Bronze for U. S. in team figure skating
The United States won the bronze medal in the team figureskating event Monday at the Winter Olympics, thanks in large part to a personal- best performance by Mirai Nagasu in the women’s free skate.
Canada already had clinched the gold medal and Russia the silver before the free dance, which ended the competition. The United States won the bronze when Alex and MaiaShibutani finished second to Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada in the free dance.
Nagasu became the first U. S. woman — and only the third overall — to land a triple axel in Olympic competition. She earned a personal- best 137.53 points, second to 15- year- old Alina Zagitova of Russia, who notched an astonishing 158.08 points.
‘‘ To nail it the way I did, out of the corner ofmy eye I could seemy teammates standing out of excitement,’’ Nagasu said. ‘‘ And at that moment Iwanted to stop the music and get off. But I still hadmy whole program ahead of me, and to complete the performance to the best of my ability is really exciting.’’
Carpentersville resident Bradie Tennell was part of the bronze celebration for the United States. She finished fifth in the women’s short program.
LUGE Mazdzer makes history for U. S.
Chris Mazdzer became the first U. S. man to earn an Olympic singles medal in luge when he won an unexpected silver Sunday.
Mazdzer was fourth after the first two heats Saturday, a mere thousandth of a second away from a medal spot. Knowing the opportunity was there for the taking, he threw down a track- record time in his third heat and crossed the line on his final heat knowing he had clinched a medal.
‘‘ I knew I could do it,’’ said Mazdzer, who finished in 3 minutes, 10.728 seconds. ‘‘ It was a blast. It didn’t feel as crazy as it probably looked. I felt in control, and, yeah, it was amazing.’’
David Gleirscher of Austria won the gold in 3: 10.702, and Johannes Ludwig of Germany took the bronze in 3: 10.932.
WOMEN’S HOCKEY U. S. tops Finland in opener
Oak Lawn native Kendall Coyne scored the go- ahead goal midway through the second period, and the United States overcame an early deficit to earn a 3- 1 victory Sunday against Finland in its Olympic opener.
Monique Lamoureux- Morando and Dani Cameranesi also scored for theUnited States, which improved to 6- 0 in Olympic openers. HoviVenla scored for Finland.
SNOWBOARDING Another slopestyle gold for U. S.
Jamie Anderson defended her title in women’s slopestyle snowboarding Monday, surviving blustery conditions to give the United States its second gold medal of the Winter Games. Red Gerard won the United States’ first gold of the Games in the men’s event Sunday.
Anderson posted a score of 83.00 in the first of her two runs then watched it hold up. Laurie Blouin of Canada won the silver and Enni Rukajarvi of Finland the bronze. ALPINE SKIING
Women’s giant slalom postponed
The women’s giant slalom was postponed Monday because of strong wind and was rescheduled for Thursday. The race was supposed to open the Alpine schedule after the men’s downhill was postponed Sunday for the same reason.