Alysa Liu to sit out 2026-27 figure skating season for artistic recalibration
The Olympic gold medallist has announced a temporary hiatus from competitive skating, citing a need for personal growth after a historic run at the Milano-Cortina Games.
Alysa Liu, the 21-year-old Olympic gold medallist, has confirmed she will not compete in the 2026-27 figure skating season. The announcement, made via Instagram on Tuesday, signals a strategic pause in her competitive career following a dominant performance at the Milano-Cortina Games in February.
Liu stated that the break is necessary to allow her artistry to evolve and to ensure her skating reflects her personal growth. "I always want to challenge myself in new ways," she wrote in her statement. "It's important to me that my sport reflects my personal growth. I'm gonna take the time to recalibrate, fine-tune things & whatnot."
This marks the second significant hiatus in Liu’s career. She previously retired at the age of 16 after finishing seventh at the 2022 Beijing Olympics before returning to the ice to claim both team and individual gold medals this year. Unlike her earlier departure, Liu explicitly vowed to return to competition in the future, distinguishing this season off from a permanent retirement.
The decision reverses a statement made to USA Today in May, where Liu had expressed a desire to compete in the following season. Since her Olympic victory, she has navigated a demanding schedule, participating in the Stars on Ice exhibition tour this spring while skipping the World Championships in March, which took place just two months after the Games concluded.
Liu’s achievement at the Milano-Cortina Games made her the first U.S. woman to win individual figure skating gold since Sarah Hughes in 2002. Her victory, characterised by a fearless and carefree approach, established her as a global sensation and increased the pressure of continuous competition.
While the exact duration of her break remains open-ended, Liu assured fans of her eventual return. "So fear not, I’ll be back, & in the meantime I’ll be rooting for my teammates near & far," she concluded, indicating that the hiatus is intended for recalibration rather than a full withdrawal from the sport.
