Amber Glenn, the skater redefining what power looks like on the ice

Importance Score: 35 / 100 🔵

Amber Glenn’s Artistic Edge at World Figure Skating Championships

Boston eagerly anticipates Amber Glenn’s free skate at the World Figure Skating Championships tonight, as spectators hold their breath following an underwhelming short program. Entering undefeated this season, Glenn was considered a frontrunner. The Grand Prix Final Champion and two-time US national champion, renowned as the only woman consistently landing a triple Axel in competition, suffered an atypical fall on this jump on Wednesday, positioning her ninth after the short program. Despite this setback, with a gap of less than seven points from the leader, a world title is still attainable. Beyond her athletic prowess, Glenn possesses a more intangible and potent element in her repertoire: her artistry.

Beyond Traditional Skating Aesthetics

Initially, Amber Glenn might appear similar to past American figure skating stars. With a petite build, blonde, curled hair framing her meticulously made-up face, she doesn’t outwardly challenge conventional norms. However, as soon as the music commences, a transformation occurs. She becomes dynamic; her movements are purposeful, imbued with a power that propels her across the ice with hockey player-like force, yet simultaneously exhibiting refined musicality. This fusion of strength and grace, coupled with captivating showmanship, has cultivated a dedicated fanbase and amassed 1.5 million followers on TikTok.

Quick Guide: World Figure Skating Championships 2025 Schedule

Schedule

All times EST.

Wednesday, March 26

• Women’s Short Program, 12:05 PM (Peacock)
• Women’s Short Program, 3:00 PM (USA Network)
• Remembrance Ceremony, 6:15 PM (Peacock)
• Pairs’ Short Program, 6:45 PM (Peacock)

Thursday, March 27

• Men’s Short Program, 11:05 AM (Peacock)
• Men’s Short Program, 3:00 PM (USA Network)
• Pairs’ Free Skate, 6:15 PM (Peacock)
• Pairs’ Free Skate, 8:00 PM (USA Network)

Friday, March 28

• Rhythm Dance, 11:15 AM (Peacock)
• Rhythm Dance, 3:00 PM (USA Network)
• Women’s Free Skate, 6:00 PM (Peacock)
• Women’s Free Skate, 8:00 PM (NBC/Peacock)

Saturday, March 29

• Free Dance, 1:30 PM (Peacock)
• Free Dance, 3:00 PM (USA Network)
• Men’s Free Skate, 6:00 PM (Peacock)
• Men’s Free Skate, 8:00 PM (NBC/Peacock)

Sunday, March 30

• Exhibition Gala, 2:00 PM (Peacock)

How to Watch Outside the US

United Kingdom

Premier Sports currently holds the broadcasting rights for the World Figure Skating Championships in the UK until 2028. A subscription to Premier Sports is required to watch the championships, offering live event coverage. Subscriptions are available via their official website or through TV providers that include Premier Sports packages.

Australia

SBS provides complimentary live coverage of the World Figure Skating Championships in Australia through SBS On Demand.

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Unlocking Choreographic Potential

For Glenn’s choreographers, Katherine Hill and Kaitlyn Weaver, working alongside the 25-year-old unlocks almost boundless creative potential. “Ice time with Amber is playtime,” remarks Weaver, a three-time world medalist herself. “I might suggest, ‘Could you attempt this? What about that?’ And the answer is invariably, ‘yes.’”

Redefining Feminine Strength in Skating

Historically, women in figure skating have been lauded for their grace, crafting pristine lines from their extremities while typically performing to classical or romantic musical pieces, Weaver explains. Often, female skaters adopt one of two stereotypical roles: the seductress or the princess-like innocent. While exceptions exist, Glenn’s inherent physical capability, balanced by a capacity for balletic elegance, presents a novel approach. This duality preempts criticisms that she appears too forceful or “masculine”—judgments frequently directed at women prioritizing sheer athleticism, such as Tonya Harding.

Transcending Gendered Performance Norms

“When devising routines for male or female athletes, there are inherent distinctions in their desired performance aesthetic, physical capabilities, and judging criteria,” Hill observes. “However, with Amber, some of these traditionally perceived gender-based differences seem non-existent.”

