The Americans had arguably the best world championships in their long and distinguished figure skating history, and now they are pointing toward next season and the Olympics.

Ilia Malinin defended his world title with free skate that earned a standing ovation inside TD Garden on Saturday night, capping a memorable home championships for the Americans.

Alysa Liu became the first American women's figure skating world champion in nearly two decades Friday night, dethroning three-time defending champion Kaori Sakamoto with a brilliant free skate that earned her a standing ovation inside TD Garden.

U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu led after the short program on the opening night of the world championships on Wednesday.

Amber Glenn defended her title as the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, landing a massive triple axel early in the program and then watching in stressful anticipation as Alysa Liu came up just short of surpassing her.

Alysa Liu returned after two years away from figure skating to take the lead after the short program at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

U.S. Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu and her father Arthur Liu — a former political refugee — were targeted in a spying operation ahead of the Beijing Olympics that the Justice Department alleges was ordered by the Chinese government, the elder Liu says.

Some figure skaters are hoping an Olympic doping scandal that is fueling a push to raise the minimum age of competitors will also focus attention on what they see as the sport’s most pressing issue: body image, body shaming and disordered eating.

The U.S. figure skaters are advancing to the free skate but struggled to break through in the short program on Tuesday night at the Beijing Olympics.

Alysia Liu has joined U.S. champion Mariah Bell and runner-up Karen Chen on the American figure skating team for the Beijing Olympics.

Bradie Tennell performs during the women's free skate at the U.S. (AP Photo/John Locher)LAS VEGAS – Bradie Tennell is back on top of American figure skating. They sure missed an edge-of-your seat women's free skate. Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier have a six-point lead over Jessica Calalang and Brian Johnson headed into the pairs free skate, and the free dance wraps up the evening session. “We're really confident in our free dance,” Hubbell said after watching Chock and Bates perform Friday, “and it's not over till it's over.