BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 26: Alysa Liu of the United States competes in the Women's Short ... More Program during the ISU World Figure Skating Championships at the TD Garden on March 26, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Joosep Martinson - International Skating Union/International Skating Union via Getty Images) International Skating Union via Getty Images It’s been a long time coming for Alysa Liu, but when the 19-year-old took to the World Championship stage in Boston on Wednesday, she looked unfazed. Instead of shrinking in fear, she cartwheeled toward the ice. Minutes later, in her first World Championship skate since 2022, Liu posted a personal best to claim a surprise lead in the Women’s Singles race at the 2025 ISU World Figure Skating Championships. Skating to the ethereal track “Promise” by Laufey, Liu effortlessly landed her three jumping elements to deafening roars from the home crowd. The audience was already on its feet when she finished her final spin. She scored 74.58 – a personal best. “This program is so emotional itself, so I was probably going to cry anyway,” Liu told a reporter after the skate. Liu added that the electric atmosphere propelled her to finish her program. “I just love the feeling towards the end of the program when you hear the crowd and you see them…you can't find that feeling anywhere else." Liu’s emotion comes from familiarity. Before abruptly deciding to retire at just age 16, she last competed at the same event: the World Championships. Dubbed the ‘next big thing’ in American women’s figure skating, Liu won back-to-back U.S. titles at just 13 and 14 years old. When she won her first title in 2019, she broke 1998 Olympic Champion Tara Lipinski’s record to become the youngest skater to win the U.S. senior women’s title. MORE FOR YOU ‘Buckle Up’—Bitcoin Price Suddenly Braced For A ‘Cambrian Explosion’ Ukraine Unleashes Nikola Tesla’s Weapon In The Black Sea Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers For Wednesday, March 26th DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 25: Alysa Liu competes in the ladies free skate program during the 2019 Geico ... More U.S. Figure Skating Championships at Little Caesars Arena on January 25, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images However, after placing 6th at the 2022 Beijing Games, Liu abruptly announced her retirement. Ultimately, Liu felt that figure skating was no longer in her best interest. “There were many, many times when I didn’t enjoy it," she said in 2022. Two years later, Liu announced her comeback, determined to return to the ice “on her own terms.” Ironically, a different winter sport revitalized her interest: skiing. Reflecting on her experience on the slopes, Liu said, "I hadn’t felt that adrenaline rush… since I’d quit skating. It feels so similar to skiing. And so after I skied, I was like, ‘Wait, let me get on the ice and see what it feels like.’ Just over a year after announcing her comeback, Liu is in position to become the first World Champion for the U.S. Women since 2006. Top Challengers Falter BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 26: Amber Glenn of United States performs during ISU World Figure ... More Skating Championships - Boston, at TD Garden, on March 26, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun - International Skating Union/International Skating Union via Getty Images) International Skating Union via Getty Images Though Liu’s skating was breathtaking, few expected her to remain alone at the top. Amber Glenn, the two-time defending U.S. Champion, arrived in Boston as a gold medal favorite. Three-time defending World Champion Kaori Sakamoto was expected to battle Glenn for gold in T.D. Garden. However, both Glenn and Sakamoto struggled in the short program. Undefeated this season, Glenn is world-renowned for her jumping ability. Known for her Triple Axel jump – considered the most challenging jump in women’s figure skating – Glenn missed the jump on Thursday, dramatically falling to the ice. While Sakamoto remained on her feet, she downgraded a key jump combination at the end of her program. Despite their respective errors, Sakamoto sits in 5th and Glenn 9th, both qualifying to compete in Friday’s free skate. The battle is far from over. While the two frontrunners fell short, their competitors shined. Japan’s Mone Chiba brought the crowd to their feet, nailing her jumps and enthusiastically performing her disco-themed program for a second-place finish. American Isabeau Levito, the 2024 World silver medalist, delivered an elegant program to sit in third overall. 2018 World silver medalist Wakaba Higuchi (JPN) also started well in Boston. The veteran currently sits just off the podium in fourth. Wakaba was the fourth woman to land a clean triple Axel at an Olympic Games after successfully attempting the skill at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. On Friday, a World Champion will be crowned. The top 24 skaters will take the ice to compete in women’s free skate on Friday, March 28, at 6 p.m. ET, streaming on NBC and Peacock. Full results are accessible here. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Editorial StandardsForbes Accolades