Hill joined Glenn’s team three years prior and states that she often poses a question to skaters as a choreographer: do they identify as athletes or artists? Most will pause before choosing “athlete,” but for Glenn, the answer is unequivocally the latter. Hill believes that in addition to natural talent, the strategies learned from cultivating a substantial social media presence have positively influenced Glenn’s inventiveness. She understands the significance of timing—synchronizing a captivating or graceful move with a musical crescendo, thereby capturing attention and engaging the audience. Moreover, she recognizes that figure skating is a judged competition, and similar to her online followers, judges seek to be entertained.

Signature Moves and Performance Style

Observing Glenn skate reveals one-handed cartwheels, expansive “butterfly” leaps where she propels herself horizontally into the air, and physics-defying cantilevers—a maneuver where she glides on her blades, seemingly participating in an extreme limbo, her hair skimming the ice. She is eager to incorporate a backflip. And, of course, there’s the triple Axel. While not the originator of these individual moves, she is pioneering their combination—and successfully executing them in competition. Although physically demanding, her overall performance evokes the essence of a contemporary dancer rather than a conventional figure skater.

For many enthusiasts, figure skating’s charm lies in its artistic nature. However, for over three centuries, it has also been a competitive sport, subject to rules and regulations that standardize required elements. In both men’s and women’s categories, jumps—skaters launching into the air and rotating up to four times before landing on a single blade—have become fundamental. Glenn acknowledges the necessity of recognizable, quantifiable elements but suggests the sport could gain from lessening its fixation on jumps.

Pushing Creative Boundaries within Competition

“I possess a vast repertoire of elements I’d love to showcase in competition. However, some of the more innovative and imaginative moves are deemed too risky for point value,” Glenn explains. She sometimes omits experimental actions created by Hill and Weaver to allocate time for jump preparation, yet she believes spectators desire more artistic expression.

Fan Engagement and Evolving Perceptions

“Online engagement rarely favors jumps over fast spins, cantilevers, or split leaps,” Glenn notes. “Many viewers don’t differentiate between a triple flip and a triple Lutz. The difficulty of a quad jump is primarily understood because it’s been communicated as such.” Her aspirations might be realized soon. Last season, the International Skating Union proposed reducing required jumps from seven to six, though the measure was not enacted for the current Olympic cycle.

Artistic Training and Musical Interpretation

Even with jump focus, Hill emphasizes that every choreographic element—from each arm gesture to every head turn—is meticulously honed. Together, they discuss Glenn’s emotional and mental state during each moment, the music’s narrative, and her artistic response. In essence, her training mirrors a dancer’s regimen. While Glenn expresses lifelong passion for choreography and routine creation, some aspects of this artistic approach remain outside her comfort zone.

Overcoming Performance Anxiety and Finding Stillness

“Growing up, I consistently skated to more intense music,” Glenn recalls. “I amplified everything, moving at high speed. Slowing down felt like stillness, something I actively avoided. Even now, stillness remains a challenge.”

Her coach, Damon Allen, indicates that guiding her to decelerate is a crucial aspect of his role. They utilize a heart rate tracking application, allowing him to employ real-time data to remind her to regain composure.

Perfectionism and Balanced Training

“She is a perfectionist, and if she encounters difficulty with an element, she aims to repeat it excessively until it feels correct,” Allen states. “I often intervene, saying, ‘Fifteen repetitions aren’t necessary. Let’s proceed to another element.’”

Ascent to Elite Status

This approach is demonstrably effective. After multiple career pauses due to injuries and mental health challenges, Glenn has rapidly ascended to skating’s upper echelon in just two seasons.

Authenticity and Advocacy

Glenn’s coaching team attributes her widespread fan popularity and substantial social media following partly to her genuine personality, evident both on and off the ice. She makes genuine connections with younger skaters, inquiring about their well-being and maintaining follow-up contact. Glenn has also achieved prominence as the first openly queer female skater at her competitive level, actively championing LGBTQ+ rights.

Game Changer in Figure Skating

“She is authentic,” Allen affirms. “She openly discusses her challenges, anxieties, and ADHD. She is a powerful advocate for mental health, which resonates with many.”

Lasting Impact Regardless of Championship Outcome

Irrespective of her final placement at the World Championships, Glenn has solidified her position as a transformative figure in figure skating. At 25, while older than many competitors, she shows no indication of slowing down. Allen reports that feedback from judges and officials encourages them to “Keep Amber, Amber” and continue pushing boundaries.

Legacy as a Pioneer

“The skaters who are remembered are those who revolutionize the sport,” Weaver concludes. “Amber’s highlights—her jumps, storytelling ability, crowd engagement—collectively distinguish her as a pioneer.”

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