Two-time Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu said on Tuesday that she is skipping the entire 2026-27 season to “recalibrate” and focus on personal growth.
The news comes five months after her surprise withdrawal from this year’s World Figure Skating Championships in Czechia.
As a result of the break, Liu will not be taking part at the Cup of China in November – the third of six stops on the International Skating Union Grand Prix of Figure Skating series – and Saatva Skate America in Washington, also in the same month.
“I always want to challenge my ways, so my artistry and skating can evolve,” the 21-year-old wrote on Instagram.
“It’s important to me that my sport reflects my personal growth. I’m gonna take the time to recalibrate, fine-tune things and whatnot.”
This marks Liu’s second major break from competitive figure skating after she ‘retired’ at 16 due to burnout following her Olympic debut at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing.
The American returned to the sport two seasons and two years later – on her own terms – after an unplanned Christmas skiing trip to Lake Tahoe in 2023.
‘I’ll be back’
In the same post, Liu assured fans of her comeback to the ice rink for the 2027-28 season.
“So fear not, I’ll be back – and in the meantime, I’ll be rooting for my team-mates near and far,” she said.
Liu told NBC Sports the same day that she will spend time training during her break to improve her “overall artistry” and refine her techniques.
She added that she sat down with coaches Phillip DiGuglielmo and Massimo Scali to discuss her decision.
“Logically and emotionally and physically, this just makes the most sense,” Liu said in an interview.
“I will miss seeing the international competitors at all the international (competitions), but there will be more, so it’s fine.”
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The golden girl
Fresh from retirement, Liu emerged as the breakout star of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in February, gliding to gold in the women’s figure skating singles and team event.
Her stunning women’s singles victory was Team USA’s first since Sarah Hughes in 2002.
She also captivated the hearts of many at the multisport event and beyond with her carefree Olympic exhibition gala performance of the “Stateside” remix by PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson.
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