Amber Glenn shared how she felt before her events at the 2026 US National Championships, the gateway to the Cortina Olympics that kicks off next month. Glenn was a force to be reckoned with in St. Louis, topping the women’s short program and free skate, winning her third consecutive National title.
Glenn joined the likes of Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito to secure her seat on the Olympics roster, her first trip to the Games.
Amber Glenn Reveals How She Handled the Nerves at the 2026 National Championships
Glenn faltered during the 2025–26 Grand Prix, finishing fourth overall. At the Nationals, however, she staged a remarkable comeback, shattering Liu’s women’s short program record within minutes and winning gold in the free skate as well, thereby adding her third consecutive singles title to her résumé.
Her performance subsequently qualified her for her first Olympics, as Liu and Levito rounded out the podium. In a press conference recently, Glenn was asked how she managed to keep her nerves in check before she graced the ice.
In response, the 26-year-old revealed that behind her composed exterior was an upset stomach, as she felt like she was about to throw up. However, once she stepped onto the ice, years of experience began to take effect, helping her manage both the mental and physical aspects and perform at her best. The figure skater also credited her fellow US skater Levito for sharing life-changing suggestions, saying:
“I felt like I was going to throw up. My stomach’s been bothering me all day. So fake it till you make it, as Isabeau says all the time. Took that to heart, and I was just trying to get in touch with my body and get a feel of the ice. I think my years of experience kicked in. I was really happy I was able to get through it on my feet. I’ve been working on the mental and physical side for a while now, and I’m happy to see it come together, and I still have a lot of work to do before Milan.”
Glenn boasts the 2024-25 Grand Prix singles title and two World Team trophies.
Amber Glenn Shared that Her Late Grandmother Helped her During her Performances in the Nationals
The three-time National champion always had her grandmother at the sidelines, cheering for her during her competitions. But the latter passed away in 2025, a month after a tragic accident claimed several lives in the skating community. Glenn’s world turned upside down at the face of two back-to-back heartbreaking losses.
At the recently concluded Nationals, she couldn’t stop tears from rolling down her face even before she took to the ice. She shared that she felt her grandmother’s presence amid the high-intensity environment, which helped her perform at her best and ultimately win the title.
