Why Amber Glenn’s Invalid Element at the Milano Cortina Olympics Cost Her Big Even Though She Didn’t Fall

At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, much of the attention focused on athlete performances, technical prowess, and emotional moments on the ice. But one result surprised many figure skating fans: Amber Glenn, a highly capable competitor known for her clean jumps and strong artistry, saw her placing drop significantly — despite skating without any falls. So what happened?

The answer lies in one key detail that many casual viewers missed: an invalid element in her free skate program — a scoring rule that can cost competitors valuable points even when everything looks smooth.

🧠 Understanding the Invalid Element Rule

In figure skating, skaters plan a list of required “elements” (jumps, spins, footwork sequences) in their program. Judges award points based on technical execution and difficulty, but each element must meet very specific criteria — including correct takeoff edges, rotations, and timing.

If an element doesn’t meet the technical requirements, it is deemed invalid — meaning that instead of gaining points, the skater earns zero for that element. The jump still looks completed, but it simply doesn’t count toward the technical score. This is different from a fall — which carries a deduction but still earns some base points — and that is what made Glenn’s situation particularly impactful.

In her free skate, Glenn performed what appeared to be a clean sequence, including challenging jumps executed with finesse and confidence. But one of those elements was ruled invalid under the technical panel’s criteria. That meant she missed out on crucial base value points that would normally add to her score.

⛸️ Why It Matters

Figure skating is a sport where every fraction of a point can shift standings, especially at the Olympic level. Skaters plan their elements to maximize their technical score while balancing the risk of execution. Landing high-difficulty jumps — like triple Axels or combinations involving multiple rotations — can be rewarding if performed correctly. But an element ruled invalid essentially wipes out that reward.

In Glenn’s case, even without a fall or visible mistake, the technical panel identified a detail — often something like insufficient rotation, incorrect edge, or timing issue — that made one of her elements not meet the criteria. The result wasn’t dramatic in the performance itself. She skated cleanly. But under the scoring system, it cost her much more than a visible slip or stumble would have.

Many casual viewers don’t realize that figure skating scoring isn’t just about visually clean performances. It’s also deeply technical. The rules governing jump recognition are strict, and even elite skaters can lose points if an element doesn’t meet those strict specifications.

📊 The Impact on Rankings

Because the invalid element earned zero technical points, Glenn’s total score dropped relative to her competitors. Others who performed slightly simpler but technically valid elements ended up scoring higher. In a field as tight as Olympic competition, this type of scoring discrepancy can mean the difference between a personal best, a finals placement, or a podium contention.

This particular aspect of scoring has long been debated in figure skating circles. Some applaud the rules for enforcing precision and technical excellence. Others point out that even visually successful jumps can be penalized harshly, creating results that might seem surprising to fans who aren’t familiar with the nuances.

🧎‍♀️ What Athletes Face

For skaters like Amber Glenn, training is not just physical — it’s highly technical. Coaches, choreographers, and athletes invest years mastering every rotation, perfecting edges, and ensuring each planned element meets exact criteria. At the Olympics, there is no room for error — visible or not.

Even moments that look effortless on the ice can hide technical details that determine final results. And for Glenn, the combination of a strong performance and a single invalidated element became a reminder of just how precise — and unforgiving — elite figure skating can be.

✨ A Performance Still Worth Celebrating

While the scoring outcome may not have reflected a top placement, many fans and experts agreed that Glenn’s performance was emotionally resonant and artistically strong. She displayed confidence, speed, and musicality — qualities that define not just great athletes, but performers with heart and presence.

In the end, the story isn’t just about one score. It’s about how a sport that blends artistry and athleticism rewards precision — and how even elite competitors must navigate the most exacting rules under the brightest lights.