MILAN, Italy — Amber Glenn’s Olympic dreams took a sharp turn Tuesday night. The U.S. figure skater, a three-time consecutive national champion, faltered in the women’s singles short program at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. A botched triple loop cost her crucial points and left her in 13th place with 67.39.

Glenn nailed a massive triple axel early in her routine, then flowed into a triple flip. She attempted a triple toe loop next but under-rotated and bailed into a double loop. Officials ruled it an invalid element. That mistake alone shaved off seven or eight points from her total, according to skating analysts.

“I had it,” Glenn told her coach immediately after stepping off the ice, her voice breaking. Tears streamed down her face as she left the rink at the Mediolanum Forum. All three American women — Glenn, Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito — advanced to Thursday’s free skate. Liu, the reigning world champion, sits strong in third place behind Japan’s Ami Nakai and Kaori Sakamoto.

Glenn’s performance capped a dramatic night in figure skating. The U.S. team, nicknamed the “Blade Angels,” grabbed gold in the team event earlier. Glenn waved that medal at critics on social media beforehand. No such flex this time.

The 25-year-old from Plano, Texas, made headlines beyond the ice. In 2019, she came out as bisexual and pansexual. She has publicly condemned the Trump administration’s policies toward the LGBTQ+ community. Backlash forced her off social media for a stretch. She returned stronger, winning her third U.S. title in a row last month.

Early Wednesday, Glenn shared her mindset on Instagram Stories. “The world has ended for me many times and yet tomorrow still comes,” she wrote. “Keep going.” Her words drew quick support from fans and fellow skaters.

The short program unfolded under bright lights before a packed arena. Nakai led with 74.02. Sakamoto followed at 72.45. Liu scored 71.87 for third. Levito landed in eighth at 68.92. Glenn’s 67.39 put her well behind the leaders. A strong free skate Thursday could still salvage a top-10 finish, but medals look out of reach, officials said.

U.S. Figure Skating officials praised the team’s depth. “We’re proud of all three advancing,” a spokesperson said. Glenn’s triple axel — one of the hardest jumps in women’s skating — highlighted her raw power. The error came on a combo she practiced flawlessly in nationals.

Glenn trains under longtime coach Cindy Kurtz in Texas. She spoke last week about the pressure. “This is my first Olympics,” she said. “I want to show what American skating looks like.” Her team event gold already delivered on that promise.

Japan dominated early, with Nakai and Sakamoto pulling ahead on clean jumps and spins. Liu stayed close with a triple lutz-triple toe and precise footwork. Levito fought through a step-out but held her spot.

For Glenn, the night stung. Her score trailed the top group by more than four points. She waved to supporters in the stands before heading to the kiss-and-cry area. There, she hugged her coach and buried her face in a towel.

The free skate looms large. Liu remains a medal threat. Glenn eyes redemption. Her Instagram post signals she’s not done fighting.