Alysa Liu shines, while Amber Glenn is haunted by a big mistake in Olympic figure skating

"The reigning world champion could end the United States' 20-year Olympic medal drought in the women's singles competition. The last U.S. woman to stand on an Olympic podium was Sasha Cohen in 2006. The United States was primed to end the drought with Liu, Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito, but only Liu is in the top six after the short program. Levito skated cleanly but enters Thursday's free skate in seventh."

"Glenn's program started almost flawlessly with a steady triple axel, but she popped her last jumping pass and earned zero points on it. After her program, she clutched the necklaces on her burgundy lace dress and knelt at center ice. She broke down in tears when she hugged her coach. Glenn's 67.39 points put her safely into Thursday's free skate but at 13th place, she is well outside the medal race."

"Japan's 17-year-old Ami Nakai was the only other competitor to attempt a triple axel Tuesday and she soared to first place in the short program with 78.71 points. Fellow Japanese star Kaori Sakamoto scored 77.23 points for second place. As she left the ice, fans held up orange towels with Sakamoto's name. She paused to soak in the sight. Liu received some of the loudest applause of the night."

Alysa Liu sits third after the short program and is the United States' leading medal hope in women's singles. Liu is the reigning world champion and could end the U.S. 20-year Olympic medal drought in women's singles; the last U.S. woman on the Olympic podium was Sasha Cohen in 2006. Isabeau Levito skated cleanly but sits seventh heading into the free skate. Amber Glenn fell from medal contention after popping her final jumping pass and scoring 67.39, finishing 13th and visibly emotional. Japan's Ami Nakai leads the short program with 78.71, followed by Kaori Sakamoto with 77.23. Liu landed a triple lutz-triple loop and drew large applause.

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