By Xiangxuan Kong, Team FSO contributing writer
Photos by Robin Ritoss
Chongqing— Returning to compete in China three years after the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, U.S. skater Alysa Liu won a silver medal at the Cup of China on October 24, marking her first Grand Prix medal as a 20-year-old Olympian and World Champion.
“It’s definitely strange still because Grand Prix Final was never in picture for me before,” said Liu the next day. “Of course I still have another event (Skate America) that I have to do well to make it to the final, but it’s sort of on the path now and I kind of feel weird about it.”
Liu described her two programs at Cup of China as “a little bit sketchy.” “There are many things that I wanted to do better, but it’s fine and I’ll do better at the next event.” After stepping out on the landing of a planned triple Lutz sequence, she quickly made up for it with a triple flip–double Axel–double toe loop. She took the mistake in stride. “I almost did enjoy making that mistake because I had to really think on what I wanted to do and that was kind of fun. It was a challenge and I love challenges.”
Liu’s love for challenges started early and extends beyond the ice. “I just like challenges and obstacles and sometimes I unconsciously give myself a harder time.” Working hard in training has never been an issue. “I love hard work and I love laboring. I want to jump high whenever I want and become the strongest person I know,” she laughed. “And to beat everyone in arm wrestling. That’s a side goal from figure skating.”
After competing at the Beijing Olympics in 2022 and winning a bronze medal at Worlds the same year, Liu surprised many by announcing her retirement from competition on Instagram in April 2022. “Before my skating was not in an ideal situation at all. I was struggling a lot with so many different things and it was affecting my appetite, diet and sleep. Skating was just not for me and I really hated it back then,” she recalled.
“If I think back to my old programs, I would never show them to anyone else because I don’t like them. I didn’t like the choreography, the music or the outfits. It’s almost like I’m ashamed of them because they weren’t mine.”
It was therefore equally shocking when Liu later announced her return to the sport. “No one thought I was going to come back, including myself.” This time, the then-18-year-old approached figure skating and competition differently — but not without tough questions from her long term coach Phillip DiGuglielmo. “He was concerned whether I was really enjoying it. Because I already went to the Olympics, he was worried that I couldn’t reach a certain expectation when I come back.”
Luckily, Liu had no expectations for her comeback. “I don’t need expectations when I just skate for fun. I love to move, to skate and to perform what I want to perform. I’m very present.”
Another concern Phillip DiGuglielmo raised was how Liu would handle pressure to conform — such as using specific music or even removing her piercings. The answer was clear and easy for Liu: “If competing means I don’t have creative freedom, then I won’t compete.”
Since her return, Liu has embraced skating as an outlet for creativity. “Dresses catch people’s eyes. Music is important because some people may not know it at first and start to like it (after seeing the program),” she explained. “I have so much to work on choreography and the way that I move my body because I want people to see a program that is me.”
For Liu, there is no better platforms than competitions to share her art. “At competitions and galas people pay attention to and appreciate your art. Competitions are great stages that come with medals. Whether you win them or not is not up to you.”
As for scores? They’re not her main focus. “At the end of the day scores don’t really matter as long as I’m doing what I want to do (in the programs). I have to really know myself and stay in myself. I want people to support me because they like what I do, not because I win medals or not.”
With that mindset, Liu is heading into this Olympics season not solely setting her eyes on the medals. “If I were to make Olympics, my goal wouldn’t be medals. Medals don’t mean 100% because there are so many incredible athletes out there and it all depends on that one performance.”
If she were to compete in Milan, her goal would be to make it to the gala. “The gala is just as important as the competitions themselves because they all get the same visibility,” said Liu. “This is a chance to put your work out and I’d like to put out as much as possible.”
Back in 2022, Liu didn’t have an exhibition program, so her teammate and U.S. ice dancer Jean-Luc Baker choreographed one to ITZY’s Loco rink-side, with a borrowed dress from Spanish ice dancer Olivia Smart. “This time I will have a program and dress ready if I were invited to the gala.”
Now, training and competing are experiences Liu cherishes immerses herself in. “I very much value experience and getting to perform and compete is a bonus. I don’t let anything that stops me from experiencing.”
Before the Cup of China, Liu made a bucket list to fully enjoy the trip: eating hotpot, seeing her Chinese family, buying a qipao, and hiking a local mountain — all of which she completed. The 40-minute hike took place the day before her short program. “I feel like not many people would do that but I’m not here only for competitions. I wanted to see the forest and a good view so I did it.”
Hiking is something Liu connected deeply with during her time away from skating. She even went hiking in the Himalayas with her best friend in 2023. “I wasn’t skating anywhere. I had so much free time and I love a challenge.” It was a wonderful experience, being away from her phone and connecting with nature and people around her.
Now in her second season back, Liu couldn’t be happier. “I’m in a very good place in my life now. All my family and friends are alive and healthy. I get to skate and perform and have fun doing it. This is a good life.”
