Three years after resignation
WM comeback: 19-year-old gets title
29.03.2025 – 8:01 a.m.Reading time: 1 min.
At the World Cup three years ago, the American Alysa Liu won bronze. Then she ended her career. Now she is back – and more successful than ever.
Actually, Alysa Liu surprisingly ended her figure skating career three years ago when she was 16 years old. But at the beginning of last year she announced her comeback – and has now reached the top. At the World Cup in Boston, the 19-year-old sensationally won the title in her first season after her return.
Liu had already taken the lead in the short program. Also in the freestyle she was not put off and defended her top position with 222.97 points. This gave her the first World Cup gold for the United States in the women’s competition since 2006.
Former world champion Kaori Sakamoto came second with 217.98 points. The Japanese had dominated the past three world championships, but now had to give up her much younger rival. Third was Mone Chiba (215.24 points), also from Japan.
After the decision, Liu and Sakamoto congratulated themselves on the ice. No runner from Germany was at the start. Reason: No athlete met the starting requirements of the ISU ice skating world. The German team remained for the first time since 2003 at a women’s World Cup without a participant.