GRENOBLE – Amber Glenn rose to the top of international figure skating and proved she belongs there on Saturday with a historic victory in the Grand Prix Final.

Glenn became the first American to win the Women’s Grand Prix Final since Alissa Czisny 14 years ago, while three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto had to settle for third place.

It continues a superb season at age 25 for the Texas-born skater, undefeated in 2024-25, and caps off a year that started with her. first American national title in January. Glenn admitted it was difficult to get used to being on the top step of the podium.

“I’m exhausted,” she said. “It’s been a whirlwind season and I’ve kind of struggled with that imposter syndrome. Just, ‘Oh, no, no, I’m not winning. That’s not me.’ And I’m just happy that my hard work is finally showing, and it’s a great event, and I’m honored to even be here.”

Skating last among six women against five Japanese skaters, there were few signs of the pain that had Glenn disturbed in Thursday’s short program.

Glenn started with an emphatic triple axel and overcame a slight wobble during his free skate – doubling a planned triple salchow and slightly underrotating a triple flip – to finish strong and score a total of 212.07 for the victory .

Mone Chiba, silver medalist in her two Grand Prix events this season, was second again with 208.85. World champion Sakamoto was out of form in the short program, but recovered with a strong free skate to the musical “Chicago” for bronze in 201.13.

The United States could win two more titles later Saturday. Ilia Malinin leads the men’s event before the free skate and Madison Chock and Evan Bates lead the ice dance.

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