cortina Olympics Figure Skating

Alysa Liu won Olympic gold for the U.S. in women’s figure skating, ending a 24-year drought. Liu delivered a near-flawless free skate at the Milan Cortina Games to beat out Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai of Japan on Thursday night. Liu had returned to the sport after stepping away following the Beijing Games. She posted a career-best 226.79 points, while Sakamoto took silver after a mistake. Nakai earned bronze after a slip as well. American teammate Amber Glenn celebrated in the kiss-and-cry area with Liu after Nakai’s score was read. Glenn rebounded from Tuesday’s short program and finished fifth.